As we await the start of Training Camp later this month I \u00a0will fill the void with my Roster Analysis.\u00a0 This has generated some conversations, both Pro and Con.\u00a0 We continue with Part 4, the much-maligned receiving corps.<\/p>\n
N\u2019Keal Harry<\/strong> \u2013 Harry has been a major disappointment.\u00a0 The former 1st<\/sup> round selection looks like he doesn\u2019t belong in the NFL.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe the Patriots scouts and draft personnel could not see these flaws in the draft’s workouts.\u00a0 I have read that Harry was a pick by BB and he ignored the advice of his scouts and made the pick himself.\u00a0 I am hoping that Harry is dealt before the 53 man cutoff.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have him making the team in my Pre-Camp 53 man Roster prediction coming out just before camp starts on July 28th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n Gunner Olszewski<\/strong> \u2013 Fearless was the title of Julian Edelman\u2019s book.\u00a0 You can use that word to describe Olszewski.\u00a0 You might even say Gunner is like a whirling dervish, a Tasmanian devil.\u00a0\u00a0 He throws his body around, taking no regard for his own safety.\u00a0 Olszewski was named AP All-Pro as a Punt Returner.\u00a0 His 17.3 average set a franchise record and was the 2nd<\/sup> highest since the merger of the AFL and NFL.\u00a0 He added 5 receptions for 62 yards and a TD (12.4 avg).\u00a0\u00a0 Given the opportunity, I like Olszewski as a replacement for Julian Edelman.\u00a0 They are a fascinating comparison at this stage of their careers.\u00a0 Both players played other positions in college, Edelman QB and Olszewski CB\/FS.\u00a0 Edelman had several advantages.\u00a0 He played QB, so he already knew the pass route tree and he played FCS Division I football. Olszewski was a Division II player. \u00a0Edelman is one of the quickest players to play the slot position.\u00a0 At 5\u2019 10.4\u201d, 195 lbs he ran a 4.52 40 yard dash (40), 3.92 Short Shuttle (SS), and a 6.62 3-cone drill.\u00a0 The Short Shuttle would have been the tops at the combine.\u00a0 Olszewski is 6\u2019, 190 lbs and ran 4.56 40, 4.37 SS, and 6.88 3-cone.\u00a0 Not near Edelman\u2019s numbers, but nothing to sneeze at either.\u00a0 Can he develop into that clutch slot player?\u00a0 He will definitely be one of 5 WRs I have making the team because of his return ability.<\/p>\n Nelson Agholor<\/strong> \u2013 One of the two WR Free Agent signings this offseason.\u00a0 He stands 6\u2019, 198 lbs and runs 40 in 4.52, 4.34 SS, 6.88 3-cone drill.\u00a0 He is more quick than fast.\u00a0 The former #1 selection by the Eagles in 2015, had his best season in 2020 with 48 receptions for 896 yards and averaged 18.7 yards per catch.\u00a0 He also added 8 TDs.\u00a0 In 2017 with the Eagles he had 62 catches, 768 yards, 12.4 average with 8 TDs.\u00a0 Against the Pats in SB LII, Agholor had 9 catches for 82 yards.\u00a0 What does he bring to the Patriots?\u00a0 The 6th<\/sup> year vet brings experience and great route running.\u00a0 Las Vegas threw the ball deep last year and Agholor was the beneficiary.\u00a0 He turned that into a big payday and I think the Pats overpaid to acquire his services.\u00a0 I expect the Patriots to throw deep, off of play-action passing, but not often.\u00a0 In comparison to the rest of the league, Agholor won\u2019t be in the top 50 WRs.\u00a0 With the signing of two premier TEs, he will be fighting them for limited targets.\u00a0 \u00a0Agholor is the #1 wide receiver on the team and unless he is injured during pre-season, will be on the 53 man roster.<\/p>\n Kendrick Bourne<\/strong> \u2013 The second Free Agent WR is a possession receiver.