The New England Patriots had about a dozen wide receivers running through drills during offseason team activities and mandatory minicamp.
It’s not that they don’t have bodies. They have plenty of those.
The caliber of receivers on the Patriots roster, however, continues to be a major talking point ahead of the 2024 season.
Because of that, Pro Football Focus believes the Patriots should add another wideout before training camp opens.
“The Patriots are thin at receiver, to say the least,” Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine wrote. “The front office drafted Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the second and fourth rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, but there’s no true standout receiver on the roster. Demario Douglas showed some potential in his first NFL season, and Kendrick Bourne has been productive across his three years in New England.
“But with quarterback Drake Maye likely to start at some point in his rookie season, the Patriots could stand to use more help at receiver.”
Pro Football Focus name-dropped free-agent receivers like Hunter Renfrow and Russell Gage as potential options who could provide New England with “a little more juice.”
In addition to the aforementioned names like Polk, Baker, Douglas and Bourne, the Patriots signed veteran K.J. Osborn this offseason. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte figure to be in competition for at least one roster spot, as well.
The Patriots hold their first open training camp practice July 24.