New England Patriots: 3 Players that must shine vs. Browns in Week 8

1. Julian Edelman

Through seven weeks in the season up to this point, Julian Edelman has once again been the top target and top threat within the New England passing game and continues to serve as a reliable target for quarterback Tom Brady within the offense.

While there has been some shifting of personnel within the Patriots wide receiving corps already this season and a handful of injuries have taken place with a few different players in New England’s offensive group, Edelman has been consistent and will need to continue to be that type of player moving forward.

So far this season, Edelman has tallied a total of 496 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 45 receptions and 68 overall targets entering Week 8. With an average of 11 yards per reception, the wide receiver has recorded a season-long reception of 36 yards to this point.

Especially with Josh Gordon recently being put on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury a few weeks ago that had kept him out of action the last few weeks, it will be important for Edelman to step up in Week 8 and for the remainder of the season to highlight the wide receiving group.

Edelman has been banged up a bit himself over the course of the past couple of weeks, dealing with a chest issue that hasn’t kept him out of any contests to this point but has likely limited him to some extent.

As long as he continues to remain healthy, Edelman will need to continue to be a key piece to the Patriots in Week 8 against the Browns and for the remainder of the 2019 season.