Mike Giardi talks Mac-Belichick relationship
Let’s say the Patriots choose to pass on one of the four receivers predicted to go in the first round in the upcoming draft, opting to address another need (offensive tackle, please!) with their 14th overall pick on April 27. This, by the way, is a move that would surprise no one seeing as Bill Belichick’s Patriots have taken a receiver once in the first round, and we all know how that went in 2019. Who, then, are some of the wide receivers the Pats could target on Day 2 of the draft? Whether the Pats are looking for downfield speed, size, quick burst, the ability to get open in a hurry, hands or more, the day two options are plentiful.
Houston’s Tank Dell, who has received praise from Jim Nagy and mock draft consideration from ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan and yours truly, is a prolific speedster with over the top college stats (27 TDs the past two seasons) and crazy quick moves, as seen above. He would certainly fill the middle-of-the-field twitch receiver the Pats have lacked post-Edelman AND also not put offensive stress on his college pal, Marcus Jones. Dipping back into the Houston speed pool could be on the table for the Pats, since it did work out so well with Jones last April.
North Carolina’s Josh Downs is another undersized wideout with sudden quickness in short space, great hands and solid collegiate production, and hardly in a football factory with the Tar Heels. If new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is looking for someone to replicate the Wes Welker role of QB’s best friend (Welker had his two best years statistically under O’Brien in 2009 and 2011), Dell or Downs would fit the mold, bringing immediate production and value without having to expend a first-round pick. Also, he curiously has no pre-draft visits scheduled as of yet.
If it’s the need…the need for speed…the Patriots are still feeling, then Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt could be the answer. Though the team made speed a point of emphasis in the 2022 draft, moving up in the second round to select Tyquan Thornton out of Baylor, Hyatt offers top-end speed and production to match, breaking out with over 1200 yards and 15 TDs his junior season as part of Tennessee’s prolific passing attack. Some may see his skill set as redundant with Thornton, while perhaps others may see his addition as creating the dynamics and downfield threat the Pats passing attack has lacked for years. Hyatt has visited with the Bills and Giants, of note, and some even believe his skills and wild junior season could surprise and land him as a Round One pick.
If you’re still lamenting the Patriots’ 2019 receiver selection of N’Keal Who Must Not Be Named, and the team passing on talents like Ole Miss’ DK Metcalf, who went in the second round to Seattle, then Jonathan Mingo might be the chance to right a wrong four years later. Metcalf has been a stud for the Seahawks, and while Mingo isn’t an identical match (he’s a touch smaller), he has been comped to some bigger receivers of recent years (AJ Brown 2.0 anyone?) who’ve found success in the NFL. He has a solid combination of speed, size and hands that would make him a good fit in just about any system, hence why he’s had so many pre-draft visits to date.
If the “collegiate injury providing for draft day value” route is to be traveled again by New England, then Stanford’s Michael Wilson, Jr. could be an option (he’s met with the team already). A fifth-year senior, Wilson had a good mix of size and productivity, but couldn’t stay on the field the past three seasons (six games was his peak the past three seasons). He was also a team captain, making his combination of leadership and experience a plus for the Pats, who value that combination. Could also see him falling into Day Three, rounds 4-7, as well.
Another successful Volunteer projected to make plays at the pro level is Cedric Tillman, another big receiver with great collegiate production (NFL.com rates him as an eventual plus level starter). An ankle injury derailed his ascension on the national ranks, following a monster junior season for the University of Tennessee. Some wonder if that injury has eaten into his speed, while others believe he could be a better pro prospect, due to his size and all-around game, than teammate Jalin Hyatt. If having NFL lineage is a plus then put that in Tillman’s favor as his father, Cedric Sr., played four seasons in the NFL from 1992-1995.
And if the annual Michigan draft pick (the Patriots have selected a Wolverine each of the past four seasons) is to be split out wide then Michigan’s Ronnie Bell could hear his name called. Though not outrageously productive at college, he does offer a solid overall complement of skills and experience, having played part of five seasons with the Wolverines. Sadly, injuries were a part of his extended collegiate stint, but with a clean bill of health now Bell could vault from a program Bill Belichick respects immensely into a versatile option with a value price for the Patriots offense.
For more on potential Patriots receiver fits, make sure to check out the 6 Rings & Football Things receivers report (listen below) and stay tuned for the latest Pats draft news and updates from 93.7 FM WEEI and WEEI.com.