Kendrick Bourne and How the Patriots Survive without “Elite” Receivers
Kendrick Bourne may not have been the flashiest signing of the 2021 NFL offseason, but continues to prove he is a productive player in his own right.
People usually expect the best from their teams and how it molds their vision of an ideal situation. For the past 11 seasons, the New England Patriots have not had a top five NFL receiver, since they traded Randy Moss back to the Minnesota Vikings. Yet they won three Super Bowls, 10 AFC East Divisional Berths, and were continuously the standard of what a successful NFL franchise should look like on the field. Many people believe that a bona-fide number one receiver will help any team become an instant contender—but the Patriots have taken that narrative and put it in the shredder.
The 2021 New England Patriots are not the greatest team to ever see an NFL field, but they are one of the best in a league that currently does not have a clear-cut favorite. Kendrick Bourne is doing his part for the Patriots and is one of many underrated players in Foxborough that have helped them to an eight and three record. For those unfamiliar with the player, Bourne is a former San Francisco 49ers wideout that signed with the Patriots this past offseason. Kendrick is a deep threat that can pop off any given game, but often has middling production with the occasional ability to speed past defenses. In just his 12th game with New England, Bourne sits at 623 receiving yards, which is 44 from his career high. His yards per target, catch percentage, and receptions per game are all at his career high, along with five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown in Week 12. The Patriots are getting the most out of one of their newest additions.
With Jacoby Meyers, Nelson Agholor, and Bourne, the Patriots don’t have the flashiest receiver core, but that’s perfectly fine with the Patriots coaching staff. They may not lead the league in receiving or touchdowns, but the Patriots receivers handle what is given to them, don’t drop many passes, and spread defenses that are worried about Tight Ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, and the Patriots four-headed-hydra Running Back tandem. Even though the contracts for Bourne (three years $15 million) and Agholor (two years $22 million) are expensive, the Patriots had the cap space this offseason to remodel their offense and have created an offense that spreads the ball around and remains productive. If the offense doesn’t click, they always have an elite Special Teams unit and underrated defense that doesn’t break when it matters most.
Having top receivers in the NFL is a narrative that teams often give in to, but the 2021 Patriots show that a trio of productive receivers is more important than an elite one. Week 13 Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills is the most important game of the season for the Patriots, and they must win at least one of their two games against Buffalo to contend for a divisional title. Buffalo is one of the more overrated teams in the NFL and lost to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars and rising Indianapolis Colts, with wins against a terrible New York Jets team and the banged up New Orleans Saints. Nevertheless, both teams will have something to prove in a highly anticipated matchup. For the Patriots to have success against the Bills, they must prove they can run the ball and pass efficiently, without turning the ball over. Buffalo won’t be an easy game for New England—but this Patriots team is up to the test.
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