Rumor: Draft 2 WRs according to Ian Rapoport

[edboc]

According to Rapoport, there rumblings that the Pats will draft 2 WRs. I think it's highly unlikely, considering their recent inability to identify and develop receivers in the draft (Price, Tate, etc.), I'd rather them sign free agents to improve the receiving corp, regardless if Branch and Welker come back.

Ian Rapoport, Boston Herald, New England Patriots, Super Bowl 46

WR Prospect Rankings:
2012_WR NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

 

[VrabelJr]

Rumor: The combine hasn't even happened yet and the draft is 2.5 months away. This is just a media guy trying to look like a genius by making a prediction way in advance. If he's wrong, it will never be brought up. If he's right, it will be plastered all over his news outlet.

 

[resdubwhite]

2011 Draft 2 Rb's in the early rounds.


QED
2012 Draft 2 WR's.


Absolute made up drivel.

 

[manxman2601]

Whilst I have Sanu high on my wishlist and wouldn't be disappointed by Alshon Jeffrey, two WR's that are currently intriguing me are:

1. Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Will not be an every down WR for us initially, although upside might make him so in the future. But at 6'5" and good speed, he's a legitimate downfield threat that teams would have to respect. We don't necessarily need him running complex routes initially, just have him head downfield to clear space for the TE's and Welker. Can make some unreal catches and had 30 yards per catch last season, 10 yards more than any other receiver in the FBS. Yes that's down to Georgia Techs triple option but our double TE's are fairly novel as an offensive scheme that defenses have to respect which might just open up the long ball threat of Hill. And his size and range of catches ( ahem ) just might alleviate some of Brady's short throwing on deep balls.

2. Marvin Jones, WR, Cal

If we're not signing a FA to replace Branch, then this might be the guy. Excellent smart receiver that is a willing blocker and makes some really good catches. Witness. Is a little slight in stature but that can be addressed as a pro.

Finally, just want to doff my cap in the direction of Wilfork #75 who's been a very early advocate for Juron Criner who has improved his stock arguably the most of any WR in the draft to date. And is not a bad option as an all-round Branch replacement.

 

[Leemo]

2011 Draft 2 Rb's in the early rounds.


QED
2012 Draft 2 WR's.


Absolute made up drivel.

and the two TE's in 2010...

I mean the guy hasn't ''heard rumblings'', hes just taken an educated guess on what might happen after noticing a small and possibly irrelevant pattern in our drafting tendencies. It could happen we lack WR's but I'd be happier if we took either 2 OLB's or 2 D-linemen. I'd rather get a vet in FA (Lloyd, Garcon, Meacham) and then select one WR at any point in the draft.

 

[upstater1]

Darn, early rumblings = WILL NOT HAPPEN

 

[manxman2601]

It's not a bad assumption to make though.

Depending on what it takes to re-sign Welker, that's not a given. Branch and Ocho obviously could be on the way out, we've got no significant return game and that often comes from a WR and Tiquan Underwood isn't a banker. That's a lot of potential gaps, particularly as BB doesn't make big FA signings.

 

[Big-T]

Toon & Streeter wouldn't be too bad, especially where they're ranked by CBS.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Devon Wylie "The Coyote"

Devon Wylie Highlights Fresno State - YouTube

This is a late round binkie of mine, I think he'd do very well taking over Branch's role.

 

[VrabelJr]

Toon & Streeter wouldn't be too bad, especially where they're ranked by CBS.

Nick Toon is the most lazy WR I have ever seen play the game of Football. He never even looks for the ball if it isn't in an obvious spot. Absolutely do not want.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

At the combine, I really liked Edwards of Houston before he popped his hammy.

More quick than fast, excellent routes, decent hands..... Does that sound like a certain WR currently on the Pats roster? PS: He dropped an underthrown ball and cost us a first down with about 4 minutes to go.

 

[mgteich]

How is this a "RUMOR"?

Does anyone think that Belichick has already decided how many rookie wide receivers he wants? Does it really not matter what free agents are available?

 

[Leemo]

How is this a "RUMOR"?

Does anyone think that Belichick has already decided how many rookie wide receivers he wants? Does it really not matter what free agents are available?

