Patriots receivers have plenty to prove

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 failed to catch on as a whole.

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

Brady, of course, is now in Tampa Bay and is working with a pair of Pro [...]

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 failed to catch on as a whole.

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

Brady, of course, is now in Tampa Bay and is working with a pair of Pro Bowl receivers in Mike Evan and Chris Godwin. Most of last season’s receivers have returned to the Patriots along with the addition of one veteran (Damiere Byrd) and a couple of undrafted rookies (Jeff Thomas, Will Hastings and Isaiah Zuber).

That group enters 2020 with as much to prove as any position on the team.

"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 receivers 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 who has something to prove this season. That was a common theme after speaking with Harry and Sanu on Tuesday.

Meyers made the Patriots roster as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and finished with 26 receptions for 359 yards. He said he gained weight this offseason and hopes to become more consistent after his playing time was inconsistent last season.

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 hamstring and ankle injuries 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 playoff 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 and 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. It seemed to be a good move. In his second game with the Pats, Sanu caught 10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. But Sanu suffered an ankle injury in the next game. He caught only 16 passes 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."

After Julian Edelman, there are 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 with whoever wins the starting quarterback job.

After all, they all have something to prove.

"We just look forward to getting better in meetings, walk-throughs, 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