The New England Patriots have had an influx of decisions to make in regards to the wide receiver position.
Three of the most proven receivers in the mix are Julian Edelman, Demaryius Thomas and Josh Gordon. Edelman is a lock to make the roster, Gordon will make the cut now that he’s been reinstated, but Thomas is still fighting for security.
Thomas is a nine year veteran that has put together an incredible career — but he is 31 years old now. He’s accrued 688 receptions, 9,330 receiving yards and 62 receiving touchdowns in his career.
He’s coming off of a torn achilles, and he’s playing in a very unfamiliar system currently. He spent the beginning of Patriots’ training camp on the PUP list, and now he has a lot of catching up to do before the season begins. Regardless, he is confident that he can make the roster and make an impact.
“I still can go,” Thomas told reporters on Sunday. ” I still can go. (Just have to) knock little rust off and keep building the days.”
Thomas spent most of his career with the Denver Broncos, and he hasn’t dealt with a major injury in the NFL. So, this season he’ll be going against the grain with his age, the injury and being on a new team.
“I think it’s a challenge of me just going out and continuing to do what I’ve been doing my whole career,” Thomas said. “It’s a tougher challenge because here, they expect more and it’s a little different than where I’ve been, but I’ll be all right.”
Unlike seasons before, Thomas will have to continue to fight for a spot on the roster. The Patriots currently have Edelman, Gordon, Thomas, N’Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski and Braxton Berrios in the mix.
New England won’t expect an 1,000 yard season out of Thomas, but he can still provide quality minutes if he can in fact, still go.
