Which WR do you NOT want?

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

I'm sure most of us want to see the Pats draft a WR in the first few rounds, and maybe even two. And while I like a lot of these guys, I honestly don't know enough about each of them to know which ones would be the best fit for us.

So my question is which WR do you not want the team to draft. This isn't so much me seeing if you'd be upset if they drafted a certain WR when the guy you loved was still on the board. Let's say just one WR expected to be taken in the first three rounds is left, this is the guy you want to see us pass on and ignore the WR position because you just know he would be a bust in New England. Who's the guy?

 

[Avenger]

Tavon Austin

 

[Wilfork#75]

Tavon Austin

I agree, he is pretty much the only guy in the top 10 WRs I don't really want. I wouldn't draft any WR in the 1st, but there are at least 8 or 9 I would be happy with in the 2nd/3rd round.

 

[manxman2601]

Cobi Hamilton. Drops too many passes.

 

[Username]

Coradelle Patterson

Boom or bust, too risky

 

[chevss454]

Marquise Goodwin or Ace Sanders.


Re Tavon Austin. I don't get the lack of respect the guy gets.

Who do you like more, Adrian Peterson or C J Spiller?

I'll bet 100% choose Peterson. I would too. But for perspective, CJ Spiller's last 396 touches went for 2,533 yards and 14 TDs compared to Peterson’s last 388 that went for 2,314 yards and 13 TDs. Please, I'm not comparing Spiller to Peterson; only production.

Imo, Austin is far better than Spiller.
Tavon Austin has no injury history either so don't look at his size and automatically say no. (He did hurt a pinkie in 2010)
Here's a short highlight video (I know, highlight, I get it). Search "youtube Only One Austin". Watch this kid work magic with the ball. Try to focus on the defenders who are stunned as he blows past them.

(I don't like the high stepping he did on one play but if you watch interviews he's a pretty well grounded guy. I don't think he'll fall to 29; I'm not saying BB will consider him. I'm only saying this kid has loads of talent.)

He's smart to use his quickness to avoid tacklers. Running through people would get him on IR; that's not his game. He has an uncanny ability to accelerate quickly, stop, juke, jump step and accelerate again to make people miss. And all the while he's seeing & planning moves for the next 2 players down the field. I haven't seen him take a direct hit in any film or game I've seen yet.

What struck me from that video was his patience in waiting for blockers when necessary but he's a guy who fully understands his speed. He knows how to judge when to turn on the jets to blow past defenders and he knows when to wait for a block. His vision and field awareness are superior in every imaginable way. His speed makes him dangerous but it's these other football skills that make him a game changer.

He wouldn't be BB's first choice, imo, only b/c BB has passed over similar guys. I never thought Spiller was that special. Austin is that special but I don't think Austin will last to 29 so it's a moot discussion anyway. I also see more pressing needs on defense but, let me say this, if BB drafted Austin I'd be a very happy fan.

 

[Wilfork#75]

Marquise Goodwin or Ace Sanders.


Re Tavon Austin. I don't get the lack of respect the guy gets.

Who do you like more, Adrian Peterson or C J Spiller?

I'll bet 100% choose Peterson. I would too. But for perspective, CJ Spiller's last 396 touches went for 2,533 yards and 14 TDs compared to Peterson’s last 388 that went for 2,314 yards and 13 TDs. Please, I'm not comparing Spiller to Peterson; only production.

Imo, Austin is far better than Spiller.
Tavon Austin has no injury history either so don't look at his size and automatically say no. (He did hurt a pinkie in 2010)
Here's a short highlight video (I know, highlight, I get it). Search "youtube Only One Austin". Watch this kid work magic with the ball. Try to focus on the defenders who are stunned as he blows past them.

(I don't like the high stepping he did on one play but if you watch interviews he's a pretty well grounded guy. I don't think he'll fall to 29; I'm not saying BB will consider him. I'm only saying this kid has loads of talent.)

He's smart to use his quickness to avoid tacklers. Running through people would get him on IR; that's not his game. He has an uncanny ability to accelerate quickly, stop, juke, jump step and accelerate again to make people miss. And all the while he's seeing & planning moves for the next 2 players down the field. I haven't seen him take a direct hit in any film or game I've seen yet.

What struck me from that video was his patience in waiting for blockers when necessary but he's a guy who fully understands his speed. He knows how to judge when to turn on the jets to blow past defenders and he knows when to wait for a block. His vision and field awareness are superior in every imaginable way. His speed makes him dangerous but it's these other football skills that make him a game changer.

