Tracking the Draft Prospects: Wide Receivers

[Super Nomario]

The Patriots gave extensive playing time to three rookie wideouts in 2013 (Dobson, Thompkins, Boyce) and have four others under contract (Moe, Harrison, McGuffie, Dunn). Still, with Edelman a free agent and Amendola's injury woes, the position is far from settled. There was a ton of talent on display at the Combine today, so even though this isn't a position of dire need, there might be good value for the Pats.
 
I think Phragle brought up Allen Robinson, Penn State, in another thread. Robinson's a big body at 6'2", 220 lbs, and his experience under Bill O'Brien would prepare him well for the Pats' offense. Best of all, he ran a slow (4.60) 40, so he might slip to the middle rounds.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xm3MFgJaD4
 
Someone asked Matt Waldman about Cody Latimer, Indiana, in the chat going on right now on the main board. Waldman said he's similar to Dobson, but he likes Latimer better than Dobson, and thinks he might be there in the 3rd-4th round.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GsDaZOK4_M
 
Are we going to draft a Rutgers guy again? If so, could be Brandon Coleman, a massive target a 6'6" 225 lbs. He looked like a potential high pick coming into the season but had a disappointing year; could be a good value.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgHayZKZHIY
 
A couple late sleepers with no video: Damien Copeland dominated the agility drills, much as fellow Louisville alum Deion Branch did years before. He also ran a 4.5 40 and had a 40-inch broad jump. Jeff Janis of Saginaw Valley State bounced back from a terrible senior bowl to have a great combine today, running a 4.42 40 at 6'3", 219 lbs, with great numbers in the 3-cone and good numbers pretty much everywhere else.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Coleman ran two 4.5s at the combine. That's pretty damn impressive at 6'6 225 lbs

 

[RedOctober3829]

@alexmarvez: .@BrandinCooks says he has conducted interviews with 25 NFL teams. 49ers, Patriots, Bengals & Panthers were 4 clubs he mentioned

 

[Super Nomario]

Erik Frenz suggest Alabama's Kevin Norwood as a late-round option for the Pats. He had a great 3-cone at the Combine, and his "strengths" sound very Patriots-y:
 

Solid build. Good hands and concentration -- extends outside his frame and makes the difficult catch. Fine route savvy -- sells his routes with stems and nods. Understands how to get open. Good sideline awareness -- dots the "i." Established rapport with the quarterback is noticeable (is the first receiver sought on broken plays) and keeps working to come free. Very solid personal and football character. Trustworthy, accountable and dependable.

There's the Saban / Belichick connection, and nfldraftscout pegs Norwood as a 6th-round pick, where I think he'd be good value for the Pats as a Collie replacement.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qg6xEdqtwk

 

[Rico Guapo]

Reminds me of another 83...
 
edit: A bigger/stronger version.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Reminds me of another 83...
 
edit: A bigger/stronger version.

 
Possible, but TJ Moe is still on the roster. Could compete hard for a spot with someone like Norwood.

 

[RedOctober3829]

USC wide receiver Marqise Lee might not still be around at No. 29 overall, but if he is, the Patriots could jump. The Patriots showed a lot of interest in Lee at the combine, according to a league source.

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2014/02/scout-greg-robinson-is-best-player-in-2014-nfl-draft-and-other-notes/

I doubt Lee would be around at 29, but if he is I'd take him with no reservations.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

USC wide receiver Marqise Lee might not still be around at No. 29 overall, but if he is, the Patriots could jump. The Patriots showed a lot of interest in Lee at the combine, according to a league source.

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2014/02/scout-greg-robinson-is-best-player-in-2014-nfl-draft-and-other-notes/

I doubt Lee would be around at 29, but if he is I'd take him with no reservations.

 
With the Jets being in an even more of a dire situation at the WR position than the Pats, I doubt it'll slip by them.
 
Fans were clamoring for any one of Watkins/Evans/Lee, and we know the two that definitely won't be on board when Jets pick at #18.
 
Hyped USC products and the NYJ fit like peanut butter and jelly, pepperoni and cheese.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Imposing Rutgers junior wide receiver Brandon Coleman has an intriguing size-speed combination.
The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. He also bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times, the same amount that Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio did.
Coleman also registered a 32.5-inch vertical leap, a 7.33 in the three-cone drill and a 4.51 in the 20-yard shuttle.
Coleman met with the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. He also had an informal meeting with the Washington Redskins.
"I think I did pretty good, I left it all out there," Coleman said. "I just wanted them to get to know who I am as a person and as a player on tape."
 

His 3-cone drill was last among WR that worked out but his 40-yd dash was pretty good for his size.  His role on the Patriots would theoretically be as an outside receiver, but would he be even an upgrade over Dobson?  I think they are different players and I do think the Patriots need a bigger, physical WR who can fight CBs 1-on-1 for the back shoulder throw.  I just am not sure if Coleman is that guy.

