FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- If there has been a silver lining for the New England Patriots without receivers Julian Edelman (left foot) and Danny Amendola (knee, ankle) through the first four practices of training camp, it has been a chance to evaluate the rest of the pass-catchers competing for roster spots.
Bill Belichick likes what he sees.
"I think our competition at receiver is probably as good as it's been since I've been here [2000]," Belichick said Monday on Sirius XM NFL Radio's "Movin' the Chains" program.
"All those guys are capable at whatever it is; they have different styles and different positions -- slot guys, outside guys. But whatever it is, they're very competitive and capable players that have a lot to offer. Obviously we can't keep all of them, but it should be a good battle because they all have skill."
Edelman and Amendola should return to practice soon, and they are viewed as roster locks along with free-agent signing Chris Hogan and fourth-round draft choice Malcolm Mitchell.
That leaves one or two other spots for the following receivers (not including special-teams captain Matthew Slater):
DeAndre Carter (5-foot-8, 190): The first-year receiver from Sacramento State is a developmental slot option who has shown flashes multiple times in camp, most recently catching the deep ball Sunday. He's most likely destined for the practice squad unless he explodes in preseason with the quick change-of-direction skills the Patriots like from players in that role.
Aaron Dobson (6-3, 205): A 2013 second-round draft choice out of Marshall, Dobson is competing for the "X" role on the outside and has put together arguably his best spring and opening to camp to date. Sustaining that, however, has been an issue for him in the past. He often works to the side with Tom Brady during special-teams drills.
Chris Harper (5-11, 185): Outside of one noticeable miscue Sunday when he couldn't corral a Jimmy Garoppolo pass over the middle that popped into the air and intercepted, Harper has been reliable, seems to be running well and is very much in the mix as an "X" option after initially joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Cal in 2015. He also has flexibility to play inside.
Devin Lucien (6-2, 200): The seventh-round draft choice out of Arizona State showed up with a diving catch on the left side of the end zone and seemed to catch the wet football well during a rainy Sunday practice. He still has an uphill climb for a roster spot based on the logjam, but he's competing and hasn't looked out of place.
Keshawn Martin (5-11, 195): Acquired in a trade from the Texans last September, Martin has inside-outside flexibility and adds value as a returner on special teams. He dropped a long pass up the right sideline from Garoppolo on Saturday and missed Sunday's practice.
Nate Washington (6-1, 185): The 32-year-old vomited on the field in the opening practice of camp and has been a spectator since.