New England Patriots Possible Target in the 2015 NFL Draft – Phillip Dorsett, WR Miami

New England Patriots Possible Target in the 2015 NFL Draft – Phillip Dorsett, WR Miami

Steve Balestrieri

After missing some time in 2013 with a partially torn MCL, Dorsett returned in 2014 with a bang, catching 36 passes for 871 yards for a ridiculous 24.2 yard average and 10 touchdowns for the Hurricanes.

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He needs work and shouldn't be counted on to start right away. He IS an absolute burner that defenses would have to account for but his route running needs a healthy amount of polishing. To start, I would only use him for screens (as his breakaway speed makes him dangerous there) and on 9-routes and skinny posts. I wouldn't ask him to run some of the more complicated option routes.

He won't make it past the Eagles

Bill Belichick is NOT going to spend a 1st Rd. Pick on a WR.

He hasn't done it in his 15 years as Head Coach/GM.

Did something change to where Dorsett is being looked at as a sure-fire first round pick? All the mocks I've seen have him in the 2nd-3rd rounds.

Loose you're top 2 CB's=Draft a WR
Loose your starting NT=Draft a WR
Loose your starting LG=Draft a WR
Sign a TE who had 47 catches last year=Draft a WR

We showed interest on mid-range FA's Brian Hartline and Stevie Johnson who had down seasons to see if they'd bite on under-the-market contracts=Referendum on Bills desire to get the next Randy Moss=Draft a WR.

If we draft Kenny Bell, Ameer Abdullah or Tyler Lockett with 1 of those mid-Rd bunched up 3rd-4th picks I'm good with that.

My mid-Rd late shot guys are Tony Lippett of Mich. ST and Nick Marshall of Auburn.

OhExaulted1 said:

Bill Belichick is NOT going to spend a 1st Rd. Pick on a WR.

He hasn't done it in his 15 years as Head Coach/GM.

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I don't think they will draft a WR but never say never, they never drafted a LB for years then went on a splurge.

Maybe they see their defense as being poor and want to ensure they have firepower. I don't like him at 32 but around 50-60 he could become a difference maker.

OhExaulted1 said:

Loose you're top 2 CB's=Draft a WR
Loose your starting NT=Draft a WR
Loose your starting LG=Draft a WR
Sign a TE who had 47 catches last year=Draft a WR

We showed interest on mid-range FA's Brian Hartline and Stevie Johnson who had down seasons to see if they'd bite on under-the-market contracts=Referendum on Bills desire to get the next Randy Moss=Draft a WR.

If we draft Kenny Bell, Ameer Abdullah or Tyler Lockett with 1 of those mid-Rd bunched up 3rd-4th picks I'm good with that.

My mid-Rd late shot guys are Tony Lippett of Mich. ST and Nick Marshall of Auburn.

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I wouldn't mind Devin Smith in the 2nd, if we're going WR that high. I think he's more NFL ready than Dorsett and also has a knack for getting open deep.

WR is a late round pick at best this year, but I think an obscure standout might be a late round reach.

Check out WR Rasheed Bailey out of Delaware Valley University - 6'2, 209 WR who averaged 122 yards/game and 1.2 TD/game - that's over six catches for 12.9 yards per reception in 2014.

http://rotoviz.com/2015/02/placing-a-bet-on-longshot-d3-receiver-rasheed-bailey/

6th or 7th rounder.

OhExaulted1 said:

Bill Belichick is NOT going to spend a 1st Rd. Pick on a WR.

He hasn't done it in his 15 years as Head Coach/GM.

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At one time we were saying he'd never draft a LB in Round 1 because he prefers veterans there. He's drafted Mayo and Hightower. We said he'd never draft a G in Round 1. Logan Mankins. He traded up in Round 2 to get Chad Jackson. Used a 2nd on Aaron Dobson two years ago. I don't think we will. But, I wouldn't say he's never going to do it.

