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New England Patriots’ Wide Receivers Not Spectacular But Continue To Get Job Done

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Brandon LaFell New England Patriots

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In my positional breakdown of the New England Patriots, I ranked the team’s units from worst to first as we head into training camp. The wide receivers ranked fifth after showing marked improvement in 2014.

The Patriots’ improvement during last season’s run to the Super Bowl title didn’t come without some tough times. After the first four weeks, Tom Brady and the receivers weren’t on the same page and struggled with timing. As the season progressed the improvement was significant, as Brady was locked in with Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola.

On paper this group doesn’t strike fear into opposing defenses, but the receiving corps continually frustrated defenses with their ability to do just enough to consistently move the chains.

The unquestioned leader of this group is Edelman, who has developed into one of the better players in the NFL over the past two seasons. The former quarterback out of Kent State has recorded 197 receptions and 10 touchdowns in his last 30 games. The touchdown total doesn’t match the top receivers in the NFL, but Edelman makes the critical plays that decide wins and losses, whether it’s a clutch catch on third or fourth down, turning a five-yard out into a 30-yard gain, making a big punt return or, like in the Super Bowl, taking a huge hit and holding onto the ball to keep the Patriots’ hopes alive.

LaFell had a productive first season with the Pats, providing Brady and the offense with a bigger (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) option on the perimeter. LaFell, who isn’t a burner, made the majority of his plays on intermediate routes, but he did make some big plays downfield as well. Another aspect to LaFell’s game that often gets overlooked is his ability to run after the catch. With another season in the system, the Patriots are hoping LaFell, who had career highs in receptions (74), yards (953) and touchdowns (seven) in 2014, is just beginning his ascent.

The third-most productive receiver returning in 2015 is Amendola. After being acquired in 2013, Amendola struggled with injuries, as Edelman gained Brady’s trust and replaced Wes Welker as the Pats’ top option at receiver. Although Amendola managed just 27 receptions in 2014, he found a key role late in the season as the team’s shallow punt returner. That role seemed to help ignite Amendola as the team’s third receiver late in the season and carried over into the playoffs, where he tallied 11 receptions and three touchdowns.

With their top three options returning, the Patriots are looking for contributors to fill the team’s search for a deep threat. Aaron Dobson and Bryan Tyms seem to have the inside track on being the outside threat that has been missing since Randy Moss was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.

Dobson looked like the answer after a productive rookie season in which he made 37 receptions and several big plays downfield. However, after rehabbing an injury before the 2014 season, Dobson never regained the trust of coaches and only dressed for four games. Dobson has been gaining rapport with Brady this offseason and seems ready to challenge to regain his role on the outside.

Tyms surprised to make the roster in 2014 and flashed some big-play potential during the preseason, but aside from a huge touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills, he didn’t make much of an impact during the regular season.

Matthew Slater is a lock to be on the roster, and while he’s listed at wide receiver, he’s the team’s ace on special teams and should continue that important role. The other top contenders to challenge for a roster spot are third-year veteran Josh Boyce and free-agent signing Brandon Gibson. Jonathan Krause and Greg Orton, along with rookies Chris Harper and Zach D’Orazio, are also on the roster heading into training camp and will hope to steal a roster spot the same way Tyms did in 2014.

I expect the Patriots receiving corps to be improved in 2015. The keys will be if LaFell can build on his success during his second season with the team, and if Dobson, Tyms, Boyce or Gibson can give the team a downfield target.

Other Positional Breakdowns
10. Cornerback
9. Defensive Tackle
8. Safety
7. Offensive Line
6. Running Back

Nick Sardina is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksardina13, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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