A.J. Brown is the most complete receiver in the draft and someone the Patriots have to consider adding to their mostly unproven receiver room."WhitePatriots News Opinion and Analysis Contribute! FanPostsFanShotsAbout the Site List of Patriots Twitter AccountsWrite For Pats Pulpit!New User Welcome and Commenting GuideCommunity GuidelinesMastheadTopics Patriots Off-Season CoveragePatriots Opinion/AnalysisPatriots NewsPatriots Draft CoverageSportfolio ManagementNFL DraftPatriots Opinion/AnalysisPatriots 2019 NFL Draft CoverageTop 10 Patriots Draft Fits #1: Ole Miss WR A.J. BrownNew James White Jerseys 2019 ,63commentsA.J. Brown is the most complete receiver in the draft and someone the Patriots have to consider adding to their mostly unproven receiver room. EDTShareTweetShareShareTop 10 Patriots Draft Fits #1: Ole Miss WR A.J. BrownDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsThe Patriots’ wide receiver room is a bit unsettled, with Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett returning from last year’s group. The Patriots control Josh Gordon’s rights, as he recently signed his restricted free agent tender. However, Gordon becoming a significant contributor down the stretch and into the postseason is not a bet the Patriots should make despite his otherwise solid production (40/720/3) when available last season.The team was linked to Adam Humphries, who signed with the Tennessee Titans despite the Patriots making a last ditch effort to pry him away from there. Instead they ended up taking the spaghetti method by picking up Maurice Harris from Washington, Bruce Ellington from Detroit, and Demaryius Thomas from Houston. Two of the three players have links to former Belichick assistants while the Patriots have seen Harris multiple times in preseason.There’s a good chance one of the three players listed could turn out to be a contributor, but they’re all 1-year guys. The Patriots could afford to have some young and cost-controlled talent at the position. Combine DataHeight: 6’0”Weight: 226Arm: 32 7/8”Hand: 9 3/4”40: 4.49Vertical: 36.5”Broad Jump: 10’0”StrengthsNFL ready bodyDay 1 starter outside or in the slotPhysical and natural route runnerElite run after catch skillsLarge catch radiusOutside and slot versatilityTracks the ball wellUses his frame to box out defenders at the catch pointPhysical run blockerWeaknessesShut down by LSU CB Donte JacksonUnlikely to be an elite outside receiverWhy the Patriots Would Draft HimBrown literally checks off every box that I like with a receiver in the Patriots offense. Quick-twitch athlete, outside/slot versatility White Dont’a Hightower Jersey , physical run blocker, and excellent body control. The Patriots typically don’t draft WRs in Round 1, but Brown is a plug and play starter for the team outside or even in the slot to get him and Edelman on the field at the same time. His skill set is perfect for the Patriots offense as a quick-hitting, ball control passing attack that complements a smash-mouth running game. Why the Patriots Would Not Draft HimTwo reasons: he’s not available or someone who the Patriots love more in the draft fell to them. The highest the Patriots went for a WR pick was 36th overall in the 2006 draft when they traded up to select Chad Jackson. Perhaps getting burned on multiple receiver picks in the Top 100 makes the Patriots less eager to draft and develop a receiver prospect vs. the spaghetti method with NFL veterans. Brown’s game is very similar to Julian Edelman and Anquan Boldin, quick-twitch and physical receivers that didn’t wow you with speed but at the end of the day put up big numbers and beat you. Who He Has to Beat Out: Maurice Harris, Bruce Ellington, Demaryius ThomasBrown’s roster spot would not be in jeopardy, but he does have to beat those guys out for a role. Rookie Year ProjectionBrown would at worst be the #3 receiver on the depth chart, assuming no injuries here. While there is some projection going from the SEC to the NFL in terms of the speed of the game and athleticism of the opponent Dont’a Hightower Jersey 2019 , Brown is advanced in regards the nuances to the position compared to other prospects. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sets Patriots rookie records for catches, yards, TDs, etc. when all is said and done.Long Term ProjectionBrown is your future #1 receiver and the Patriots would line him up in differing areas of their formations to create match-up problems like they do now with Edelman. If they find a weakness in the opposing secondary, Brown is the guy to attack it. His strong run blocking skills will also keep him on the field as a major contributor (~95% snaps on offense) and his size and strength makes him an ideal guy to motion to the point of attack and crack a linebacker in the hole. Grade: 5/5 StarterRound: 1stIf Brown is available at 32, something that I consider about less than 5% chance of happening due to other teams needing a receiver, the Patriots have to consider it. Brown is as close to a complete receiver as the Patriots will likely ever be able to pick up in the draft although given the positional value they may look elsewhere if another similarly graded prospect drops. If no other prospect is available, 5 years of cost control for a receiver who can impact every down on offense is worth having even if the Patriots haven’t historically made a first round selection at the position. The Patriots are back in Foxboro for a pair of practices." NFL training campPatriots Training Camp CoveragePatriots 2019 training camp: Live news feed, updates and open thread from New England’s final week of open practicesNew White Donald Trump Jerseys ,9commentsThe Patriots are back in Foxboro for a pair of practices.EDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Patriots 2019 training camp: Live news feed, updates and open thread from New England’s final week of open practicesTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesComing off a dominant 31-3 preseason victory on the road against the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots returned to work yesterday to hold the first of their final two open training camp practices at Gillette Stadium. Today, the team is back for their last session in front of a home crowd.Patriots 2019 training camp scheduleTo help you follow along on the Patriots’ journey through the summer, the following live news feed will provide you with any important updates of today’s action:Tweets by patspulpitAlso, feel free to use the comment section below to discuss training camp and any potential developments. To recap the action, analyze what happened or just catch up with the latest training camp-related news, please make sure to regularly visit our training camp section.If you plan on attending one of the Patriots’ practice sessions — most of them are free and open to the public — check out the Pats Pulpit training camp guide.