I think it is more than just looking at the drafting trend under Belichick I think you also have to consider overall league trends. WRs in the 1st round have a terrible success rate. Belichick is not a guy who ignores the numbers.

patsfaninpa said:

At one time we were saying he'd never draft a LB in Round 1 because he prefers veterans there. He's drafted Mayo and Hightower. We said he'd never draft a G in Round 1. Logan Mankins. He traded up in Round 2 to get Chad Jackson. Used a 2nd on Aaron Dobson two years ago. I don't think we will. But, I wouldn't say he's never going to do it.

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True, though it should be noted that WR isn't nearly the need that LB was in 2008 and G was in 2005. Or even WR was in 2006.

I'll be more than just surprised if they draft a WR in the first, I'll be flabbergasted!

patsfaninpa said:

At one time we were saying he'd never draft a LB in Round 1 because he prefers veterans there. He's drafted Mayo and Hightower. We said he'd never draft a G in Round 1. Logan Mankins. He traded up in Round 2 to get Chad Jackson. Used a 2nd on Aaron Dobson two years ago. I don't think we will. But, I wouldn't say he's never going to do it.

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I would be SHOCKED if Bill and Caserio spend a 1st Rd pick on a WR this year. Especially in light of how Dobson and Jackson turned out.

We've kept our entire receiving core intact and made additions in Chandler and Brandon Gibson. Brady has never made more than 637 pass attempts and 401 completions in a season.

The NFL record for pass completions in a season is 468 by rew Brees in 2011. The most passes attempted in a season is 727 by Matt Stafford in 2012.

I may be wrong, but I don't beleive BB's theory on offense is to put the ball in the air on every single down. Edelman, Gronk, Lafell, Amendola, Wright and Vereen caught 353 of 392 receptions last year (that's 90%).

We lost Vereen and his 52 catches and signed T. Cadet to fill the void (who had 38 catches as RB last season). We also have James White (who we drafted in the 4th Rd and had 38 catches in his Sr. Yr at Wisconson) and Tyler Gaffney (who is also considered a good backfeild receiver).

I understand the Madden/Fantasy attitude of getting another 100 catch 1500 yard Randy Moss receiver, but it just doesn't seem realistic.

Leave 2007 where 2007 belongs. 8 years ago. Randy Moss was a once in a generation player, So is Gronk and a 2 TE offense. AH is in prison for life, 6-7 260lb Scott Chandler is here now. Sorry WR whores, but this is our offense.

If that does end up happening...may he have a career to equal that of the hurricane we released this past offseason

OhExaulted1 said:

I would be SHOCKED if Bill and Caserio spend a 1st Rd pick on a WR this year. Especially in light of how Dobson and Jackson turned out.

We've kept our entire receiving core intact and made additions in Chandler and Brandon Gibson. Brady has never made more than 637 pass attempts and 401 completions in a season.

The NFL record for pass completions in a season is 468 by rew Brees in 2011. The most passes attempted in a season is 727 by Matt Stafford in 2012.

I may be wrong, but I don't beleive BB's theory on offense is to put the ball in the air on every single down. Edelman, Gronk, Lafell, Amendola, Wright and Vereen caught 353 of 392 receptions last year (that's 90%).

We lost Vereen and his 52 catches and signed T. Cadet to fill the void (who had 38 catches as RB last season). We also have James White (who we drafted in the 4th Rd and had 38 catches in his Sr. Yr at Wisconson) and Tyler Gaffney (who is also considered a good backfeild receiver).

I understand the Madden/Fantasy attitude of getting another 100 catch 1500 yard Randy Moss receiver, but it just doesn't seem realistic.

Leave 2007 where 2007 belongs. 8 years ago. Randy Moss was a once in a generation player, So is Gronk and a 2 TE offense. AH is in prison for life, 6-7 260lb Scott Chandler is here now. Sorry WR whores, but this is our offense.

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I'm certainly not on the bandwagon of taking a WR in the 1st round but I wouldn't fault the team for looking in that direction.

We can't simply look at current needs and dismiss positions that seem set. We seemed fine at OT going into 2011. Solder started at RT a lot of the year with Vollmer hurt and Light retired at the end of the season. LB looks fine but what if the team has already decided they can't afford Hightower and Collins going forward?

