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JuJu Smith-Schuster JuJu Smith-Schuster Dealing with injury
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 8:14 AM
Smith-Schuster (undisclosed) is not expected to practice Monday at the opener of New England's mandatory minicamp, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Smith-Schuster has missed a substantial amount of offseason activities due to an undisclosed injury, per Zack Cox of NESN.com, meaning Mac Jones hasn't had ample opportunities to build chemistry with his projected top wide receiver ahead of the upcoming campaign. That's certainly not ideal for a passing attack already being revamped under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, but Smith-Schuster still has a bit of time left to get healthy and resume participating in offseason practices. DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne headline the Patriots' wideout room behind Smith-Schuster in addition to tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. |
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Jarrett Stidham Jarrett Stidham Faces added competition
Thu, May 5, 2022, 12:28 PM
Following the Patriots' selection of Bailey Zappe in the fourth round of the recent NFL Draft, Stidham has added competition for a roster spot, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: With veteran Brian Hoyer also in the backup mix behind starter Mac Jones, it looks like Stidham could be the odd man out in the Patriots' signal-caller equation, with Zappe's spot with the team presumably secure. Stidham, a 2019 fourth-rounder out of Auburn, is approaching the final year of his rookie contract. |
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James White James White Bouncing back from hip issue
Sun, May 1, 2022, 12:24 PM
White (hip) isn't expected to be ready for the Patriots' upcoming voluntary offseason workouts, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports. "I still have a little while to go [after] a pretty rough injury," White acknowledged after the 2022 NFL Draft.
Analysis: It remains to be seen when the veteran change-of-pace back will be fully cleared, but in the meantime added opportunities behind top early-down options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will be available for draftees Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris, as well as returnee J.J. Taylor. Assuming he reproves his health in advance of Week 1, White is poised to reclaim his pass-catching role in New England's backfield, but considering the team's depth on that front, the 30-year-old may be hard-pressed to log the sort of target volume he did when he operated as a key safety valve for former New England QB Tom Brady. |
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N'Keal Harry N'Keal Harry Not present for voluntary program
Wed, Apr 20, 2022, 8:24 AM
Harry isn't present Wednesday for the start of New England's voluntary offseason program, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.
Analysis: Harry is a candidate to be moved by the Patriots this offseason, and the team's recent acquisition of DeVante Parker could add further credence to that idea. The 2019 first-round pick's absence for the start of the voluntary offseason program thus doesn't come as much of a surprise. Last season, Harry was targeted just 22 times across 12 appearances, finishing with 12 catches for 184 yards. |
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Nelson Agholor Nelson Agholor Added competition for targets
Mon, Apr 4, 2022, 12:32 PM
Following the team's trade for DeVante Parker, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic suggests that the Patriots could consider using Agholor more out of the slot.
Analysis: At first glance, the addition of Parker to the mix doesn't seem to bode well for Agholor's prospects of seeing increased volume in 2022, with Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne also in the team's wide receiver mix. In the first season of his two-year deal with New England, Agholor finished with 37 catches (on 64 targets) for 473 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. Though the 2015 first-rounder has the ability to provide the team with a downfield threat, it remains to be seen if he'll see enough steady snaps (be it outside or in the slot) and targets to make much of a fantasy splash this time around. That said, when injuries hit, the Patriots now are in a better position to cope, given that they have a clear-cut top four heading their WR depth chart. |
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DeVante Parker DeVante Parker Bolsters Patriots' WR corps
Mon, Apr 4, 2022, 12:09 PM
The addition of Parker gives the Patriots "a physical boundary receiver with No. 1 potential," according to Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic.
Analysis: That's a notion echoed by ESPN's Mike Reiss, who suggests that Parker is projected to fill a role -- that of a big target who can win in contested-catch scenarios -- which 2019 first-rounder N'Keal Harry wasn't able to seize. Per Fairburn, if Parker can stay healthy, the 29-year-old has a chance to emerge as the Patriots' top wideout, but Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor all remain in the mix for targets, as do tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Despite the potential that New England's offense spreads the ball around among its pass catchers and continues to rely heavily on the run, Parker has the skill to bounce back in 2022 after posting a 40-515-2 stat line (on 73 targets) in 10 games with the Dolphins last season. |
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N'Keal Harry N'Keal Harry Likely on the move
Mon, Apr 4, 2022, 10:53 AM
ESPN's Mike Reiss suggests that the Patriots' trade for DeVante Parker foreshadows the team parting ways with Harry.
