All indications are the New England Patriots enter the 2022 campaign with a number of serviceable options at the wide receiver position.
The position group for the Patriots seemingly is built more on depth than it is a high-end superstar that other teams employ. And the Madden NFL 23 ratings released Monday indicate much of the same.
The Patriots have four wideouts measuring with a rating of 80 or higher, all four of which are within two overall points of each other. New England is led by recently-acquired DeVante Parker (82), a pair of second-year Patriots in Kendrick Bourne (81) and Nelson Agholor (81) along with the consistent Jakobi Meyers (80).
The Patriots are one of 21 teams who do not have a wideout ranked 90 or higher.
Davante Adams’ Raiders, Cooper Kupp’s Rams, Tyreek Hill’s Dolphins, Stefon Diggs’ Bills, Justin Jefferson’s Vikings, Mike Evans’ Buccaneers, Keenan Allen’s Chargers, Terry McLaurin’s Commanders, Amari Cooper’s Browns, Michael Thomas’ Saints and Tyler Lockett’s Seahawks all have a wideout ranked 90 or above.
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have the two highest-rated teammates with Evans (92) and Chris Godwin (89). The Seahawks aren’t far behind with Lockett (90) and D.K. Metcalf (89).
There are 23 teams who have at least one receiver ranked higher than New England’s highest-graded wideout.
One of the Patriots’ biggest goals this offseason was bringing more speed on both sides of the ball. It’s one area the Patriots now are strongest, according to Madden, as New England has three speedsters with a grade of 90 or better in the category. Second-round pick Tyquan Thornton ranks as the fastest (95) with Agholor and Tre Nixon (both 91) not too far behind.
Meyers has the highest catch rating of any of the Patriots (90) while Parker ranks atop the board in awareness (84) and Bourne was at the top in agility (93).
Madden did include N’Keal Harry on its list of Patriots — he earned a 72 overall — but the former first-round now is a member of the Chicago Bears after a trade last week.
