The Patriots have slot options, with Gunner Olszewski and practice squaders Isaiah Zuber, Mason Kinsey, and Kristian Wilkerson. Olszewski, who is the club’s top return man, has limited receiving. If the Patriots turn to a player like Meyers or Sanu in the slot, then that means they’ve changed their prototype for that role into a bigger body type. The Patriots also could utilize more.

The New England Patriots’ Riley McCarron, a slot receiver in training, has worked with some of the best: Wes Welker, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman.

Short of Troy Brown, McCarron has served as an understudy to some of the Patriots’ best slot receivers. When he entered the league, the Iowa Hawkeyes product worked with Welker. McCarron landed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent — Welker was there as a receivers coach.

“It was great,” McCarron told reporters on Thursday. “Obviously he’s had a stellar career, and his knowledge of the game is phenomenal. Learning from any of those great receivers is an awesome opportunity for me.”

The Texans released McCarron last September, and the Patriots added him to their practice squad, where he spent the season as a scout team player. He got the chance to emulate Jarvis Landry and other talented slot players. But he was also working closely with Danny Amendola, who took over the slot position after Julian Edelman suffered an ACL injury.

“Danny was an awesome guy and especially just opening up to me about his knowledge of the game,” McCarron said. “Just being able to watch him and the way he went about his business and the way he played the game and attacked it and certain things. Anything I could absorb from him was definitely good for me.”

With Amendola joining the Miami Dolphins in free agency, McCarron got a lot of work with the Patriots first-team offense and special teams during the team’s 2018 minicamp and OTAs. McCarron has been in the mix as a punt returner and kickoff returner. He also spoke to the media after practice on Thursday, just before news broke that Edelman would be facing a four-game suspension for using performance-enhancing substances.

“Any time he’s been out here, I’ll ask him questions about — whether it’s punt return, offense,” McCarron said. “He’s been a great asset out here, as well.”

Edelman may end up training McCarron to be his replacement for the four weeks of his suspension. But McCarron has a long way to go if that’s his objective.

This offseason is McCarron’s first with the Patriots. With Edelman and fellow slot receiver Braxton Berrios limited, McCarron has gotten ample opportunities in the slot. He seems to be making the most of his reps. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s been solid.

“You start seeing things a little quicker, a little sooner,” McCarron said. “You’re seeing more and more aware of your surroundings and stuff like that. That comes with reps and being out here at practice. We’ve got a long ways to go but we’ve got to keep improving.”

He added: “I’m just trying to carve out a role. Obviously there’s been a great group of guys out here in the past, but I’m just trying to continue to learn and try to carve out a role.”

The New England Patriots could have a longer offseason workout program than usual even if they never take the field for practice this spring.

The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed that the offseason workout period can extend until June 26. That’s roughly a week or two later than it usually wraps up, especially for the Patriots who typically cut it early.

Training camp is set to start a little bit later than normal, but NFL teams usually get about six weeks between the end of OTAs and minicamp and the start of training camp. If the offseason workout period extends until June 26, then that would leave only be five weeks before training camp is set to begin.

Granted, this year is a little bit different since players usually have to go through weeks of spring practices. But it’s still a shorter break in between NFL activities.

Watch above and read below for this week’s mailbag.

@neteamen22

If we see one of the UDFA WR step up in training camp is Sanu cut for cap space? Or stay with the veteran?

I understand why there are so many questions about Mohamed Sanu getting cut. If the Patriots release him, they’d free up $6.5 million. I just don’t think it’s realistic, and there are other ways to free up cap space.

When the Patriots dealt a second-round pick for Sanu, they were doing so, in part, because he had two years left on his deal, and it’s not like they’re now caught by surprise by his 2020 cap hit. I don’t want to say the Patriots are going to justify the trade by keeping Sanu in 2020, but I also think the investment they made by trading away that second-round pick will play into their decision to ultimately keep him this season.

Basically, the Patriots knew what they were signing up for when they traded for Sanu. And just because he struggled in half of the 2019 season — while dealing with an ankle injury — doesn’t mean the same will happen in 2020. If Sanu winds up being a solid No. 2 or 3 receiver, then he’s worth his $6.5 million salary.

The only way I see him getting cut is if he really struggles in training camp and the preseason and gets significantly outperformed by multiple other players.

@BradMur09285211

Any thoughts on if Sony will be better in a Brady less offense. Can they change there running game looks with stidham being more mobile. I loved Sony at Georgia. Always curious if the Georgia run game differs from Pats.

