It’s that time of year again.
A tradition unlike any other.
I don’t do mock drafts.
Somewhere out there are bloggers covering the other 31 teams and I let them sort out their own hash.
Just remember I’ll put my record up against anybody’s in the biz.
This year I’m starting with a position I’ve traditionally downplayed: Wide receiver.
This is GM Bill’s 23rd draft.
And in the previous 22, he’s taken a total of 19 wideouts.
But there has been a shift over the last few years.
Plus they’ve added some veterans.
Seem to be kicking the tires on some others.
And used up a big percentage of their prospect meetings to talk to receivers.
And he drops too many catchable balls.
Plus he was used more as a vertical threat than asked to run into traffic much.
Not just because ofthe interview he gave at Fenwaywhile watching his brother Canaan play for the Pirates.
Though there are those reasons.
But more so, because he’s such an ideal fit for Bill O’Brien’s system.
He was limited to just three games last year with hammy problems.
Anything under 7.00 and they’ll be preparing the nameplate over your locker before its their turn to pick.
Compares to the Other Leading Brand:Julian Edelman.
No take backs, no quitsies.)
He came up just shy of 1,600 yards and had 17 TDs.
But last year reduced that number (Dropped his drops?
), to just two.
The major concern with him is right there in italics above.
There’s not a lot of meat on his bones.
The Patriots met with him both at the Lucas Oil Olympics and in a private workout.
After drafting Thornton, it would appear they’re into swiping right on the skinny types.
Patriots staff got to work him at the East-West Shrine Bowl, and again at his pro day.
And according to people who were at BC, he blew the doors out of the practice facility.
Despite his lack of size, he lined up as the X-receiver on 377 of his 506 passing snaps.
The vast majority of which came from the slot.
But once he does get daylight between himself and coverage, it tends to be a home run.
It would mean putting up with a lot ofBoston Heraldpun headlines about “Checking Into the Hyatt.”
And Celtics fans struggling to get used to another spelling for “Jaylen.”
But he could be available with their second pick or a slight move up.
But that’s always been a valuable skill in the Patriots attack since the Wes Welker days.
He’s got good, strong hands.
But still demonstrated enough physicality to be considered a top 150 or so prospect.
Mainly due to his powerful, sure hands that only dropped six catchable balls in his career.
He’s limited in his speed and route running.
And he’s not going to run away from anybody.
Plus he averaged almost 20 yards a reception for his at Oklahoma.
But the Draft Punditry Class doesn’t know what to do with him.
The grades are all over the map.
I’ve seen him listed in the top 110 picks, and as low as 200.
He’s a burner,obviously.
And topped 1,000 yards last season.
But one knock on him is that he lacks the play strength to stand up to NFL competition.
Like on those 50/50 balls, you’d better have the Possession Arrow pointing your way.
Still, they drafted Thornton last year after he had the same knocks on him.
Thornton is taller and has worked on adding weight.
Tucker is just like Scott, only more so.
Smaller, faster, and with more drops.
Both will probably end up with a team in the market for a return guy.
Or I simply lack the motivation.
And the price of moving up in the first half of Round 1 is prohibitively expensive.
Especially when there are good options available.
Whom the Patriots Will Draft: Flowers.Probably by dropping down from 14.
Perhaps by moving up from 46.
But I think they love Flowers as Discount Smith-Njigba.
And as a guy who can develop into that WR1 they’ve been searching for since Edelman retired.
