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5 bold predictions for Patriots in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 23: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during New England Patriots offseason organized team activities at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on May 23, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 23: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during New England Patriots offseason organized team activities at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on May 23, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 05: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Lombardi Trophy on Cambridge street during the New England Patriots Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 05: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Lombardi Trophy on Cambridge street during the New England Patriots Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Julian Edelman will go over 100 catches

It won’t shock anyone if Edelman is Brady’s No. 1 target this season. The departure of Gronkowski leaves the door wide open for the former Kent State quarterback to inherit a lot of targets. The surprising point about predicting Edelman to catch triple-digit passes is to assume he can truly ascend to the role of being New England’s No. 1 wideout for a completely healthy season.

Edelman has gotten progressively smarter about avoiding hits as his career has progressed. Last year it was almost impossible to get a clean hit on the 5-10 wideout. There’s a certain element of Wes Welker to his game.

Health is really the key to this bold prediction. There’s a reason why Edelman has only gone over 100 catches once in his career. He’s only played 16 regular season games twice in his professional career. Those two campaigns happen to represents his most productive statistical seasons for the Patriots.

This year Edelman needs to lead the way for the Patriots receiving corps like never before. Particularly early in the season, he’s going to get a ton of looks from Brady. As long as Edelman plays over 14 games he should be in line for a career statistical year. Getting somewhere near 120 catches isn’t impossible for Edelman this year.

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