The Patriots added Nate Washington yesterday, a move that left with me with a yawn and a sigh. I think that’s probably because Nate Washington always seems to be that guy atop the fantasy free agents list when you’re in a can’t-win emergency, but I don’t think it will affect Danny Amendola’s role in the slot.
Yes, Washington has experience in the system after playing under Bill O’Brien and has some talent to work with, but ultimately you hope he’s like Donald Brown – a placeholder veteran addition that will get beaten out by one of the younger guys. But with the additions of Washington and Chris Hogan it’s fair to wonder how Amendola’s role could evolve, and whether these moves put him in more danger.
Amendola certainly seems like a candidate to re-structure for the second time in two seasons. Who knows how that could go. Amendola could rightly refuse which would probably mean the Pats cut him. Or maybe the Pats are biding their time and will wait to see how things shake out in the draft and into training camp.
Amendola: Slot Receiver
I also don’t see Amendola as the top 1-2 combination at wide receiver with Julian Edelman. Amendola is the slot receiver and shouldn’t be asked to play nearly every down. That’s a recipe for disaster with the way Amendola plays.
No, I fully view Chris Hogan as the “X” starter next to Edelman, with Amendola coming on in three-receiver sets. That’s why Nate Washington, who is older and less effective that Amendola, doesn’t really change the equation for me.
However, with the number of shifty slot options in the draft this year, I do think Amendola could see a challenger arise in the form of a significant draft pick. The slot receiver, as long as Edelman is intact, is a rotational position that is important, but not critical to every gameplan, especially with the presence of Martellus Bennett.
The addition of Bennett should already push the Pats toward more two-tight end sets and away from the three-receiver ones that Amendola is critical for.
The Pats have time to let it play out, but for now Amendola’s role with the Patriots still projects to what it was last year in the slot.