Patriots Sign WR Brandon LaFell to 3-year contract

[ATippett56]

In terms of ability to play the game, the notion that first round WRs have been a bad bet in recent years is simply not true.

You don't need to draft a wide receiver in the first round to obtain 1000 yard receiving production:

Steve Johnson - 7th round 2008 NFL Draft (3 of last 4 seasons)

Steve Johnson NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Brian Hartline - 4th round 2009 NFL Draft (last 2 seasons)

Brian Hartline NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

T.Y. Hilton - 3rd Round 2012 NFL Draft (last season)

T.Y. Hilton NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Pierre Garcon - 6th round 2008 NFL Draft (last season)

Pierre Garcon NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Torrey Smith - 2nd Round 2011 NFL Draft (last season)

Torrey Smith NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Anquan Boldin - 2nd Round 2003 NFL Draft (last season)

Anquan Boldin NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Keenan Allen - 3rd Round 2013 NFL Draft (rookie)

Keenan Allen NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Vincent Jackson - 2nd Round 2005 NFL Draft (last 3 seasons)

Vincent Jackson NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Marques Colston - 7th Round 2006 NFL Draft (6 of 8 seasons)

Marques Colston NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[ATippett56]

Yep, the relevant portion of the list -- players actually available to the Patriots -- would be:

Hakeem Nicks
Kenny Britt
Demaryius Thomas
Dez Bryant
A.J. Jenkins
Cordarrelle Patterson

Hakeem Nicks - not re-signed by the NY Giants
Kenny Britt - bust
A.J. Jenkins - bust

 

[lurker1965]

camp body 10 char.

 

[BradyToAmendola]

camp body 10 char.

Ummm, no. LaFell is a good receiver. Quick, runs good routes, can separate from man coverage, good run blocker. Lock for the team IMO.

 

[ATippett56]

Since Bill Belichick has been coach of the New England Patriots, there have been more rookie wide receivers with 1000 receiving yards who were not selected in the first round than selected in the first round:

Player Season Finder Query Results - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[GratefulOne]

Heh... an average receiver goes to NE and becomes a very effective receiver. At least that is what the rest of us see on the outside. Typically we are like "who the hell is that guy? " Then within a game he becomes valuable Fantasy addition.

In this case, we actually know his name. That could mean much bigger numbers. I'm not kidding.

 

[jah]

camp body 10 char.

Barring a Fanene-like incident, he's a 100% lock to make the roster (or some sort of injury list if that's how it goes) given the contract he signed.

 

[Don_the_patfan]

camp body 10 char.

645 yards or so with Cam. Brady can do better. I see him making the team.

 

[JMC00]

Since Bill Belichick has been coach of the New England Patriots, there have been more rookie wide receivers with 1000 receiving yards who were not selected in the first round than selected in the first round:

Player Season Finder Query Results - Pro-Football-Reference.com

In case someone doesn't click that, only two 1st round WR have had 1000+ yards in their rookie season between 2000-2013

AJ Green and Michael Clayton.

 

[ATippett56]

In case someone doesn't click that, only two 1st round rookie WR have had 1000+ yards in their rookie season during the Belichick Patriot Era in the NFL (2000-2013)

AJ Green and Michael Clayton.

Michael Clayton was a "one year wonder" and in subsequent seasons never reached 500 receiving yards.

Michael Clayton NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[All22PatsFan]

I reviewed a couple games of LaFell. Its tough to evaluate him because of how simple Carolina's offense was. Newton often stuck with his first read and his 2nd read was usually to a RB.
Here are some notes on LaFell:

- Seperates quickly
-physical, good size
- good with the ball in his hands
- really good cod skills, shows on slants, outs, comebacks

He was frequently open on tape, but Newton stuck with his first read on most plays. He usually wins at the line.On most routes he gets a good yard of separation. I would say he has a good chance to be successful in this offense.

 

[Ring 6]

Yep, the relevant portion of the list -- players actually available to the Patriots -- would be:

Hakeem Nicks
Kenny Britt
Demaryius Thomas
Dez Bryant
A.J. Jenkins
Cordarrelle Patterson

I see one guy on that list that we would be good today if we had drafted, unless you overlook Dez Bryant's issues.

 

[Joey007]

I like the signing overall. A bit pricey and I think his ceilings limited, but being in our offense he could possibly end up being a pretty decent #2 WR, who knows.

 

[BelichickFan]

- really good cod skills, shows on slants, outs, comebacks

He should, he had a 6.81 three cone at the combine which is a terrific number for his size.

LaFell is almost identical in size to Dobson, btw, Dobson had noticeably better straight ahead times but LaFell was quicker (0.1 better in shuttle, .28 better in three cone).

Dobson, LaFell, Edelman, Gronk would be a very interesting group.

 

[Ring 6]

Not really. It's not as if it's even close to a bad bet. It's only got 2 true bust s in the entire list, 3 if you put DHB as bust instead of disappointment.

Heyward-Bey was picked #7 and averages 2.3 catches and 33.1 yards per game in his career, and you are pimping him as the reason to draft WRs in round 1, and question whether he was a bust?
The question was the success in finding a true #1 WR in the draft. You went back 6 years, for 18 picks, and at the very most generous analysis 4 of them are true #1s, and that includes Dez Bryant who many teams would not draft because of his issues.
You did an awesome job of proving yourself wrong.

 

[Gumby]

Don't be sorry. Pay attention to the discussion. ....

Reality: There are 3 ways to get WRs in this NFL: Draft, trade, FA. Trades almost never happen, so they're basically out. I was told that you couldn't get them in FA, so that leaves only the draft. I was then told that half of the listed WR1s came from round one.

Yeah, was a good thing we drafted welker and moss ... oh wait!

and then what about stallworth, he was another good draft pick...except uhhh?

 

[shmessy]

You don't need to draft a wide receiver in the first round to obtain 1000 yard receiving production:

Steve Johnson - 7th round 2008 NFL Draft (3 of last 4 seasons)

Steve Johnson NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Brian Hartline - 4th round 2009 NFL Draft (last 2 seasons)

Brian Hartline NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

T.Y. Hilton - 3rd Round 2012 NFL Draft (last season)

T.Y. Hilton NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Pierre Garcon - 6th round 2008 NFL Draft (last season)

Pierre Garcon NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Torrey Smith - 2nd Round 2011 NFL Draft (last season)

Torrey Smith NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Anquan Boldin - 2nd Round 2003 NFL Draft (last season)

Anquan Boldin NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Keenan Allen - 3rd Round 2013 NFL Draft (rookie)

Keenan Allen NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Vincent Jackson - 2nd Round 2005 NFL Draft (last 3 seasons)

Vincent Jackson NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Marques Colston - 7th Round 2006 NFL Draft (6 of 8 seasons)

Marques Colston NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Not to mention the "squirrel" the Pats just re-signed yesterday.

Most everyone here understands the situation and have been putting out some good factual data. There is one poster who, as usual, is just trying to hone his debating skills.

 

[ATippett56]

Not to mention the "squirrel" the Pats just re-signed yesterday.

..... and the biggest zinger of all "undrafted":

Wes Welker NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[shmessy]

Gifs of every TD in Lafells career:

Brandon LaFell's Touchdown Catches: Every LaFell Touchdown in the NFL [GIFs] | BostInno

He looks more solidly built than Dobson (although, reports are that Dobson is actively beefing up his upper body this offseason).

 

[PatriotReign]

Since this team seems to like signing players that have had good games against them, why haven't they gone after Jerricho Cotchery? He consistently had good games against the team when he was with the Jest and just last year he caught 3 TD's when we played the Squeelers.