Favorite WR in the 2019 NFL Draft?

[Uptown]

You know it will be a cold day in hell before the Pats spend a 1st round pick on a WR, but these guys in are the 2018 best.

Round 1

Pick#
7 - Mike Evans 6/5 - Clemson. Had him on my fantasy just a beast.
6- J Jones 6/3 - Bama
20 - B Cooks 5/10 - Oregano State
27 - D Hopkins 6/1 - Clemson

Round 2 These guys can be had, but are likely too expensive a draft pick for NE.

Pick#
41 - Robert Woods 6/0 - USC
47 - M Thomas 6/3 - Ohio State
53 - D Adams 6/0 - Fresno State
55 - T Boyd 6/1 - Pittsburgh
62 - JuJu 6/1 - USC Another beast

Round 3

Pick#
92 - TY Hilton 5/10 - Florida International ???
96 - K Golliday 6/4 - N Illinois

Round 5,6 and UD

Pick#
165 - T Hill 5/9 West Alabama
196 - A Brown 5/10 Central Michigan
UD - D Baldwin 5/11 Standford
UD - A Thielen 6/2 Minnesota State

JuJu on down thats 7 affordable stud WRs who can get open

Mike Evans- Texas A&M

 

[patriot1136]

I'm interested to see what you guys think after some of these WRs play in their bowl games.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Not if you consider the need in QB, WRs, DT, TE, potential replacement for LT Trent Brown and DE Flowers.

I’m banking on him being recovered from his injury but we also have our first rounder coming back. We can basically add him in with whatever players we draft.

 

[Triumph]

That is nitpicking those specific WRs over the other 100+ that were drafted

Illustrating that great WRs can found from obscure schools and way past the excuse watermark that NE drafts at the very bottom draft slot every season.

Almost all the WRs listed are on playoffs teams and those WRs played a huge role in getting the team there.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I don't grade until after testing so the Rd's will change

Hakeem Butler Made some highlight plays this year w high pointing, body control but also balance & toughness to make a play after. Looked like a poor man's Gordon at times. Rd 2-3

Damarcus Lodge the other two get the pub but Lodge is a vg prospect. Ive loved DK for years but the injury (which probably won't hurt him that much) & inconsistencies haven't really gone away. Lodge can win in the air, beat man/press & just looks like a pro in all aspects Rd 2-3

Denzel Mims smooth, big time body control - he's an athlete up there. Playmaker when you need one. Improved in different areas last 2 years.
Rd 2-4

Emanuel Hall can work almost anywhere. Never put together anything consistent from start to finish. Inconsistent hands & r/r but has explosiveness to his game & can beat almost any type coverage on the los Rd 3-5

Riley Ridley X that can get off the line & do real work short/intermediate. Vg r/r w some nuance Rd 2-3

TJ Vasher - 50-50 guy in college that never really found his role .. again college. Sideline beast, can separate after the catch & give you yac Rd 4-5

MeCole Hardman explosive slot that can separate in a hurry. He can stretch the field & is a playmaker w the ball in his hands Rd 4-5

Kelvin McKnight good not great quicks but not a huge problem. Slot that stretch. Smart player that comes up big, just makes a play when needed. Good job killing zone & off. Late/udfa

Antoine Wesley - 6'6 long but has some explosiveness & speed. Vg body control & high pointing ability. Rd 3-5

Jordan Humphrey - Big Slot 6'3-6'w yac & big play ability. Physical player is a glider in the open field Rd 3-4

Andy Isabella - Slot. Vg r/r. Tiny but has the short area quicks needed. Late Rd/udfa

Tyler Johnson slot. Crisp, tight r/r w good hands. Has some speed & separation. One of the better r/r in the class Rd 4-5

Anthony Johnson not the greatest athlete but another guy that just makes it work. Vg all around player. Tough. Good r/r. Can work all over. Rd 3-5

Keesean Johnson again not the best athlete but great hands & r/r. Great job at using his hips to create space in route. Tough player that won't go down easy Rd 4-6


Collin Johnson made real strides as a r/r this year. 6'6, long. Good hands. Can beat man/press & get off line against almost anyone Rd 2-3

Anthony Ratliff Williams former QB but tons of nuances in his game. Esp using his body to block & leverage defenders. Explosive. Seems like a natural in small sample size. Rd 4-6

