Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or KaVontae Turpin

Tuesday, July 15, 2:11 PM

There are as many as five wide receivers battling for one or two roster spots this summer with the New England Patriots, including Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, according to Patriots.com's Evan Lazar. Bourne could have a leg up, as he has a history with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, posting a career-high 925 scrimmage yards with McDaniels in 2021. However, Bourne has overlapping skill sets with younger receivers on the roster, and the Pats may prefer to go with youth, especially since Bourne carries a $7.7 million salary cap hit. Boutte, who broke out last year for 43 catches, 589 yards and three scores, could earn a roster spot because of his ability to excel deep down the field. He has also developed some nice chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye. Polk and Baker both disappointed in their rookie seasons and will need to show more to get a chance in 2025.

Sunday, July 6, 3:20 PM

NBCSports.com's Mike Florio reports that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver/kick returner KaVontae Turpin was arrested early Sunday morning on two misdemeanor charges. Turpin faces charges for possession of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon, Florio notes. Not what you want to see. The TCU product was an impactful asset for the Cowboys last season -- particularly in the return game, which garnered him a Pro-Bowl selection. It's unclear whether he'll face repercussions for his crimes, considering the nature of the charges. However, both instances could "trigger potential scrutiny under NFL policies," as Florio states. The 28-year-old's punishment, if any, may not be severe, but what happened undoubtedly diminishes his value currently. It may take some time before we receive a definitive outcome.