We certainly look ok at WR, at least from a immediate need perspective but obviously the Pats know more than us. Is Amendola gone after this season? Does the team worry about Edelman staying healthy? We don't have a crystal ball into how the team sees the future of each position.

KontradictioN said:

I wouldn't mind Devin Smith in the 2nd, if we're going WR that high. I think he's more NFL ready than Dorsett and also has a knack for getting open deep.

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Agreed, and he's also bigger and more productive than Dorsett (same amount of college catches but better ypc and almost twice as many TD catches 30-17).

Crazy Patriot Guy said:

I'm certainly not on the bandwagon of taking a WR in the 1st round but I wouldn't fault the team for looking in that direction.

We can't simply look at current needs and dismiss positions that seem set. We seemed fine at OT going into 2011. Solder started at RT a lot of the year with Vollmer hurt and Light retired at the end of the season. LB looks fine but what if the team has already decided they can't afford Hightower and Collins going forward?

We certainly look ok at WR, at least from a immediate need perspective but obviously the Pats know more than us. Is Amendola gone after this season? Does the team worry about Edelman staying healthy? We don't have a crystal ball into how the team sees the future of each position.

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Honestly, I only see the Pats picking a WR in the 1St round if one of the top 5 stud receivers are there. I see them taking a receiver in rounds 2-7 (not every round, just picking a receiver in one of those rounds).Very deep receiver class like last year. Maybe not the quality of last year, but certainly the quantity.

scott99 said:

Honestly, I only see the Pats picking a WR in the 1St round if one of the top 5 stud receivers are there. I see them taking a receiver in rounds 2-7 (not every round, just picking a receiver in one of those rounds).Very deep receiver class like last year. Maybe not the quality of last year, but certainly the quantity.

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Honestly scott99, I don't see it even if one the top 5 "rated" guys is sitting there at #32. Bill has never taken a WR with a 1st rd pick in his 15 years as coach/GM. He took Bethel Johnson at #45 in 2003, with a big reason being his return ability. He grabbed Chad Jackson at #36 in 2006. I think his reasoning was potential at KR/PR.

I saw Kontra mention Devin Smith, who I think would be a gem if we could get him with one of our late 3rd/4th picks (#96, 97, 101 and 131). Talk about having Terry Glenn written all over him. Even at #64 I could see it. Had to slow down to make catches? Really? http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/devin-smith?id=2552459 You can't teach speed.

My guy is Tyler Lockett of K. State in that late 3rd/4th range. Extensive return experience, great WR and bloodlines you can't ignore. Problem is he's smallish and light at 5-10 182. At the same time though it may give him that underdog mentality we cherish up here in NE.

KontradictioN said:

I wouldn't mind Devin Smith in the 2nd, if we're going WR that high. I think he's more NFL ready than Dorsett and also has a knack for getting open deep.

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I think many here share your opinion, Kontra. Some draftniks such as @manxman2601 have stated that D.Smith tracks the deep ball better than any other draftee in recent memory.

He may last until the 2nd round (I believe he will), but I don't think he's there at #64, that's for sure. Personally, I'd be fine with either a trade down/up to acquire him. On another note, the accuracy seen from Brady in your signature .gif is remarkable, even though it's really about Edelman.

supafly said:

I think many here share your opinion, Kontra. Some draftniks such as @manxman2601 have stated that D.Smith tracks the deep ball better than any other draftee in recent memory.

He may last until the 2nd round (I believe he will), but I don't think he's there at #64, that's for sure. Personally, I'd be fine with either a trade down/up to acquire him. On another note, the accuracy seen from Brady in your signature .gif is remarkable, even though it's really about Edelman.

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I'm absolutely fine with Smith in the second round although I'd rather it was with a trade up from #64 rather than with our first pick. Although, I think I'd still take Smelter over him - he's the more rounded WR. In fact, there's not many WRs in this draft I'd take ahead of Smelter.