Patriots: Bizarre snap count stat proves New England needs to trade for wide receiver

The snap count from Sunday’s loss to Denver proves that the Patriots need to trade for a wide receiver.

The Patriots’ lack of dynamism on the perimeter was on fully display during their loss to Denver on Sunday, as no wide receiver tallied more than three receptions or 38 yards. To put those numbers into perspective, Cam Newton was just 6-of-13 (46%) when targeting his wideouts.

We’re not absolving Newton from his admittedly poor performance, but it’s also worth noting that he only got one legitimate practice in leading up to the game after he was cleared to be activated off the COVID-19 reserve list.

The bottom line is that the Patriots’ receivers struggled mightily at creating separation. Throw in the fact that Damien Harris and the running game couldn’t get anything going, and Newton’s life was made all the more difficult. His most exciting plays on the day were as a wideout, snagging passes from Julian Edelman. The Broncos’ secondary is nothing to write home about, but any group can look impenetrable if a defense is only rushing four or five players and having success doing so.

After the game, Newton continued to express confidence in his WRs, but what else do you want him to say? When you take a look at the snap count from Sunday, you should be left thinking that the Patriots need to pull off a trade for a wideout prior to the deadline.

Damiere Byrd has quietly been very good for the Patriots — he’s led them in receiving in each of the last two weeks — but should he really be leading the snap count at WR on a team with playoff aspirations? We all know the answer to that question. He’d simply be better served as the No. 3 option.

And what about N’Keal Harry? He ran the second most routes on New England and failed to haul in a reception on either of his two targets. The 2019 first-round pick has been far too susceptible to no-shows like this and, despite coming into the NFL as a touted prospect, you can’t help but wonder what his ceiling at the pro level really is.

Julian Edelman actually had his highest snap count in two weeks, but managed just two receptions for eight yards on six targets, which ranked second on the team. Running back James White led the way in that department (nine), as well as catches (eight) and yards (65).

The Broncos’ defense ranks in the middle of the pack in terms of the major statistical categories, so they’re more than capable of being burned through the air. The fact that Newton targeted White as much as he did just speaks to his lack of trust in his receivers and how little separation they were creating.

We’re not demanding that the Patriots trade for a superstar, but a true difference maker has to be the standard. If it costs a second or third-round draft pick, then so be it. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Belichick is a master negotiator.

Loss to Broncos proves Patriots have a lot more problems than COVID-19

The New England Patriots' loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday proves they have a lot more to worry about than COVID-19.