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If I follow this argument correctly, you acknowledge that the patriots haven't used top draft choices for WR's. I presume that you also acknowledge that the patriots are not especially good at drafting talent at WR.
Why would you expect that THIS YEAR would be different, that all of a sudden a rookie WR would be so different that the patriots would choose a contributor, and would be successful in developing him.
???
IMO, the patriots have a strategy that has worked for them for a decade. Use few resources at the WR position. Use 6th and 7th round picks, taking a flyer. Bring 10 WR's into cap, mostly from free agency. And when the opportunity arises, trade for a WR.
I see no reason to believe that Belichick will choose to believe that his approach is wrong and that another approach will work better, especially with the resources used on WR coaches (do we have one?). If he is convinced that he can get his defensive linemen, TE's and a safety, perhaps Belichick will take a flyer on a WR, hoping that this year is the year that the patriots will draft and develop a WR.
BUT, sure we have 7 early round picks, and Belichick could take a flyer with one of them.
Why would you expect that THIS YEAR would be different, that all of a sudden a rookie WR would be so different that the patriots would choose a contributor, and would be successful in developing him.
???
IMO, the patriots have a strategy that has worked for them for a decade. Use few resources at the WR position. Use 6th and 7th round picks, taking a flyer. Bring 10 WR's into cap, mostly from free agency. And when the opportunity arises, trade for a WR.
I see no reason to believe that Belichick will choose to believe that his approach is wrong and that another approach will work better, especially with the resources used on WR coaches (do we have one?). If he is convinced that he can get his defensive linemen, TE's and a safety, perhaps Belichick will take a flyer on a WR, hoping that this year is the year that the patriots will draft and develop a WR.
BUT, sure we have 7 early round picks, and Belichick could take a flyer with one of them.
To answer the OP:
While rookie WRs making a big impact are rare, they are being more common in recent years. DJ Moore & Calvin Ridley both had productive rookie years at picks in the 20s. Juju Smith-Schuster & Michael Thomas had great rookie years as round 1-2 possession, refined WRs.
I would draft two WRs in the top 100. Most draftniks say it is the deepest draft class since 2014.
To the Pats can’t draft WRs crowd. While that is arguably true, they really don’t put in the draft capital either. Here are the WRs drafted by the team in the top 100 picks in the last decade:
2013: Aaron Dobson (59) - Small school H/W/S prospect that never topped 700 yards in a college season.
2010: Taylor Price (90) - Small school prospect that never topped 800 yards in a college season.
2009: Brandon Tate (83) - WR2 on his own team to Hakeem Nicks & tore his ACL his senior year. Never topped 1,000 yards & had 3 career TDs in college.
That level of investment is basically nonexistent & has to be 32/32 of all NFL teams. What do the Pats expect from the above? RD 4-7 picks are more or less lottery tickets. Ironically, they still cashed in on one lotto ticket with Edelman.
Invest. I’m not convinced a talented rookie WR with a refined skillset couldn’t mesh with Brady. Thompkins was a fringe NFL talent & they managed to form a connection before it went south due to a lack of ability. Malcolm Mitchell without a doubt did & helped win a SB. If AJ Brown is available in the 20s, go get him & you have your version of Michael Thomas/Juju. Deus’ guy Isabella in RD3 could make an early impact as well IMO (as well as a handful of other players in this class).