The New England Patriots may not need another receiver for 2022, but they certainly should begin thinking about adding one to contribute in 2023.
New England can take the time to draft and develop a receiver or two this year. DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers should comprise the top unit. New England could slow play a rookie, who might not need to take a starting role until 2023 when the team will have just Bourne and Parker on contract. So it’s a good year for the Patriots to potentially look for value all over the draft to support Mac Jones and the passing attack in the coming years.
I’ve based the availability of receivers on the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator. Let’s dive in.
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Round 1: Chris Olave, Ohio State
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
He might be my favorite prospect for the Patriots in this draft class. It’s not clear if he will fall to New England at 21. In fact, it’s starting to feel likely there is a big run on receivers before the Patriots pick.
But if Olave falls to the Patriots, he’s a no-brainer to add to their offense. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver finished the season with 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns receptions. NFL.com’s Lance Zuerlein compares Olave to Terry McLaurin. Olave is a savvy route runner with tremendous speed and agility. He would be a WR1 in short time.
Round 2: John Metchie, Alabama
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Metchie might be the player that draft analysts project to the Patriots the most. He is likely to be available in the second round — though draft analysts are promising that he won’t make it out of Round 2, even with him recovering from an ACL injury that he suffered in the college football playoffs.
Nick Saban supposedly once said that Metchie is the epitome of what a receiver should be. That kind…
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