2025 Draft: WRs

[Rdforty2]

Luther Burden seems a classic boom bust prospect. Hayden Winks and Josh Norris do some good breakdowns on YouTube of the WR and RB class. They were pretty disparaging of Burden. He just has super high bust potential.

I think Jayden Higgins might be the best fit for the Patriots based on the need for a perimeter guy (Vrabel mentioned WR’s who can win contested catches this offseason a couple of times) and value, given he should be available around where we pick in the 2nd.

It all depends on where Burden goes. If he lands in the top 20? Sure, there's high bust potential. You need an impact starter in the 1st.

If he goes on the 2nd, the risk goes down significantly. Sure, you still want an impact player because it is still a high pick. But, unless his attitude takes him out of the league(and I have no idea the extent of all that), i don't see how he completely busts. He has shown explosive ability on all levels of the field. He suffered this year with the guys around him and all they did was scheme up short touches for him. He certainly needs work. At worst, hes a gadget player that occasionally makes big plays. If he reaches his potential, he's guy some similarities to Malik Nabers, or a more explosive Amon-Ra. Yeah there is boom or bust stuff there but if don't think it's bust that hes N'Keal Harry. He's a bust in the Cordarrelle Patterson/Ted Ginn way. He won't be a featured part of the offense, but he'll make plays.

 

[PatsFan2]

That 4.61 pedestrian 40 time leaves a lot to be desired maybe Round 5 flier. Same goes for Ricky White very disappointing runs by both.

 

[PatsFan2]

From Zierlein

"Weaknesses​

• Production took a noticeable dip against his best competition.
• Lacks acceleration and top-end speed to blow by coverage.
• Doesn’t have burst to gain real separation out of turns.
• Had problems with bad focus drops in 2022 and 2023.
• Offers below-average run-after-catch ability.
• Could use additional strain in his run blocking on the perimeter."

4.61 40 time Round 7 now after that report: might be a Donkey is football clothing.

 

[bakes781]

Just going to leave this here....

 

[manxman2601]

Just going to leave this here....

Which games did he watch? Furman, Middle Tennessee or Georgia Southern?

 

[bakes781]

Which games did he watch? Furman, Middle Tennessee or Georgia Southern?

Salty much lol

 

[manxman2601]

Salty much lol

That's a strong response in defence of his abilities.

 

[State]

That 4.61 pedestrian 40 time leaves a lot to be desired maybe Round 5 flier. Same goes for Ricky White very disappointing runs by both.

Whoa. Whoa. Check out my man Ricky White Jr’s pro day 40. Something in the 4.4 range.

Jack Bech and Ricky White/Tai Felton would add the infusion of talent and enthusiasm to our lacklustre WR room.

Bech is a must have. Great character.

 

[State]

 

[Patriot Missile]

I was studying WR stats to find receivers that fit what Vrabel said he's looking in a WR as regards being good on contested catches and YAC and I'll do a seperate post on that but one really intriguing name came up. Now based upon what happened at the Titans, I'm working on the theory that the offense under Vrabel could be one features play action deep passes as a key aspect of the offense so including both of those ideas, we'd be looking for a deep threat receiver who's good on contested catches and gets plenty of yards after the catch.

To that end, here's Deont'e Thornton Jnr of Tennessee. He's 6-5, 214lbs and allegedly runs in the low 4.4s.

First here's what he's not. He's not someone with wiggle or someone who runs a complex route tree or someone who's highly productive (only 26 receptions on 34 targets this season).

What he is, is a dangerous deep threat. He scored 6 TDs from those 26 receptions. He leads all draft eligible receivers on yards per reception with 25.5 and on YAC/RR on 10.7. He's 3rd on y/RR with 3.74 and has a contested catch rate of 75%.

NFL Draft Buzz have him ranked in the 5th round but he could be a combine riser. He's not DK Metcalf but he's similar in how you would play him.

Glad you started this thread Manxman. I don’t think there has been a board member here in my 20 years I trust more at scouting WR than yours. You’ve of had quite a few wins over the years had we drafted them. Without a doubt the first Aj Brown fan way before he was being mentioned. Hammering for Terry McClaurin. Then there was Patton who may have fit here a little better than in Frisco.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Which games did he watch? Furman, Middle Tennessee or Georgia Southern?

I like Furman. Greenville, SC. You don't like Greenville?

 

[manxman2601]

I like Furman. Greenville, SC. You don't like Greenville?

Never been. I'm sure it's very nice.

 

[manxman2601]

Whoa. Whoa. Check out my man Ricky White Jr’s pro day 40. Something in the 4.4 range.

Jack Bech and Ricky White/Tai Felton would add the infusion of talent and enthusiasm to our lacklustre WR room.

Bech is a must have. Great character.

With all the talk about giving Polk and Baker a second chance, I'm starting to think we'll only draft the one WR, and if that's the case, I hope that happens before day three. Ricky White, Felton and, another I'll throw in, Nick Nash, are all excellent day three prospects. I just think we need to fill any WR hole before then.

There is one exception I would make and that's Dont'e Thornton just because he offers something so rare at 6'5" and a 4.3 forty.

 

[bakes781]

Glad you started this thread Manxman. I don’t think there has been a board member here in my 20 years I trust more at scouting WR than yours. You’ve of had quite a few wins over the years had we drafted them. Without a doubt the first Aj Brown fan way before he was being mentioned. Hammering for Terry McClaurin. Then there was Patton who may have fit here a little better than in Frisco.

I like to think I've got a good eye for WR talent myself. I was calling for Cooper Kupp in 2017 and Deebo Samuel that same year as AJ.

But its not a competition lol

 

[PatsFan2]

What the hell happened at the Combines?? Nervousness?? Well Ricky White could be add in the Firth Round now.

 

[PatsFan2]

Whoa. Whoa. Check out my man Ricky White Jr’s pro day 40. Something in the 4.4 range.

Jack Bech and Ricky White/Tai Felton would add the infusion of talent and enthusiasm to our lacklustre WR room.

Bech is a must have. Great character.

I'm really high on Tai Felton too love his game.

 

[Headcase]

What the hell happened at the Combines?? Nervousness?? Well Ricky White could be add in the Firth Round now.

Proday 40s almost always universally improve, colleges are on the record as making them as player friendly as possible: turf vs grass; inside vs outside; even slight grades to the track. On top of that most of them still hand time as opposed the the laser finish of the combine.

 

[manxman2601]

They give him a Chris Godwin comp as his upside.

 

[PatsFan2]

@manxman2601 we know this WR class is Does not compare to last years. But one of the Strengths I realize in this class is the Potential Slot WR's. This Class is Loaded and Jack Bech wouldn't be my first choice. It's going be interesting to see who McDaniels likes. I think we can get our guy from Round 3 onward. Tai Felton - Chimere Dike and Isaac TeSlaa.

 

[manxman2601]

@manxman2601 we know this WR class is Does not compare to last years. But one of the Strengths I realize in this class is the Potential Slot WR's. This Class is Loaded and Jack Bech wouldn't be my first choice. It's going be interesting to see who McDaniels likes. I think we can get our guy from Round 3 onward. Tai Felton - Chimere Dike and Isaac TeSlaa.

It's certainly a dood draft for WR 2 and WR 3 types. I like all 3 you mention but I'm hoping we're drafting a WR before day 3.