It’s a crowded receiver room in New England
While all early indications are that the New England Patriots had a strong 2025 NFL Draft, they didn’t answer every question at the marquee offseason event.
And the Patriots perhaps invited a new question or two they will have to solve now.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the most pressing question facing the Patriots following the draft is how the pecking order at wide receiver takes shape. The Patriots added to the positional group in free agency, including bringing in Stefon Diggs, and spent a third-round pick on wide receiver Kyle Williams.
The influx of wideouts makes for a crowded receiver room and puts a few pass-catchers in a tough position, having to prove this summer they belong on the 53-man roster instead of being shown the door.
“After signing veterans Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, and drafting Washington State’s Kyle Williams in the third round, the Patriots have revamped their wide receivers room,” Reiss wrote. “Third-year slot DeMario Douglas is probably safe, which means veteran Kendrick Bourne, third-year player Kayshon Boutte and 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round) are among those vying for a role in a suddenly crowded position group.”
It will be interesting to see how the Patriots approach things with Bourne. His production has slipped ever since putting together a career year in his first season with New England, in which he recorded 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns with Mac Jones as his quarterback. Bourne suffered a torn ACL eight games into the 2023 campaign limited his contribution not only that year, but last season as well.
Bourne linking up with new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels should help the 29-year-old veteran, though. After all, that career year from Bourne came under McDaniels’ guidance.
Boutte emerged last season as a reliable target for Drake Maye. His 43 receptions were the second-most among wide receivers and he finished with 589 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
So, it could come down to Polk and Baker for the last spot in the receiver room. Both woefully underperformed as rookies, but the Patriots might not be ready yet to give up on, either. However, parting ways with Polk would be tougher than Baker since the Patriots selected Polk in the second round last year.