Pats Pulpit
Previewing the Patriots’ wide receiver position heading into the offseason.
The wide receiver position has been an issue for the New England Patriots going back years, especially from a developmental perspective. The 2024 season was no exception: the group as a whole disappointed, despite some solid statistical contributions from some of its members.
On the whole, however, there are serious questions whether or not the depth chart as currently constructed is best suited to maximize the rare and somewhat raw talent of sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. As a result of that and the vast resources they have available this offseason, the Patriots should be expected to be quite active in hopes of upgrading the position.
Major change might be on the horizon.
Kayshon Boutte: The 2023 sixth-round draft pick had a quiet rookie season and also was a non-factor early on in his sophomore campaign. From Week 3 on, however, he developed into a valuable contributor and eventual starter. Serving as the team’s top perimeter target and most-used wideout from a snaps perspective (760; 69.5%), Boutte finished the year with 43 catches for 589 yards and 3 touchdowns. Both his score total and his 13.7 yards per reception ranked first among the team’s regular pass catchers.
Kendrick Bourne: After signing a three-year, $19.5 million contract extension with the Patriots last offseason, Bourne started the year on the PUP list: the ACL injury he suffered the previous season kept him sidelined until October. Once he returned, he resumed his usual role as a starter-level Z-receiver. He did have some promising moments, but his impact overall was limited; partially due to his recovery, partially due to the passing offense as a whole being out of sync at times. Bourne finished the year with 28 catches for 305 yards and a touchdown in 12 games.
DeMario Douglas: Douglas was the Patriots’ best receiver in training camp and appeared poised for a breakout campaign, but it never quite materialized. His physical limitations might have played a part in that — his lack of size will always make it hard for him to contribute as a blocker — and it seemed the team was reluctant to make him a focal point of its attack, particularly early on in the year. Nonetheless, talent has a way of rising to the top: Douglas finished the year tied for the team lead in receptions (66) and touchdown catches (3), and also ranked second in receiving yards (621).
Ja’Lynn Polk: Trading out of the spot that eventually became Chargers standout Ladd McConkey, the Patriots instead picked Polk in the second round of the 2024 draft. The Washington product had a promising training camp, and the team threw him right into the mix with the starters to open the season. However, he failed to live up to the expectations and ultimately had an underwhelming first NFL season. Polk ended the season with 12 receptions for 87 yards and a pair of scores; from November...