Antonio Gandy Golden another huge player that could be a rz nightmare at a legit 6'6. Rd 3-5

Stanley Morgan isn't related to Steamer

 

[HailHydra]

I don't grade until after testing so the Rd's will change

Hakeem Butler Made some highlight plays this year w high pointing, body control but also balance & toughness to make a play after. Looked like a poor man's Gordon at times. Rd 2-3

Damarcus Lodge the other two get the pub but Lodge is a vg prospect. Ive loved DK for years but the injury (which probably won't hurt him that much) & inconsistencies haven't really gone away. Lodge can win in the air, beat man/press & just looks like a pro in all aspects Rd 2-3

Denzel Mims smooth, big time body control - he's an athlete up there. Playmaker when you need one. Improved in different areas last 2 years.
Rd 2-4

Emanuel Hall can work almost anywhere. Never put together anything consistent from start to finish. Inconsistent hands & r/r but has explosiveness to his game & can beat almost any type coverage on the los Rd 3-5

Riley Ridley X that can get off the line & do real work short/intermediate. Vg r/r w some nuance Rd 2-3

TJ Vasher - 50-50 guy in college that never really found his role .. again college. Sideline beast, can separate after the catch & give you yac Rd 4-5

MeCole Hardman explosive slot that can separate in a hurry. He can stretch the field & is a playmaker w the ball in his hands Rd 4-5

Kelvin McKnight good not great quicks but not a huge problem. Slot that stretch. Smart player that comes up big, just makes a play when needed. Good job killing zone & off. Late/udfa

Antoine Wesley - 6'6 long but has some explosiveness & speed. Vg body control & high pointing ability. Rd 3-5

Jordan Humphrey - Big Slot 6'3-6'w yac & big play ability. Physical player is a glider in the open field Rd 3-4

Andy Isabella - Slot. Vg r/r. Tiny but has the short area quicks needed. Late Rd/udfa

Tyler Johnson slot. Crisp, tight r/r w good hands. Has some speed & separation. One of the better r/r in the class Rd 4-5

Anthony Johnson not the greatest athlete but another guy that just makes it work. Vg all around player. Tough. Good r/r. Can work all over. Rd 3-5

Keesean Johnson again not the best athlete but great hands & r/r. Great job at using his hips to create space in route. Tough player that won't go down easy Rd 4-6


Collin Johnson made real strides as a r/r this year. 6'6, long. Good hands. Can beat man/press & get off line against almost anyone Rd 2-3

Anthony Ratliff Williams former QB but tons of nuances in his game. Esp using his body to block & leverage defenders. Explosive. Seems like a natural in small sample size. Rd 4-6

Antonio Gandy Golden another huge player that could be a rz nightmare at a legit 6'6. Rd 3-5

Stanley Morgan isn't related to Steamer

Take on some of the receivers closer to the top of the board?

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Receivers are risky for the Patriots to pick high. The mental/chemistry aspect of playing with Brady seems fairly random. Other positions are easier to predict within their system. (Reference: Jackson, Chad)

 

[Joey007]

Okay I want Hakeem Butler bad.

 

[AQPE]

As usual BGC was on this, but from early this year I’ve had the hope that Hakeem Butler would be there in the 3rd round area that is the earliest I’d want them to take a WR.

I join the majority of the posters I’ve seen on this forum in hoping BB stays put with the current set of picks and reloads the front 7 on defense before thinking of a WR or QB, and avoids the annual questionable safety in the 2nd or 3rd round. I’d love to see them keep Flowers but don’t expect it, would not shed a tear over the loss of anyone else they have at DL, am worried about HT, skeptical about Bentley, meh about Van Noy, and no fan of Roberts or any other LB. A TE would be nice as I think Gronk is done and Allen and Hollister are JAGs, but I’d prefer to double up on the D before spending a Day 1 or 2 pick for a 42 year old QB.

Butler has been my WR binky for the reasons BGC stated, like Gordon he’s not a top end speed guy but is a playmaker and doesn’t mind contact, so I think he’d be both a dependable blocker and someone who can make plays on coverage teams.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Take on some of the receivers closer to the top of the board?

Wrote this about 10 mins after you quoted no idea what happened?

DK has been a big name forever. Alien type body & potential. Has to work on r/r & really being that alpha in contested situations but he's ozzing w potential. Typical X.

