State

He broke his fibula in the Senior Bowl and didn't run at either the Combine or his scheduled Pro Day April 9.

He oozes athleticism. Whenever I watched him last season I kept thinking of him playing the nickel and returning punts and kickoffs.

He would be a huge upgrade for our special teams.

He might fall because of uncertainty of his bones healing. These drafts are funny things.

He's only 5'9" 1/2 but he can flat out fly.

ATippett56

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The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

SirApropos

Speaking as a Georgia and Pats fan I would welcome Boykin's talents to New England.

He is a solid Nickel CB, KR and can be occasionally used on offense so Josh would have a new toy to play with.

Avenger

Yeah, he had a number of receptions in his college career

manxman2601

He could knock Edelman off the roster. Edelman doesn't contribute on offense and people want to keep him for his defense. Well why not have a swing guy who actually specialises on defense and might be better as a returner. Really like Boykin as a late second or third rounder depending who else is on the board. Could challenge Woodhead for some of his reps too (and not just because he's short). Had a really good bowl game.

State

The areas of the team that need most improving are replacing Guyton and Edelman.

Getting a better back-up linebacker than Gary Guyton, and having more of a threat than Julian Edelman on special teams. I think BB should be faulted for letting Guyton start as long as he did, which was really disgraceful to have to watch. I remember we had the Luke Kuechly of the early 1980s in Clayton Weishuhn. Guyton gets blocked by his own shadow, while Weishuhn tackled everything in sight until he blew out his knee.

Clayton Weishuhn plays linebacker brilliantly for the - 07.04.83 - SI Vault

Although Guyton looks the part and has the athleticism, he is one of the poorest tacklers to play linebacker in the league. Maybe ever. As much as I like him personally, I think he needs to be shown the door.

And I think Bobby Carpenter, our recent FA pickup, does just that.

Second, is watching that nice Jewish boy returning punts, Julian Edelman. Enough already!

Boykin would be a very welcome sight to my eyes playing special teams.

I don't think Edelman should remain on the roster. I thought by now he'd be an adequate receiver. But he's made his living almost solely playing ST. And rather mediocre at that.

It's just that his talent isnowhere near Boykin's, who is versatile like Troy Brown--but with game-breaking speed--and scoring more ST TDs and gaining better field position would only accentuate the double tight end package we have used so effectively.

If Boykin is available at 62, I'd definitely love to have him. I probably wouldn't complain if they took him too early at 48.

reamer

Yup. Edelman is so mediocre on special teams that he has the highest punt return average in Patriots history.

State

I'll take your word for it, Reamer, but just last season Wes Welker was only behind him in punt returns by 0.3 yards on average. And I didn't think Welker was that effective, either. Getting long in the tooth for that.

Luckily for Edelman, he had that giant 72 yard punt return that was truly a huge hole. Even Eddie Edelman could have gotten a good chunk of yardage on that play. So for punt returns it was Edelman at 10.6 yards versus Welker's 10.3. Count me as unimpressed. New England Patriots 2011 Statistics - Team and Player Stats - ESPN

But with as good as the Patriots are on special teams, I'd like to see someone who can create opportunities, rather than take what's given.

I want someone who can strike fear in the opposing team's special teams coach. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't Edelman does. I think it's time for options on the punt returns. I'm not feeling as complacent about it as you.

I'm fine with Ridley and Woodhead on kickoffs, what with the rule changes. But I want excitement in the punt return game.

reamer

In 2010 Edelman averaged over 15 yards per return, second only to Devin Hester. Yes, he had a down year in 2011, but he was still well above league average (around 8 yards per return), and became only the fourth Patriot to record multiple PR for TD. His all time average is almost 14 yards per return. You have ridiculous expectations if you think that's one of the prime areas in need of an upgrade.

I get it, though. It's the offseason. Sanity will return once there's real football.

borisman

Boykin is about a notch below Jenkins. He's probably best suited for "slot corner" duty but could be another Asante Samuel with a little more speed.
Worth a gamble in the second round if the Pats go front seven with their first two picks.