The Patriots wide receiving core was subject to a lot of heavy criticism in 2019 and the team hasn’t made many changes to the group this offseason. The Patriots are coming back with mostly the same cast of characters as five of their top six reception leaders from 2019 remain on the roster. The only noteworthy additions have been Marqise Lee, Damiere Byrd and a host of undrafted free agents.
One name still available on the free agent market for Bill Belichick is former Patriot (and former lacrosse player) Chris Hogan. Hogan was a key member of the Patriots wide receiver group for their last two Super Bowl runs. He spent last season with the Carolina Panthers where he was only able to rack up 3 catches for 24 yards before landing on injured reserve. Hogan returned on December 15th and finished the season with a total of 8 catches for 67 yards.
Patriots current wide receiver depth chart:
Julian Edelman
Mohamed Sanu
N’Keal Harry
Jakobi Meyers
Marqise Lee
Damiere Byrd
Gunner Olszewski
Hogan would likely come cheap after a disappointing season, which will be important since the Patriots don’t have much cap space left. Cutting one player like Ryan Izzo or Matt LaCosse should give them enough room to sign Hogan and would make sense since New England drafted two tight ends last month.
Hogan was a guest on the Double Coverage podcast hosted by the McCourty twins earlier this offseason and Devin McCourty hinted that a return may be in the works. “”You heard it here first, man. Chris Hogan back to New England… We’ve got a new quarterback, let’s bring an old target back.”
Hogan had 107 catches for 1,651 yards and 12 touchdowns in 3 seasons with the Patriots.
Photo: (Steven Senne – AP Photo)