Patriots receivers motivated and hope to improve in 2020

FOXBORO –Last season, it became obvious that Tom Brady was frustrated with his offense. From failed experiments with Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon to injuries to Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu and N’Keal Harry, the wide receiver group collectively failed to catch on as a whole.

The frustration from Brady was visible whether it was on the sideline, on the field or the post-game press conference.

As we all know by now, Brady’s now in Tampa Bay with a pair of [...]

FOXBORO –Last season, it became obvious that Tom Brady was frustrated with his offense. From failed experiments with Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon to injuries to Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu and N’Keal Harry, the wide receiver group collectively failed to catch on as a whole.

The frustration from Brady was visible whether it was on the sideline, on the field or the post-game press conference.

As we all know by now, Brady’s now in Tampa Bay with a pair of Pro Bowl receivers (Mike Evan and Chris Godwin). In Foxboro, most of the Patriots 2019 receiver depth chart returned with the addition of one veteran (Damiere Byrd) and a couple of undrafted rookies (Jeff Thomas, Will Hastings and Isaiah Zuber).

Although there have been plenty of changes in New England this offseason, the team’s wide receiver group enters 2020 with as much to prove as any position inside Gillette Stadium.

"Every day we want to come out and put our best foot forward," said receiver Jakobi Meyers. "We’re more so worried about what we feel about each other in the receiver room. Not so much about what other people outside of the building feel about us. If they feel like there’s a gap, everybody is entitled to their own opinion and we’re going to keep putting our best foot forward every day as long as we’re here. That’s all we can do."

Meyers is one of a handful of receivers that have something to prove this season. He made the Patriots roster as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and finished with 26 receptions for 359 yards. Meyers said he gained weight this season and hopes to become more consistent after his playing time was inconsistent last season.

That was a common theme after speaking with Harry and Sanu on Tuesday.

Harry has as much to prove as anyone. He became the first receiver to be drafted in the first round under Bill Belichick in Foxboro. His first year got off to a tough start. He suffered a hamstring and ankle injury in his first training camp and missed most of those August practices. That led him to starting his rookie year on the injured reserve.

Harry returned to play in seven games and caught 12 passes for 105 yards and two scores last season. When the Patriots lost to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC wildcard round, Harry said he immediately wanted to get back to work. Whereas Meyers gained weight, Harry slimmed down this offseason in the hopes that it would help his route running an ability to separate from opposing defensive backs.

"I was looking forward to it, really right after the playoff game last year," Harry said. "I took about a week or two off, just to let my body recover, and then I was right back to it. I felt like it was a great opportunity for me to get a step ahead, and just to be at the point where I wanted to be at coming into the season."

The Patriots traded a second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons last year for Sanu because his talents were needed at the receiver position. He looked the part, too. In his second game with the Pats, Sanu caught 10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Instead of building off that success, Sanu suffered an ankle injury in the next game. He caught 103 yards in the next six games combined.

This offseason, Sanu had offseason surgery to repair that ankle and then hired his own position coach, Drew Lieberman, to help him improve.

"I think I just need to be consistent in everything that I do," Sanu said. "Do my job and make sure I’m where I need to be. Make sure I do the little things, so my teammates know: ‘Mo’s gonna do his part.’ So they can do theirs."

Beyond Julian Edelman, there’s question marks with all the receivers on the Patriots right now. There is, however, ample opportunity for someone like Sanu, Harry and/or Meyers to step up and make a name for themselves in New England with whoever wins the starting quarterback job.

After all, they all have something to prove.

"We just look forward to getting better in meetings, walkthroughs, out on the field, because we know we all have areas to improve," Sanu said. "We relish those opportunities, and we take it full-on. So we’re excited just to have the opportunity every day."

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