Patriots' Kendrick Bourne: Part of crowded pass-catching group

Bourne is expected to face a tougher path to snaps in 2022 with New England heading into training camp with a wideout group that includes DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor, Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site reports.

Meanwhile, second-round draft pick Tyquan Thornton looks like a roster lock, while 2019 first-rounder N'Keal Harry is a candidate to be traded or waived before the end of the preseason. With the Patriots also rostering a pair of capable pass-catching tight ends in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, there's a lot of mouths to feed in the team's offense. In that context, any potential uptick in Bourne's production this coming season hinges on the continuing development of second-year signal-caller Mac Jones, as well as his volume not being suppressed due to the potential of the team spreading the ball around to its many targets. Bourne -- who turns 27 years old in August -- finished the 2021 season with 55 catches (on 70 targets) for 800 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 12 carries for 125 yards in 17 games.