Do the Patriots Have the Best Group of Wide Receivers Ever Assembled?

Julian Edelman: Two seasons of 98+ receptions and 1,000 yards. Soon to overtake Jerry Rice as the most prolific postseason receiver in history. MVP of the Super Bowl.

Demaryius Thomas: Four straight seasons with 1,300+ yards, five with 1,000+. The most recent coming with Trevor Siemian as his quarterback. Super Bowl champion.

Josh Gordon: Had 1,600 yards with Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden and Brian Hoyer throwing the ball. And incredible 17.4 YPR for his career, the most by an active player.

Antonio Brown: Has led the NFL in receiving yards twice. Has six straight seasons of over 1,200 yards. Has averaged 1,524 yards over his last six seasons.

Mother of God. You’d win your Fantasy league going away with a group like this. In the span of a few weeks the Patriots receiver corps went from rolling paper thin to the superheroes coming through the wormholes in “Avengers Endgame.”

Imagine you’re a defensive coordinator. How do you defend against this? Especially with all four of these guys now playing with the best quarterback anyone has ever seen? Even if you double two of them – no matter which two – the other two are undefendable in single coverage. And if you go with extra defensive backs – which you’ll have to, you’re left with no choice – this is an offense that’s been transitioning toward a power running game. Going big while defenses are going small.

My greatest concern at this point aren’t that two of these guys have serious issues. It’s that I’m afraid the NFL is going to decide this is unfair and declare it’s illegal. Ginger Satan is probably calling an emergency session in his office right now to break the Patriots up under the Anti-Trust Act. At the very least, he ought to mobilize as many grief counselors as he can and send them to every defensive player, coordinator and assistant in 31 markets.

For those poor, suffering SOBs who don’t know what just hit them, here’s a glimpse into your future.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.