Training Camp Preview: Wide Receivers

Overview:

Wide receiver is going to be the most competitive position this year in training camp.  During the offseason, the Patriots acquired four big name receivers: Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker, Randy Moss, and Kelley Washington.  They will join last year’s crop of Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, Randy Moss, Chad Jackson, Bam Childress, and Kelvin Kight.  There are no real locks on who makes the team, as each receiver brings something different to the table.  Donte Stallworth is a speed demon on the outside, and is always prime for big plays.  Wes Welker is a slot receiver, who could catch a lot of passes, with defenses focusing on the two outside receivers, Randy Moss and Stallworth.  If Moss says and does all of the right things, he could become a superstar with the team.  After those three, the real competition begins.  There is Mr. Reliable, Troy Brown.  Although I would like to see Troy on the team next year, I don’t know if Belichick will keep him on the squad.  Kelley Washington also brings some versatility to the table.  He is a tall receiver who can play on the outside and the inside, which makes him pretty valuable.  However, he struggled during minicamp, and it will be interesting to see if that translates to training camp.  Then there is last year’s top receiver, Reche Caldwell.  He has some talent, can play multiple receiver positions, and for the most part has good hands.  However, catching passes from Tom Brady may have made him overrated.  Jabar Gaffney became a fan favorite last year in the playoffs (unlike fellow receiver Reche Caldwell).  In three playoff games, Gaffney hauled in 21 passes, including some that were quite amazing.  With a full year in the system, could Gaffney become a lethal weapon?  A big tossup is Chad Jackson.  He tore his ACL against the Colts in the AFC Championship game, and there has been no update on his rehab.  I see three options for him.  He is recovered, and gets cut at the end of training camp, he goes on PUP so the Patriots can wait it out, or he goes straight to IR.  I like Jackson, and he has loads of potential (more than any other Patriot receiver), but he hasn’t shown the ability to use that potential.  One last guy is Brandon “Bam” Childress.  This year will be his third year with the team (however most has been on the practice squad).  He is versatile, and can even play defense (ala Troy Brown).  He has soft hands, decent speed (returning ability), and will likely make the practice squad again.  Kelvin Kight, who played sparingly last year, will also like make the PS as well.  Chris Dunlap is a rookie free agent who impressed at rookie minicamp, but is a long shot at even making the practice squad.  CJ Jones is a 3 year veteran who has never seen any NFL action.

Roster

CJ Jones

Chris Dunlap

Randy Moss

Reche Caldwell

Jabar Gaffney

Wes Welker

Donte Stallworth

Kelley Washington

Troy Brown

Bam Childress

Kelvin Kight

Chad Jackson

Predicted Depth Chart

CUTS: CJ Jones, Chris Dunlap, Kelley Washington

PRACTICE SQUAD: Bam Childress, Kelvin Kight

INJURED RESERVE / PUP: Chad Jackson

Outside – Starter #1

1. Randy Moss

2. Reche Caldwell

Outside – Starter #2

1. Donte Stallworth

2. Jabar Gaffney

Slot Receiver

1. Wes Welker

2. Troy Brown

Training Camp Battles:

Jabar Gaffney vs. Reche Caldwell vs. Troy Brown vs. Kelley Washington

This battle was primarily explained above.  The Patriots will likely keep two or three of the listed receivers.  As of now, Kelley Washington would be my pick to get cut because of his performance during mini camp.  However, he brings height, which the other three don’t.  Jabar Gaffney looked like a stud in the playoffs, was that his actual ability, or was that just a fluke.  Reche Caldwell is a well rounded receiver, but does he bring anything special to the table?  Troy Brown is a fan favorite, but does he have anything left in the tank.  Chad Jackson will be included in this battle if he rehabs quick enough.

Receiver Grade: A-