The New England Patriots are entering the 2019 campaign with their receiving corps in flux, and ESPN thinks Julian Edelman is going to reap the benefits.
ESPN is predicting a monster for Edelman, projecting that he will haul in 93 receptions for 1,288 yards and five touchdowns.
Edelman is coming off of a 2018 season in which he played 12 games and caught 74 passes for 850 yards and six scores. He then had a brilliant postseason, snaring 26 balls for 388 yards and ultimately winning Super Bowl MVP honors in the Patriots' Super Bowl win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The 33-year-old, who played his collegiate football as a quarterback at Kent State, was originally selected by New England in the seventh round (232nd pick overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
He had a limited role in the passing game during his first four NFL seasons, primarily serving as a kick return specialist, but in his fifth year in 2013, he broke out, registering 105 catches for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns.
Since then, Edelman has become a steady contributor in the Patriots' aerial attack, serving as one of Tom Brady's most reliable targets. He put together another 1,000-yards campaign in 2016, finishing with 98 receptions for 1,106 yards and three scores.
Edelman would then miss the entire 2017 season due to a torn ACL.
Earlier this offseason, the Patriots lost tight end Rob Gronkowski to retirement and wide outs Cordarrelle Patterson and Chris Hogan to free agency. Not only that, but fellow receiver Josh Gordon is serving an indefinite suspension.
The Pats have tried to remedy their shaky receiving situation by signing veteran Demaryius Thomas and drafting Arizona State's N'Keal Harry.
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