Edelman was 94th percentile...we didnt draft Welker. It's been a receiver evaluation staple for a while...just something that BB seems to favor.So what's the thought behind a fast 3 cone? And why might he prioritize that equally, if not over, a 40? Genuinely asking. I'll offer my little take and let me know if I'm off base:
A player can have a great 3 cone, but average 40 - and that's okay because not often does an NFL play stretch 40 yds. 3 cone shows burst, quickness, and if you can run sharp routes (not necessarily that you're a good route runner, but at least your shifts won't be rounded out and slow). Is that the belief? If so, that speaks even moreso to your comment on how interesting it is that a bunch of receivers avoided it.
Did Edleman and Welker have great 3 cone times?
simply, quickness is favored over straight line speed. makes sense with all the short to intermediate cross routes the Pats favor.