\u00a0 He runs good routes and is reliable. \u00a0He will be in the right place at the right time.\u00a0 He stands 6\u20191\u201d, 203 lbs and runs 4.68 40, 4.21 SS, and 6.73 3-Cone.\u00a0 Like Agholor, he is more quick than fast.\u00a0 His 40 time aligns with Jakobi Myers.\u00a0 San Francisco signed him as an Un-Drafted Free Agent (UDFA) after the 2017 Draft.\u00a0 He was very productive in college with back-to-back seasons of 70 catches, 982, and 1207 yards respectively.\u00a0 He added 15 TDs in those seasons.\u00a0 At Eastern Washington, he wasn\u2019t their best WR, that honor went to Cooper Kupp.\u00a0 He will make the team but his role is unclear, as it appears to be a duplicate of Myers.<\/p>\n Jakobi Myers<\/strong> \u2013 An UDFA signed after the 2019 draft, Myers led the Patriots in receptions last year with 59.\u00a0 He had 729 yards for a 12.4 average.\u00a0 However, he had no TD receptions.\u00a0 He did have two TD passes.\u00a0 He became the #1 target, but near the goal line, he was invisible!\u00a0 Is that his fault for not getting separation or his QB fault for not looking for him?\u00a0 At 6\u20192\u201d 203 lbs, he runs a 4.63, 4.23 Short Shuttle, 7.07 3-cone.\u00a0 Again, another possession receiver with good short-area quickness.\u00a0 I see him battling with Bourne for playing time, but ultimately making the team.<\/p>\n Tre Nixon<\/strong> \u2013 He was the celebrated last selection of the Patriots in this year\u2019s draft.\u00a0 Nixon was selected by Ernie Adams as a gift from Belichick for his long service to the team.\u00a0 Standing 6\u2019 and 187 lbs, he runs a 4.44 40, 4.25 SS, and 6.81 3-cone drill.\u00a0 He is fast but not a polished route runner.\u00a0 He lacks the 2nd<\/sup> gear to separate from DBs.\u00a0 In 2019 for the UCF Golden Knights, he had 47 receptions for 776 yards and a 15.1 average, chipped in 7 TDs.\u00a0 Before the 2020 season, Nixon was selected to the Biletnikoff watch list.\u00a0 In the first game, he broke his collarbone and missed all but the last three games.\u00a0 He managed 15 catches for 212 yards and 2 TDs.\u00a0 His average was 16.1 yards.\u00a0 Adams didn\u2019t forget him, so given his ability to find the diamond in the rough as he did with David Givens, Nixon shouldn\u2019t be overlooked.\u00a0 He may not make the team, but I suspect that he will have a spot on the Practice Squad if he shows well in pre-season.<\/p>\n Isaiah Zuber<\/strong> \u2013 Enigma is the word to describe Zuber.\u00a0 At Kansas St, he played 3 seasons and started 25 consecutive games his RS Soph and RS Junior seasons.\u00a0 He finished his career at K State with 141 catches, 1522 yards, and 10 TDs.\u00a0 He chose to transfer to Mississippi State as a graduate student with one year of eligibility left.\u00a0 That was a disastrous move, as he only started 3 games and had a 14-211-2 stat line for the season. \u00a0He was suddenly off everyone\u2019s radar for the 2020 draft.\u00a0 The Patriots picked him up as a UDFA.\u00a0\u00a0 He appeared in 4 games for the Patriots last year, reverting back to the Practice Squad each time.\u00a0 Appearing that many times is a credit to Zuber. \u00a0Most rookies don\u2019t get that opportunity.\u00a0 Zuber is 5\u2019 11.2\u201d, 190 lbs, runs an estimated 4.42 40.\u00a0 Some of the drawbacks for Zuber are; he drops too many passes; can\u2019t hold onto the ball after contact, and he runs at one speed without that burst to separate himself from the DBs.\u00a0 You need to watch him in pre-season practices and games.\u00a0 He is right on the cusp of making the team.<\/p>\n Kristian Wilkerson<\/strong> \u2013 This is a player acquired off waivers from the Tennessee Titans at the final cut down last year.\u00a0 The report was, it was difficult for TEN to decide who to cut.