Why Are the Patriots Keeping 8 Receivers? This Roster Decision Is Turning Heads

Keeping 8 receivers highlights one of biggest Patriots roster surprises

Patriots cleebrate
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) celebrates with teammates after his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP

The Patriots can almost field an entire offense with their receiver room alone.

It was a bit of a surprise that the Patriots 53-man roster sports eight receivers.

Making the team, for now, are: DeMario Douglas, Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III, Javon Baker and Kendrick Bourne.

Six seemed like a safe number with an outside chance for seven.

Keeping eight rarely, if ever, happens.

Going back as far as 2003, the largest receiver rooms for the Patriots had seven. They had that number in 2008, 2014 and 2019.

Last year, they kept six.

Eight doesn’t compute with the norm.

The obvious keepers were Diggs, Douglas, Boutte, Hollins, and Williams.

Chism was so good during training camp and the preseason, he had to be kept. That’s six.

As a receiver, Baker flashed at times, but didn’t fare well in games. He conceivably got a spot on the 53 largely due to his contributions on special teams.

Bourne, meanwhile, was relegated to second team reps before getting rolled up on during practice, injuring his foot/ankle. He’s been on the sidelines since the first week in August.

He wasn’t put on IR, and still managed to gain a spot.

Will the Patriots keep all eight?

Hard to believe they will. The situation appears to be fluid. Patriots might have more wheeling and dealing via trades in the days to come.

Related Posts

49ers star Kittle’s reaction to Purdy touchdown dance goes viral

The 49ers secured a 26-8 over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, with Purdy putting in an impressive performance and producing an iconic touchdown celebration.

The one thought that flashed through Ricky Pearsall’s mind the exact second the bullet tore through his chest will leave you speechless… 😳🔥

49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot before his rookie season in 2024. He opened up about his mindset during the shooting.

🚨 Time Update: Packers vs. Bears at Arrowhead Stadium — Kickoff Time Confirmed

The NFL has officially confirmed the kickoff time for a matchup that nobody expected, yet everyone is suddenly talking about: the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago…

A HEARTWARMING 49ERS MOMENT: Brock Purdy Credіtѕ Hіѕ Wіfe For Inѕріrіng Hіѕ Vіrаl ‘Dougіe’ TD Celebrаtіon Thаt Sent Fаnѕ Into A Frenzy

Getty   ѕаn Frаncіѕco 49erѕ quаrterbаck Brock рurdy ѕаіd he often аnnoyѕ hіѕ wіfe іn the kіtchen by hіttіng The Dougіe dаnce. But lіke the reѕt of…

49ERS PLAYOFF PATH IGNITES: 49erѕ’ Uрdаted Plаyoff Chаnceѕ Skyrocket After Cruѕhіng The Brownѕ In A Pіvotаl Week 13 Vіctory

The 49erѕ аre now 9-4 аfter deѕtroyіng the Brownѕ ѕundаy. Here’ѕ whаt the metrіcѕ аre now lookіng lіke for the рlаyoffѕ. ѕаn Frаncіѕco 49erѕ wіde receіver Jаuаn…

🚨 Time Update: Chiefs vs. Texans at Arrowhead Stadium — Kickoff Time Confirmed

The NFL has officially confirmed the kickoff time for a game that has suddenly gripped national attention: the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the surging Houston Texans at…