Four Receivers That New England Should Go After This Offseason Because They Fit The Patriot Mold
Four pass catchers to elevate New Englands offense because well, they just fit.
New England has had a great number of pass catchers in the teams history; Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, and even Rex Burkhead out of the backfield. These guys were scrappy gamers with high football IQ, yet were sneaky athletic to go with good fundamentals.
Here are four more guys that fit the bill that New England should target this offseason.
1. Draft Alabama Wide Receiver Slade Bolden
Slade Bolden has future Patriot written all over him. Bolden is a 5’11 grinder with lots of heart that has deceptive speed as he just ran a 4.62 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. The Louisiana native had a cast of talented pass catchers around him that included Jameson Williams and John Metchie, but Bolden found a role for himself as he reeled in 42 balls for 408 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2021.
Could we see Julian Edelman reincarnated? I mean Bolden and Jules are about the same size. Play very similar. And both are high motor guys that you’d love your daughter to date. I think that Belichick drafting Bolden is about as close to a lock as it gets. Shit, maybe he’ll spend his first round pick on him. Who knows.
2. Sign Vikings Wide Receiver Chad Beebe
Chad Beebe is a player that is near and dear to my heart because he’s a scrappy gym rat that played for my Minnesota Vikings his whole career. Now he’s set to hit the market this offseason after spending 2020 on the Vikings practice squad. In 2020, the gritty Northern Illinois grad caught 20 passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Beebe has that Wes Welker build and play style that the Patriots love. Imagine having Beebe in one slot and Gunner O in the other? I think Bill Belichick is pitching a tent right now. Beebe would be a cheap player to sign, a contract for him could be a one year, nine hundred thousand dollars. On that small deal, he could bud into a successful pass catcher that has all the intangibles.
3. Trade for Cardinals Wide Receiver Andy Isabella
From what’s being reported, trade talks are heating up between the Patriots and Cardinals after UMass alum Andy Isabella was approved to search for a trade partner. Isabella runs great routes and is a fundamental player. He caught 1 ball in 8 games 2021 for only 13 yards, but in 2020 he had his best year when he reeled in 21 passes for 224 yards and 2 scores.
A trade for this lunch pail player could be a straight up Nkeal Harry for Andy Isabella deal or even Isabella in exchange for a mid to late round pick in 2023. Everyday that passes, it seems more and more certain that Isabella will be sporting a New England uniform in 2022.
4. Draft Cincinnati Wide Receiver Alec Pierce
Kick Slade Bolden to the curb, I think Belichick is ready to trade up and take Alec Pierce number one overall. The Bearcat grinder with great hands brought in 52 balls for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2021 and has deceptive speed. He just ran a 4.33 40 yard dash at the NFL combine.
The one drawback of Pierce that my detour the Patriots from taking him is that he’s 6’3. New England likes smaller cerebral guys in the slot, not 6’3 giants. With his speed though, I think Belichick will let the height slide and take this sneaky athletic winner from Cincinnati.