Malcolm Mitchell

Mitchell, who turned 25 in July, is coming off a rookie season in which he displayed some promise, en route to hauling in 32 passes (on 48 targets) for 401 yards and four TDs in 14 games for the Patriots. After being slowed early on in his stint with the team by an arm injury, the 6-1, 200-pounder came on strong in his first season as a pro. As Week 1 approaches, Mitchell is behind Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola in the Patriots' wideout pecking order, but a season-ending injury to Julian Edelman has moved Mitchell one step closer to a more consistent role in the offense. There's much to like about the 2016 fourth-rounder, notably his route-running and ball skills, but Mitchell must avoid the injury bug, as a nagging injury slowed him some this summer. He may also have to compete with September acquisition Phillip Dorsett for whatever snaps don't go to Cooks, Hogan and Amendola.

The 2016 fourth-round pick initially slots in behind Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan, but Mitchell is probably already ahead of the likes of Keshawn Martin and Aaron Dobson among the Patriots' second tier of wideouts. The heady young pass-catcher is a quality route-runner who could emerge as an in-season pickup if injuries hit the team's top options, which is not an unlikely scenario, considering Edelman and Amendola's track records in that regard.