Everyone is screaming the Patriots need a number one. I don't really agree. However, if the Patriots bring in a number one it should be a number one in their system. Here are the receivers I am interested in seeing the Patriots acquiring at the moment. They're all not number ones but could possibly improve the Patriots core and might annoy some fans.
Chris Olave Ohio State 6'1" 190 LBS
38 games - 175 catches - 2702 yards - 35 TDs
Bleacher Report: "Overall, Olave projects as a Day 1 starter as an inside and out "Z" WR for any NFL offense due to his comfort level with an assortment of concepts and his steady and consistent play style. His versatile skillset as a receiver can translate to any offense."
Garrett Wilson Ohio State 6' 188 LBS
32 games - 143 catches - 2213 yards - 23 TDs
33 PRs - 6.2 average
Crabbs TDN: "Ideal role: Slot receiver (in a high-volume passing offense) Scheme tendencies: Vertical offense, shallow crossers, option routes, play-action kill shots"
Jahan Dotson Penn State 5'11" 184 LBS
42 games - 183 catches - 2757 yards - 25 TDs
25 PRs - 13.5 average - 1 TD
Matt Holder: "He fits more into the second- or third-round category as I worry that he can only be effective on intermediate and deep routes, given his limited yards after catch skills and ineffectiveness in the red zone. That being said, there aren’t going to be many speed demons who can track the ball and catch it as he can. The Nittany Lion would be an excellent fit as a ‘Z’ or off the line of scrimmage outside receiver, or as a slot that forces safeties to play deep."
John Metchie III Alabama 6' 195 LBS
30 games - 155 catches - 2081 yards - 14 TDs
TDN: "Ideal Role: Metchie has the versatility to play both Z and the slot where he can use his speed to stretch the field vertically."
Justyn Ross Clemson 6'4" 205 LBS
38 games - 158 catches - 2379 yards - 20 TDs
NFLDraftBuzz: "If Ross hadn't had a devastating injury while at Clemson we would likely be looking at him as a day one pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Currently, Ross represents a bit of a risk - he no doubt is an elite talent as a slot receiver: posses elite hands, has an excellent catch radius, runs perfect routes, and is somehow amazing in the open field."
Romeo Doubs Nevada 6'2" 200 LBS
43 games - 225 catches - 3322 yards - 26 TDs
37 PRs - 12.5 average - 1 TD
John Vogel: "Doubs projects as a Z receiver at the next level, a complementary option, with X receiver potential. He has both size and speed while playing a more physical style of receiver. He could be a starter immediately in the right scenario."
Skyy Moore Western Michigan 5'10" 195 LBS
30 games - 170 catches - 2473 yards - 16 TDs
Stampede Blue referred to Moore as, "the lightning-quick Z receiver," and said, "He’s a great route runner who’s also a lethal deep threat."
David Bell Purdue 6'2" 205 LBS
29 games - 232 catches - 2946 yards - 21 TDs
Bleacher Report: "Overall, Bell projects as a No. 2 type of receiver who can align inside as a "Power Slot" and outside as a Z receiver. His strength, body control and ball skills will get him playing time early in his career, but he needs to continue working on his technique and overall effort to ascend to more."
Charleston Rambo Miami 6'1" 185 LBS
40 games - 155 catches - 2352 yards - 16 TDs
13 KRs - 25.1 average
Marino TDN: "Both at Oklahoma and Miami, Rambo primarily aligned as an outside receiver with occasional reps from the slot. Ideal Role: Developmental Y receiver. "
Danny Gray SMU 6'1" 180 LBS
35 games - 151 Catches - 2537 - 27 TDs
7 carries - 70 yards - 2 TDs
21 KRs - 21.6 average and 18 PRs - 6.7 average
John Vogel wrote, "Danny Gray best projects as a possession-style Z receiver at the next level with limited upside. I don’t know if Gray can ever be a starter in the NFL."
