2022 Draft Class of WRs

[FredFromDartmouth]

Fred: what do you think of Alec Pierce?? Gotta say I'm impressed he looks like a Rookie who could play right away.

From what I saw, he is a huge guy that has excellent straight-line speed. He won some footraces with college CBs, but will that work against NFL CBs? Although he has good track speed, he does not appear to be shifty or quick. I think that his Combine numbers will push him higher than he should be drafted. He three-cone was nothing special.

If you want to scare the cr@p out of the defense and keep the safeties deep, Jameson Williams is The Man. Pierce has some skills, but he is not elite; however, he would make a fine mid-round choice for the Patriots.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Maybe, but I am worried that Bo Melton from, yes, Rutgers will be overdrafted by the Patriots....I watched some Bo Melton highlights and he showed good acceleration...against UMass, ahem. But he is shifty and quick so it would not be a terrible choice.

Hmmm, the more I look at Bo Melton, the more he looks like a BB favorite. He has an excellent 3-cone drill (6.98) and, most important to Bill, he does a great interview....seriously though, this kid can play. Unfortunately(?) his Combine numbers (4.34 for the 40) are going to elevate his draft grade; the Patriots are not going to be able to sneak this guy in.

So...as far as predictions:

1. The Patriots have too few draft picks this year (5) so look for them to trade down, early and often.
2. Bo Melton is on their radar...

 

[Rob0729]

I think we go DB with our first pick.

Trade down and get Kyler Gordon

I am not sure if the Pats draft a CB in the first. I still think the Pats will be more likely to address the front seven. This year showed that if the Pats can pressure the QB with a four man rush, it hides a lot of deficiencies in the secondary. And Belichick has had far more success getting top CBs in free agency, trades, and lower rounds in the draft than he has done with high draft picks. I would rather see him go that route.

When he traded for Talib, Talib was consider an underperforming headache. That is why Belichick got him for relatively next to nothing (the Pats traded a fourth round pick for Talib and a seventh round pick). Gilmore was very good when the Pats signed him, but no one imagined he could be the shutdown CB he turned into. I am wondering if there is a CB out there in free agency that people aren't as high on as Jackson and a handful of others that could come into New England and become a true #1 CB that can go one on one with the top WRs in the league.

 

[Rob0729]

I said this in another thread. I read somewhere that the WR class this year and going forward is and will be far deeper than in the past. The changes in college and high school football to go to a more pro style of football and the NFL becoming passing league over the last decade has made it more attractive for kids at a young age to be WRs. So a lot the best athletes at a young age are becoming WR rather than other positions.

 

[zipster9]

Look what the history is in drafting a CB of the Patriots? As bad as drafting a WR....
JC was a undrafted player...

A LB/DT/LT would probably be realistic in 1st round.
2nd round would be LB/WR.

 

[Username]

I am not sure if the Pats draft a CB in the first. I still think the Pats will be more likely to address the front seven. This year showed that if the Pats can pressure the QB with a four man rush, it hides a lot of deficiencies in the secondary. And Belichick has had far more success getting top CBs in free agency, trades, and lower rounds in the draft than he has done with high draft picks. I would rather see him go that route.

When he traded for Talib, Talib was consider an underperforming headache. That is why Belichick got him for relatively next to nothing (the Pats traded a fourth round pick for Talib and a seventh round pick). Gilmore was very good when the Pats signed him, but no one imagined he could be the shutdown CB he turned into. I am wondering if there is a CB out there in free agency that people aren't as high on as Jackson and a handful of others that could come into New England and become a true #1 CB that can go one on one with the top WRs in the league.

I don't think we'll draft him in the first. I'm hoping we get him at the top of the second.

 

[Rob0729]

Look what the history is in drafting a CB of the Patriots? As bad as drafting a WR....
JC was a undrafted player...

A LB/DT/LT would probably be realistic in 1st round.
2nd round would be LB/WR.

It isn’t as bad. The Pats did draft Asante Samuel, Devin McCourty (he was great his rookie year and turned into a Pro Bowl safety). Ellis Hobbs was good considering where he was drafted. Logan Ryan was a good pick. Their record isn’t great, but not as bad as the WR position.

But Belichick hits big with undrafted free agents. Jackson, Malcolm Butler, and Jonathan Jones were all UDFAs.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Olave put up blazing 40 times at the Combine, so yeah, but I think he may be headed into high-first-round territory....I just watched some highlights, and he has excellent acceleration after the catch; no one can get him. However his build is frail and I saw him blanketed by a top CB (but he made the catch) so I cannot tell if he can get open, possibly not. Most of the catches I saw were against big holes in zone coverage. I think he is a risky pick, a guy who test well but cannot get open...

Agreed. Read Olave was awful against press coverage but can't find the article.

 

[borisman]

Jordan Davis WR1.

Imagine him lining up at tackle eligible or worse, at FB, on short yardage and goal-line situations?

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Agreed. Read Olave was awful against press coverage but can't find the article.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Imagine him lining up at tackle eligible or worse, at FB, on short yardage and goal-line situations?

He has

 

[borisman]

He has

yes, I think he scored a TD this past season. I was more referring to his indoctrination to the NFL FB role. Something that will require must see tv. I miss our very own James Develin blowing people up.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

yes, I think he scored a TD this past season. I was more referring to his indoctrination to the NFL FB role. Something that will require must see tv. I miss our very own James Develin blowing people up.

He will, someone will have him divebomb and blow up the line. I hope JJ keeps improving he's come a long way. We love that position though.

 

[captain stone]

Hmmmm that George Pickens looks very good too BB loves Georgia players. Pickens reminds me of a faster better version of Malcom Mitchell.

Supposedly Pickens has been a loose cannon in the past... Why take that chance when there are too many other, just as good if not better, WRs in the 3rd round I would take ahead of him...

 

[captain stone]

What's YPRR? Yards per...?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Supposedly Pickens has been a loose cannon in the past... Why take that chance when there are too many other, just as good if not better, WRs in the 3rd round I would take ahead of him...

Because, if healthy, Pickens can get open in a phone booth and catch a pellet!

But looking at the combine drills and seeing that 3cone drill time, I don’t see a healthy guy.

The medicals are really important on Pickens.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

What's YPRR? Yards per...?

Yards Per Route Ran/Run