For the last 12 years, but especially from 2013 on, Julian Edelman has been an integral part of the New England Patriots’ wide receiver position. The former seventh-round draft pick served as a versatile player inside the team’s attack, aligning both in the slot and split out wide — all while showing elite quickness, vision and chemistry with quarterbacks Tom Brady and, later, Cam Newton.
The Patriots’ wide receiver group therefore lost its most experienced and proven weapon when Edelman was released before he announced his retirement on Monday. Even though he had dealt with his fair share of injuries over the last two years, he was still a player to account for from the defensive perspective whenever he was on the field.