He wouldn't be BB's first choice, imo, only b/c BB has passed over similar guys. I never thought Spiller was that special. Austin is that special but I don't think Austin will last to 29 so it's a moot discussion anyway. I also see more pressing needs on defense but, let me say this, if BB drafted Austin I'd be a very happy fan.

The difference is Spiller is 25lbs heavier and a legit RB. Austin isn't a pure RB or WR and I struggle to see him becoming one. WVU schemed to get him the ball as much as they could, the Pats certainly wouldn't do that. I don't think anyone is doubting his talent, the doubt is whether or not his contribution would be worth a 1st round pick. I don't see him being a highly productive slot WR because I question his ability to run consistent routes and make tough catches in traffic. I don't think he will fair too well on the outside because of his size and just because he is fast doesn't necessarily mean he is a deep threat. I think he is much more dangerous with the ball in his hands than he is catching it down the field, at least in the NFL anyway. As a RB he doesn't have the bulk to hold up between the tackles and as a change of pace back is he that much better than Vereen or Woodhead? I think his most value to this team would be as a kick returner, but that certainly isn't good value. I'm not saying he won't be a good player in the NFL, I just think he would succeed in a team that doesn't have a H.O.F. QB and a set system. Let him go to a team that can scheme around him instead of trying to fit him into an offense. He is the ultimate luxury pick and one we can't afford with only 3 decent picks in this draft.

I also think that durability is a legitimate concern with him, even if he hasn't been hurt in college. At 174lbs he is 15lbs lighter than Sproles, 25lbs lighter than Spiller and 30lbs lighter than Bush. At WVU he didn't take a lot of punishment because he was so much faster than everyone else and they schemed to get him into space on the outside. Once he reaches the NFL he is going to be up against bigger, faster and more talented defenses that will hit him and hit him hard. Outside of DeSean Jackson (who is a much better pure WR), how many 175lb RBs or WRs are in the NFL and how many contribute to be worth a 1st round pick? I'm not saying he can't succeed, but I think these are legitimate concerns.

 

[chevss454]

The difference is Spiller is 25lbs heavier and a legit RB. Austin isn't a pure RB or WR and I struggle to see him becoming one. WVU schemed to get him the ball as much as they could, the Pats certainly wouldn't do that. I don't think anyone is doubting his talent, the doubt is whether or not his contribution would be worth a 1st round pick. I don't see him being a highly productive slot WR because I question his ability to run consistent routes and make tough catches in traffic. I don't think he will fair too well on the outside because of his size and just because he is fast doesn't necessarily mean he is a deep threat. I think he is much more dangerous with the ball in his hands than he is catching it down the field, at least in the NFL anyway. As a RB he doesn't have the bulk to hold up between the tackles and as a change of pace back is he that much better than Vereen or Woodhead? I think his most value to this team would be as a kick returner, but that certainly isn't good value. I'm not saying he won't be a good player in the NFL, I just think he would succeed in a team that doesn't have a H.O.F. QB and a set system. Let him go to a team that can scheme around him instead of trying to fit him into an offense. He is the ultimate luxury pick and one we can't afford with only 3 decent picks in this draft.

I also think that durability is a legitimate concern with him, even if he hasn't been hurt in college. At 174lbs he is 15lbs lighter than Sproles, 25lbs lighter than Spiller and 30lbs lighter than Bush. At WVU he didn't take a lot of punishment because he was so much faster than everyone else and they schemed to get him into space on the outside. Once he reaches the NFL he is going to be up against bigger, faster and more talented defenses that will hit him and hit him hard. Outside of DeSean Jackson (who is a much better pure WR), how many 175lb RBs or WRs are in the NFL and how many contribute to be worth a 1st round pick? I'm not saying he can't succeed, but I think these are legitimate concerns.

You made a sound argument & that's just how I think the Pats will view him.
Kudos to you!

 

[Patriot Missile]

I also think that durability is a legitimate concern with him, even if he hasn't been hurt in college. At 174lbs he is 15lbs lighter than Sproles, 25lbs lighter than Spiller and 30lbs lighter than Bush. At WVU he didn't take a lot of punishment because he was so much faster than everyone else and they schemed to get him into space on the outside. Once he reaches the NFL he is going to be up against bigger, faster and more talented defenses that will hit him and hit him hard. Outside of DeSean Jackson (who is a much better pure WR), how many 175lb RBs or WRs are in the NFL and how many contribute to be worth a 1st round pick? I'm not saying he can't succeed, but I think these are legitimate concerns.

