Patriots by Position: Wide Receivers

As camp continues in Foxboro, our position-by-position analysis of the Patriots roster focuses on the wide receivers.

The Returners 

Danny Amendola – 9th season, Texas Tech

Julian Edelman – 9th season, Kent State

Chris Hogan – 5th season, Monmouth

Malcolm Mitchell – 2nd season, Georgia

Devin Lucien – 1st season*, Arizona State

The New Guys

Brandin Cooks – 4th season, Oregon State (New Orleans)

Tony Washington – 3rd season, Appalachian State (Jacksonville)

KJ Maye – 2nd season, Minnesota (Tennessee)

The Rookies

Austin Carr – Northwestern

Cody Hollister – Arkansas

The Skinny: Arguably, the biggest offseason acquisition for New England was Brandin Cooks, who Bill Belichick picked up for a first-round pick. Cooks provides Brady with a deep-threat at receiver, something that will keep the passing game multi-dimensional. Last season, Cooks hauled in eight touchdowns and averaged 44.1 yards per score. His first four TDs of 2016 were on receptions longer than 40 yards, the longest being a 98-yard score. Reliable slot receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola return. Back for their second year with New England are Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell, break out players from a season ago. Devin Lucien has been solid in the first week of camp and Austin Carr, who's also made splashes, will be slowly phased into the Patriot program. 

The Top Talk:  Brandin Cooks on his work ethic:

"I'd have to say it came from my mom – raising three boys on her own, working every morning at multiple jobs. She was able to do that and she didn't sign up for that; I signed up for football. So, if she can do it, I can do it too…she worked in a warehouse – [for] a hat company – and an afterschool program."

David Souza is an intern in the Boston 25 Sports department. Follow David on Twitter: @DSouza4717

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