Competition Brewing In Camp For Dobson, Patriots Wide Receivers
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots receiving corps may not admit publicly that there is a competition brewing for roster spots, but it certainly appeared so on the field at the team's mandatory minicamp.
After Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, who aren't guaranteed to be at full strength by the start of the 2016 season, the rest of the Patriots receivers could be in line for an uptick in meaningful snaps early on. Free agent addition Chris Hogan, returning Aaron Dobson and Keshawn Martin, and rookie Malcolm Mitchell have performed like an early starting role - or their roster spots - are on the line heading into training camp.
Dobson, in particular, could be facing his final opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the Patriots roster. Since his intriguing rookie season in 2013 was cut short, Dobson has struggled to make it on the field, much less contribute on a consistent basis.
However, despite reportedly catching eyes with some dazzling catches in drills during minicamp, Dobson was the first to shoot down the idea of any particular "competition" between teammates with a perfectly Patriots-y answer.
"There's competition every day. It's the NFL, so I feel like there's competition every day," Dobson told reporters after practice.
Martin played the third-most passing snaps among all Patriots receivers behind Amendola and Edelman in 2015, despite playing just nine games (starting eight) for the Patriots. He sounded very confident about his ability to contribute significant touches to the offense with a proper offseason to further pick up the playbook.
"I'm really just happy to be here during the whole offseason, getting used to the program and getting ready to go," said Martin.
Experience-wise, no receiver on the team can top 11-year veteran Nate Washington. But the former Steeler, Titan, and Texan is not taking anything for granted in New England. He is battling for a roster spot like everyone else.
"I appreciate it. This has been a heck of a journey, my NFL career," he told the Herald after Wednesday's minicamp. "I didn't think I would last this long, but by the grace of God and hard work, I'm still here."
Hogan, a free agent addition from the Buffalo Bills, lived up to his "7-Eleven" nickname at minicamp by "constantly getting open," according to the Boston Herald's Karen Guregian.
Hogan and his $5.5 million cap hit are a near-certainty to make the roster, but sounds well on his way to earning a significant role in the offense - especially if having to fill in for Edelman or Amendola early on. He certainly knows what he needs to do to accomplish that.
"Know your job," Hogan told Guregian at minicamp. "Know your job, know where to line up, and be able to play fast."
The rookie Mitchell has also impressed on the field, reportedly making a spectacular leaping one-handed catch on a throw from third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Like Hogan, Mitchell is learning the Patriots playbook from the ground up - but the 2016 fourth-round pick out of Georgia is also just learning to be a professional.
"For me right now, it's coming in everyday learning," said Mitchell. "I trust how the coaches are installing the plays. ... If we stay up an extra hour, we wake up an extra hour early to make sure we know everything coming in.
"I think once you get your priorities straight in that area, you'll come in and kind of know what you're doing," Mitchell continued. "[I] still have a lot of room to grow and a lot to learn."
With every receiver working hard and excelling in their own ways, the Patriots could be in for a tough decision once it comes time to trim down to the 53-man roster. But at one of the most important positions on this team, great depth - and a healthy competition - can only be a good thing.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