Unless something dramatic happens this season, then the Patriots will always be a team that uses a combination of zone- and power-rushing schemes.

With Jarrett Stidham’s mobility, I could potentially see the Patriots’ offense getting more “modern” with run-pass options and zone-read looks. Those could potentially help Michel from an unpredictability standpoint. A healthy fullback, whether that’s Danny Vitale, Jakob Johnson or a tight end-convert, will also help Michel.

As long as Michel can beat out Damien Harris for the lead back job, then I believe he’ll have a bounceback season. I, personally, would like to see what Harris can offer. I think Michel mostly takes what’s given to him. If Harris can do a better job of creating yards on his own, then he could be an upgrade in the backfield.

@Pats62

-Past success the Pats have had with ST players.

-Would it really be a surprise if Byrd and Vitale Breakout?

-Times are changing just hopeful they have success with same type of players.

I guess that depends on what you define as breaking out. I can’t see Vitale having any more than 25 touches, and I think Damiere Byrd might have reached his ceiling last season with 32 catches for 359 yards.

If Vitale and Byrd break out, then ultimately that means that something went wrong. That means that the Patriots’ rookie tight ends and some of their wide receivers with higher upside didn’t perform as expected.

@WifiWolfpack

Was there ever a resolution to the video recording of the Bengals sideline? I thought it was supposed to have been ruled on before the draft, but I don’t remember hearing anything of it.

Nope. It’s a complete joke that the NFL still hasn’t resolved the case.

The NFL was digging as hard as they possibly could to find some wrongdoing by the Patriots’ team. They already know what New England’s TV crew did because the Patriots announced it themselves.

The fact that we still haven’t seen a conclusion means the NFL hasn’t found anything that we don’t already know.

@NathanK12321

What needs to happen for Will Hastings to make the roster?

He needs to prove that he can be the Patriots’ slot receiver of the future. It’s that simple.

The Patriots have been looking for that guy for years and years and years and haven’t found him yet.

Jeremy Ebert, T.J. Moe, Josh Boyce, Jeremy Gallon, Austin Carr, Riley McCarron and Braxton Berrios couldn’t be the next Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman or Danny Amendola. Maybe Hastings, Jeff Thomas, Sean Riley, Jakobi Meyers or Gunner Olszewski can. There are some intriguing candidates in there.

Hastings has the advantage of having worked with Stidham, and developing a strong relationship with the QB, at Auburn. That should help him as he tries to earn a roster spot. If the Patriots turn to a player like Meyers or Sanu in the slot, then that means they’ve changed their prototype for that role into a bigger body type.

The Patriots also could utilize more two-tight end sets with third-round picks Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi now on the roster.

Hastings and Thomas are two really intriguing undrafted free agents, however, and the Patriots need to find that next guy who can get open and beat man coverage on third and 6.

@TheyCallMeIcon

What Is A Slot Receiver

Do you think N’keal Harry breakout this year ? Could he be that number one guy ?

I’m still penciling in Julian Edelman as the Patriots’ No. 1 guy, but Harry certainly has that potential.

Harry will be better this season than he was as a rookie, but that’s also a really, really low bar. I’d be slightly surprised if Harry cracked 1,000 receiving yards. I think something in the 600-to-800 range is more realistic.

Let’s go rapid fire.

@ALXJFU

Stidham or Hoyer week 1?

Stidham.

@ShazyFifty

Will Gilmore retire a Patriot?

My guess would be no.

@reddishbarnes

Too early/late in the week for a #MailDoug, @DougKyed?

Danny Vitale had 7 catches and 1 rushing attempt in 15 games last year with the Packers. Assuming he makes the roster, where is the over/under for him this season in New England?

I’m setting the over/under at 18 total touches. That’s how many James Develin had in 2018.

@mojo1566

Biggest wild card for the season? #MailDoug

It has to be Stidham, right? If he’s good, the Patriots are good. If he’s bad, then the Patriots are probably bad.

@tayfieux

If you’re wearing a sweater and begin sweating, do you become the sweater?

You become the sweater in a sweater.

@thisryanjackson

sup?

Enjoying the summer weather.

@CheyenneSulli14

R movie theaters going to open by July 4 ?

Seems unlikely. Drive-ins will be, though!

New England Depth Chart

@gmoney1197

Are Reese’s the best candy? #MailDoug

No, but they’re definitely up there.

I think my favorite candy is a Cadbury Creme Egg or Swedish Fish.

Slot Receivers Vs Patriots

Know what I haven’t had in a while? Sour Patch Kids watermelons. Those are great too.