Who stood out at WR in early stages of training camp?
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots started this year's training camp down two of their top receivers from this past season, with Julian Edelman sidelined because of a thumb injury and Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely. Gordon's absence was no surprise but Edelman's sure was as it was reported just a week before camp that he would be out for the first three weeks of training camp.
With free-agent acquisition, Demaryius Thomas starting training camp on the PUP, the younger receivers on the roster had an opportunity for more reps to show the team what they are capable of.
One of the receivers that has benefited the most from these extra reps is Maurice Harris. The signing of Harris did not make a lot of noise this past offseason and that's probably because of his pedestrian numbers over his first three NFL seasons. In three seasons with the Washington Redskins, Harris recorded 40 receptions, 432 yards, and just one touchdown. That said, he has definitely shown flashes throughout his young career.
Maybe the Redskins did not effectively know how to use Harris because he has looked like one of the best receivers in New England's training camp early on.
You know what they say, one team's trash is another player the Patriots can turn into a pro-bowler.
All jokes aside, Harris has looked like he could be a serviceable starter for the team come Week 1. He is a fluid route runner who just has a knack for getting open. Brady and Harris seem to have developed decent chemistry throughout training camp, something that is usually unheard of so early on for a recently-acquired wideout. If Harris continues to play the way he has, don't be surprised to see him to have the most productive season as a pro in 2019.
Another receiver that has stood out early in training camp is UDFA Jakobi Meyers. It was a surprise to many that Meyers fell out of the draft altogether as he put up great numbers in his senior season at NC State. In 12 games, Meyers recorded 92 receptions, 1047 yards, and four touchdowns.
The former QB turned WR has experienced early success at New England's training camp, as he's looking to make it 16 straight seasons that the Patriots have had a UDFA make the team's active roster. It helps that head coach Bill Belichick is already liking what he sees.
Now, a lot can happen between now and the final cut day on Aug 31. But things are looking up for Meyers.
Okay; so a UDFA WR is having a good camp. But what about the team's first WR selected in the first round in the Belichick era, N'Keal Harry?
The 32nd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has had his ups and downs in camp which is nothing out of the norm for a young receiver getting acclimated to the NFL. Harry has lined up in the wrong formation on a couple of occasions causing the team to run laps for his miscues.
The biggest area of concern is the number of concentration drops that he has had in just over a week pf practices
Two outstanding grabs do not make up for four drops in practice. Drops happen, but four in practice is far too many in one practice. Harry is going to have to shore that up if he wants Tom Brady to trust him in late-game situations.
Not all is bad for Harry as he had a nice bounce-back practice the following day highlighted by a couple of great grabs. That being said, if Harry wants to see consistent playing time then he is going to have to be more consistent on the practice field.
Braxton Berrios has had his ups and downs early in training camp but still has a lot to prove if he wants to make this team's final 53-man roster.
Dontrelle Inman has been quiet and has had a difficult time finding his way on to the practice field as he has battled an injury for a good part of training camp.
Phillip Dorsett is still expected to be a lock to make the 53-man roster.
Gunner Oslweski, Ryan Davis, and Damoun Patterson haven't done enough to separate themselves to warrant a spot on the final 53. However, Osleski and Davis may be battling for a final spot on the practice squad.
New England recently added former New Orleans Saints WR Cameron Merideth, but he is expected to spend some time on the PUP. If healthy, the 6-foot-3 receiver could be an impact player on the Patriots offense. His best season came in 2016 when he put up 64 receptions, 888 yards, and four touchdowns but he has struggled to stay healthy since.
Also if you didn't already hear, there's a possibility that Josh Gordon may be coming back if the league decides to reinstate him.
A wide receiving core that features Julian Edelman, Gordon, Dorsett, Harris, Harry, Meyers, and a healthy Thomas or Merideth might just be the deepest group of receivers Brady has had in his entire career. The Patriots likely won't be able to keep all these guys but any combination of this cast and crew would create problems for opposing defenses.
After losing Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson is looks like the WR group is going to be A-OK.