Jerreth Sterns Westen Kentucky 5'9" 195 LBS
4 years - 371 catches - 3907 yards - 35 TDs
28 carries - 73 yards - 2 TDs
44 PRs - 5.6 average
Andrew Wilbar wrote, "Although Sterns may not have world-class speed, he displays great quickness in and out of cuts. He is also a fantastic route-runner who can consistently create separation. It is true that he has produced on both the inside and the outside, but in the NFL, he will likely be limited to the slot. "
Jaivon Heiligh Coastal Carolina 6'2" 200 LBS
45 games - 191 catches - 2825 yards - 22 TDs
26 PRs - 6.7 average
Chris Pflum said, "He (Heiligh) would be best used as a flanker, or out of the slot, where he can get more free releases and make use of his burst off the line of scrimmage."
Long shots and Dark Horses :
Jaquarii Roberson Wake Forset 6'1" 182 LBS
29 games - 146 catches - 2158 yards - 17 TDs
In 2020 PFF wrote, "The highest-graded slot receiver through Week 9 is none other than Wake Forest’s Jaquarii Roberson. With Waddle out for the season with an injury, Roberson is now the most productive slot receiver, generating 4.25 yards per route run. Not only does that lead the FBS, but it's also twice the FBS average."
Velus Jones Jr. Tennessee 6' 200 LBS
59 games - 120 catches - 1434 yards- 11 TDs
15 carries - 3.9 yard average - 1 TD
122 KRs - 24.4 average - 2 TDs
John Vogel said, "Velus Jones Jr best projects into a spread offense as a #2 “Z” receiver option to compliment the main boundary receiver. Jones works well both on the perimeter and out of the slot and would be a good fit in most NFL offenses."
Jequez Ezzard Sam Houston State 5'9" 190 LBS
23 games - 118 catches - 2529 yards - 27 TDs
52 PRs - 11.7 average - 28 KRs - 24.3 average
John Blair wrote, "he likely projects solely as a slot receiver in the NFL due to both his size and the fact he is not overly physical."
Jalen Virgil Appalachian State 6'1" 210 LBS
54 games - 98 catches - 1436 yards - 11 TDs
16 carries - 3.4 average - 1 TD
38 KRs - 30.1 average - 3 TDs
NFL Draft Buzz: "A versatile weapon, proving to be effective inside in the slot and outside on the perimeter. Makes plays at all levels of the field." Who is "generally reliable receiver capable of making difficult catches in traffic over the middle or one on one down the sideline."
Jared Smart Hawaii 6' 190 LBS
49 games - 202 catches - 2497 yards - 15 TDs
Another day 3 - Z receiver hindered by coach Todd Graham changing the system and the quarterback play at the university of Hawaii. Smart is a fine case of why mobile quarterbacks lack of focus on their passing skills can hurt a pass catcher.
Justin Hall Ball State 5'9" 186 LBS
54 games - 318 catches - 3385 yards - 18 TDs
122 carries - 7.1 average 10 TDs
36 KRs - 26.1 average - 1 TD
21 PRs - 8.1 average
NFL Draft Buzz "He is quicker than fast and lacks elite wheels to simply blow by defenders, but he has good football speed. Has a knack for getting open and is a quarterback's best friend - passers just need to toss the ball in his area and he'll come down with it."
Tre Turner Virginia Tech 6'2" 190 LBS
43 games - 143 catches - 2292 yards - 14 TDs
53 carries - 8.3 average - 4 TDs
Marino TDN: "Turner has the makings of a top-three option for an NFL passing game with inside/outside versatility and appeal at all levels of the field."
Ben Natan wrote, "Justin Hall is an explosive player that Ball State uses in their passing game, running game, and special teams. His speed allows him to deliver whenever he gets the ball and the NFL should be interested in a receiver with his ability to make big plays."
The Patriots could use to upgrade their receiving core in 2022. They could use another stretch guy. As far as a number one, i have said it depends on what's considered a number one. Other than Moss, when was the last time the X was the number one in New England? From what I read almost every one of these guys could play the Slot or Z receiver role. Those are the types of receivers I think the Patriots view as a number one, mainly the slot.
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