On the evening of the Kayshon Boutte trade, let’s take a look back at the evolution of the Patriots WR room over the past 6 seasons. Flashback to 2020, the Cam Newton led Patriots (some patriots fans may have blocked that season out and you can’t blame them) had an aging Julian Edelman, second year WR Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd, and infamous 1st round pick N'Keal Harry to round out the group. After Edelman went down with a season ending IR, the room was led by Jakobi Meyers with 729 yards and it was actually RB Rex Burkhead who led the team with 3 receiving TD’s. Aside from Edelman and Jakobi Meyers who has developed into a solid NFL WR this group was underwhelming, disappointing group to say the least.
After a tumultuous ending to Bill Belichick’s tenure, the patriots entered the Mayo era smartly pivoted to Vrabel and company.
Vrabel, Wolf, and Co. have revamped and retooled this room into one of the talented and intriguing WR rooms in the NFL.
After subpar and inconsistent offensive play calling on Philadelphia, AJ Brown became a Patriot in June. One of the most physically gifted receivers in the game, he gets an opportunity to remind the league just how dangerous he can be. As his running mate, he’ll have Romeo Doubs who is incredibly underrated and his explosiveness will make an imprint on this offense. 2nd year Kyle Williams is coming off a preseason game that reminded folks of his speed and big play making ability. Flashes in year 1 and entire offseason to train and prepare in Mcdaniels offensive scheme has the makings of a breakout season if he can put it all together. The Patriots have the opportunity to roll out a three-headed monster that defenses will learn to respect. You also have Pop Douglas and Efton Chisom in the mix who will contribute.
As Drake Maye and the entire offense look to take the second year leap in Mcdaniels offense, the sky is the limit with this offense and huge factor of that will be the evolution of the WR room. As Patriots fans may say, we used to pray for times like this. With the season 3 weeks, the WR gets a chance in put on a show in Primetime.