How to improve the WR position

[BaseballJones]

The Patriots have a so-so group of wide receivers. They're definitely not great, but I don't think they're terrible. I'd say lower third in the league, but you can win games with that group. Seattle's WR group in 2014 was pretty meh and they came within a Malcolm Butler interception of winning the Super Bowl (and they had won it all the year before). Of course they had an all-time great defense. But Baltimore won in 2012 with a decent, but not great, group of WRs.

That being said, I think it's important that somehow the Patriots improve the WR room. Current guys:

Agholor
Meyers
Bourne
Thornton
Parker
Nixon

Of that group, Agholor and Meyers are UFA, leaving the Patriots with Bourne, Thornton, Parker, and Nixon. I know opinions are low on Agholor, but he's a competent NFL receiver. Meyers is pretty good, if unspectacular. Losing both means that at a minimum, there are two roster spots that need to be filled (by WRs obviously), but it's also a chance to get better there.

The problem is twofold: First, there just aren't many great WRs available as free agents this year. Look at this list:

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/wide-receiver/?ref=trending-pages

Uninspiring. Basically few available WR FAs are better than Meyers, for example, yet all the Meyers-level guys are going to command pretty good money. More money, likely, than the Pats will want to spend for a Meyers-level WR.

But second, this also isn't a great draft for WRs. There are a few really good ones - and of course we never know who will turn out great; maybe some 4th rounder nobody has ever heard of becomes a star, who knows. But it's not a deep draft at the WR position; it's nothing like the last few years when there's been a veritable plethora of elite WR talent available.

So what's the best route for the Pats to improve at WR? Overspend for a good, but not great, WR in free agency? (and if so...who?) Spend their first round pick on one of the few top level WRs in the draft, even when they have glaring needs at OL and CB? Or go the trade route and see if they can pry an elite WR from some other team, and if so, who and at what cost?

 

[Mooch]

I'd take a long look at Odell Beckham. If healthy, he would solve a lot of problems for this offense.

 

[bsj]

Either bring in a pure #1 or make a move to get one of the few elites in the draft. What i am sick of is trying to build a team of WR 2's and 3's and hope one pops.

 

[chilidawg]

I'd re-sign Meyers to start, I think he's the most dependable of the current bunch. Take a shot in the draft to fill the Agholor slot.

I'd rather spend money/picks on the Oline and cornerback.

 

[BigJimEd]

Either bring in a pure #1

Any thoughts on who you'd like to see?

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

Seattle's WR group in 2014 was pretty meh and they came within a Malcolm Butler interception of winning the Super Bowl (and they had won it all the year before). Of course they had an all-time great defense. But Baltimore won in 2012 with a decent, but not great, group of WRs.

Those are eons ago in NFL time. Pats: Edelman, Chiefs: Hill, Bucs: Evans + Godwin, Rams: Kupp have all been on the past four winning SB teams with Kupp(didn't play in the SB), Woods, Cook, Deebo, Hill, Chase + Higgins on the losing sides.

You need a clear-cut number 1 in today's NFL.

This year's final four: Chase + Higgins, Deebo, AJ Brown, and KC has Kelce who may be able to make up for a lack of a number 1.

 

[DJnVa]

Any thoughts on who you'd like to see?

If we're dreaming a bit, Tee Higgins. Bengals are gonna have to pay Burrow and Chase.

 

[Cellar-Door]

So here is the list of some of the best WRs available in FA.....
Juju Smith-Schuster
Jakobi Meyers
Allen Lazard
Parris Campbell
DJ Chark
Marvin Jones
Darius Slayton
Sterling Shepard (torn ACL)
Julio Jones (washed/broken?)
Richie James
Nelson Agholor
Greg Dortch


It's grim out there.

Personally I probably try to re-sign Jakobi, if you get priced out move on to someone in the Camplbell, Chark, Slayton group. I then see what WR options fall to me in the 2nd and 3rd round of the draft. If nothing falls right I look to the trade and cut market, names likely to be there are... Corey Davis (Jets probably cut him, but may trade) and old friend Brandon Cooks.

