The Patriots are in a major revamping mode. Mike Vrabel made that perfectly clear with some of his personnel moves already this spring. He severed ties with starters David Andrews, Davon Godchaux, Ja'Whuan Bentley, Jonathan Jones, and Deatrich Wise Jr.
A major change is afoot as Vrabel has added new players all over the place. He brought in six or so offensive linemen, several wide receivers, and top additions at defensive tackle, linebacker, edge, and cornerback. And he's likely not done yet revamping a roster that was widely considered one of the NFL's worst in 2024.
One player who is likely on the bubble among others is a wide receiver who has been limited in his playing time over the past two seasons due to injury and hasn't exactly lit up the score sheet prior. It's receiver Kendrick Bourne, and he'll be under the microscope in summer camp.
Kendrick Bourne is on the Patriots' roster bubble
Bourne was signed as a free agent by New England in 2021 after four years in San Francisco. His performance has been average at best. In 2022, his best season, he caught 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns. That's a decent season only for a third receiver.
In the last three years, his best output for the now soon-to-be 30-year-old has been poor. His best since 2021 was 37 catches for 406 yards and four TDs in 2023 in eight games. He has only played in 20 total games over the past two seasons due to injury.
If released, Bourne's dead cap hit to the team will be $2.8M, but the savings on the cap would be $4.9 million, according to Over the Cap. Those savings will be an incentive for the team to cut ties with the veteran if the free agents and rookie receivers show something in camp.
There is a lot of competition at wide receiver for Bourne to battle against
Two free-agent wide receivers are likely to make the roster ahead of Bourne. They are former Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, who'll be the Pats' No. 1 receiver on Day 1 if healthy, and former Bills receiver Mack Hollins. Hollins is a big-play guy. Expect the big 6'4", 221-pounder to be a prime go-to guy for Drake Maye to pick up a first down and in the red zone.
Rookie third-round pick Kyle Williams is a lock to make the roster. The speedy former Washington State Cougar runs a blazing 4.4 forty. He has rare explosiveness, such as hasn't been seen in New England for ages. Pencil him in as the team's number 2 receiver after Diggs.
2024's best receiver, Pop Douglas, caught 66 passes for 661 yards and three TDs. He'll make the team. Fighting for the final spots in the receiver room will be Kayshon Boutte, who had a decent 2024 with 43 catches for 589 yards and three TDs. He'll fight for a position with Bourne and rookie free agent ball magnet, undrafted free agent (UDFA) slot receiver, Efton Chism III.
Chism is no ordinary UDFA. He hauled in a whopping 120 passes for 1113 yards and 13 scores in 2024 for Eastern Washington. That earned him a $234,000 guaranteed salary along with a $25,000 bonus. He's done nothing but catch the ball since and has already earned the trust of quarterback Drake Maye in the process. Expect him to stick when all is said and done.
The odds don't favor Kendrick Bourne in the scramble for a 2025 Patriots' wide receiver spot. His age, injury history, and the cap savings that can be realized if he's released will all mitigate against his being around when the bell rings in September. Expect Bourne to be playing elsewhere in 2025.
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