Patriots Cut Britt; Braxton Berrios Gets Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

• On Wednesday, Kenny Britt was cut by the Patriots
  
• New England’s wide receiver depth chart is now ripe with opportunities
• Rookie Braxton Berrios can earn a spot, and is among the long-shots (+6500) for offensive rookie of the year

The New England Patriots released Kenny Britt on Wednesday. While cutting the veteran receiver comes as a bit of a shock, it offers newfound hope for rookie Braxton Berrios.

Berrios, a sixth round pick of the Pats in 2018, has been locked in a roster battle this summer.

Julian Edleman, Chris Hogan, and Phil Doresett are locks. But the release of Britt opens up a spot on the roster that otherwise wouldn’t be there.

The move does come as a surprise, as all summer the word was the Patriots had big plans for Britt.

Patriots WR Kenny Britt didn't suffer any setbacks on his hamstring, per source. Today was a scheduled day of maintenance, and he should be back on the field soon. Patriots still have big plans for the wideout.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 28, 2018

Britt’s release bumps Berrios into OROY conversation

Berrios wasn’t on the radar before when it came to the Offensive ROY. His teammate Sony Michel was definitely a sexier pick. But with Britt gone and Michel injured, Berrios has snuck onto the board at +6500.

He’s still way behind the favorites though as you can see from this table and our 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds Tracker.

Despite the top names ahead of him, Berrios has an added luxury the others don’t: catching passes from Tom Brady. The hope in Vegas, is that Brady can do for Berrios what he’s done for Edelman, Hogan, Deion Branch and others.

Berrios part of the picture with Patriots’ receivers?

* – denotes 2018 preseason stats

^ – denotes NFL career stats

New England will be missing Edelman for the first four games of 2018 as he’s forced to sit due to suspension. That elevates Hogan to the WR1 role, while Dorsett is expected to assume the WR2 duties.

This doesn’t include Rob Gronkowski, Jacob Hollister or any of their running backs. They will all impact the passing game.

Edelman is the closest comparable to Berrios. His path was long and hard. It also included a LOT of special teams snaps.

Cordarrelle Patterson will stick but will be more of a speciality player in Josh McDaniels’ offense. Eric Decker’s name carries weight, but he’s struggled so far in camp.

I just don't see Eric Decker lasting long in New England.

Belichick can work with slow players. He can work with aging players.

He can't work with players he doesn't trust.

Fumble the ball, drop the ball…you gotta go. Period. https://t.co/Ta0oBfp7Ey

— Allan Bell (@AllanGBell) August 17, 2018

Berrios was identified from the beginning of the 2017 season as a potential fit for the Patriots. He fit the measurables the team looked for in rookie receivers, and was reliable at Miami.

Might be the most perfect pick of the draft. #Patriots

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 28, 2018

In his last season, he exploded for 55 catches and 679 yards. He also returned 47 punts in four years, averaging 10.4 yards per return.

That last part is especially important. The spotlight on that requirement has intensified with Edelman’s suspension.

In terms of competition on the roster as a punt returner, there isn’t much. Multiple players have worked on it in practice, but it seems more and more like it’s coming down to Berrios or McCarron.

Could Belichick turn Berrios from “zero” to “hero”?

Yes…but not this season.

Edelman is the closest comparable to Berrios. His path was long and hard. It also included a LOT of special teams snaps.

Edelman actually had a good season by rookie standards in New England. His 37 catches are tied for most by a rookie wide receiver in a Brady-led offence since 2010. Tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski both topped 40 in their rookie years.

That’s good. Just not “Offensive Rookie of the Year” good.

Edelman will be back after four games. He’ll slide back into the offense, and punt return duties as well.

There’s also the fact that Edelman will be back after four games. He’ll slide back into the offense, and punt return duties as well. Barring an injury to someone else, Berrios would likely be practice squad-bound at that point.

Berrios very well could be the next great slot receiver for the New England Patriots. But he’s facing an uphill battle when it comes to OROY.

Even with an injured hammy, Saquon Barkley still looks like the favorite. Especially considering how we’ll have to wait and see when that rookie quarterback class takes the field.