Analysis: With Parker joining Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor in New England's wideout mix, Harry looks like the odd man out. Since being drafted in 2019, the Arizona State product hasn't produced as hoped, with Parker -- a big target who can win in contested-catch scenarios -- slated to fill a role that the team had projected for Harry. This past season, the 24-year-old caught just 12 passes (on 22 targets) for 184 yards in 12 games, and at this stage a change of scenery probably would benefit the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder, who's approaching the fourth year of his rookie deal. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Taking different offseason approach
Tue, Mar 29, 2022, 11:26 AM
Smith is in line to be a full participant in the Patriots' voluntary organized team activities in advance of the 2022 season, NESN's Zack Cox reports.
Analysis: That wasn't the case last year, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, as Smith awaited the birth of his daughter, while also factoring in COVID considerations. In his first season with the Patriots after signing a four-year, $50 million deal last March, Smith finished with 28 catches (on 45 targets) for 294 yards and a touchdown to go along with nine carries for 40 yards over 16 games, while operating in a time-share that tilted in Hunter Henry's favor. Cox suggests that with the team seemingly moving away from employing a traditional fullback in 2022, Smith could see added opportunities with a potential uptick in two-tight end sets, as well as the possibility that he could take on a share of fullback/H-back duties, with Jakob Johnson no longer in the mix. In that context, Smith could gain added fantasy relevance, but as long as he and Henry share snaps, consistent volume could remain an issue for the 2017 third-rounder. |
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Ty Montgomery Ty Montgomery Joining Patriots
Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 12:29 PM
Montgomery is signing a two-year deal with the Patriots, independent NFL reporter Dov Kleiman reports.
Analysis: Montgomery may provide depth behind passing-down back James White, who was re-signed earlier this week, or he could see more of his work at wide receiver. Either way, the versatile 29-year-old isn't likely to have a big role, with any fantasy value likely requiring injuries ahead of him. |
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James White James White Back with Patriots
Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 12:33 PM
White (hip) has agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the Patriots, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: The 30-year-old is reportedly recovering well from season-ending hip surgery and now that he's back in the fold, the 2014 fourth-rounder is poised to reclaim his change-of-pace role in New England's backfield. In that capacity, White should yield a degree of PPR utility in 2022, while working alongside top early-down options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. |
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Matthew Slater Matt Slater Remains with Patriots
Mon, Mar 14, 2022, 4:38 PM
Slater signed one-year, $2.62 million deal with the Patriots on Monday, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Slater will return to New England for a 15th year as a pro in 2022. The 36-year-old earned second-team All-Pro honors for special teams last season, which is the fifth time in his career he's been named an All-Pro. |
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Brian Hoyer Brian Hoyer Staying with Pats
Mon, Mar 14, 2022, 8:23 AM
Hoyer is signing a a two-year, $4 million contract to stay with the Patriots, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The 36-year-old backup QB has played for seven NFL teams, but the Patriots are the only one he's spent more than two seasons with. Despite that, Hoyer has made just one start in a New England uniform, and each of his five appearances last season came off the bench behind Mac Jones, who will be back in 2022 as the team's starting QB. That leaves Hoyer as the favorite for the No. 2 job, though the Patriots could add some competition before camp. |
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Jakobi Meyers Jakobi Meyers Receives second-round tender
Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 1:50 PM
The Patriots will utilize a second-round contract tender on Meyers as a restricted free agent Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Meyers led New England's pass catchers in receptions (83), targets (126) and receiving yards (866) to go along with two touchdowns last season, so it's not a major surprise to see the team using the second-round tender. The Patriots will be able to match any offer sheet issued by another team, or they can decline to match and receive a second-round pick. |
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James White James White Progressing in recovery
Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 5:50 PM
White is "doing great" after his 2021 season was abbreviated due to a hip subluxation that required surgery Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Prior to getting hurt after just six offensive snaps in the Pats' Week 3 matchup with the Saints, White gathered in 12 of 14 targets for 94 yards, averaged 3.8 yards on 10 carries and had one rushing touchdown. The seven-year pro is a soon-to-be free agent, so it'll be interesting to see if he sticks with the only organization he's known. Currently, the Patriots have Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor and Devine Ozigbo locked into their backfield for 2022. |
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Devin Asiasi Devin Asiasi Logs one appearance this season
Thu, Jan 27, 2022, 3:56 PM
Asiasi suited up for just one regular season game in 2021, logging just 12 snaps and zero targets.