\u00a0 Wilkerson was open and caught everything thrown to him in pre-season.\u00a0 The 6\u20191\u201d 200 lb (Patriots.com has him at 214 lbs), runs a 4.5 40, 4.09 SS, and 6.68 3-cone drill.\u00a0 The SE Missouri (FCS) school product had a hell of a career there.\u00a0 It was nice to see Wilkerson practicing with Jarret Stidham and the other veteran WRs during the impromptu off-season workout in California. \u00a0He is fighting for that last spot on the roster.<\/p>\n Devin Smith<\/strong> \u2013 The former 2015 2nd<\/sup> round pick of the New York Jets was signed by the Patriots to the Practice Squad in December 2020.\u00a0 Later he was re-signed to a Futures contract as soon as the season ended.\u00a0 Smith had a prolific career at Ohio St.\u00a0 He finished his career with 121 catches for 3,503 yards and 30 TDs.\u00a0 For his career, he averaged over 20 yards per catch.\u00a0 He played in 53 games for the Buckeyes and as a true freshman, caught a game-winning pass to defeat Wisconsin with 20 seconds left on the clock.\u00a0 He stands 6\u2019 186 lbs, ran 4.37 (handheld) and 4.42 (electronic) 40 at the combine.\u00a0 His SS was excellent at 4.15 and his 3-cone was 6.83.\u00a0 The 3-cone was performed at his Pro Day.\u00a0 He hurt a hamstring and couldn\u2019t do the 3-cone at the combine.\u00a0 \u00a0Not much is expected from Smith during camp.\u00a0 If they should catch lightning in a bottle and Smith does shine, then they are better for it.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see him making the team.<\/p>\n Devin Ross<\/strong> \u2013 a late addition to the Patriots roster after a tryout. \u00a0Per Mike Reiss, a Patriots scout attended a workout in San Diego and invited Ross to try out with the Patriots at the mandatory Mini Camp. \u00a0He was signed at the conclusion of the mini-camp once some housekeeping was done on the roster.\u00a0 The Patriots cut a 2nd<\/sup> Long Snapper, Wes Farnsworth to sign Ross.\u00a0 The former Colorado Buffalo was in camp with the Patriots last season but was a final cut.\u00a0 He was signed to Practice Squad but then cut after 4 weeks.\u00a0\u00a0 Ross is short at 5\u20199\u201d, 192 lbs, ran a 4.52 40 at his Pro Day, 4.23 SS, 6.94 3-cone drill, and a Vertical Jump of 35\u201d.\u00a0 He might be a poor man\u2019s version of former Panther Steve Smith.\u00a0 I think Smith is just camp fodder, but let\u2019s see what happens in camp.\u00a0 Smith is a long shot to make the team, but we have seen stranger things come cut down day.<\/p>\n Marvin Hall<\/strong> \u2013 Has speed to burn.\u00a0 The Washington product stands 5\u201910\u201d, 190 lbs, and ran 4.28 40 at his Pro Day.\u00a0 Reports out of Detroit state that he is a threat to score every time he has the ball in his hands. There is no question about that.\u00a0 Last season for Detroit, he had 4 catches for 113 yards in a game against IND.\u00a0 Originally, he was signed as a UDFA by OAK in 2016.\u00a0 I think he is just a camp body and has little chance of making the team unless his speed stands out in practice and games.<\/p>\n Next Up \u2013 TE, FB, and Special Teams<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We continue with Part 4, the much-maligned Patriots receiving corps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":37152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[22197,22534,2048,22231,22144,22508,22518,22651,2005,1695,44,22592],"class_list":["post-37293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-devin-ross","tag-devin-smith","tag-gunner-olszewski","tag-isaiah-zuber","tag-jakobi-myers","tag-kendrick-bourne","tag-kristian-wilkerson","tag-marvin-hall","tag-nkeal-harry","tag-nelson-agholor","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-tre-nixon"],"yoast_head":"\n