Brown is a blazer. Elite speed. Good r/r. Hands are eehh but he's yac monster waiting to happen. Vg off line. Lateral quicks. He's Desean Jackson.

Harry & JJAW are probably 2 of the 5 best blockers in the class. Put on Oregon he tops himself over & over on 50/50's. ASU didn't do him any favors in terms of how they used him. And he hurts himself trying to be cute at the line sometimes. Could be a nightmare big slot. Physical, tough. Jeffrey, Marshall type.

JJAW I love. He's a power forward through & through. Can beat man/press. Very good off the line, smooth for a big dude. Decent lateral movement. Manipulates defenders w his hip fakes. Just a bully in 50/50 spots. Used to play b-ball & it shows. Great blocker.

Brown is a big slot. I'm not as high on him as some. Prefer Lodge rn. Not sure he's athletic enough to really make a living there next level. He's only played slot which leads me to believe he has trouble outside in college & it won't get easier.

Campbell is another speed guy. Rn he's not the guy Brown is so he does have a lot of room to grow imo. Loose hips in the open field w his speed is a problem. Again has to develop but he's the type that could help against 3rd/4th DB right away in a small role.

Deebo has NE all over him. + R/r, he can really work on the fly & take advantage of angles, find soft spots & has some nuance to his game. Can get off the line, good hands-will fight for ball. Return skills.

Kendrick Rogers was underutilized at A&M. Big play ability. No hype so might stay but he's a name to watch. Can adjust when he goes up, good balance coming down. Like his toughness in those situations. He didn't hesitate or really try to protect himself, just go up & get the ball.

Harmon reminds me of Brandon Lloyd a lil bit. Mostly on the sidelines. He does serious work there. Body control & adjustment & all that good stuff. He's always so aware though. Toe tapper that always knows where he is. Good r/r.

 

[1960Pats]

Bill's going to draft one receiver, a 5'8" white guy with 'quicks', out of Southwest Meschugeneh State. He's going to take him with the Patriots 5th pick in the 7th round.

I had a nephew (through marriage) who played for SW Meschugeneh State. He was no schmuck but a real mentsch. I can't kvetch because we schlepped to many a game and I can still hear the cheers; Get the ball, get the ball, oy vey, oy vey!

 

[Horace's Ivories]

I know nothing about college - but watching my alma mater UVA play right now and Olamide Zaccheus looks tough and pretty quick albeit undersized..

 

[1960Pats]

I don't follow college football so these kind of threads are helpful to me. Thanks to all who contribute.

 

[HailHydra]

Wrote this about 10 mins after you quoted no idea what happened?

DK has been a big name forever. Alien type body & potential. Has to work on r/r & really being that alpha in contested situations but he's ozzing w potential. Typical X.

Brown is a blazer. Elite speed. Good r/r. Hands are eehh but he's yac monster waiting to happen. Vg off line. Lateral quicks. He's Desean Jackson.

Harry & JJAW are probably 2 of the 5 best blockers in the class. Put on Oregon he tops himself over & over on 50/50's. ASU didn't do him any favors in terms of how they used him. And he hurts himself trying to be cute at the line sometimes. Could be a nightmare big slot. Physical, tough. Jeffrey, Marshall type.

JJAW I love. He's a power forward through & through. Can beat man/press. Very good off the line, smooth for a big dude. Decent lateral movement. Manipulates defenders w his hip fakes. Just a bully in 50/50 spots. Used to play b-ball & it shows. Great blocker.

Brown is a big slot. I'm not as high on him as some. Prefer Lodge rn. Not sure he's athletic enough to really make a living there next level. He's only played slot which leads me to believe he has trouble outside in college & it won't get easier.

Campbell is another speed guy. Rn he's not the guy Brown is so he does have a lot of room to grow imo. Loose hips in the open field w his speed is a problem. Again has to develop but he's the type that could help against 3rd/4th DB right away in a small role.

Deebo has NE all over him. + R/r, he can really work on the fly & take advantage of angles, find soft spots & has some nuance to his game. Can get off the line, good hands-will fight for ball. Return skills.

Kendrick Rogers was underutilized at A&M. Big play ability. No hype so might stay but he's a name to watch. Can adjust when he goes up, good balance coming down. Like his toughness in those situations. He didn't hesitate or really try to protect himself, just go up & get the ball.

