How Dangerous Is The Patriots Receiver Room?
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As camp continues and the offseason progresses, it’s no secret that the Patriots will have a new-look offense without long time offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
With that being said, how dangerous could this pass game be? More dangerous than you think with some unsung studs for Mac Jones to sling the ball out to.
Familiar Receiver Weapons: Kendrick Bourne & Jakobi Meyers
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Standout receivers Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne have turned into fan favorites in Foxboro. They both greatly contributed last season. Bourne was seen as one of the best offseason acquisitions for the Patriots last season, as he posted 55 receptions for 800 yards, along with five scores in his first year with the team. He came up huge in moments against great teams, and had some memorable receptions in the clutch. Bourne enters his second year in New England as one of the best talents in Jones’ receiving room, and is sure to make a splash again.
Meyers also had a big year, following his trend of being a very solid slot receiver for the team. He finally scored his first and second touchdowns last season, after being the NFL record holder for receptions without a touchdown. He posted 83 receptions for 866 receiving yards, and was the team’s most effective receiver. He remains a name that sometimes goes unsaid when discussing top slot receivers in the league, but should definitely become apart of that conversation as the 2022-23 season commences.
New Weapons: DeVante Parker & Tyquan Thornton
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Newly acquired veteran receiver DeVante Parker has quickly become a favorite weapon for Jones throughout camp. When healthy, Parker can do damage to any defense, and build be a huge red zone target for Mac Jones, as he uses his large and athletic frame to make acrobatic catches. Last season in Miami he posted 40 receptions for 515 yards in 10 games played. Although he is entering the later stages in his career at 28-years-old, he can still be very effective and a new weapon for Mac Jones to sling the ball to. After making a name for himself in Miami, Parker has shown his talents and abilities with contested catches and intense route running.
Also a new face in New England is rookie receiver Tyquan Thornton. The Patriots selected the Baylor receiver in the second round of this past year’s NFL Draft, and he has shown a lot of promise throughout his first NFL camp. After Thornton posted the fastest 40-yard dash time at this year’s combine at 4.28 seconds, he could possibly fill some gaps in the Patriots’ offense which is in need of a deep threat. Now that Jones has been seen experimenting with more long ball opportunities throughout camp and private workouts, there is a good chance this type of connection will develop between the two. The only question is, will Thornton make a name for himself and rise up to New England’s standards, or will he struggle like we’ve seen from other early-round picked Patriots receivers?
Tight End Weapons: Hunter Henry & Jonnu Smith
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Last season we saw a season long transformation for well known tight end Hunter Henry, and a down year from once breakout Tennessee Titan Jonnu Smith. Henry became Jones’ most trustworthy red zone target in 2021, posting 603 yards off 50 receptions, and a team leading nine touchdowns. With his big frame and ability to catch the ball in tight and contested windows, Henry is in the upper echelon of tight ends in the NFL and will compliment receiver Parker a ton in red zone opportunities.
A name that continues to stand out as potential for a breakout season is Jonnu Smith. Both he and McDaniels were criticized his lack of production and underutilization last season, as he was usually only a factor in the run game and as a decoy in certain packages. While in Tennessee, Smith made a name for himself as a very effective pass catcher with his agile movements and speed, adding to his impressive niche for playmaking. In this (somewhat) new offense, could Smith return to his pre-New England form? There’s a great chance this is the season to prove it. It will be interesting to see how he gains the trust of Jones and how he will continue to use his athleticism to his advantage.
Entering Jones’ second season in the NFL, New England isn’t usually mentioned among the league’s most feared offenses, but definitely could be. He has the weapons to spread the ball out, and a solid run game to back it up. This will be the season to see what Jones is made of as a leader and offensive general, as he has the pieces around him to make a run for the playoffs again.