 

[Van Everyman]

You need a clear-cut number 1 in today's NFL.

I didn’t agree with that going into this season and while the current crew didn’t exactly prove me right, I’m still not sure it’s true because Mac had so little time to throw.

One suggestion I saw from Chad Graff in The Athletic was for the Pats to cut Parker, and use the money you’d have to pay an elite guy like Hopkins to re-sign Jakobi and sign Juju.

I wasn’t sure I totally agreed with it because I actually thought Parker and Mac had a pretty decent connection once the season got going. But Parker has a tough time staying on the field, so I’d consider it.

 

[BaseballJones]

Those are eons ago in NFL time. Pats: Edelman, Chiefs: Hill, Bucs: Evans + Godwin, Rams: Kupp have all been on the past four winning SB teams with Kupp(didn't play in the SB), Woods, Cook, Deebo, Hill, Chase + Higgins on the losing sides.

You need a clear-cut number 1 in today's NFL.

This year's final four: Chase + Higgins, Deebo, AJ Brown, and KC has Kelce who may be able to make up for a lack of a number 1.

I'm not sure I agree with your premise, but let's grant it. Who, then, should the Patriots get to be their clear-cut number 1 WR?

 

[BaseballJones]

It's a difficult problem to solve. What I want is for the Patriots to utilize PLAYMAKERS as much as possible. And to me, their playmakers currently on the roster are:

- Bourne
- Thornton
- Marcus Jones
- Rhamondre

Bourne just seems to make things happen when he gets the ball. Thornton has raw physical tools that jump off the page. Marcus, well, we've seen what he can do with the ball. And Rhamondre is a bruiser, but man he turns nothing into something like nobody I've seen in a Pats' uniform in a while.

But two of those guys just completed their rookie year and had a total of 26 receptions and 3 carries. It's tough to imagine them suddenly exploding next year in the offense. Bourne, for whatever reason, struggles getting on the field. I don't know what his deal is. Attitude? Behavior? I don't know, but the guy makes plays. Sadly, he only was on the field for 60% of the offensive snaps just 4 games all year. Frustrating. And Rhamondre does struggle some with ball security.

So I'd love another playmaker (or two). No clue who those guys are though.

 

[Jinhocho]

What do folks think of Jeff Smith from bc and the Jets. He is a restricted fa and didn't play too much but he looked good when playing the lions.

My thinking is trade for a good receiver like Hopkins, sign a cheap surehanded receiver like Smith, and draft one more.

That would give you Parker and Hopkins, then Bourne Thornton and Smith. Can Smith play the slot or Nixon?

 

[Jimbodandy]

Best way to improve the WR production is better quarterbacking. That will be easier with better tackles, OL coaching, and a real OC.

For drafting, basically do the opposite of whatever Bill normally does. If there's one glaring weakness on the Belichick resume, it's finding WR talent. Considering how long that the man has been buying the groceries, his performance at both FA and draftees is worse than random monkeys on typewriters.

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

I'm not sure I agree with your premise, but let's grant it. Who, then, should the Patriots get to be their clear-cut number 1 WR?

If we're going off the players listed a vast majority are drafted. In recent off-seasons, we've seen #1s get traded too, but you can't really count on that. Hill, Davante, and AJ were great pick-ups for their teams.

Maybe Higgins can be pried loose since he only has a year left and Chase + Burrow will get expensive af. I'm not convinced he's a top-dog, tbh. He had 8 games with fewer than 50 yds receiving this year.

Given the Pats' situation, Thornton needs to take the leap or they need to get their guy in April. I don't see another path toward getting a true #1. Maybe BOB can provide fresh eyes headed toward the draft. Having a guy with recent hands-on experience in the NCAA sure can't hurt.

 

[BaseballJones]

If we're going off the players listed a vast majority are drafted. In recent off-seasons, we've seen #1s get traded too, but you can't really count on that. Hill, Davante, and AJ were great pick-ups for their teams.

