Addition of A.J. Brown a difference maker for this Patriots’ wide receivers group
With training camp set to start at the end of the month, we’ll provide a position-by-position breakdown of where the Patriots stand. We started with the quarterbacks. Now, it’s the wide receivers.
Roll call: A.J. Brown (78 receptions, 1,003 yards, 7 TDs last year for the Eagles), Romeo Doubs (55/724/6 for the Packers), Mack Hollins (46/550/2), DeMario Douglas (31/447/3), Kayshon Boutte (33/551/6), Kyle Williams (10/209/3), Efton Chism III (3/75/1), Jeremiah Webb, Kyle Dixon, Nick DeGennaro, Jimmy Kibble, Cameron Dorner.
By the numbers:
4: The number of wide receivers (Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown) who had more receiving yards over the last four seasons than Brown.
2015: The last time the Patriots had two receivers finish a regular season with 60-plus catches was 2015. (That year, Danny Amendola had 65, while Julian Edelman had 61.)
The skinny: It took one play this spring to show just how different Brown really is.
In 11-on-11 red zone work during mandatory minicamp, with the first-team offense going against the No. 1 defense, Drake Maye lofted a pass in his direction. The receiver, working in single coverage against safety Craig Woodson, appeared to be heading toward the front pylon. With the ball in the air, he put a spin move on Woodson, shaking free in the tightest of confines. Whipping his head around, he caught the ball over his right shoulder and toe-tapped neatly along the sidelines deep in the corner of the end zone for the score. It was a sequence that stood out on many levels, including the fact that Brown made it all appear so effortless against a talented young defensive back in Woodson.
“It’s not easy, but it’s something you try to drill,” Brown said afterward. “At least I try to drill as much as I can. I’m just glad I got my feet down.”
Brown, who was acquired in a trade from Philadelphia on June 1, is a unique presence. It’s been years since the Patriots had a receiver with his combination of size, strength, and overall ability, one built to give opposing defensive coordinators sleepless nights. Provided he can stay healthy — his knee has been a nagging issue over the last few seasons — he’s capable of being a game-changing presence in the offense.
“Same old guy — he’s a phenomenal talent,” said safety Kevin Byard, who was teammates with Brown with the Titans and Eagles. “Haven’t seen any difference from when he was back in Tennessee in his first couple years of the league. And just my 10-game stint in Philly, same guy. Same guy to go up and make plays one on one. A nightmare for defenses.”
The presence of Brown and Doubs should have a seismic impact on the passing game on a number of levels, including the possible ripples that their presence could create across the board. Some of the pressure is relieved on Doubs, a free agent signee who would have been the No. 1 receiver if the Brown deal fell through. And with so much attention being paid to the duo, Hollins, Douglas, Boutte (if he isn’t dealt), and others will see single coverage.
There are questions moving forward.
Building chemistry between a quarterback and receiver is a process that doesn’t always click instantaneously. Brown, who turned 29 the last week of June, has a history of issues with his right knee, and the high-profile receivers won’t be able to get the ball if the offensive line doesn’t hold up long enough in pass protection.
But in that brief glimpse from the spring, there’s enough of a reason to be optimistic about the state of the receiver room heading into the new season.
“It’s hard not to get excited,” Maye said of Brown this spring. “What a player he is, and, just right off the bat, what a great teammate so far. He’s eager to learn. He’s great with the guys in the locker room. We just look forward to playing with a guy of that caliber. I know he’s been a great player in this league.”
How does this position rate against the rest of the league? Excellent. If Brown stays healthy and Doubs can mesh with Maye, the Patriots have a 1-2 combo that’s a top-five pairing. If complementary pieces like Hollins, Douglas, and others stay healthy, this is one of the deeper groups.
Quote of note: “This is a big man. Randy [Moss] was tall, certainly, and fast, and all the rest of it. I think, honestly, they’re all a little different. And I say they, meaning I’ve been fortunate to have a chance to be around some really good ones. Not sure if I’ve been around one that looks just like him. Maybe the closest thing I’ve seen is [Rob Gronkowski]. This is a big guy. Does a lot of things well, and looking forward to seeing how we can acclimate him and fit him into our system.” —Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Brown
Biggest story lines: Can Brown’s knee hold up? Does Boutte stay in New England, or is he dealt before the start of the season? Can someone emerge at the back end of the depth chart as a long-term piece of the puzzle?
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