Intriguing competition at wide receiver for Patriots

Perhaps the thing that stood out more than any other during the New England Patriots’ organized team activity on Tuesday was the presence of wide receiver Julian Edelman, who is coming back from a torn ACL suffered last August.

Nicknamed “The Squirrel," Edelman brings a high level of competitiveness that has been noted by his teammates.official nfl jerseys cheap

“Having him out there brings leadership to this team. He brings excitement to this team, and he brings an aggressive nature to this team,” safety Duron Harmon said. “Having him out here makes the team better.”

Edelman, whose competitiveness was shown when at one point he reinserted himself into a drill to do it again after he had a misstep, leads the team’s receiving corps. He forms a 1-2 punch with sixth-year veteran Chris Hogan atop the depth chart.

The newcomer. Sixth-round pick Braxton Berrios, of the University of Miami, fits the profile of slot receiver/punt returner. I view his chances as 50-50 between the roster and practice squad, as there is obviously a long way to go. I watched him muff one punt on Tuesday, but to his credit, he stepped right back in and had a solid rep after that.

The long shots. Riley McCarron (slot, punt returner) and Cody Hollister (multiple receiver spots, gunner), both of whom spent last year on the team’s practice squad, round out the depth chart. While it might take an injury from a player ahead of them to open the door, nfl jerseys cheap nike whenever they are on the field, they fit right in. Hollister wasn’t present on Tuesday.

The captain. Special teams captain Matthew Slater, who warms up with the receivers, is also part of the group. He will be on the roster, but his impact at receiver will be limited.

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