Sixteen Early Potential Receiving And Special Teams Back Draft Prospects In The 2022 Draft

They patriots need to look at bringing in a pass catching back. I don't think J.J. Taylor is the future and who knows what's going to happen with Bolden or White. The offense relies too much on a good pass catching back not to make sure they have depth in youth. Even if it's a UDFA. Here are some prospects the Patriots could acquire from this draft class. 

Quick Note: there are two receivers that I like better as a third down receiving back.

Kenneth Walker Michigan 5'10" 210 LBS

32 games - 481 carries - 5.8 average - 35 TDs

19 catches - 136 yards - 1 TD

7 KRs - 19.9 Average

Bleacher Report "He is comfortable catching the ball, but he will need to refine his routes to expand his game even more. And he has the athleticism and body control to do so."

Wan’Dale Robinson Kentucky 5'11" 185 LBS

31 games - 141 carries - 4.9 average - 4 TDs

195 catches - 2248 yards - 10 TDs

11 KRs - 21.5 average

Crabbs TDN "I think his contributions on special teams, in the screen game, as a vertical receiver or quick game target, and potentially as a scatback out of the backfield will offer an NFL team a sizable menu to work with."

CJ Verdell Oregon 5'8" 210 LBS

37 games - 541 carries - 5.4 average - 26 TDs

59 catches - 619 yards - 4 TDs

Ian Cummings "Going further, Verdell is a capable receiver. He gets open from the backfield and earns yards after catch with his burst and contact balance. Additionally, the Oregon RB flashes suddenness as a route runner, and he can be valuable on schemed catches that give him open space to traverse."

James Cook Georgia 5'11" 190 LBS

46 games - 230 carries -  6.5 average  - 14 TDs

67 catches - 730 yards - 6 TDs

5 KRs - 18.2 yards

Oliver Hodgkinsin "The NFL is looking for running backs who can be factors on all three downs. Cook more than ticks that box. He’s productive as a rusher and a receiver, and he has some blocking acumen. He’s taken snaps in the backfield, lined up as a receiver in the slot, and gone in motion. Cook has even been lined up as a receiver outside of the numbers."

Tyler Allgeier  BYU 5'11" 220 LBS

39 games - 452 carries - 5.8 average - 23 TDs

46 catches - 437 yards - 1 TD

4 KRs - 23.4 average 

27 Tackles - 2 F.F.

Bleacher Report "His full package of traits makes him so much more than just a battering ram. Allgeier's hands and willingness as a pass protector will also allow him to see the field on all three downs."

Kyren Williams Notre Dame 5'9" 195 LBS

26 games - 419 carries - 5.1 average - 27 TDs

78 catches - 675 yards - 4 TDs

14 PRs - 11.6 Average

NFL Draft Buzz "A real talent in the passing game he was used more than just a check down safety valve but often as a featured player on intermediate routes."

Khalil Shakir, Boise State 6' 190 LBS

43 games - 71 carries - 5.8 average - 4 TDs

208 catches - 2878 yards - 20 TDs

24 PRs - 7.5 average - 7 KRs - 23.9 average 

Draft Dive "Shakir is a weapon whenever the ball is in his hands. He is a threat off end-arounds, in the wildcat, and even returning kicks. When lined up at his natural receiver position, Shakir is great at making a guy miss and gaining extra yards. He isn’t a burner, but he quick with his movements and possesses intelligent field awareness. From his time at running back in high school, Shakir has gotten comfortable with the ball in his hands."

Tyler Badie Missouri 5'8" 194 LBS

46 games - 513 carries - 5.4 average - 23 TDs

126 catches - 1149 yards - 11 TDs

27 KRs - 19.4 average 

TDN "Badie’s explosiveness is not limited to backfield carries. He has lined up as a receiver for Mizzou’s offense 61 times this season alone. He has returned 35 kicks in his career. He is a versatile space player for an NFL team."

Tyler Goodson Iowa 5'10" 199 LBS

34 games - 533 carries - 4.8 average - 18 TDs

70 catches - 565 yards - 1 TD

PFN "In addition to lining up in the backfield, he’s taken snaps in the slot and out wide as a receiver. Furthermore, he’s impressive at leaking out of the backfield to pose a receiving threat."

Ronnie Rivers Fresno State 5'9" 195 LBS

52 games. - 680 carries - 5.0 average- 40 TDs

150 catches - 1421 yards - 11 TDs

46 PRs - 7.6 average 

Sports Illustrated "Soft hands and is reliable out of the backfield on check downs. As a receiver he can run routes against LBs and create separation"

Leddie Brown West Virginia 5'11" 216 LBS

43 games - 620 carries - 4.7 average - 27 TDs

86 catches - 604 yards - 5 TDs

NFL Draft Buzz "He has great size to be a classic every-down back in the NFL and is well versed as both a receiver and a blocker so offers versatility scouts crave."

Trestan Ebner Baylor 5'11" 215 LBS

58 games - 343 carries - 4.9 average - 9 TDs

127 catches - 1515 yards - 11 TDs

47 KRs - 25.3 average - 3 TDs

28 PRs - 6.8 average - 1 TD

(No answer on draft declaration)

John Vogel "His versatility makes him a decent third down back, which an NFL team should be willing to take a shot with."

Long Shots and dark horses:

Calvin Turner Jr Hawaii 5'11" 195 LBS

54 games - 581 carries -  5.9 average - 44 TDs

108 catches - 1452 yards - 11 TDs

68 of 151 attempts - 1171 yards -  7 TDs - 7 INTs

40 KRs - 23.7 average - 1 TDs

6 PRs - 7.6 average

55 Tackles

Sports Illustrated "Calvin Turner Jr is a player that wore many hats for Hawaii including RB, WR, Wildcat QB, KR and PR. He is a dynamic athlete that can score anytime he touches the ball."

Zonovan Knight North Carolina State 5'11" 210 LBS

36 games - 419 carries - 5.5 average - 18 TDs

48 catches - 337 yards

30 KRs - 30.8 average - 3 TDs

Sports Illustrated "As a receiver, he is very reliable, showing sure hands as a checkdown or on screens. He pays attention to detail as a route runner, utilizing foot fire and head fakes to create separation."

Isaih Pacheco Rutgers 5'11" 215 LBS 

44 games - 4.33 average - 18 TDs

47 catches - 249 yards - 1 TD

18 KRs - 19.3 average - 5 tackles

NFL Draft Buzz "Solid receiver in the flat, capable of running through tackles on the edge to move the chains. Flexible enough to catch passes thrown behind him."

Raheem Blackshear Virginia Tech 5'9" 198 LBS 

50 games - 410 carries - 5.7 average - 6 TDs

123 catches - 1213 yards - 7 TDs

6 KRs - 28.8 average 

Draft Dive "He showed the ability to run more than just a flat or wheel route. I was also impressed by his hands and body control. On multiple occasions he reached out and snagged off target passes with just one hand. He also showed great ability to twist himself into strange positions in order to reach poorly thrown balls."

Calvin Turner Jr, Tyler Allgeier, and Zonovan Knight are my three sleepers of this bunch. If anyone was gonna threaten B.Bolden it probably be one of those three. All of these guys on this list should be at bare minimum as good as J.J. Taylor.