Maybe Higgins can be pried loose since he only has a year left and Chase + Burrow will get expensive af. I'm not convinced he's a top-dog, tbh. He had 8 games with fewer than 50 yds receiving this year.

Given the Pats' situation, Thornton needs to take the leap or they need to get their guy in April. I don't see another path toward getting a true #1. Maybe BOB can provide fresh eyes headed toward the draft. Having a guy with recent hands-on experience in the NCAA sure can't hurt.

Agreed, but this is why this is a problem. There just aren't many elite WRs in this year's draft. @SMU_Sox - can you tell us who the actual best WRs in this class are, and whether they can be true #1s in the NFL?

 

[Toe Nash]

But Baltimore won in 2012 with a decent, but not great, group of WRs.

Sorry to nitpick but Anquan Boldin is one of the best receivers ever and while he was older, he was amazing in that playoff run. I think you need someone who can get open in crucial downs to consistently move the ball on offense though it doesn't have to be a wide receiver.

I think they need to try to re-sign Meyers and I would cut Agholor for the cap space which IIRC would be a big chunk. But I don't see a big splash happening. Hopefully BoB figures out how to utilize Bourne and Thornton takes a step forward.

 

[BaseballJones]

Boldin was one of the "best receivers ever"? Eh....

I mean, he was good. But in 2012 he caught 65 passes for 921 yards and 4 touchdowns. 58% catch rate.

Meyers this year: 67 catches for 804 yards and 6 touchdowns. 69.8% catch rate.

I'm not saying Meyers is in Boldin's class. I'm saying that 2012 Boldin was nothing special. He was good, yes. Not great. Not an elite receiver at that point.

Boldin was a really good receiver for a long time. Not "one of the best receivers ever", I don't think.

 

[luckiestman]

What do folks think of Jeff Smith from bc and the Jets. He is a restricted fa and didn't play too much but he looked good when playing the lions.

My thinking is trade for a good receiver like Hopkins, sign a cheap surehanded receiver like Smith, and draft one more.

That would give you Parker and Hopkins, then Bourne Thornton and Smith. Can Smith play the slot or Nixon?

This guy is a pretty good ST player and will catch the ball, that’s it, imo.

Pats should resign Meyers and use their 1st pick on the best WR (if the value makes sense). You guys need oline help too but BB can figure that out later in the draft.

 

[BaseballJones]

This guy is a pretty good ST player and will catch the ball, that’s it, imo.

Pats should resign Meyers and use their 1st pick on the best WR (if the value makes sense). You guys need oline help too but BB can figure that out later in the draft.

What if re-signing Meyers costs like $14 million a year? Still worth it?

 

[luckiestman]

Boldin was one of the "best receivers ever"? Eh....

I mean, he was good. But in 2012 he caught 65 passes for 921 yards and 4 touchdowns. 58% catch rate.

Meyers this year: 67 catches for 804 yards and 6 touchdowns. 69.8% catch rate.

I'm not saying Meyers is in Boldin's class. I'm saying that 2012 Boldin was nothing special. He was good, yes. Not great. Not an elite receiver at that point.

Boldin was a really good receiver for a long time. Not "one of the best receivers ever", I don't think.

14th all time in yards with some big seasons mixed in. Not something worth arguing over unless you’re defining “one of the best” very narrowly.

 

[luckiestman]

What if re-signing Meyers costs like $14 million a year? Still worth it?

Probably. WR is getting expensive and Mac is still cheap. Need to find out if he can play so you need guys for him to throw it to.

 

[Toe Nash]

Boldin was one of the "best receivers ever"? Eh....

I mean, he was good. But in 2012 he caught 65 passes for 921 yards and 4 touchdowns. 58% catch rate.

Meyers this year: 67 catches for 804 yards and 6 touchdowns. 69.8% catch rate.

I'm not saying Meyers is in Boldin's class. I'm saying that 2012 Boldin was nothing special. He was good, yes. Not great. Not an elite receiver at that point.

