Surprise Player Quietly Making An Impact For Patriots Through 7 Weeks

The Patriots have certainly gotten some surprise contributions on offense this season, and one player in particular has absolutely stood out through seven weeks.

Tight end Pharaoh Brown has quietly been a solid contributor to New England’s offense, with Brown having emerged among the club’s most valuable targets for the Patriots in recent weeks.

Brown has been targeted five times and caught all of them for 137 yards, including a touchdown, while averaging a team-high 27.4 yards per reception.  He caught two passes for 51 yards Sunday, which included passes of 25 and 26-yards against Buffalo, with the latter getting things started on the drive that led to Bourne’s touchdown.

Those two receptions round out a list of catches that have seen him haul in passes of 58 yards (Week 3 at Jets), 13 yards (Week 3 at Jets), and 15 yards (Week 6 at Raiders) in previous games.

Bill Belichick was asked on Monday during his press conference with the media about Brown’s performance this season, primarily due to the fact the tight end has made some big plays every time the ball has come his way.

Belichick noted that one of the most impressive parts of those catches is the fact that oftentimes, Brown’s getting hit when the ball arrives, yet he’s been tough enough to still make the grab.

“I think Pharaoh’s a big target. He’s got good hands. He’s done a really good job of running with the ball and securing the ball,” said Belichick.  “A couple of those plays that you’re referring to, he got hit almost as soon as he caught the ball – not on the one against the Jets, but on some of these other plays – as soon as he caught the ball, somebody was right there trying to knock it away from him or knock it out of his hands.”

“He’s done a great job of securing the ball and picking up positive yardage after the catch. So, he’s been consistent doing that and it’s been a big help.”

The tight end has continued to see an uptick in playing time.  Brown was in on 38% of the snaps on Sunday, his highest total since Week 4 in Dallas (40%).

One area that has been talked about has been in his blocking ability, which is where he’s gotten a fair amount of praise from teammates.  That’s also been a skill that has allowed him to slip open because opponents don’t know if he’s potentially staying in or drifting into the secondary.

Clearly, when he’s gotten his chances, he’s made the most of them.  Of New England’s top 10 longest pass plays of 2023 so far, Brown holds the top one thanks to his 58-yard touchdown grab in Week 3, along with grabbing the 8th and 9th spot on Sunday with his two receptions.

(Editor’s Note: Portions of the above appeared in this morning’s news and notes column.)