By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
The New England Patriots are officially down to 53 active players, and now the relevant projection and analysis can begin. The roster has been modernized to some degree, with added explosion on both sides of the ball, which is a promising start. The wide receiver room has good pieces to build on, and with a proven offensive coordinator, its ceiling should be higher than before. They should project to many as a solid group that’s not vulnerable to any potential injury.
Stefon Diggs
Starting at the top, Stefon Diggs will be the primary target, bringing nuanced route running and steady enough separation ability. With his age and mileage, though, he is the front-facing figure of a receiver room that will rely on the players behind him for explosive plays.
Regardless, Diggs should make an impact on short-to-intermediate routes while also winning crucial matchups on third downs. With an AFC East division that still features some shaky teams, he could make even bigger offensive splashes as the season goes on.
Mack Hollins
Mack Hollins will be in line for the starting mix, bringing elite effort and attention to detail along with his big frame. He is on track to be the kind of player who makes room for other threats on the field, often running vertically to stretch defenses.
While other teams turn to flashier options for their vertical threats, the Patriots will lean on veteran savvy to distract defensive units. With that and his competitive drive, though, do not be surprised if Hollins becomes a steady option to keep the offense from moving backward.
DeMario Douglas
DeMario Douglas is where things will really get exciting for the offense’s pace of production. Already providing more than enough explosion to play on the outside, Douglas will be working as a slot receiver under Josh McDaniels, a coach with years of experience using slot weapons in New England.
In a fitting role considering his frame, expect Douglas to relentlessly attack the mismatch covering him. Additionally, with the burst he brings, he is part of the reason losing a primary receiver in the middle of the season would not be overly concerning, as he can slide into that role while other slot candidates fill his spot.
Kayshon Boutte
Kayshon Boutte will bring his past chemistry and success with Drake Maye into this season. It will be interesting to see where he fits in a starting role, as Hollins and Boutte are similar in terms of being vertical threats with bigger frames.
With Boutte showing flashier potential as the younger and more polished option, Hollins could actually be the one on the outside looking in. Regardless, Boutte will be another crucial option downfield for a Maye-led unit that needs explosive plays, whether they come at the catch point or after.
Kyle Williams
Kyle Williams also brings a new wave of separation ability and route running that the New England Patriots have needed for years. The only thing potentially holding him back is health, and his head will be worth monitoring as it took a few shots in the preseason.
Other than that, his elusiveness in the first few seconds after bursting off the line of scrimmage is extremely evident. He has the potential to be a do-it-all type of receiver for the Patriots moving forward.
Efton Chism III
Last but certainly not least is Efton Chism, the undrafted signee who made it through roster cuts thanks to traits that once gave Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola years of success in New England. There is simply no price too big for a slot receiver candidate who can both elude defensive backs and find open spots in the opposing half of the field.
If Chism can continue to show these traits, the Patriots will find a way to get him on the field whether they have a full unit or not, most likely in the form of situational drives. Regardless of what happens with him, he has been a classic example of how dedication and attention to detail can be enough to get a player onto a starting roster.
Conclusion
Overall, the explosion within this core comes from the short-to-intermediate threats, while the vertical options are a mix of savvy and sporadic flash. With similar styles from the closer options to Maye, it will be easy to shift from redundancy to specificity if an injury were to arise. Regardless, the separation and explosion receivers in New England have needed has finally been addressed through every offseason avenue. Fans can confidently predict this unit to be steady throughout the season, with the potential to play decently above expectations.
Flavin Media 
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