Boldin was a really good receiver for a long time. Not "one of the best receivers ever", I don't think.

Boldin is 9th in career receptions and 14th in career receiving yards. What are you talking about?

The Ravens offense was bad for most of 2012 and right before the playoffs they made changes on their offensive line and suddenly Flacco had all day to throw. Boldin had 22 catches in 4 playoff games for 380 yards. You can look all this stuff up.

 

[Saints Rest]

The last couple years are the first in the BB era where the team didn't have an ace in the slot. A guy who the QB knew would be open 6 yards out on a 3rd and 5. Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman. Meyers is sort of weird one, he's not exactly in the mold of those three, being more of a hybrid guy. I'd like to see them find someone to fill those monstrously big shoes.

This was made worse by being coupled with theft they lacked an ace 3rd down back. A guy who could get open as a safety-valve/check down, but also a guy who would make the right decisions on blitz pickups. I think Rham was much better than most had originally guessed at making plays in the air, but he never impressed me on his decisions on blitz pickups. Again, Faulk, Vereen, White. I wonder if Pierre Strong could be that guy (I expect to see Rham as the main RB, but he'll need a breather a lot more than he had for many of this year's games).

 

[BaseballJones]

14th all time in yards with some big seasons mixed in. Not something worth arguing over unless you’re defining “one of the best” very narrowly.

Right. I mean, a good receiver for a long period of time. That's how you accumulate those kind of numbers.

 

[BaseballJones]

Boldin is 9th in career receptions and 14th in career receiving yards. What are you talking about?

The Ravens offense was bad for most of 2012 and right before the playoffs they made changes on their offensive line and suddenly Flacco had all day to throw. Boldin had 22 catches in 4 playoff games for 380 yards. You can look all this stuff up.

As I said, a good receiver for a long period of time. That's how you rack up those numbers.

Eli Manning: #10 all time in passing yards. #10 all time in passing touchdowns. With a couple of great seasons thrown in. Even has two SB titles. In no way is he one of the "best QBs of all time". He's just good and has done it for a LONG time, thus accumulating a ton of big numbers.

But whatever.....sure, ok, let's say Anquan was one of the best receivers ever. Ok.

 

[ShaneTrot]

Why have they not tried harder to find the Brown/Welker/Edelman replacement? They need a slot guy that can get open quickly and pick up a first down. BB had that from 1999-2020, it has been a feature of this offense. Plus after losing White last year, they miss the RB who can do that, as well. Stevenson has great feet, decent hands, and power but he is not elusive as White was and they wore him out this year.

 

[Carmine Hose]

If you can get your OTs in FA, then you can use your first rounder (even trade down a little) to get Michael Mayer. Even after losing Tyreek Hill, the KC passing offense is unreal because of the receiving weapon Kelce is.

I don't think you want to overpay Jakobi just because he was the best of your pile of meh. I suspect if he left elsewhere for a big deal, he would quickly not be worth the money. I'm hoping other teams realize that and NE becomes his shrunken market.

And they need the quick, sticks moving slot guy.

 

[8slim]

When the Pats passing game has really been humming (putting aside the Moss years because, he's a unicorn) it was never *just* the WR unit that did it. The Pats always had a dynamic pass-catching RB and a strong red-zone TE threat (before Gronk there was Watson, Graham, etc).

It doesn't seem like they'll be able to sign a real #1 WR, so I think they'll need to consider a trade *and* upgrade the 3rd down back/red zone TE spots. Maybe Henry is that guy and this past season was all on the O scheme.

*edit* And I agree that they need their next Edelman. Even if it's an Amendola-like poor man's version of Edelman. Meyers is nice, but he ain't that guy.

 

[bsj]

Any thoughts on who you'd like to see?

Not to be too abstract here, but start by looking at the list of the top WR available by trade or FA and just focus on the top 10 or so. No more looking for a guy in the 30s who may elevate. Agholor...Parker...perfectly fine #2 or 3 options, but not 1's.