Harmon reminds me of Brandon Lloyd a lil bit. Mostly on the sidelines. He does serious work there. Body control & adjustment & all that good stuff. He's always so aware though. Toe tapper that always knows where he is. Good r/r.

I love watching JJAW's highlight tape - he'd be a monster in the red zone. You could definitely tell that hes a basketball player by the way he boxes out defender. Really fun player to watch and I have good vibes about him

 

[LT85]

What do the experts on here think of Andy Isabella as a mid to late round guy?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

While I don't see a full route tree or a lot of diversity of skills, DK Metcalf's ability to win at the line against press coverage and then threaten downfield with his explosive speed is something special. There are more complete receivers in this draft, but Metcalf is a terrifying guy to cover on the outside if his health checks out.

What do the experts on here think of Andy Isabella as a mid to late round guy?

Isabella would be great here. I'd happily take him one of the projected 3rd round comps. I'm not sure that I qualify as an expert, though! @BaconGrundleCandy can tell you more than I can, although we're both pretty positive on Isabella, I think.

 

[TN patriot fan]

Patriots WR roster, weeks 1 thru 3:

#1 - (vacant)
#2 - (vacant)
#3 - Hogan
#4 - Dorsett
#5 - Patterson

I don't know that it was Gordon's "caliber" so much as just having someone who had a pulse and was competent. If Matthews hadn't hurt his hammy at the beginning of Camp, the Pats might have been just as successful as they were with Gordon, and might not even have lost in both week-2 and week-3.

The Pats obviously haven't had much success with signing/drafting highly-regarded WRs. They all seem to crap out sooner or later (mostly sooner), for one reason or another. The Pats have gotten much better production from signing mid-level NFL players (Hogan, Patterson, LaFell, Gaffney, Welker, Patten), and relatively unknown college prospects (Edelman, Givens).

I'm not saying that the Pats drafting relatively obscure, late-round WR prospects is always going to be successful. Berrios could end up being "the next Edelman", or the next PK Sam. It's just that, given the Pats history, it seems more likely that they'll come up with a useful WR on Day-3, rather than on Day-1 or Day-2.

If this WR class is truly "deep, but lacking top-end talent", I'd be looking more at potential Day-3 prospects than at the guys who may turnout to be "reaches" in rounds 1-3.

They swung and missed this year on a 7th-round WR. They can't afford to take that chance again at this juncture. Certainly they have whiffed on upper-round WR picks in the past, but the odds are much better that you'll get a playmaker in the second round than in the sixth or seventh. For every Antonio Brown there are a hundred Smith-Shusters.

 

[TN patriot fan]

Receivers are risky for the Patriots to pick high. The mental/chemistry aspect of playing with Brady seems fairly random. Other positions are easier to predict within their system. (Reference: Jackson, Chad)

Ocho Cinco was way, way over the hill by the time he came here. He was also the biggest TV star on the planet in his own mind by that time.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

They swung and missed this year on a 7th-round WR. They can't afford to take that chance again at this juncture. Certainly they have whiffed on upper-round WR picks in the past, but the odds are much better that you'll get a playmaker in the second round than in the sixth or seventh. For every Antonio Brown there are a hundred Smith-Shusters.

A hundred JuJu’s? 106 catches for 1400 yards; your saying there are hundreds of these guys? JJSS is a top 10 wr right now.

That being said, I do believe day 2 early day 3 is the sweet spot for wr draft picks. For every draft where an AJ green Julio Jones go top 10 there’s a draft consisting of Corey Davis, Mike Williams, and John Ross.

 

[maineman209]

Receivers are risky for the Patriots to pick high. The mental/chemistry aspect of playing with Brady seems fairly random. Other positions are easier to predict within their system. (Reference: Jackson, Chad)

Jackson was 6010/213 at his Combine in 2006. He posted:
... 4.32/40 ... 38.5" vert/122" long jump ... 3.97 shuttle/6.73 3-cone

He was widely regarded as a 1st-round lock. When he fell to #36, the Pats traded up with the Packers to get him.

He was just "okay" as a raw rookie, catching 13/19 for 152 yds, and returning 3 punts for 76 yds, and contributing a bit on special teams in other ways. He blew out his knee in the AFCCG and never recovered.