WR Cordarrelle Patterson

The Pats could have selected Patterson at the end of the first round in the 2013 draft, but they traded out of the No. 29 pick for a package of picks that eventually netted them Jamie Collins, Logan Ryan, Josh Boyce, and LeGarrette Blount.

Not bad.

Five years later, Belichick gets a chance to work with Patterson, who has been an exceptional kickoff returner — statistically, the second-best in NFL history to Gale Sayers — and an effective gadget-type player on offense. At his previous two stops, Minnesota and Oakland, offenses manufactured touches for Patterson on wide receiver screens, reverses, and traditional handoffs. There's little doubt the Patriots will use similar tactics to get the ball in Patterson's hands.

Patterson averages 2.6 touches per game (between receptions and rushes) thus far in his NFL career. Can the Patriots double that number?

And can Belichick and Josh McDaniels turn him into an every-down receiver?

Early on, Patterson has flashed promising signs. He makes a highlight catch per day. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Patterson came down with a one-handed touchdown grab on a deep ball from Tom Brady on Friday. Gilmore was in coverage. On Sunday, Patterson came down with an impossible grab along the sideline on a back-shoulder throw. He reached over Rowe, who had near-perfect coverage, and doubleclutched the ball as he fell to the ground.

It remains to be seen if any of this will translate to production in the regular season, but for now Patterson is taking advantage of extra reps as receivers Kenny Britt, Jordan Matthews, and Malcolm Mitchell deal with injuries. Depending on what transpires the rest of the summer, Patterson could open the season as one of the team's top three wideouts.