The New England Patriots have been one of the most dominant teams in the NFL for the past two decades. Led by the legendary quarterback, Tom Brady, the Patriots have consistently been a force to be reckoned with on the field. However, as they head into the 2021 season, there are some concerns surrounding their receiving corps.
Despite having significant depth, the baseline starting quality of the New England Patriots’ receiving corps is questionable to say the least. Beyond Stefon Diggs – who himself will turn 32 in November, and is coming off an ACL tear suffered last fall – the team has little in terms of players who have shown themselves to be reliable targets for the quarterback.
With Julian Edelman’s retirement and the departure of key players like Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola in recent years, the Patriots have been struggling to find a consistent and reliable receiving corps. This has been evident in their lackluster performance in the passing game last season, where they ranked 30th in the league in passing yards per game.
The Patriots’ current receiving corps is led by the 2019 first-round pick, N’Keal Harry. However, Harry has yet to live up to expectations and has been plagued by injuries since joining the team. In his two seasons with the Patriots, he has only managed to play in 21 games, recording just 414 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Another potential option for the Patriots is Jakobi Meyers, who showed promise last season with 729 receiving yards and zero drops. However, he has yet to establish himself as a consistent threat in the passing game.
The lack of proven talent in the receiving corps is a cause for concern for the Patriots, especially with a new quarterback at the helm. After Tom Brady’s departure last season, the Patriots signed Cam Newton, who had a disappointing season and is now a free agent. With the uncertainty surrounding Newton’s future with the team, it is crucial for the Patriots to address their receiving corps and provide their quarterback with reliable targets.
One potential solution for the Patriots is to reunite with an old friend – Mohamed Sanu. Sanu played for the Patriots in 2019 before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers last season. However, his time with the 49ers was cut short due to injuries, and he is now a free agent. Sanu has proven himself to be a reliable receiver in the past, recording over 1,000 receiving yards in 2018 with the Atlanta Falcons.
Bringing back Sanu would not only provide the Patriots with a familiar face but also a proven and reliable target for their quarterback. Sanu’s experience and chemistry with the Patriots’ offensive system would make him an excellent addition to the team, and he could potentially help mentor the younger receivers on the team.
Moreover, Sanu has a strong connection with the Patriots’ head coach, Bill Belichick. The two worked together during their time with the Falcons and have a good relationship. This could be a deciding factor in bringing Sanu back to New England and reuniting him with his former head coach.
In conclusion, the New England Patriots’ receiving corps may have depth, but their starting quality is questionable. With the departure of key players and the lack of proven talent, it is crucial for the Patriots to address this issue before the start of the 2021 season. Reuniting with Mohamed Sanu would not only provide them with a reliable target but also bring back a familiar face and a strong connection with their head coach. With the right additions, the Patriots’ receiving corps can once again become a dominant force in the league, and help lead the team to success in the upcoming season.
