Time for New England Patriots to draft a top wide receiver now
The New England Patriots’ last big draft investment for a wide receiver came in 2019 when the team selected N’Keal Harry. That was a disaster, as Harry has underwhelmed for three years and will not likely be on the team in 2022. That notwithstanding, the team should step up to the plate and draft a wide receiver in one of the top two rounds in 2022.
With Bill Belichick’s surprisingly dismal record of drafting wideouts in past years, why recommend a different tactic in the 2022 draft? There are several clear reasons why they should depart from the norm and do so.
The New England Patriots desperately need a No. 1 receiver
A great draft in 2021 delivered the New England Patriots their quarterback of the future, Mac Jones. Jones had a solid 2021 rookie season and led the team to the playoffs before falling off the table in the last few games. Still, that was not a bad performance at all. Assuming that Jones dedicates himself to getting prepared for his future, it should be a bright one both for him and the team.
To complement Jones, the Patriots need to do what they failed to do in many of the seasons where they (fortunately) had the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, at the helm of the offense: load up on top wide receiving talent. They seldom did, and the six Super Bowls they won could easily have reached double-digits if they’d gone full-throttle in the mid-aughts (and gotten a few breaks).
The Patriots should not make the same mistakes with Jones. Currently, the team does not have a No. 1 wide receiver on the roster. They have a solid pair in Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne, but they are not No. 1 receivers. It’s time to rectify that shortcoming, and one way to do so is in the NFL draft in April.
The New England Patriots will have lots of receiving talent to choose from
Fortunately, the 2022 draft is once again loaded with wide receiver talent at the top and elsewhere. It also is a deep draft throughout, and it is quite likely that top receiving wide receiver talent will be available to the Patriots in the first, second and maybe even third rounds. That’s an asset to a team that desperately needs one.
While it has been suggested that the team also sign a top free agent wide receiver (an unlikely possibility, unless Amari Cooper wants to play hardball), adding a No. 1 to Meyers and Bourne would be a superlative upgrade. The choices here are clear. The best option will be to select the best available receiving talent in the draft whose standing will likely be lowered because of his late-2021 season ACL injury. That would be Jameson Wiliams of Alabama.
Williams is not only the likely most talented wide receiver in the draft (absent injury), but also the best kick returner and special teams gunner as well. What’s not to like? If the Patriots can be patient and let his injury fully heal (and that’s where signing a top wideout in free agency would help immensely), they will hit the jackpot with Williams.
Alternatively, they could trade down. They could then take another wide receiver later, e.g Williams’ teammate John Metchie III, also from Alabama and also injured late in the 2021 season (ACL tear) a bit later on (if they are fortunate). Another option might be Skyy Moore from Western Michigan or Christian Watson from North Dakota State. Trading down would garner additional picks and allow the Patriots to fill another important position in the first round like offensive tackle, an important need.
The New England Patriots had a stellar 2021 draft under then Director of Player Personnel Dave Ziegler. Ziegler has since moved on to Las Vegas and Matt Groh has filled his position. Hopefully, Groh will do the right thing and draft a wide receiver early to fill the No. 1 role. The Patriots’ ineptitude in recent years in selecting a top wide receiver should not deter them from this. It’s time, and the need remains. Please make it so.