100% right. Everyone does all these mock and draft predictions but completely forget that what happens in free agency totally changes it all.

 

[Wilfork#75]

While I put absolutely no stock into this report, I do like the idea of drafting two WR's, even if we do sign Lloyd. I've had Alshon Jeffery and Juron Criner in most of my mocks, and I would prefer two bigger guys that can be physical down the field, rather than just a speed guy. Brady doesn't have a great deep ball, so big, physical guys that can battle for it deep would be ideal. I also think they could take advantage of the offense based rules the NFL has now. How many of WR's on the roster now can create pass interference penalties down the field? Not many.

 

[Peachhead]

I really like Ryan Broyles from Oklahoma. And since he's currently rehabbing from an ACL injury he should be available a round or two later than he normally would've been (late 1st before the injury is my guess). He's ridiculously productive with great hands and routes.

I like Joe Adams from Arkansas too. Plus he adds great value on Special Teams.

A third guy of interest if we want to add a little size to the position is Juron Criner from Arizona. Not quite the quickness of the other two. But great body control and hands.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I don't see why not. It's a pretty good class this year and not hard to imagine considering the Pats depth chart at the moment. The super bowl changed my whole opinion regarding drafting in the early rounds. I realize there is a sizeable chance the Pats will sign Brandon Lloyd but this team also needs insurance and depth just in case.

Personally I like Kendall Wright out of Baylor but don't see him getting past Chicago or Houston. I also like Jarius Wright from Arkansas in the later rounds. Would be pretty nifty to draft the "Wright Brothers."

 

[DonBlackmon55]

According to Rapoport, there rumblings that the Pats will draft 2 WRs. I think it's highly unlikely, considering their recent inability to identify and develop receivers in the draft (Price, Tate, etc.), I'd rather them sign free agents to improve the receiving corp, regardless if Branch and Welker come back.

Ian Rapoport, Boston Herald, New England Patriots, Super Bowl 46

WR Prospect Rankings:
2012_WR NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Here's another good summary of WR prospects. **** load of 6'2 plus WR's this year, talk about size !

Football Gameplan's 2012 NFL Draft Prospects Rankings - Wide Receivers - YouTube


Personally
1. Sign Marques Colston
2. Re-Sign Welker
3. Draft Michael Floyd, 6'3 225 from ND (Comes from Weis system), and a very physical receiver.

Colston-Welker-Floyd-Gronk-Hernandez

2TE nightmare for teams. Rest of the draft pickup DB's, LB, DL, C

 

[BelichickFan]

It's kind of likely given that our WR for next year as of now are likely Welker and Branch.

I would assume we'd sign Lloyd if his price is reasonable (should be with bigger name WR out there) and draft a WR around the 2nd and 4th round. Say Randle and Adams or similar.

We'd have Lloyd and Welker starting, Branch as a backup Brady trusts, a bigger rookie receiver and a guy to play behind Welker.

Something like Lloyd, Welker, Branch, Randle, Adams would be a ton better than what we had this year.

We'd still have two #1 and a #2 to get a DB and a pass rusher and either trade one for a #1 next year or get a 2nd pass rusher.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Nick Toon is the most lazy WR I have ever seen play the game of Football. He never even looks for the ball if it isn't in an obvious spot. Absolutely do not want.

NickToon(s)........LOL, the kids TV channel, seriously Al wtf were you thinking, too much of that NY water from yer Jet days ??????

 

[UK_Pat37]

I really like Ryan Broyles from Oklahoma. And since he's currently rehabbing from an ACL injury he should be available a round or two later than he normally would've been (late 1st before the injury is my guess). He's ridiculously productive with great hands and routes.

I like Joe Adams from Arkansas too. Plus he adds great value on Special Teams.

A third guy of interest if we want to add a little size to the position is Juron Criner from Arizona. Not quite the quickness of the other two. But great body control and hands.

I love Criner and think he'd be a steal if he dropped to the 3rd. He seems like the kind of guy we would take...not the fastest, but ruins crisp routes, has solid catching ability and you can throw a ball up and he will get to it. I'd be happy if we nabbed him with our 2nd second round pick.

He'll be one of those guys who won't wow you at the combine with his speed, but I love his ball skills and his overall smarts...he runs good routes.