Most analysts and fans agree the New England Patriots need to get more from the wide receiver position in 2022. And that a new, speedy receiver will aid in the development of second year quarterback Mac Jones. The people who share those beliefs will like the first significant update regarding the Patriots coming out of the combine.
According to Outkick.com’s Armondo Salguero the Patriots are set to meet with a trio of top wide receiver prospects at the start of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis; Alabama’s Jameson Williams, Ohio State’s Chris Olave and Treylon Burks out of Arkansas. Experts say 2022 is expected to be another strong draft class for wide receivers.
Williams, a tall playmaker with great speed, would likely have been the top receiver off the board had he not torn his ACL in the National Championship Game vs. Georgia. Whether or not Williams rehabilitates enough to make any on-field contributions this season is uncertain, thus has draft status is a bit more in flux. He could be more of a draft-and-stash type of redshirt rookie in 2022.
Olave, a bit more slight than Williams, is a legitimate playmaker with great ball skills and a tremendous resume, averaging just about a touchdown a game during his four-year career with the Buckeyes. You may remember him from his breakout performance in the College Football Championship Semi-Final vs. Clemson (6 rec, 132 yards, 2 TDs). Many thought Olave would go pro last spring but he elected to return for his senior season, which turned out to be his best season to date.
Burks, a bit more of an unknown, is the most impressive physically of the three (6’ 3” 230 lbs). While some compare his body type to (gasp!) N’Keal Harry there’s no denying Burks has greater speed and plays quicker than the 2019 Patriots first-round Draft pick. Plus he has massive hands, measuring 10.25 inches, which is larger than most of the top NFL receivers. Burks’ best game with the Razorbacks was last November, when he went off against Alabama for eight catches, 179 yards and two touchdowns, an impressive audition against the right opponent (Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban called Burks, “a great receiver”.) NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry had even mocked Burks recently to the Patriots in the first round.
All three receivers are expected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming draft. The Patriots hold the 21st overall pick in the upcoming draft. Whether they try and dip their feet back in the high end receiver pool after the disappointment of N’Keal Harry (no need to remind everyone what receivers were selected after Harry) will make for one of the top storylines heading into this year’s draft.
The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine runs from March 1st-7th in Indianapolis. The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft is scheduled to start Thursday April 28th, 8pm EST from Las Vegas, Nevada.