It's just a very slim list in FA this year. First two moves re obviously letting Agholor walk and finding a way to re-sign Meyers. Meyers is a solid reliable #2 or #3 type option. Probably the best option on the FA market this year.

I wonder if we can pry Brandin Cooks from the Texans? He's got two years left on his current deal. I am not a salary expert but I feel like if it is restructured via the addition of a 3rd year, it may not be THAT much worse than the Agholor deal in the end? I love Hopkins, but I get the feeling its going to be another one of those "just missed" situations where he is one year older and will one want a contract one year longer than Belichick is ok with. Plus the BoB factor. Michael Thomas feels too injury prone and may be a bit too pricey. I really have no read on Beckham other than to say that despite a seemingly mutual admiration, at least one if not both sides have consistently seemed demotivated to turn that attraction into a marriage when previous opportunities have arisen.

Cooks
Meyers
Parker
Bourne
Thornton

This 5-some feels remarkably competent, and i could even see them punting Bourne in this scenario, but likely only if they feel really good about another young WR in the first couple rounds.

 

[tims4wins]

I like the idea of Cooks for a mid round pick. He’s not a traditional 1 but we need someone to stretch the field vertically more than the current roster.

 

[ehaz]

If you can get your OTs in FA, then you can use your first rounder (even trade down a little) to get Michael Mayer. Even after losing Tyreek Hill, the KC passing offense is unreal because of the receiving weapon Kelce is.

I don't think you want to overpay Jakobi just because he was the best of your pile of meh. I suspect if he left elsewhere for a big deal, he would quickly not be worth the money. I'm hoping other teams realize that and NE becomes his shrunken market.

And they need the quick, sticks moving slot guy.

I’m not a scout but according to PFF at least, Mayer doesn’t project to play a Kelce-type sort of big slot receiving role. They compared him to a Jason Witten-type TE receiver and think he’s a good blocker too (but I know others here have serious doubts about his blocking technique—no idea if these issues are coachable).

“If you’re drafting Mayer thinking you’ll get a Kyle Pitts or Travis Kelce or George Kittle, I’d temper expectations. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Mayer is stylistically much closer to a Jason Witten than any of the tight ends listed above. Mayer, like Witten, lacks the long speed to be a consistent downfield separator. Despite Witten’s athletic limitations, though, he still had a six-year stretch where he averaged 92 catches and 1,018 yards a season. It’s very easy to see Mayer slotting into such a role because he was precisely that at Notre Dame. He went over 800 yards in each of the past two seasons with 138 catches and 16 scores over that span. Even without blazing speed, Mayer still led the draft class with 20 receptions on targets 10-plus yards downfield.”

Edit: Also FWIW, PFF considers TE to be among the deepest position groups in the draft. Not sure if Mayer would be the best value for a team that could really use a long term tackle solution and has some other holes.

Daulton Kincaid is apparently the best “big slot WR in a TE body” type this year. But I don’t think the Pats usually draft that type of guy.

Luke Musgrave is the high-potential athletic freak at TE and PFF has him as their #2 TE behind Mayer. He barely played this year due to injury. Musgrave might make sense outside of the 1st round as a sort of Gronk situation (Gronk obviously showed a lot more in college despite also dropping due to injury). What do folks here think about him? Here’s what PFF had to say:

“Musgrave has that all-around combination of size and athleticism everyone is looking for at tight end. You don’t have to wait for the NFL Combine for his physical tools to turn heads, though, as it shows up routinely on tape. He’s one of the only tight ends in the class who I saw striding away from defensive backs on tape.

The only worry is how little we got to see of it. Musgrave didn’t really blossom into a featured role until this past season, and then it got cut short only two games in due to an undisclosed injury. He racked up 11 catches for 169 yards and a score in those two outings, but it’s such a small sample to project forward. Musgrave would have easily been a slam-dunk first-rounder if he continued that pace all year.”

 

[bsj]

I like the idea of Cooks for a mid round pick. He’s not a traditional 1 but we need someone to stretch the field vertically more than the current roster.

