The Patriots’ main receiver the previous two seasons is a former faculty quarterback who might pretty be described because the workforce’s third-best wideout proper now.
So might Jakobi Meyers handle a three-peat in 2022? Actually, sure.
The Pats’ huge receivers are considered one of, if not essentially the most, aggressive place teams on the roster. Kendrick Bourne completed 55 yards behind Meyers’ team-leading 855 final season and will take one other main leap. Nelson Agholor is a chief bounce-back candidate, too, whereas DeVante Parker simply arrived by way of commerce because the workforce’s presumed No. 1.
So when all is alleged and caught, who will the Patriots’ main receiver be this season?
The Herald’s Patriots beat writers debate.
Callahan: Give me Meyers. Injury issues take DeVante Parker off the board. He’s averaged fewer than 13 video games performed per season the final 4 years. No such issues with Meyers, who performed in all 17 final season. Meyers has a clearly outlined position within the slot, the place he doesn’t face a lot competitors in contrast to Parker, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton who can be preventing snaps exterior. It’s laborious to financial institution on Bourne — or any veteran — posting a second consecutive profession yr, so anticipate small regression there. Meanwhile, Meyers is coming into simply his fourth NFL season and sixth ever taking part in the place. He’s the choose.
Guregian: Yes, Meyers is the logical alternative given he was Mac Jones main man final yr. But I’m going with Bourne. And it’s not laborious to financial institution on him in any respect. Why? Because towards the top of the season, he actually began to ascend as a participant Jones went to and trusted on third down and in key conditions. Beyond that, he’s way more explosive than Meyers when it comes to gaining yards after catch, and he can line up wherever, so preventing for snaps actually isn’t a difficulty. He additionally sounds snug with the “new” system the Patriots are supposedly switching to, so it’s straightforward to see him topping his profession yr final yr. Bourne’s the man.
Callahan: But what if Parker, a greater participant when wholesome, begins forward of Bourne? Bourne managed simply 5 begins final season, whereas Meyers began 16 of 17. Or what if Agholor performs as much as his profession common and finishes with 600-700 extra yards? Those gained’t come from the slot, however the exterior the place Bourne wants his snaps. Same with the rookie Thornton. Meanwhile, Meyers completed with the fifth-highest win price in opposition to man protection final season, per Player Profiler, at 45.7%. Bourne? He was thirty first at 37.8%. And the Pats see extra man-to-man than anybody.
Guregian: Did you watch Bourne on the finish of the season? Specifically, within the playoff loss to the Bills? He was Mac’s man in crucial sport of the yr. He had seven catches, 77 yards and two touchdowns. In the combination was a 43-yard reception. And, given some remarks by Bourne through the offseason, it certain looks like the Patriots are going to make use of him in a Deebo Samuel-type position. So whether or not it’s Joe Judge, Matt Patricia or Bill Belichick calling the performs, they need to get the ball in his fingers to raised make the most of his skillset. Even with Agholor and Parker, Bourne remains to be going to get his touches, and he’s going to achieve a ton of yards within the course of.
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Callahan: Rushing yards are nice, however we’re speaking receiving yards right here. And certain, Bourne thrived in that one sport, a blowout loss. He additionally averaged fewer than three catches per sport within the earlier 5. He would possibly even be a greater receiver than Jakobi Meyers, however we’ve not seen the perfect but of Meyers, who nonetheless established a chemistry with Jones sooner than anybody. He had one sport with fewer than 4 catches final season. Bourne had 9! Meyers is youthful, with a greater total monitor file statistically and in opposition to man protection.
Guregian: Who says we have seen the perfect of Bourne? He’s just one yr older than Meyers. And Meyers doubtless established a chemistry with Jones sooner than anybody else as a result of he knew the offense. It was Bourne’s first yr in it. All that being stated, here is some numbers. Meyers had 866 yards on 83 catches. Bourne? He had 800 yards on simply 55 catches. He almost handed Meyers’ yards complete, with 28 much less catches. Want extra? Meyers might have led the workforce with a dozen catches of 20 yards or extra, however he had no catches that went for 40-plus yards. Bourne? Ten catches of 20-plus, and 5 catches 40-plus. He will go Meyers this season. It is smart.
Callahan: But what number of receivers have you ever seen have a profession yr in Year 5 like Bourne did? And then enhance on that season the following yr? That’s what Bourne can be trying: turning into an historic outlier. From this view, his numbers elevated due to his personal laborious work and the poor in-house competitors he confronted or snaps on the skin. Bourne’s competitors goes up this yr with Parker and Thornton, to not point out a absolutely motivated Agholor. Meyers, in the meantime, owns his position within the slot. I guess Meyers and Bourne end No. 1 and No. 2 once more in receiving yards, and also you admitted immediately Meyers was the logical alternative. He’ll be No. 1.
Guregian: Historical outlier? Stefon Diggs set profession highs in yards and TDs his fifth yr with the Vikings. He topped these marks the next yr in Buffalo. Then the yr after, he topped his TD mark. That’s one which instantly got here to thoughts. So it is not unimaginable. Second, it is extra the norm now for receivers to enhance as a result of it is an offense and quarterback-receiver pushed league. If you have got a gifted receiver with the skillset of Bourne, chances are high, the numbers will get higher annually. It’s actually not all that outlandish to suppose he’ll be higher his second yr with a brand new workforce. Bottom line, logic would not essentially imply Meyers is the proper alternative. Bourne would be the new No. 1. Count on it.
Source: www.bostonherald.com