Confidence Permeating In Patriots Receiver Room Downright Delusional

The New England Patriots’ receiver room consists of players with N’Keal Harry’s talent and Stefon Diggs’ confidence.

These young, unproven wideouts have accomplished next to nothing in their respective NFL careers. But for some reason, New England’s younger players feel they have the right to carry themselves like proven veterans while depth-piece veterans feel they have the right to act like All-Pro superstars.

Javon Baker claimed his talent could make people in wheelchairs stand up after the Patriots took him in the fourth round. He has been inactive four times in seven games. That aged well, huh? Jalen Reagor is gone after using a meme to state his case for more looks. Delusional. DeMario Douglas is a little-known second-year wideout, and he’s throwing tantrums when he wasn’t targeted enough.

Second-round rookie Ja’Lynn Polk responded to critiques and said he had the best hands in the NFL. Polk then dropped two balls the next time he stepped on the field and followed up with a cryptic social media post. K.J. Osborn, one of the few veterans in the room, amplified a social media post all but confirming he’s unhappy with his decrease in playing time. Osborn, a solid yet unspectacular third wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, was available on a one-year, $4 million deal during the offseason.

The Patriots receiver room has combined for 57 receptions and 589 yards in seven games. Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase has 620 yards on the season. The room is below average, at the very least.

What are we doing here?

Why does Polk feel he can post a cryptic social media post after New England’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday? Polk has 10 catches on 26 targets for 78 yards this season. He’s underwhelmed greatly. And why does Osborn (seven catches for 57 yards in five games) feel he can broadcast his discontent with his situation? If you can’t stand out among New England’s receiver room chances are you won’t anywhere.

The self-confidence in the Patriots receiver room is downright delusional.

But Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has all but signed off on players expressing their own views.

“That’s those guys’ freedom of speech,” Mayo told reporters Monday morning.

It’s not the entire group, though. Veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, the most accomplished of the group, suggested some players aren’t as committed as others. Bourne didn’t call anyone out by name, but there’s reason to believe he’s talking about those he shares the room with. Bourne’s sentiments don’t represent the only call-out either as defensive players have done the same.

Until Patriots receivers look capable of their doing own jobs, though, they’re critiques and complaints don’t hold any weight.