Officially No Need for WR

[MrNathanDrake]

Branch
Welker
Tate

and today Edelman and Price both showed they're fully capable of starting in the NFL (I think we already knew that about Edelman anyways, but this reaffirmed it).

honestly if we draft another WR there's no way he gets on the field. And if he does, it just takes more PT away from good players like Edelman and Price that can't get many opportunities as it is.

 

[MaineMan]

Branch
Welker
Tate

and today Edelman and Price both showed they're fully capable of starting in the NFL (I think we already knew that about Edelman anyways, but this reaffirmed it).

honestly if we draft another WR there's no way he gets on the field. And if he does, it just takes more PT away from good players like Edelman and Price that can't get many opportunities as it is.

I agree.

I think the Pats could sign a vet for camp (ala Torry Holt) as well as a couple late-rounders/UDFAs (maybe even guys from the 09-10 drafts) as camp bodies and potential practice-squadders. Other than that, I think we're set.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I agree.

I think the Pats could sign a vet for camp (ala Torry Holt) as well as a couple late-rounders/UDFAs (maybe even guys from the 09-10 drafts) as camp bodies and potential practice-squadders. Other than that, I think we're set.

 

[Peachhead]

Personally, I think Tate is a fine KR. But a marginal WR. And I love Branch, but between his age and medical history anything more than one or two more productive years will be gravy as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I wouldn't mind being 6 deep at WR (with one guy usually inactive) in case of injuries.

I prefer not to draft one early this year but later on I'd like it. Plus if a stud falls into our lap in earlier rounds and he's clearly the BPA, selecting one won't cause me to toss things at my TV.

In short, I think WR is pretty far down on the needs list. But I wouldn't say "officially *no* need".

 

[Sciz]

Personally, I think Tate is a fine KR. But a marginal WR. And I love Branch, but between his age and medical history anything more than one or two more productive years will be gravy as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I wouldn't mind being 6 deep at WR (with one guy usually inactive) in case of injuries.

I prefer not to draft one early this year but later on I'd like it. Plus if a stud falls into our lap in earlier rounds and he's clearly the BPA, selecting one won't cause me to toss things at my TV.

In short, I think WR is pretty far down on the needs list. But I wouldn't say "officially *no* need".

Excluding Slater for obvious reasons, the Patriots were 5 deep at WR all season, but only ever had 4 active. I think that says more about the style of offense than anything else. When the Patriots go 5-wide, they can send Hernandez, Gronkowski, or Woodhead out as a WR. There isn't really a need for 6 true WRs, or even 5 for that matter. Number 5 is only really in case of injuries, which the Pats were lucky to avoid this season.

 

[State]

Don't be surprised if we find ourselves with Alabama's Julio Jones. He's a T.O.--and a football player.

What he can do for the running game with his downfield blocking is something we haven't dreamed about in a receiver since Hart Lee Dykes danced about in our dreams (this reference will probably cause some googling among the guys and gals here). The guy is a physical specimen of Mt. Olympus proportions who also isn't afraid to mix it up for the good of the players around him.

 

[UofApatsfan]

Personally, I think Tate is a fine KR. But a marginal WR. And I love Branch, but between his age and medical history anything more than one or two more productive years will be gravy as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I wouldn't mind being 6 deep at WR (with one guy usually inactive) in case of injuries.

I prefer not to draft one early this year but later on I'd like it. Plus if a stud falls into our lap in earlier rounds and he's clearly the BPA, selecting one won't cause me to toss things at my TV.

In short, I think WR is pretty far down on the needs list. But I wouldn't say "officially *no* need".

Agreed with all of this, especially with the good receivers who might very well be available later on. Leonard Hankerson in round 3 or 4 is something I'd be very happy with.

 

[mgteich]

So, you are not satisfied with Branch as a #4 and Tate as a #5 WR?

Seriously, we have 5 receivers that we would be fine with on Opening Day in 2011, whenever that is. I agree with being in the usual veterans and the usual "take a late flyer" or "take a stud that falls to us". For me, these two statements mean nothing at all. We would take a flyer or a stud at any position.

Personally, I think Tate is a fine KR. But a marginal WR. And I love Branch, but between his age and medical history anything more than one or two more productive years will be gravy as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I wouldn't mind being 6 deep at WR (with one guy usually inactive) in case of injuries.

I prefer not to draft one early this year but later on I'd like it. Plus if a stud falls into our lap in earlier rounds and he's clearly the BPA, selecting one won't cause me to toss things at my TV.

In short, I think WR is pretty far down on the needs list. But I wouldn't say "officially *no* need".

 

[HobokenPatsFan]

Check out my binkie for this years draft, Matt Szczur of Villanova University.

This kid is versatility personified - he's a special teams ace in the return game (and KO coverage, I'd imagine) who can line up as a 3rd down back, a WR & a wildcat QB. He's a special athlete and he's the definition of a BB/Patriots type player.

