We’re up to 30+ prospects on the 2012 Patriots-only big board but we had a couple thoughts to share. It’s hard to get too much into the draft and talk about needs before Free Agency, just like it’s hard to talk about Free Agency before all the Franchise Tags have been handed out.
Regardless, cornerback and wide receiver are two interesting groups with this draft class that I think bring up some questions when it comes to draft strategy.
Let’s start with the wide receivers. The Patriots have a need for an outside-the-numbers X receiver, which is a pretty hard player to find no matter what team you are. This year’s draft class features quite a few bigger receivers who aren’t exactly down-the-field burners, but are physical and have some savvy.
So the question it raises is if a guy like Michael Floyd or Mohamed Sanu would be appealing to the Patriots even without that 4.3 speed? Outside of their deep speed they look like solid fits. Let’s not forget the Patriots lack size and physicality at the receiver position as well as the proverbial “deep threat”.
I believe the Pats would and should seriously consider this type of receiver even though they might lack the deep speed to stretch the field vertically.
The advantage that large wide receivers can give you is that they’re a mismatch on small corners, especially if they’re left on an island. This ends up having the same result as a wide receiver who is a threat to get deep with his speed, instead here you’ve got to give your corner help with a safety because if you don’t you could be a quick wide receiver screen and a broken tackle away from a big gain.
There is more than one way to stretch a field, so I will not be ignoring this class of big, physical wide outs just because they lack deep speed in a year where everyone wants Mike Wallace or the draft equivalent.
As for cornerbacks I’ve seen a lot of mocks giving the Patriots Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins is undeniably intriguing from an on-the-field perspective but his off-the-field baggage has been well documented as well.
I don’t always write off a player immediately based on off-the-field stuff even though we are talking about the Patriots who have a penchant for what I call “football nerds”.
Regardless of whether Jenkins is a changed man who can fall in line in Foxboro or not, when I look at the rest of the corner class, especially the players ranked just below Jenkins there look to be some excellent Patriots prospects.
Stephon Gilmore, Chase Minnifield, Trumaine Johnson, and Jayron Hosely may all be slightly less talented than Jenkins, but all of them seem to me as safer choices who have the intangibles that they look for at the Football Academy in Foxboro.
With only a small drop off in talent, but a much safer off-the-field profile, there are plenty of corners in the 2nd and 3rd round for the Pats to choose from. I expect them to make the safe play, rather than take a risk on Jenkins.
