McCourty Prediction For Patriots' WR: 'Heck of a Year'

Devin McCourty knows a thing or two about the ingredients for a great receiver. He just ended a 13-year career covering them as a secondary defender with the New England Patriots.

Now in the thick of a career among the media, McCourty is a different kind of observer of the New England offense. Previewing the Patriots' prospects with the ball in 2023, McCourty believes that embattled receiver Kendrick Bourne is destined to return to form under the supervision of offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.

"Kendrick Bourne has a heck of a year this year, I think,” McCourty said on the “Patriots Talk Podcast” on NBC Sports Boston. “Being in that offense, I think he’s the most multiple receiver they have, inside, outside, a little bit of vertical, crushes intermediate, short-route guy. I think they’re going to be able to use him in a lot of different ways and he’s going to have a big year this year.”

Bourne came to New England in 2021, fresh off four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He put up a career-best season in the Patriots' ensuing playoff run with 800 yards and five scores but those tallies respectively plummeted to 434 and one last year as the offense struggled to gain any sort of traction. Bourne, who signed a three-year, $15 million deal upon his arrival, was seen as one of the most prominent faces behind the relative collapse: also among the statistical dips was the fact that he played more than 100 fewer snaps than last season.

With the Patriots working through the departure of last year's top receiver, Jakobi Meyers, Bourne is likely due for a bigger role in this year's offense, even with New England stocking the roster with plenty of rookie catchers. Bourne recently received the finest honor a New Englander can receive: a compliment by name from Bill Belichick.

"He had a good spring," Belichick said. "That spring led to having a good training camp. He’s done very well in all phases of the game. He’s played multiple spots, caught the ball well, blocked well. He’s had a good camp."

In Saturday's shortened preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers, Bourne earned 34 yards on a trio of receptions. The Bourne redemption potentially continues on Friday when the Patriots' preseason concludes in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans (8:15 p.m. ET, WBZ).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twiter @GeoffJMags

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