He's playing in the Senior Bowl with teammate Ben Ijalana (G), so you should have a chance to see him against the best competition out there. He's projecting as a 3rd/4th round guy and I think he's going to be a STEAL and will have a similar impact to Mark Mariani of Tennessee, who as a rookie 7th round pick out of Montana made the Pro Bowl as a KO/Punt returner.

 

[furley]

Looking ahead, I wonder who will eventually replace Deion Branch, thirty-one, than Wes Welker, twenty-nine, who supposedly has Julian Edelman.

Taylor Price needs time to develop but could prove to be a keeper, and Brandon Tate I view more as an asset on special teams and a situational wide receiver as some view him.

I don't think it hurts to draft at least one wide receiver in 2011 unless there's a wide receiver Belichick specifically has in mind to sign as an unrestricted free agent. I just feel it's simpler to draft a young wide receiver that you can develop behind the starters and have on a rookie contract. But, there's less pressure to select one already having two legitimate tight ends as receiving threats.

In my opinion, I don't believe you "officially" don't need to draft one or more wide receivers. Branch and Edelman seem injury prone.

 

[Snake Eyes]

We need Randall "Tex" Cobb from Kentucky, he's a do everything Swiss Army receiver/KR/left-handed QB, he is a Troy Brown 2.0 in the making.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Don't be surprised if we find ourselves with Alabama's Julio Jones. He's a T.O.--and a football player.

What he can do for the running game with his downfield blocking is something we haven't dreamed about in a receiver since Hart Lee Dykes danced about in our dreams (this reference will probably cause some googling among the guys and gals here). The guy is a physical specimen of Mt. Olympus proportions who also isn't afraid to mix it up for the good of the players around him.

Why would we want a TO or Dykes type player? One is a team destroyer, the other got hurt before he could accomplish anything in the league. I don't see the need to draft any WR early in this year's draft. The 'primary weapon' type WR seems to be more detrimental than beneficial to this offense. We need another unselfish 'system player' who can get open, run great routes, and won't complain if he doesn't get the ball. News Flash to the TOs of the world: Great QBs find you when you're open, you have no 'entitlement' to have the ball thrown your way.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

i kind of like that broyles kid from oklahoma.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think Buddy Farnham, the kid from Brown, is on the practice squad. Very quick, 6'0" tall, great hands, really smart. I do not think you will see another WR - maybe a vet or a low low draft/UDFA.

 

[HomerSchooled]

I was hopeful for a WR, but my tune has changed after the Miami game. I'm excited about Price, and Edelman seems desperate to excel in a way rare for WRs. Tate is decent, and could still improve. Unless somebody is far and away BPA available, I'd say look elsewhere.

Then again, we're 14-2, have 6 picks in the top 100, and have two of our best players on D returning next year. There's bound to be a luxury pick or two.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I think Buddy Farnham, the kid from Brown, is on the practice squad. Very quick, 6'0" tall, great hands, really smart. I do not think you will see another WR - maybe a vet or a low low draft/UDFA.

Yeah, he's been cut, then brought back several times now which makes me think BB sees something there.

And I also think 5 WRs on the main squad is more than enough with our transition and reliance on two TE sets now. We don't use 3 or 4 receiver sets very often, and if we want to, we can run Hernandez out there as another receiver.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, there will be a luxury pick or two as soon as we meet our needs at OT, LG, C, RG, backup RB, backup NT and S.

I was hopeful for a WR, but my tune has changed after the Miami game. I'm excited about Price, and Edelman seems desperate to excel in a way rare for WRs. Tate is decent, and could still improve. Unless somebody is far and away BPA available, I'd say look elsewhere.

Then again, we're 14-2, have 6 picks in the top 100, and have two of our best players on D returning next year. There's bound to be a luxury pick or two.

 

[Wilfork#75]

Why would we want a TO or Dykes type player? One is a team destroyer, the other got hurt before he could accomplish anything in the league. I don't see the need to draft any WR early in this year's draft. The 'primary weapon' type WR seems to be more detrimental than beneficial to this offense. We need another unselfish 'system player' who can get open, run great routes, and won't complain if he doesn't get the ball. News Flash to the TOs of the world: Great QBs find you when you're open, you have no 'entitlement' to have the ball thrown your way.

I think you just described Julio Jones. He is a very good route runner, has amazing size and athletecism, is an elite blocking WR and best of all he isnt a Diva. He is a great teammate and a hard worker, which is evident in his blocking downfield for his teammates. He also plays for Alabama who have a ton of weapons and he hasnt complained once about getting the ball or not putting up big numbers. I believe he is the perfect fit and compliment as a Pats WR. Obviously WR isnt a huge need right now, but if i'm picking and Julio Jones is on the clock there is no way I would pass him up.