State of Patriots WR room: Previewing and predicting who makes roster (2024)

Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Kendrick Bourne needs to ensure his ACL is fully healed, and he is somewhat ready to handle a full workload. If he looks too banged up or slow, his contract doesn’t have crazy guarantees that would make it impossible to move on. So if the other receivers show out, and his health becomes an issue, he will have a hard time making the cut.

My Case: Bourne is a leader in the receiver room, and his energy alone signifies a new-look Patriots core that should be more vocal and up to date in the current NFL. When healthy, Bourne is still the Patriots’ best receiver, and he is fairly cheap from a contract perspective. I think he makes the roster this year off of previous merit and the morale boost he brings to the locker room.

Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) runs in for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Smith-Schuster needs to look more explosive than last year and find a way to get back to his old self. He is still only 27, but the clock is ticking for him in New England. If he can show some explosiveness, he’d be a good receiver to have for rookie quarterback Drake Maye and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt in the new-look offense. But if he fails to separate, like last season, he’s as good as gone.

My Case: I moved on from the idea of Smith-Schuster on this team last year. When the Patriots signed KJ Osborn, along with drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, it felt like Smith-Schuster was gone. I think the team needs to cut their losses and let the young guys develop together.

Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (81) carries the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: DeMario Douglas showed flashes last year as a playmaker, but he had some issues protecting the ball. If he added some strength and takes care of the ball, he’ll not only make the team but have an extremely important role.

My Case: He is probably the best young receiver of the group, and he plays a unique role that no one else can really fill. His agility and separation ability is already at a high level, and it should only improve in Year 2.

Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) makes a catch at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Tyquan Thornton needed to add mass without losing speed. If he can remain durable and show some strength over the middle, he should be able to carve out a role. He also needs to expand his route-running and become more than a typical downfield threat.

My Case: I wasn’t huge on Thornton coming out of Baylor, but I didn’t completely hate the pick, either. Since then, he has shown some concerning things, like the inability to stay on the field, one-dimensional type play and a small frame that gives him issues when defenders close in on got-to-have-it catches.

He’s a specialist type of player that isn’t really all that productive at his specialty. Thornton, to me, is an odd man out, unless he can carve out a returner role.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: K.J. Osborn #2 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

What he needs to do: Osborn signed with the Patriots this offseason, and he has seemingly grabbed a role as the team’s top X receiver. Although he isn’t a traditional X, he is a versatile receiver. Osborn needs to showcase his versatility and grasp of the playbook, which he had a branch of in Minnesota. If he can pick things up, he should be one of the lead receivers in snap count early in the year, along with Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas.

My Case: I don’t think Osborn was brought to New England to be a camp body, and right now, he is probably a top-three receiver on the team. His knowledge of the style of offense is important, and he is a veteran who will be needed to mesh with Jacoby Brissett or help guide Drake Maye. He should make the final roster for 2024.

May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (6) makes a catch at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Baker needs to grasp the playbook fast and showcase high upside at the X receiver position, if he wants to change his role from backup to leading the team in snaps. I believe he has the skill set to be the team’s starting X receiver, but as of now, Osborn has that locked up.

My Case: Baker is grabbing a roster spot, and he might quickly become an elite weapon. But as of now, he is on the roster as the fifth wideout and a backup X receiving option. I believe he will eventually earn some snaps down the stretch once the record is more solidified.

Jun 12, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) makes a catch at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Polk, like Baker, will need to showcase his grasp of the offense if he wants to surpass the veteran in front of him. It is likely the Patriots will use him in the Z role, which is the role that Jakobi Meyers held (as a hybrid slot) and one that Bourne currently holds. Polk needs to grasp the playbook fully to move all along the formation. He also could use some muscle mass.

My Case: Polk is this team’s fourth receiver and backup to Kendrick Bourne as of now. But the second-round pick is a roster lock, and he should eventually crack the top-three receivers on the team.

Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (80) makes a catch at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Simply put, Boutte needs to stay out of trouble, take coaching and learn the playbook fast. He is a very talented receiver and is still only 22 years old. The former LSU standout fell to the sixth round after showing some flash during his collegiate career. At one point, he was projected to be a first-round pick. Even if he takes strongly to the coaching, it’s still a crowded room. He will ultimately need to flash as a returner to carve out a roster spot.

My Case: I believe the Patriots’ new mantra is draft and develop, and with Eliot Wolf running things, it’ll take a lot from the playbook of the Green Bay Packers’ front offices of the past. I think having four young receivers who could grow into a core for Drake Maye is valuable, and it allows the Patriots to clean the stink of the old “they can’t develop receivers” take.

Boutte should get one more shot if he stays out of trouble, takes coaching and is willing to do what the team asks as a returner. If not, he’ll be on a new team in no time.

May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver David Wallis (87) does a drill at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Wallis is an undrafted free agent from D-III football at Randolph-Macon. So he will need to not only play well, but he’ll have to dominate those around him. He has good size at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but he has to show he can get open in a phone booth if he wants a spot on the 53-man roster. He will have to showcase a rare NFL skill that isn’t already on the roster.

My Case: Wallis is a long-shot to make the roster and likely a practice squad project for the new offensive regime. He did dominate in college, and seemingly, he impressed enough in rookie minicamp to force Andrew Steuber from the 90-man roster. I think he ends up on the practice squad and becomes a developmental slot receiver for the Patriots.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Kawaan Baker #86 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

What he needs to do: Baker has been here for some time, but he will need to dominate corners and learn the playbook fast. With a crowded receivers room, Baker needs to showcase a skill set that isn’t already on the roster, and that’s someone who can make big chunk plays.

My Case: Baker is probably someone the team views as a practice squad player, and he likely will find a role on scout team for 2024. The room is too crowded with likely six available spots and four roster locks in Douglas, Polk, Bourne and Javon Baker.

Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jalen Reagor (83) reacts after his catch against the New York Jets in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Reagor needs to learn the playbook at different positions than X. If he can take a similar role to Osborn, he will make the roster because he also has versatility as a returner. With the new returner rules, he will need to take advantage of his speed.

My Case: Reagor will need to show more than just speed, and yes, the Patriots are a team in need of it. Although he showed promise towards the end of last season, New England should opt to go for guys they identified and selected with this regime. So I’m predicting Reagor loses the sixth spot to Boutte, who is younger and has more upside at receiver.

Sep 9, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver JaQuae Jackson (9) gains yards after catch as Temple Owls cornerback Ben Osueke (24) pursues during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

What he needs to do: Showcasing his explosiveness will be key here, as the Patriots lack a true X receiver who can dictate coverage, beat man and dominate down the field. Jackson will need to do some of those things if he wants to be considered for the likely last spot in the receivers room once they’re given to Bourne, Douglas, Polk, Baker and Osborn. That sets him up for a tough competition with the likes of Reagor, Thornton, Smith-Schuster and Boutte.

My Case: Jackson will likely fight for a practice squad spot, but he has good overall size that the Patriots should covet. I think he will end up on the practice squad, but he’ll have a chance to elevate to the main roster at some point in the season.