In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team’s need at that position. Each position will be rated for the Patriots’ need, with 1 not a need and 5 being ugent:
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate, Sam Aiken, Darnell Jenkins, David Patten, Matt Slater, Robert Agnone, Alge Crumpler
Need: WR 3
The biggest problem for the receiving corps is health. Welker will miss part of the season while recovering from knee and shoulder surgeries. Tate played in one game before being placed on IR. Edelman had a surprisingly good rookie season for a seventh round draft pick. If he takes a step forward in his development, he should adequately fill in for Welker.
Aiken’s promotion from special teamer to offensive contributor is a feel good story, but the eight-year veteran needs to produce better with his limited opportunities. A healthy Tate overshadowed Hakeem Nicks at North Carolina. That’s reason for optimism considering Nick’s rookie year with the Giants, But Tate will have to prove it. 35-year old Patten and Jenkins are question marks.
Moss believes this will be his last season with the Patriots. If he’s right, there isn’t anyone on the roster with the look of a primary receiver. Quality depth hurt New England last season so finding young a reliable target would be good for the future of the receivers.
Need: TE 5
Alge Crumpler is a blocker with declining abilities as a receiver. He isn’t the player he used to be with Atlanta when he was a four-time Pro Bowler. Agnone is huge (6-6 256) but the rookie free agent caught few passes in his final year at Delaware (14 rec 147 yds 2 TD).
The Pats are starting all over at the position after releasing Chris Baker (signed with Seattle) and letting Ben Watson (Cleveland) leave as a free agent. New England selected TEs in the first round twice with Watson (2004, 32nd overall) and Daniel Graham (2002, 21st). It’s very possible Jermaine Gresham, the top rated tight end this year, could still be available when the Pats select at 22.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com
Keywords: Alge Crumpler, Ben Watson, Brandon Tate, Chris Baker, Cleveland Browns, Daniel Graham, Darnell Jenkins, David Patten, Jermaine Gresham, Julian Edelman, Matt Slater, New England Patriots, Randy Moss, Robert Agnone, Sam Aiken, Seattle Seahawks, Wes Welker
