Is WR/TE suddenly a need?

[ashley]

I don't think WR is a huge need at this point, maybe add a free agent(Matthews) or draft a lower round practice squad player. I think we have more urgent needs like OT, LB and Pass Rusher.

 

[tasmlab]

If memory serves, the only great WR Bill has ever drafted since Dion Branch was some scrub 7th-round QB conversion from Kent State.

Can't say I really trust the Patriots FO to find a WR with the draft. Then again, maybe we're due to finally hit on one.

 

[maineman209]

If memory serves, the only great WR Bill has ever drafted since Dion Branch was some scrub 7th-round QB conversion from Kent State.

Can't say I really trust the Patriots FO to find a WR with the draft. Then again, maybe we're due to finally hit on one.

Yeah. I don't think that WR has been much of a focus in the draft for BB. I think he prefers players who he's seen perform at the NFL level. Same thing with RBs - even moreso recently as RBs have become increasingly devalued, salary-wise, over the past few years.

Anyway, if you count up all the WRs BB has acquired for the Pats, draftees make up a pretty small percentage. Smaller still when you consider that Bethel Johnson and Brandon Tate were probably drafted primarily as returners.

According to BB himself, Edelman was drafted as a "football player". He'd caught one pass during his entire college career and had never returned a punt or a kick. Similar to Slater, who caught exactly zero passes at UCLA and was listed as a "DB" his last two college seasons. Slater, however, averaged 29 yards on 34 KR as a senior, and ran three of those back for TDs.

 

[captain stone]

Even after the Nicklas & Matthews signings, TE & WR are probably still "needs" (TE moreso than WR), but at this time not as much as LT, LB, DE, CB & SS.