Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan was on his way to a career year in 2017 before a shoulder injury derailed his season. In a recent article, Jeff Howe of The Athletic breaks down why the Patriots will be leaning on Hogan more than ever in 2018, and how it could lead to a “big payday” for the impending free agent.
Howe points out that although Hogan missed essentially the entire second half of last regular season and was quiet in the Patriots’ first two playoff games, he exploded for 128 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl, showing he can still be a dynamic playmaker for the team. Howe notes that with Brandin Cooks traded to the Rams, Danny Amendola gone to the Dolphins, and Julian Edelman suspended for the first four games of the season, the Patriots will be counting on Hogan more than ever.
Howe also points out that the extra opportunity comes at a great time for Hogan, who is headed into the final year of his three-year $12MM deal. Howe thinks Hogan could earn himself “a life-altering contract in free agency” and says that “barring injury, Hogan’s floor shouldn’t be a dime less than $6.5 million per season.”
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Broncos insist they still have high hopes for 2015 first-rounder Paxton Lynch, but Mike Klis of 9News reports that Lynch “has been pushed by Chad Kelly“ for the backup quarterback role. If Kelly shows well this summer, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Broncos look to trade Lynch, like they reportedly have in the past.
- With Andre Hal announcing he’s been diagnosed with cancer, the Texans will need to alter their plans at safety, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. McClain thinks the Texans “could sign another safety” and mentions Kenny Vaccaro, Tre Boston and Eric Reid as possible candidates. Reid is the older brother of Texans rookie Justin Reid.
- In case you missed it, the NFL finally released more details on Julian Edelman‘s suspension. He tested positive for a substance that the league still is unable to identify.
But how can they say it’s banned if they don’t know what it is? He could have been poisoned!
the Broncos can get a 7th rounder in 2020 for Lynch. Maybe.
How pathetic is it Edelman was suspended yet the NFL can’t identify what he took? Do how can he be suspended? Something smells fishy to me here…
Yep… it must be yet another NFL conspiracy to keep the Patriots as a
irrelevant team .
I know you’re trolling but it isn’t the first time he nfl has jumped to suspend with out adequate proof.
Sometimes I think when there’s positive they’re mum on its a harder FASTER drug that the league and player would mutually like to keep discrete.
Not sure what drug disclosures and the players assoc. are written within the NFL though.
Sometimes I wondered about the MLB’s timing with that sort of thing.