The best thing that could happen to the New England Patriots’ offense this training camp?
Simple.
Alex Van Pelt’s offense would roll out rookies Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Polk outside and second-year man Demario “Pop” Douglas in the slot when it takes the field on opening day in Cincinnati.
That would mean that the youngsters have done enough in August to initiate a total overhaul at the position, overtaking veterans like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor and free agent pickup KJ Osborn and initiating a new era with new life and new legs.
Van Pelt, the new Patriots offensive coordinator, had better hope he can find a “1” and a “2” in this sea of “3s” and “4s,” entering camp this week in Foxborough.
The rookies have talked the talk, albeit while still awaiting their first set of professional shoulder pads.
“Man, (the Patriots are) getting a beast. A dude that loves football, loves his teammates,” said Polk, back in April after being chosen in the second round of the NFL Draft out of Washington. “I’m ready to build, be able to bring a great player and a very electric person, and go on and win games.”
The fourth-rounder, Baker, was equally fired up about his potential.
“Just come to the home stadium and bring your popcorn, as I like to tell y’all. Bring your popcorn,” he said. “I make people in wheelchairs stand up. Bring your popcorn.”
Snacks aside, the fourth-rounder out of Central Florida is a breath of fresh air.
Each looked good in spurts during OTAs and mini-camp. But how you play in a T-shirt and shorts doesn’t always translate to Sunday afternoons in the fall.
They are desperately needed.
Running rookie first-round pick Drake Maye out there to throw to the journeymen just would not be fair to the kid. and having Jacoby Brissett to throw bubble passes to JuJu doesn’t exactly move the needle.
That said, there are a dozen wideouts on the current roster, looking to latch on to the 53-man roster. Expect the club to hold onto six.
Here are the challengers for those spots:
Javon Baker: Rookie fourth-round pick. He’s a lock to make the 53. For the QBs’ sanity, he needs to live up to his own hype.
Kawaan Baker: He’s turn 26 in August and has played two games with no catches since being drafted by the Saints (round 7) in 2021.
Kendrick Bourne: Veteran has a great attitude, one the team rewarded with a contract extension despite him coming off a torn ACL. Likely to start the season on PUP. Tough to count on him, but he’d be a heck of a story.
Kayshon Boutte: Second-year man, showed some flashes but spent more time in Bill Belichick’s doghouse than he did on the field. Lots of baggage, but he’s one of the guys on the bubble for the 5-6 spot.
DeMario “Pop” Douglas: Can he stay on the field, playing in the slot – in traffic – at 5-foot-8, 192 pounds? If he can, 80-plus catches, 1,000 yards and a half-dozen TDs are not out of the question.
JaQuae Jackson: Late addition to the roster as an undrafted free agent, the rookie has good size but remains one of the longest of long shots.
KJ Osborn: Does his $4 million salary — $3.18 million guaranteed – assure him a spot? Not necessarily.
Ja’Lynn Polk: Huge expectations on this rookie second-rounder. Needs to be ready immediately if not sooner.
Jalen Reagor: Been an underachiever through four seasons. Not sure why that might change now.
JuJu Smith-Schuster: All reports say his ailing knee looks great. That’s the positive view. He’s an enigma for sure, one to watch closely in camp.
Tyquan Thornton: Has 338 receiving yards total in two injury-marred pro seasons. He’s at best hanging by a thread.
David Wallis: Rookie has the chance to be the training camp sweetheart, coming out of tiny, little Randolph Macon. Being the next Bam Childress or Austin Carr (Google them, kids) doesn’t pay the bills.