With training camp set to start Tuesday, we’ll provide a position-by-position breakdown of where the Patriots stand. Here’s a look at the wide receivers:
Roll call: Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, K.J. Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, JaQuae Jackson.
By the numbers:
49: The number of receptions for Douglas in 2023, a Patriots rookie record under Bill Belichick.
170: The number of catches for Patriots wide receivers in 2023. By way of comparison, the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb led the league last season with 135.
1998: The last season, prior to 2023, that the Patriots did not have a player with more than 50 receptions. (Terry Glenn had 50 receptions that year.)
The skinny: Easily the most intriguing of the offensive skill position groups. If you operate with the assumption that Bourne (if healthy) and Douglas, as well as rookies Polk and Javon Baker, are locks to make the roster, and the Patriots have usually carried five or six receivers, that’ll leave some interesting names standing when the music stops.
Could Smith-Schuster bounce back after his health struggles last season? Or could he be a cut (or trade) candidate? Reagor’s special teams value could give him a leg up on the competition, but would it be enough to beat out Osborn and Thornton? And with Boutte’s legal issues apparently behind him, could he find a way to the final 53?
As for the (presumed) locks, Bourne was easily the best and most consistent pass catcher on the team before he went down with a season-ending knee injury last season. If he can come back at something approximating 100 percent, his positive energy and veteran leadership could provide a boost. Douglas emerged at the end of the season, mostly because he was the most competitive receiver that was still standing.
And while Polk and Baker are highly regarded prospects who had their moments in the spring, the Patriots might be in a situation where they’re overly reliant on the rookies right out of the gate.
How does this position rate against the rest of the league? There’s hope that Polk and Javon Baker can help turn things around, but until the early returns come in — and Bourne’s knee is tested in game action — it’s safe to classify this group in the bottom third of the league. While one of the youngsters could eventually become a No. 1, there’s no clear-cut top receiver on the roster. And while there’s some versatility, there’s a glut of undersized slot types. If the Patriots can talk the 49ers into a deal for someone such as Brandon Aiyuk, then things could change. Until then, there are more questions than answers.
Quote of note: “Just come to the home stadium and bring y’all popcorn. That’s all I can tell y’all. Bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs stand up.” — Baker, on April 27, shortly after he was drafted by the Patriots.
Biggest story lines: How many receivers make the roster? Could we see multiple moves, including cuts or trades, as well as a late addition between now and the start of the season? Can Bourne come back healthy? What’s a reasonable level of expectation for the rookie receivers? Is Douglas capable of using a strong rookie campaign to springboard to elite status?
Patriots positional previews: Quarterback | Running backs | Tight ends | Offensive line | Defensive backs
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.