The Patriots receiving corps is one of the thinnest and least exciting in the NFL. This year’s wide receiving class offers several first round talents.
Of the many holes the Patriots have to fill this offseason, it is hard to debate that WR isn’t their biggest need (other than a QB). To create a dynamic offense, the Patriots have to acquire some receiving talent to help the run game and give opposing defenses several threats to worry about. This year’s Patriots offense was much too predictable.
Cam Newton didn’t help the situation, but the passing game was close to non-existent as receivers struggled to get separation from their coverage. Opposing defenses were free to focus on Damien Harris and Sony Michel in the run game. Those two backs still did damage as well, which has to make you think a competent quarterback and legit receiving threats could completely open up this offense.
N’Keal Harry is approaching full flop status for the Patriots after being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has shown flashes of brilliance and the team hasn’t given up on him, but if the Pats can find an arm-wielding QB through trade, free agency or the draft and Harry still can’t find his way with the organization, Bill Belichick will be more than ready to cut ties.
Jakobi Meyers is looking like another great undrafted free agent find for Belichick, but should not be the number one option as he was this season. One huge question mark for this team’s receiving group is Julian Edelman‘s return. At 34 years old, Edelman is no spring chicken and his injury history is certainly concerning. With one year left on his contract, it would be great to see Edelman return for one last hurrah and take some of these younger receivers (especially Meyers) under his wing.
This year’s free agent WR class is absolutely stacked with talent. If the Patriots decide to spend big money elsewhere, though, this year’s wide receiver draft class is debatably comparable to 2020’s monster class. Let’s take a look at some pass catchers New England could take at their No. 15 slot.
DeVonta Smith – Alabama
This year’s Heisman Trophy winner was the first WR to win the award in nearly three decades. 20 touchdowns for Alabama certainly helped his case. Look for him to put in work for the Crimson Tide during this year’s College Football Championship.
Smith is a footwork king and can create separation against even the stickiest of college CBs. He’s also great at making defenders miss in the open field, featuring great after the catch efficiency.
His small frame may give scouts a bit of pause, but putting on muscle shouldn’t be a problem for this young man.
The Nick Saban x Bill Belichick connection lives on and if Bill is gearing up to pick a wide receiver in the first round of this year’s draft, you can be sure he will take a prolonged look at Alabama’s two first-round talents.
Jaylen Waddle – Alabama
Waddle only got to suit up for four games for Alabama this season before suffering an ankle injury that has held him out ever since. There is a chance he could return for the College Football Championship, which would be a great story for the kid.
The four games he did play this season for the Crimson Tide were mightily impressive to the point that he is close to a lock to be a top three receiver off the board in this year’s draft.
Waddle is an absolute speedster and burns college defenders all-day. A great ball-tracker and vertical threat, he is great at making the difficult catch.
The Patriots lack a true big-play threat, and Waddle could bring that and speed to a receiver corps that really has neither of those traits. He is also a great return man, and you know that is music to Bill Belichick’s ears.
If Waddle’s ankle is seen as back to 100% by people in the organization, he seems like a perfect weapon for New England.
Rashod Bateman – Minnesota
Bateman is quite possibly the most interesting first-round receiving talent in the 2021 draft class. After initially opting out of the 2020 college season, Bateman opted back in…followed by him opting out again shortly afterward to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Bateman remains a first-round talent nonetheless. He has a competitive toughness unparalleled by any other receiver in this draft. Contested catches are one thing, but Bateman can stiff-arm the best of them to create great yards after the catch.
Bateman gets great separation from his defender, even though he can get jammed from time to time.
His lack of play and production this season may cause some out of sight, out of mind effects on scouts, but when it comes down to it, Bateman is a top-of-the-draft talent.
Is the first round of the draft the best route for the Patriots’ search to bolster their receiving corps?
After a QB is checked off the list, he’s going to need some weapons to throw to. The WR position is certainly a prominent one again in this year’s NFL draft, but the free agent receiving class may be a better direction for what should still be a competitive Patriots team.
Names like Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin don’t hit UFA status every day (although they could be franchise tagged). Even some lower-tier pass catchers like Will Fuller or Marvin Jones would be great gets for New England.
If either of those two names out of Alabama are available, though, Bill Belichick will have to take a long and hard look at what they could bring to that receiving room. The Alabama to New England transition is easier than you’ll see from most college programs, and both of these young players offer game-breaking abilities in their own ways.
3 recent first-round draft picks Bill Belichick definitely wish he could do over
The New England Patriots haven't drafted particularly well over the last six or so years, and Bill Belichick definitely wishes he could have these back.