Analysis: The 2020 third-rounder's lone appearance corresponded with the one-game absence of fellow tight end Jonnu Smith. Asiasi is signed with the Patriots through the 2023 season, as is Dalton Keene -- who was also a third round choice in 2020. However, neither of the two pass catchers will be on the fantasy radar as long as Smith and Hunter Henry are healthy and available. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Logs 28 regular-season catches
Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 10:58 AM
Smith finished the 2021 regular season with 28 catches (on 45 targets) for 294 yards and a touchdown to go along with nine carries for 40 yards over 16 games.
Analysis: Smith, who agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal with the Patriots this past March, worked in tandem with fellow free-agent addition Hunter Henry, who inked a three-year, $37.5 million pact. The resulting timeshare tilted in Henry's favor -- he logged a 50-603-9 receiving line -- while Smith's output as a receiver in his first campaign with New England was modest. While an uptick in production is a plausible outcome for Smith in 2022, so long as he and Henry share snaps, the former may continue to see inconsistent volume. |
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Hunter Henry Hunter Henry Sets career mark for TDs
Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 10:39 AM
Henry finished the 2021 regular season with 50 catches on 75 targets for 603 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns in 17 games.
Analysis: For the first time in his career, the 2016 second-round pick played a full slate of games. Henry, who is signed through 2023, joined the Patriots as a splashy free-agent signing last March along with fellow tight end Jonnu Smith. Though the two operated in a timeshare, Henry was far more involved in the passing game in his first campaign with New England. In 2022, Henry and Smith are in line to continue working in tandem, an arrangement that caps Henry's volume when both are available. That said, Henry's nose for the end zone should continue to make him a startable weekly fantasy option in most leagues. |
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Kristian Wilkerson Kristian Wilkerson Set to compete for roster spot
Tue, Jan 25, 2022, 12:37 PM
Wilkerson finished the 2021 regular season with four catches (on eight targets) for 42 yards and two TDs in three games.
Analysis: All of those catches occurred in Week 17, when Wilkerson -- who spent most of the season on the Patriots' practice squad -- filled in for Nelson Agholor, when he was sidelined by a concussion. The team recently re-signed Wilkerson to a future contract for 2022, which sets the stage for the 25-year-old to compete for a roster spot this coming summer. |
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Gunner Olszewski Gunner Olszewski Mimimal role in offense this season
Tue, Jan 25, 2022, 12:25 PM
Olszewski finished the 2021 regular season with two catches (on three targets) for 31 yards and one carry for nine yards in 16 games.
Analysis: While Olszewski wasn't much of a factor in the team's offense, he once again made his mark by serving as New England's primary kick and punt returner this past season. The 25-year-old is a pending restricted free agent this coming offseason, but Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site suggests that Olszewski is a candidate to be retained via a restricted contract tender. |
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N'Keal Harry N'Keal Harry Could be moved this offseason
Tue, Jan 25, 2022, 12:08 PM
Harry finished the 2021 regular season with 12 catches (on 22 targets) for 184 yards in 12 games.
Analysis: Per Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site, Harry, who is signed through 2022 with fifth-year option for 2023, is a candidate to be moved by the Patriots this offseason. In three campaigns with the team since being taken 32nd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Harry has yet to secure a steady role in New England's offense and Perillo suggests that is possible the wideout could be traded for a late-round pick in advance of this year's draft. |
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