As much as i like Austin and think he would be successful in New England there are legitimate concerns as you mentioned. Jackson has not caught over 62 passes in his 5 year tenure yet has taken probably some of the most punishment highlight wise than most receivers out there. See the 13 fumbles. He's missed 9 games and probably should of missed more. Granted 1 of those hits was the blind side hit that prompted stricter protection of receivers over the middle. (Along with Boldins broken jaw play)

Back to point, if Austin was going to replace Welker in this particular system, not one fan on this forum can accurately say he could take the punishment like WW does. We are talking upwards of a 160 targets a season here and a player that is expected to pull in a hundred balls if he Wes is not offered. I say it's all in that particular players makeup just like some boxers have a glass jaw and some have that tough chin. We don't know why, it is just that way.

I've advocated Austin quite a bit early. His production is off the charts good. Similar to Welkers college career. But after reading many posts from people here they make a strong case for not drafting him. The risk reward is so high with the kid but I think the smart move is to play it safe.(Wheaton) But for some reason if Bill just loves the kid and he somehow falls to 29 and picks him up. I'll be a full supporter.

 

[rdf63]

Tavon Austin. I'm not knocking the player but the Pats need a WR with size and blocking ability. We don't need a Welker clone on the team.

 

[EwanSellars]

tavon austin (even though i think hes great)
Justin hunter

 

[TruthSeeker]

tavon austin (even though i think hes great)
Justin hunter

You just listed the two WR's I HOPE the Pats pick lol.

 

[captain stone]

Marquise Goodwin, Tavon Austin.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Tavon Austin

 

[EwanSellars]

You just listed the two WR's I HOPE the Pats pick lol.

haha im a big fan of wheaton and patton and rogers and i like austin as a prospect just not for this team and im not a big fan of hunter but whatever haha

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Tavon Austin. I'm not knocking the player but the Pats need a WR with size and blocking ability. We don't need a Welker clone on the team.

1) Tavon Austin's skillset is closer to Percy Harvin or maybe DeSean Jackson, nothing like Wes Welker's.

2) Welker is an above average blocking WR.

Now that I've bashed the Austin-Welker comparison, watching Wes Welker play and the beatings Welker takes are part of the reason I don't want Austin. Austin is TINY. He won't be left out to dry in the middle as often, but I'm not sure he is built to take that kind of punishment. He certainly won't be able to fight off the holding that teams frequently get away with on Welker.

 

[ay-yo]

Watch Austin get picked at 29 and everybody lose it.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'd be okay with the pick of Austin but I've never seen BB take a WR in the 1st round. And I don't think he lasts to 29 with the speed he showed at the combine. The thing we forget about Austin is his electric return ability. Thats why he reminds of Desean Jackson in that regard. Add on top of that his h-back versatility, and he looks like Sproles in that regard. And then he has true deep speed as well as sick start and go acceleration. Definitely a worthy of 1st round selection considering the talent.

That being said, I doubt we take him. I think we need an outside receiver who can outjump corners for the ball, in the mould of Boldin, but preferably with a touch more speed. I'm hoping Hopkins is our guy. But we'll see.

Hopkins vs one of the best defenses in college - LSU. STUD. Redzone threat, willing blocker, made a few plays agains Honey Badger, and most importantly clutch catches with the game on the line.
DeAndre Hopkins vs LSU (Bowl Game - 2012) - YouTube

 

[zgotts]

I think we need an outside receiver who can outjump corners for the ball, in the mould of Boldin, but preferably with a touch more speed. I'm hoping Hopkins is our guy. But we'll see.

Hopkins vs one of the best defenses in college - LSU. STUD. Redzone threat, willing blocker, made a few plays agains Honey Badger, and most importantly clutch catches with the game on the line.

I agree 100% on Hopkins. He seems as sure a bet as there is at WR. Belichick has had trouble drafting WRs, but there's nothing about Hopkins' game that suggests he won't produce at a high level. In addition to his solid route running and ability to overpower DBs for the catch, he looks like a willing blocker and apparently has a great work ethic. He doesn't come off as one of those premadonna "me-first" types either, just judging by his demeanor on the field.

It sounds like he could be a 2nd rounder, but I'd be plenty happy taking him with our 1st. He'd add a tough, physical element to to our receiving core that I'm not really sure we've seen (moss could out jump people, but that had more to do with his height than physicality).

 

[kennyb]

Hopkins is good. Not sure about his speed or quickness, but I like his effort. Don't think honey badger played in most recent bowl game, he'd been kicked off the team.