 

[lambeau]

Nick Caserio was running the receivers drills at Rutgers Pro Day while a) someone else was signing Revis and b) someone else was doing Pro Day Tuscaloosa. Any Coleman  meaning attached?

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Nick Caserio was running the receivers drills at Rutgers Pro Day while a) someone else was signing Revis and b) someone else was doing Pro Day Tuscaloosa. Any Coleman  meaning attached?

 
A this point, isn't it a foregone conclusion that Coleman is the Pats second/ third round pick? It gives them both a Rutgers player and a reach in an early round. It's too perfect not to happen.

 

[lambeau]

He'll probably be there at #33--I don't know about #62.

 

[mpx42]

What was the last receiver they drafted with that bad of a 3-cone?

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

He'll probably be there at #33--I don't know about #62.

 
Really? I've seen him grading out as a 4th or 5th rounder.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

What was the last receiver they drafted with that bad of a 3-cone?

 
Matthew Slater - 7.31

 

[Super Nomario]

What was the last receiver they drafted with that bad of a 3-cone?

Dobson ran a 7.19 at his Pro Day, which isn't quite as bad as Coleman's 7.33, but it's pretty bad.

 

[Dogman]

 
Really? I've seen him grading out as a 4th or 5th rounder.

 
I haven't seen him higher than a 4th.  

 

[SMU_Sox]

 Pauline – “He has a lot to prove. He was in a no-win situation. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t as far as coming out. They’re going to the Big Ten next year, their quarterback situation is garbage, and he came off the knee surgery and was a fraction of what he was this year.”
“You first have to look at his knee. How healthy is his knee? Obviously it wasn’t healthy. Sometimes they force guys back too soon. He probably shouldn’t have played this year, even though he kept saying before the season my knee is 100 percent, my knee is 100 percent. When you watched him on the field, he wasn’t 100 percent.”
“He has to be in the right system. He’s a big guy who is not especially quick and will have some trouble separating. You have to get him running a lot of underneath patterns and he’s going to have to improve his route running to get separation.”
 

 
Link: Here it is
 
I've seen him as high as a 2nd round pick IIRC but most are 4th +. Same guy as above says could be a 3rd rounder.

 

[soxhop411]

 

[SMU_Sox]

? I'm confused. Is that a star necklace? Do you call it a necklace if it is on a gu?

 

[Marciano490]

? I'm confused. Is that a star necklace? Do you call it a necklace if it is on a gu?

 
Yeah, gu's often wear necklaces with stars, though they usually have 6 points.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Hahhahaa. Serves me right for soshing while driving.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Gil Brandt ‏@Gil_Brandt 3m
Last Friday Belichick and 6 members of his #Patriots staff worked out WR Kelvin Benjamin at #FSU. Big target for Brady?
 

 

[soxhop411]

Are the pats thinking of trading up?

“@DougKyedNESN: The Patriots have now shown heavy interest in Mike Evans, Marqise Lee and Kelvin Benjamin.”


https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/448852011644366848

 

[mpx42]

Pretty certain they do this every year - and then draft none of those players. Wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Are the pats thinking of trading up?

“@DougKyedNESN: The Patriots have now shown heavy interest in Mike Evans, Marqise Lee and Kelvin Benjamin.”


https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/448852011644366848

I'm sure they have strong and heavy interest in Clowney too.  But, it's not going to happen.

 

[mascho]

Benjamin is a late first-early second rounder, so he could be a possibility.
 
Evans and Lee are mocked to go typically anywhere from 11 to 23, from what I have seen.
 
According to the Pick Trade Calculator, to trade up to 18 in this draft the Pats would have to give up their 1st and 2nd rounders.  I cannot see that happening.  

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

Are the pats thinking of trading up?

“@DougKyedNESN: The Patriots have now shown heavy interest in Mike Evans, Marqise Lee and Kelvin Benjamin.”


https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/448852011644366848

 
What is heavy interest, anyway? That they're working these guys out? These guys are all possible #1 WR's, so it really shouldn't come as a surprise that they want as much information about these guys as possible in case one drops, either all the way to 29 or into a range the Pats are comfortable trading up to (maybe they want to know if one is worth trading ahead of the Jets picking at #18?). They don't have that go-to guy so they'd be foolish not to figure out if one of these guys could be a #1 guy in their offense. 
But chances are if we're hearing about them now, we won't be drafting them. Who knows, this could just be the Pats drumming up interest in 3 guys they don't want in hopes that someone else drops. 
 
