FOXBOROUGH – Through a half-dozen practices, the last two in pads, the Patriots receivers have been among the most interesting position groups to watch.
That’s not necessarily because Drake Maye has an arsenal most quarterbacks would die for.
That said, there have been several developments of note.
Here’s 4 that standout with respect to the receivers:
The Stefon Diggs impact is real
He’s already drawn some extra attention in practice, and that should continue when the real bullets fly.
Stefon Diggs will also likely draw the opposing team’s top corner on game days.
That means DeMario “Pop” Douglas and Kayshon Boutte will won’t have to deal with any shut-down type corners with Diggs taking the attention off them.
Douglas, who is having a terrific camp, is like a kid in a candy store playing alongside the star receiver.
Both he and Boutte already seem to be buoyed by Diggs presence, and have been effective with the top offense during camp.
“It’s been great having [Diggs],” Douglas said Monday. “If the opponent has to put their top dog on him, whatever their game plan is, it should allow us to have more space.”
Douglas, in particular, might benefit the most by having that space.
As for Diggs, he’s also shown he doesn’t necessarily need help to make plays. He doesn’t need to have someone else drawing attention away. He just gets open.
There’s Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and the rest
Based on how the reps have gone, Diggs, Douglas and Boutte have been regulars with Drake Maye and the top unit.
They’ve been established as the top tier. While Mack Hollins (PUP list) has yet to practice, the veteran would probably be in that upper echelon as well.
Right below are Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Polk.
Since Williams is a rookie third-round pick, he’ll be on the 53-man roster.
After that, it’s a crapshoot.
Bourne, who excelled in Josh McDaniels offense his first year in New England, has pretty much been relegated to the second unit.
He’s had one catch from Maye through six practices. He has, however, made plays with Dobbs heaving the passes.
On Tuesday, he beat Marcus Jones on an out-route during work in the red zone – and he celebrated with a dance.
Williams, meanwhile, has been both spectacular and confounding.
One minute he’s making a great play, using his great speed, the next he’s dropping a perfectly thrown back-shoulder pass from Maye in the left corner of the end zone.
Baker?
Same deal, only to a greater degree.
On the plus-side Tuesday, he reeled in Joshua Dobbs fade in the end zone, leaping high to pluck the ball off Marcellas Dial’s helmet. Adding to the degree of difficulty, he had to tap his two feet to stay in bounds by the back left pylon.
On the flip-side, he couldn’t come up with a pair of catchable balls. So the second-year receiver isn’t being helped by his lack of consistency.
As for Polk, he’s only participated in two practices, but he’s made a few plays – enough to keep him in the competition for a roster spot.
Like Bourne, Baker and Polk on have one catch from Maye.
Efton Chism has disappeared
Chism, the darling of the early camps, has fallen off the map.
Most of his catches have come from third-string QB Ben Wooldridge.
He sees an occasional rep with the starters, but for the most part, has been relegated to a spot where he’s either going to be cut, or find himself on the practice squad.
He was utilized more in the early camps given the absences of Diggs, Polk and Hollins.
With 2 of those 3 back, he’s fallen down the depth chart.
He does have a skillset that plays well in McDaniels’ offense, but he’s losing a numbers game at the moment.
Receiver room isn’t as woeful as reputation
Pro Football Focus has this crew ranked 31st in the league.
With receivers slotted in more favorable spots thanks to Diggs (see above), they’ll make more plays.
And with McDaniels’ calling the shots on offense, they’ll be put in better positions to succeed.
After Diggs, Douglas seems poised for a breakout season. McDaniels loves slot receivers (see Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Jacoby Meyers) and Douglas clearly fits the bill.
“I’m feeling good,” Douglas said Monday. “I’m having fun out there.”
As for the receiving group as a whole, Douglas pumped up the unit.
“Everybody’s talented in our room,” Douglas said. “You see it with everybody getting a chance to show what they can do. We’re packed.”
That might be a bit of a reach, but they’ve made enough plays during camp to start changing the narrative.
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