He's not a traditional 1, but he is quite a bit closer than what we have IMO, and would really complement Parker and (if we keep him) Meyers insofar as skillset.

 

[j44thor]

I like the idea of Cooks for a mid round pick. He’s not a traditional 1 but we need someone to stretch the field vertically more than the current roster.

If you want a field stretcher just sign DJ Chark for $$. He is younger and will certainly cost less both in acquisition and contract.
I'd like to see them take a flier on Chark to replace Agholor.

 

[Saints Rest]

Why have they not tried harder to find the Brown/Welker/Edelman replacement? They need a slot guy that can get open quickly and pick up a first down. BB had that from 1999-2020, it has been a feature of this offense. Plus after losing White last year, they miss the RB who can do that, as well. Stevenson has great feet, decent hands, and power but he is not elusive as White was and they wore him out this year.

Now I know who has me on Ignore . . .

 

[Bongorific]

Looking at the FA list, this is either trade or draft.

I'd look at DJ Moore. Elite talent that had a down year because Baker has tunnel vision.

Perhaps Jeudy or Sutton is available. Broncos needs to replenish the picks they spent on Russ.

 

[tims4wins]

If you want a field stretcher just sign DJ Chark for $$. He is younger and will certainly cost less both in acquisition and contract.
I'd like to see them take a flier on Chark to replace Agholor.

That could work.

 

[Bowser]

We really should give Tyquan an opportunity to become our field stretcher, no? I'm also not in favor of dipping into the FA market, even to resign Meyers, as it's just too expensive. I'd rather give Meyers' targets to Bourne. And Bourne's to ... Marcus Jones!

I don't see a WR worthy of the 14th pick, but we do need to keep investing, perhaps on Day 2 or early Day 3. Rashee Rice, Xavier Hutchinson, Ronnie Bell, someone like that because, as @BaseballJones noted, you never know when you'll stumble onto the next WR sensation.

If you can get your OTs in FA, then you can use your first rounder (even trade down a little) to get Michael Mayer. Even after losing Tyreek Hill, the KC passing offense is unreal because of the receiving weapon Kelce is.

+1. We need a TE who can run. I'm not sold on Mayer, though, mostly for reasons of value. There are others that can be had in Rounds 2 and 3. LaPorta intrigues.

 

[CoolPapaLaSchelle]

Anyone have big feelings about Adam Thielen as a trade candidate? Minn can save $13m by moving on from him post 6/1, and they are going to have to pay Jefferson a boatload shortly. What would we have to give up to land him, and what would he add to the offense?

 

[wilked]

I’m a big Meyers fan, they should re sign him for sure

 

[Cellar-Door]

If you want a field stretcher just sign DJ Chark for $$. He is younger and will certainly cost less both in acquisition and contract.
I'd like to see them take a flier on Chark to replace Agholor.

I kinda like Chark, but Cooks is a lot more than a field stretcher, he's a much more versatile (and to my mind better) WR than Chark. We have a field stretcher already, we drafted him in the 2nd round last year.

 

[bsj]

Anyone have big feelings about Adam Thielen as a trade candidate? Minn can save $13m by moving on from him post 6/1, and they are going to have to pay Jefferson a boatload shortly. What would we have to give up to land him, and what would he add to the offense?

I have always liked Thielen but have been uneasy how he has fallen off since his peak years. Only way I would consider is he is a very cheap short term Meyers replacement for a year.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I know he has fallen a bit, but I still think you can get Mike Evans for probably a 5th or so. At 13 million for one year, that's a reasonable option imo.

Tampa is likely to cut him otherwise, assuming Brady is gone. Guess you could go after him when he becomes available, but I doubt he'll pick NE.

 

[tims4wins]

Anyone have big feelings about Adam Thielen as a trade candidate? Minn can save $13m by moving on from him post 6/1, and they are going to have to pay Jefferson a boatload shortly. What would we have to give up to land him, and what would he add to the offense?

Belichick loves him

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZWbYZy9FV4&ab_channel=budleewiser

 

[Phil Plantier]

From further down the FA list:

What will Arizona tender Dortch at?

