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New England Patriots: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 02: Josh Gordon #10 of the New England Patriots runs on his way to scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 02: Josh Gordon #10 of the New England Patriots runs on his way to scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

1. Evaluate the wide receiving corps

The Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LIII has been the topic of much discussion as of late. And the focus on wide receiver Julian Edelman has focused on where he not only ranks among the game’s greats but whether he is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration mainly due to his outstanding performances in the postseason. Frankly, that’s a topic for another time. And that would be when the 2009 seventh-round pick from Kent State finally opts to walk away from the game.

For now, what’s more significant is what will the New England Patriots wide receiving corps could look like in 2019? First and arguably foremost, what does the future hold for Josh Gordon? He was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in late December. In his first season with the Pats, the one-time Cleveland Browns’ standout played and 10 games with Bill Belichick’s squad. He caught 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a brisk 18 yards per reception. Will he be a member of this team this summer and fall?

Elsewhere, wideouts Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson (all with 3 touchdown receptions this past season) are all eligible to become unrestricted free agents in mid-March. And it’s also worth noting that the latter – who also scored on the ground and via a kickoff return – had twice as many rushing attempts (42) as receptions (21) during the regular season.

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Meanwhile, Edelman returns while 2018 sixth-round pick Braxton Berrios hopes to contribute after missing his rookie campaign. It’s a group that could get a makeover in the coming months.

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