Is the Patriots next unknown slot receiver on the roster?

Like many out there, I wanted the Patriots to get a number one. A slot receiver who would help in the passing game instead of an X receiver that the Patriots would have to wait to get open risking a sack or force the ball into coverage just to try to get the them the ball. The Patriots drafted Thorton. A guy who had a 7.25 three cone and a reported 4.39 twenty yard shuttle. That's Z or maybe X territory. 

When looking at Welker, Amendola, and Edelman, they played the slot but their numbers weren't as close as people think. The twenty yard shuttle and the three cone were the two abilities I've heard the most about as a Patriots fan. 

Welker ran a 4.65 forty time, 7.09 three cone, and 4.01 twenty yard shuttle. Edelman  ran a 4.52 forty time, 6 62 three cone, and 3.92 twenty yard shuttle. Amendola ran a 4.70 forty time, 6.81 three cone, and 4.25 twenty yard shuttle.

Going off those three players we can get an idea to what people who wanted in a slot were looking for. The Patriots may have that on the roster and I don't mean D'eriq King who's 7.26 three cone and 4.38 20 yards shuttle are basically the same as Thortons. No, I'm talking about former Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry who the Patriots have been working on switching to wide out for over a year now.

Perry did play some receiver at Navy. In fact he was pretty much their offense. Unfortunately he spent time with the Dolphins. Perry ran a 4.63 forty, 7.12 three cone, and a 4.31 twenty yard shuttle. Both his shuttle and three cone are barely slower than Welker and Amendola. 

In college Perry had 22 catches for 470 yards and 3 touchdowns. He averaged 7.10 yard average on 610 carries with 40 touchdowns. And and he completed 51.3% of 113 attempts for 1311 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He had 20 kickoff returns for a 24.55 yard average and 1 punt return for 12 yards. Unfortunately he also had 13 fumbles handling the ball over 765 times.

It's possible that King could be the Patriots next slot receiver but I think he's more to be a practice squad quarterback while they work on making Perry a full time receiver. Another ayer that could play the slot is safety Brendon Schooler, so keep an eye on him. Being Perry's second year with the Patriots, he should be familiar with the playbook by now. His best bet is going to be showing his value as a returner in 2022 and waiting for a spot to open up in 2023. Now it would've been nice for the Patriots to get Jerreth Sterns but since Tom Brady signed him as a UDFA. I mean Tampa... The Patriots are going to have to make due with what they have in 2022 unless the Buccaneers cut Jerreth Sterns.