Maybe Equanimeous St. Brown will be a useful piece?

 

[Jungleland]

It's strange, this is among the least clear the back end of the top tier of receivers has felt in a long time. It's very easy to list out the top 8 or so WR, al of which are truly untouchable. (Personally I think the idea that the Bengals would trade Higgins, who's somewhere in that 7-12th best range, a year early is farfetched.) But when I think about who in that top 30 WR range I'd like to see the team target in a trade, I really come up short on feeling like anyone is a clear candidate. For example, I've seen Jeudy's name thrown around a lot as a potential trade target, but it's really not clear to me if he's that good or still coasting on his pre-draft reputation.

As far as the FAs, it's a pretty horrible class. It's not clear to me that Meyers isn't the best FA WR this year, and I think it's very possible he ascends to borderline star status if he lands in the right situation. I like Juju and Lazard a lot, too, but I imagine they'll both also command significant $$.

Lower tier guys that look capable of being productive in a good situation: Parris Campbell, Deandre Carter, Noah Brown

The three I'm torn on are Slayton, Hardman, and Chark - the first two both played really well at times this year, but I would have some Agholor 2020 compared to the last two years concerns. And Chark has also really flashed at times, but he's Parker-level injury prone.

And I'll keep beating the drum for Marvin Jones as the old guy potential camp cut.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Now I know who has me on Ignore . . .

FWIW, it's good to see the conversation steered towards the WR roles that we need instead of the "we need a true #1" talk. And I think that you're not alone in thinking that a strong slot option is probably the biggest need. Of course the biggest game-changers in football are often Xs, and those guys are great, and we don't really have one (probably). But the Pats offense has generally been hung on having great slots who can keep the chains moving and exploit zones and LBs in space.

Even if we somehow hold onto Myers (I love Myers too), someone with great quick burst footspeed next to him would be awesome. That doesn't prevent us from upgrading at X or adding another X to Thornton.

 

[Saints Rest]

We really should give Tyquan an opportunity to become our field stretcher, no? I'm also not in favor of dipping into the FA market, even to resign Meyers, as it's just too expensive. I'd rather give Meyers' targets to Bourne. And Bourne's to ... Marcus Jones!

I don't see a WR worthy of the 14th pick, but we do need to keep investing, perhaps on Day 2 or early Day 3. Rashee Rice, Xavier Hutchinson, Ronnie Bell, someone like that because, as @BaseballJones noted, you never know when you'll stumble onto the next WR sensation.

+1. We need a TE who can run. I'm not sold on Mayer, though, mostly for reasons of value. There are others that can be had in Rounds 2 and 3. LaPorta intrigues.

I still think that the best idea for a slot receiver in the Troy Brown/Wes Welker/Julian Edelman mold is another successful punt returner -- Marcus Jones. Edelman managed to learn a new position in the pros why not Jones!

 

[DJnVa]

Daulton Kincaid is apparently the best “big slot WR in a TE body” type this year. But I don’t think the Pats usually draft that type of guy.

If you want a late round TE that could be the "WR that plays TE" look at Zack Kuntz, from ODU. He's 6'8, 250. He was banged up as a senior (he transferred from PSU) but as a junior had 73 catches for 700 yards for a team with shaky QBing.

Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #11. He wrote "At 6-8 1/4, 251 pounds, Kuntz is an eye-popping blend of great size and athleticism. This offseason he clocked a 4.57 40 to go with his 40-inch vertical and 10-8 broad jump. His explosiveness is also reflected in a 365-pound clean."

...he can be billed as a super-sized wideout with the hands, athleticism and size to star in the NFL.

Zack Kuntz Tight End Old Dominion | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report (nfldraftbuzz.com)

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

DeAndre Hopkins wants a trade. Reunite the Hopkins/BoB pair. Give a 2nd rounder+

Win a SB.

 

[ShaneTrot]

Now I know who has me on Ignore . . .

I have no one on ignore, my lazy eyes did not read your post. Great minds think alike.