New England Patriots: Remaining roster holes after the 2020 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Wide Receiver
There may have been two shockers from the Patriots’ 2020 NFL Draft efforts: selecting a kicker, Justin Rohrwasser, awfully early and completely passing on a wide receiver.
Especially considering just how deep this year’s receiving class was.
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The problem at this position, of course, was prompted by the lack of contributions behind veteran wideout Julian Edelman last season. It might have been a signal to second-year pro N’Keal Harry his would-be role this season was in danger had Bill Belichick gone with a wide receiver in either Rounds 1 or 2, although that might have been the kind of push Harry needed.
Still, regardless of whether or not Harry can develop into something noteworthy, it was a bit puzzling New England didn’t take advantage of an awfully deep wide receiver pool.
Bringing aboard two tight ends in Round 3, particularly Devin Asiasi, could help with some of the Patriots’ pass-catching woes, yes.
Even if both rookie tight ends assist here, particularly when it comes to the position being such a boon for young quarterbacks, bringing aboard some wide receivers with the potential to command some serious star power would have been a wise route to take.
The 2021 NFL Draft class is also supposed to be very deep at wide receiver, so perhaps the idea was to bolster other positions of need in what could be a transitional year.
But that doesn’t change this position from being one of need.