New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry makes a catch as Mohamed Sanu Sr. walks past during practice on Tuesday in Foxborough, Mass. New England hopes Harry and Sanu can make more contributions after struggling in their first action with the Patriots last season. Steven Senne/Pool Photo via the Associated Press

They were all newcomers to the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart last season, all taking different routes to Foxboro.

N’Keal Harry was a first-round draft pick out of Arizona State, Mohamed Sanu was obtained in a midseason trade and Jakobi Meyers made the roster as an undrafted free agent.

But Harry, Sanu and Meyers did not have smooth transitions in their first season with the Patriots.

Harry suffered an ankle injury during training camp and did not make his NFL debut until Nov. 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sanu was traded by the Atlanta Falcons to the Patriots for a second-round draft pick in October, but he hurt his ankle during that Nov. 17 game and struggled the rest of the season.

Meyers had 26 catches for 359 yards in 15 games, but the North Carolina State product struggled with consistency.

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As the Patriots prepare for the 2020 opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13, they are hoping for more production from those three receivers to lend a hand to Julian Edelman and whoever is the new starting quarterback.

Harry, the first wide receiver drafted by the Patriots in the opening round since Terry Glenn in 1996, took part in the first preseason game against the Detroit Lions but did not play again for three months.

When he got into the lineup, Harry had 12 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. The 2020 season offers Harry a chance to build on that brief taste of the NFL.

“I learned in the NFL you just have to prove yourself day in and day out,” said Harry. “This is a league where nothing is given to you. You earn everything. That’s my approach coming into this season and that’s my approach stepping on the field every day.

“I just went into this offseason just attacking and just trying to improve all facets of my game.

“I was looking forward (to getting to work) right after the playoff game last year. I took about a week or two off to let my body recover and I was right back to it. I felt it was a great opportunity to get a step ahead.”

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Sanu, who turns 31 on Saturday, had 26 receptions for 207 yards and a touchdown in eight games with six starts after being acquired by the Patriots. They had traded what turned out to be the No. 55 pick to the Falcons, who dealt it to the Baltimore Ravens.

Sanu made 10 catches for 81 yards and a TD against the Ravens on Nov. 3, but after the bye week, he injured an ankle while returning a punt against the Eagles. Sanu missed the next game against the Dallas Cowboys but played the rest of the season with the injury.

“I was out there so I was doing what I was supposed to do, play,” said Sanu. “I’m not worried about that. I’m just focused on this year.

“I’m not really thinking about last year any more. I’m focused on what’s going on right now, this camp, this season, stacking each day, trying to get better.”

Sanu, entering his ninth NFL season, showed what he is capable of with the 10-catch performance against Baltimore.

“I’ve just got to be consistent, do what I need to do as far as just play every snap, do my job and make sure I’m where I need to be,” said Sanu. “I just need to get better each day to make sure when the time comes that I’m ready to go.”

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Meyers made the Patriots roster after not being drafted and appeared in all but one game as a rookie.

But like a number of first-year players, Meyers was inconsistent as he tried to learn the Patriots’ system. Consistency is a top priority for Meyers in his second season.

“That’s probably one of the most important things about being able to play this game,” said Meyers. “They don’t want guys who can just come in here and do it one day or have one good practice. They want a guy who can practice good all year.

“That’s something I’m definitely trying to work on this year, just being more consistent, finishing the year throughout strong and being here every day.”

Meyers picked up so many valuable lessons during his rookie season, lessons that can be applied going forward.

“How much of the game is actually mental,” said Meyers when asked something he learned last year. “Growing up as a kid, you hear how it’s 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. But getting here and seeing how people train their minds, the time that is spent mentally to get ready to play the game every day, it just shows you what you need to do on the mental side to get ready.

“Last year, I definitely use as a baseline for how I want to move forward and I feel like I need to be an overall better receiver. I know I’ll have to get better from last year. That was only a stepping stone.”

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