FOXBORO — Cease us should you’ve heard this one earlier than, however the Patriots are having bother getting production out of their extensive receiver group.
Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams have mixed for simply 35 catches and 330 yards with three touchdowns in three video games. Rams extensive receiver Puka Nacua alone has extra receiving yards, and three NFL extensive receivers have scored greater than three touchdowns.
Patriots undrafted rookie Efton Chism has but to be lively to date this season after being a coaching camp and preseason standout.
“Simply my choice each week,” head coach Mike Vrabel defined. “We are able to solely get 5 proper now, we’ve solely been taking 5, so that may change every week. And he’s working laborious, working in observe. We’ll consider that every week as to what his position can be and the way he can assist us. However that’s sort of the place that’s.”
Chism might see enjoying time relying on how the Patriots deal with Douglas, who has simply 13 yards by three video games. The Patriots might additionally use Diggs extra closely within the slot.
Vrabel is hopeful that Williams’ alternatives will improve. He’s solely been on the sphere for 12.7% of offensive snaps to date, and he’s caught two passes on two targets for 20 yards.
“Those we’ve thrown to him, he’s caught,” Vrabel mentioned. “Simply preserve constructing a job for him, get all people some alternatives and let the quarterback throw to the man that’s open.”
Diggs chatted with Williams and Chism early within the season, as a result of he additionally was a wholesome scratch for the primary three weeks of his NFL profession. He went on to catch 52 passes for 720 yards as a rookie in 2015.
“My rookie yr, I had a good-(expletive) camp. I used to be telling them, you had camp, and let that be simply that,” Diggs mentioned Wednesday. “You had camp. Go and roll into the season with the identical mindset of working equally as laborious.
“Form of, don’t get misplaced in it, since you don’t ever know when your alternative is. So I give them the knowledge that I obtained. I’ve been in a tough spot like that earlier than, the place you’re not enjoying, you need to play. These guys are hungry, they usually work their (expletive) off. So I utterly perceive. However you gotta eat what’s in your plate.”
Chism was sporting No. 13, imitating Hunter Renfrow on the scout group, in observe on Wednesday.
Vrabel seemingly doesn’t need to overwork his extensive receiver corps, which ought to finally result in alternatives for everybody.
