A leap of faith
Agholor optimistic about Year 2 rebound
The hope Nelson Agholor has for himself is the same hope the Patriots are clinging to as a team.
That offseason growth will lead to on-field advantages. That experience, togetherness and internal development can match the outside talent their opponents have infused into their rosters. That the famous Year 2 leap will push them over the top.
For the Patriots, Mac Jones embodies that leap; a young quarterback who exceeded expectations as a rookie and wants more as an established starter. For Agholor, it’s more of a return to form, after finishing as the team’s fourth-leading receiver last year when he signed a free-agent deal that should have installed him as Jones’ No. 1 option.
Because with the Raiders in 2020, Agholor posted career highs in receiving yards (896) and touchdowns (8), numbers that more than doubled his outputs as a debut Patriot. Looking ahead, Agholor believes better production awaits in his encore season.
“The best part about it is Year 2 in the Patriots’ system is when guys really get going,” he said Tuesday. “And I feel comfortable, and I’m excited to have my best season with the Patriots.
And, you know, show why I’m here.”
How will he do that? “For me it’s familiarity; first with the concepts (and) familiarity with how we do things,” Agholor said. “Whether it’s scheduling, training, all those things, and being more in the routine, I think it helps that I’m familiar with the environment. Familiar with my coaching staff, in terms of people in this building, strength staff, training staff.
“And I know the routes,” he continued. “The route tree is unique. I mean, everybody runs certain routes, but the route tree is a little different than what I ran before. Now I know it, so I get to put my own spin on how we do things and play fast.”
Agholor indicated his familiarity-bred confidence is common across the locker room. Strictly on offense, Jones, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and 2021 draft pick Rhamondre Stevenson are also entering Year 2 with the Patriots. Agholor described himself as being in a “really happy place,” the team’s offseason workouts as fun and playing in New England as belonging to a brotherhood.
“My motivation is to make it a memorable season with this team and the guys that I play alongside with,” he said, “and let it be something special.”
As for the rumors that he could be traded or asked to take a pay cut — considering his $14.9 million cap hit, third-highest on the team — Agholor said he isn’t paying them much mind.
“I don’t focus on that,” Agholor said. “I’m here for a reason, and I love the opportunity that’s been given to me to be a Patriot, to work hard.”
Jones ‘training his butt off’
Heading into his first NFL offseason, Jones planned to get stronger, gain more chemistry with his receivers and assume a greater leadership role.
Listening to Agholor on Tuesday, Jones is off to a good start.
“He’s definitely trained his butt off, I can tell you that. I see it every day when he comes in here,” Agholor said. “He works his butt off, he’s here every day putting the time in. And, obviously, when he throws the football, he throws the football well, really well. I’m impressed with what he does every day and how he works.”
Agholor has come to appreciate Jones’ ability to get on the same page with his receivers, both individually and collectively as a group. Jones and the Patriots’ top wideouts, including Agholor and newly acquired DeVante Parker, worked out together in Florida last month.
“I think Mac’s greatest strength is his ability to communicate. Obviously, he’s a great quarterback, I think he throws the ball amazing,” Agholor said. “But I love the way he communicates, and that’s something that allows you to grow together, to work together.
“Communication is the key to every great relationship. He does a great job … telling me some things that are hard for him to read when I’m moving around. Things like that. And once you know, it’s less of a gray area.”
As a rookie, Jones threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Those pedestrian numbers produced a QBR of 50.9, tied for 16th in the league, but the highest among rookies.
Agholor wouldn’t go into much detail when asked about seeing a difference in terms of Jones getting stronger, but his message about the 6-foot-3, 214-pound signal caller was consistent. Jones is getting closer to reaching his goals every day.
“He leads the bunch,” Agholor said. “I think that is definitely something we much respect about him, how he trains.”
Pats announce 8 UDFA signings
The Patriots officially announced the signings of eight undrafted free agents this week, seven of whom reached terms soon after the NFL Draft concluded on May 1.
Those players — Miami quarterback/receiver D’Eriq King, Alabama defensive lineman LaBryan Ray, Texas safety Brenden Schooler, LSU offensive lineman Liam Shanahan, Houston center Kody Russey, Purdue linebacker DaMarcus Mitchell and Eastern Michigan punter Jake Julien — have been joined by an FCS product in Tarleton State defensive back Devin Hafford.
A sixth-year senior, Hafford starred in his final collegiate season, recording six interceptions, 13 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He made the 2018 FCS All-American team before suffering a season-ending injury in 2019 and playing a shortened spring season in 2020. Hafford, 24, became the 87th player on the roster, leaving three open spots.
The team is holding a three-day rookie minicamp starting Friday, when the eight undrafted rookies will join the team’s 10-member draft class and other players who have been invited on a tryout basis. The rookie minicamp is closed to reporters and the public.