Patriots camp battles: Sorting through the crowd at receiver
After using two draft picks at the position, the Patriots wide receivers room is crowded entering training camp.
The Patriots wide receivers room may still be lacking the established top-end talent heading into 2024 training camp. However, it’s still a crowded group with real competition heading into the summer.
As camp begins there are four projected roster locks at wide receiver – Kendrick Bourne (assuming he’s healthy and cleared to start the season, which Jerod Mayo suggested at the end of minicamp is expected), Pop Douglas, and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Given the $3.1 million guaranteed in K.J. Osborn’s contract, he’s a near-lock as well.
Five receivers is a pretty typical number for a team to carry, so it’s very possible the Patriots stop there. But if they feel they have one more spot, Bourne isn’t ready to start the season, or there’s another injury, it opens the door for a group of players who were projected as some of the Pats’ top receivers last year.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Reagor would be the leaders for that next receiver spot. Reagor may have the inside track, given his speed and tremendous value on special teams (in addition to returning kicks, he has some experience at gunner). Smith-Schuster was the only wide receiver to sit out both kickoff periods in minicamp, Thornton was working with Smith-Schuster on a side field for one of the two.
![A toe-tap catch by WR JuJu Smith-Schuster at Patriots OTA practice. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/06/DSC_0102_1717532368_.jpg?resize=1024,774)
Smith-Schuster would have the advantage of experience in another young room, but he’ll need to prove last year’s injury was a significant hindrance and that he can bounce back. His contract also complicates the situation, with a multi-year multi-million dollar cap hit if the Patriots cut or trade bum.
At the same time, it’s tougher to see the path to the roster for Thornton, who has no guaranteed money on his contract. Thornton also missed the end of minicamp.
Overall, these three won’t just be battling against each other, but bubble players at other positions as well to prove to the team it’s worth keeping a sixth receiver. Still, it’s possible none of the three make the team this year, after accounting for a combined 27 percent of all Patriots wide receiver catches in 2023.
Kayson Boutte could be a factor here too. Cleared of his illegal gambling charges this week, the focus turns to football. He’s flashed as a potential weapon at times in training camp last year and in the spring this year but those performances have been just that – flashes. He’ll need to prove to the coaches he can be more consistent in order to push for a spot on the team.
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