In 2019, Jakobi Meyers was the Patriots surprise offensive player. The undrafted receiver had a better season than first round draft pick N'Keal Harry. Ask Patriots fans who is going to be this year's offensive surprise and they'll tell you Damien Harris.
Harris is the safe choice, just like Harry was last season. This season, I am telling you the surprise player is going to be the undrafted wideout from Auburn. I know it's unfair to put pressure on a rookie but it's already there if you look at his back story.
The kid has been scouted by Belichick since his high school days. Belichick is friends with Hastings' high school coach. Back then, Hastings was an onside kicker. That ability and versatility that he brings would come in handy If the Patriots have another injury at kicker.
Belichick has been watching game film of Hastings since high school and has had Hastings in his locker room every year since then. In fact, his talents were so known that both Matty P. And Joe Judge, two head coaches from the Belichick system were at his pro day just for him. The head coach of a team just doesn't go scout anyone, there has to be something about the player.
Hastings was made from the same mold that produced Wes Welker and Julian Edelman. He's not just a slot guy but that's were he'll excell. Hastings can also play the flanker role, help on special teams or if need line up as the place or onside kicker.
In 28 games he caught 56 balls for 845 yards and 6 touchdowns. Not an impressive stat line for a college career. However, Hastings suffered 2 ACL injuries. The second one in 2018 was why Stidham wasn't a first round quarterback and why Hastings went undrafted. It's why both men are Patriots.
Justin Trombino wrote "In addition to having great footwork and skills, Hastings has the necessary speed — he ran a 4.49 40-yard-dash — to get behind the defense for a deep route. He also averaged 15.1 yards per reception for his career despite being a smaller receiver, and is reminiscent of the Houston Texans’ Will Fuller in this regard."
On top of his forty time, he had a 6.55 three cone, a 33" vertical, and a 4.03 shuttle time. Which is going to help on drag, flat, and quick slant passes from the slot. Anyone who follows the Patriots knows the three cone drill is the most important stat when it comes to Patriots players.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote Hastings "Split low with low center of gravity, Makes rhythmic changes of direction on the move. Has burst to separate coming out of speed cuts, Short-area quickness and footwork are his strong suits. Alters route speed at appropriate times, Gets the ball upfield quickly after the catch. Adequate straight-line speed for a slot target, Recruited by four small schools as onside kick specialist."
Hastings is being compared heavily to Wes Welker because they share so many of the same abilities and traits. Being compared to such a legend in New England is going to put a lot of stress on the youngster to perform.
The Patriots are planning on Stidham being the starter now that Tom Brady has gone. We saw the Chemistry between Meyers and Stidham. That's almost as good as what he had with Hastings at Auburn, so why not go and get Stidham's go to guy in college.
If the chemistry is still there, and If I were a grambling man, I would bet the Patriots are banking on it; He has a huge advantage over almost everyone other than Meyers, Harry and Edelman. I expect him to be practicing with the first team rather quickly.
After Hastings was signed Auburn coach Malzahn said "the interest from Pats coach and general manager Bill Belichick and his staff had been tangible since at least Auburn's 2019 season..."
It might sound like Hastings is guaranteed a roster spot, that's not quite what I'm saying. Being a Belichick guy, Hastings is going to have a tougher road ahead. Bill is going to expect more from Hastings then the other guys. Bill isn't just going to hand Hastings a place on the roster, he's going to have extra expectations to earn it.
Edelman, Meyers, Hastings, and Harry will make the 2020 roster. The question is who takes the fifth spot in the death chart. The Patriots are now loaded again with Talent, talent with a lot of potential and uncertainty. The 2020 receiving unit is going to surprise a lot of people.
If Tom Brady was around it would be almost impossible for any of the younger guys to reach their full potential and to make the team. With Brady gone all of the remaining pass catchers will have a shot at making the 53 man roster.
There is a lot of hype surrounding the Patriots undrafted receivers this season. It could be why the Patriots haven't brought back any former pass catchers. Hopefully that hype translates into one of the most exciting camp battles we've seen in a long time in Foxboro.
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