Edit: And to follow-up on the "drumming up interest" idea, the teams picking right before the Pats at 29 are:
 
28. CAR- Well documented that they have little at WR right now. 
27. NO- Released Lance Moore and lost a receiving RB in Sproles while Colston isn't getting any younger. Depth is needed.
26. CLE- Signed A. Hawkins to be their slot WR, but could use an upgrade opposite Josh Gordon
25. SD- Keenan Allen stepped up as a rookie, but they could use some help here too
24. CIN- Probably okay, but lost Hawkins to CLE and Sanu hasn't been a great #2
23. KC- Not much behind Dwayne Bowe
22. PHI- Probably okay if they hang on to D. Jax. If they move him, this could be another team needing a WR

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  3m
Cumberlands WR Willie Gibson Pro Day: 5-11, 187 4.48 40-yard dash, 34-inch vertical, 9-11 broad jump 13 bench reps, 4.0 short shuttle

 

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  43s
Attending Cumberlands WR Willie Gibson workout: Patriots, Raiders, Bengals, Seahawks, Panthers, Texans, Eagles. Raiders heavily interested

 
This kid intrigues me after watching the lone highlight tape of him which is from 2012. He is a versatile kid who caught passes as a WR, ran the ball out of the slot on reverses and sweeps, and was an explosive kick returner. Albeit against NAIA competition, he showed a willingness to go over the middle and go up and make the tough catch but also has the ability to run by you.
 
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISKZHni0Y5o[/youtube]

 

[RedOctober3829]

Cross-posting from College Sports.
 

Joe Schad ‏@schadjoe 25s
Dorial Green-Beckham has been dismissed from the football program, Missouri announces
 

 
Might there be a supplemental draft just like there was for Josh Gordon?  I'd be OK with the Patriots taking a chance on this guy.

 

[Phragle]

No, a player still has to be three years removed from graduating high school. Otherwise any sophomore could enter the supplemental draft. He'll transfer, and probably enter the 2015 draft. His potential is enormous - Megatron basically. He was more highly recruited, had a better college career, and is taller and faster than Josh Gordon. Same off the field problems though.

 

[RedOctober3829]

The New England Patriots could shock the league by trading up in the 2014 NFL draft. The Patriots are looking to move up in the first round of the draft to find a top-tier wide receiver, team officials told Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman. Head coach Bill Belichick believes a major receiving threat is one of the Patriots’ “main missing ingredients,” Freeman reported Wednesday. The Patriots have shown interest in first-round wideouts Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, Brandin Cooks, Marqise Lee and Kelvin Benjamin. Evans should be a top 10 pick, Beckham and Cooks are expected to be drafted between No. 10 and No. 25 overall and Lee and Benjamin still could be available when the Patriots pick at No. 29.
 

http://nesn.com/2014/04/report-patriots-want-to-trade-up-in-first-round-draft-wide-receiver/

 

[RedOctober3829]

The New England Patriots are adding fuel to the idea that they could use their first-round draft pick on a wide receiver. The Patriots hosted former USC wideout Marqise Lee on a pre-draft visit this week, The National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson reported Friday. Lee is projected to be selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, and he could fall to the Patriots’ No. 29 overall pick. The Patriots met with Lee at February’s NFL Scouting Combine, as well.
 

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2014/04/report-marqise-lee-met-with-patriots-for-pre-draft-visit-this-week/

 

[Super Nomario]

A couple later-round or UDFA options (largely based on Waldman's RSP):
 
Kofi Hughes, Indiana - a high school quarterback who converted to WR at Indiana. He was overshadowed by teammate Cody Latimer and has similar size (6'2" 217) and athleticism (4.5 40) to his fellow Hoosier.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcbhy_CXe3w
 
Jeremy Gallon, Michigan - an undersized (5'7") slot option who has decent straight-line speed (4.49 40 at the Combine) and was very productive for the Wolverines (89 catches for 1373 yards). Waldman's #5 ranked receiver.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAKT9xCNy40

 

[soxhop411]

@mchappell51: Among players invited to NY for NFL draft is IU WR Cody Latimer. Seems his stock is going thru the roof. 1 of 7 WRs on invitee list.”


https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/458978186752442368


“@RavensInsider: Mel Kiper wouldn't be surprised if Indiana WR Cody Latimer goes in the first round. Mentioned Chiefs, Eagles as potential landing spots”


https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/459021769673039873

 

[ZMart100]

I'm starting to like Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis. He's a former walk on, so he probably likes football and knows how to fight through adversity. He's got big hands and seems to catch the ball well. He has experience as a kick/punt returner.  I'm not an expert on the matter, but I like the way he runs his routes and he seems to have a good understanding of coverages.  He reminds me of Kenbrell Thompkins (combine comparison below the spoiler). He makes sense to me in the 4th round (ESPN has him as a 6th rounder, CBS at #96 overall, end of the 3rd round).

Abbrederis vs. Bradley Roby (Ohio St, #5 or so CB in the draft)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szwx3JoMQik[/media]
 

Spoiler

[table Abbrederis-Thompkins]Player Height Weight Hand Arm 40 Dash 3 Cone 20 Shuttle 60 Shuttle Vert Leap Broad Jump Bench Kenbrell Thompkins 6'1 193 8 ¾ 32 ¼ 4.54 6.88 4.21 11.9 33.5 121 8 Jared Abbrederis 6'1 195 9 5/8 31 3/8 4.5 6.8 4.08 11.39 30.5 117 4 [/table]