The New England Patriots do not have many pressing needs going into the 2013 NFL draft, but the one position they absolutely must address at least once in the early rounds is at wide receiver.
Of the wide receivers to catch passes for the Patriots last season, the only one currently on their roster for the 2013 season is Julian Edelman, who is a versatile and athletic slot receiver but has issues with durability. The Patriots brought in a solid replacement for Wes Welker in the slot in free-agent signing Danny Amendola, but Brandon Lloyd was released while the only other significant wide receiver additions were Michael Jenkins and Donald Jones, neither of whom is a lock to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster.
New England’s running game was one of the most impressive aspects of their team in 2012, but nonetheless they remain at least somewhat interested in this year’s class of running backs; thus far, they have conducted private workouts with a number of this year’s prospects, with at least cursory interest shown in what is shaping up to be a deep class of runners. While drafting a running back in the first or second round is unlikely, there are plenty of mid-to-late-round prospects that may have New England’s attention. Prospect rankings and values are provided by FRX.
New England recently added Adrian Wilson to their group of safeties, signing the twelve-year veteran to a three-year contract; however, they still have room for another player. Read on to find out who the Patriots may target if they deem the safety position a target area in April.
Much has been made of New England’s defensive back signings thus far in the free agent period; the Patriots re-signed slot cornerback Kyle Arrington to a four-year, $16 million contract, left cornerback Aqib Talib to a one-year, $5 million deal, and added former Arizona Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson on a three-year pact to solidify the defensive backfield. However, although these three signings do provide the team with a measure of certainty relative to their pre-free agency defensive backfield, their long-term stability at cornerback and safety is still a concern.
Cornerbacks such as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have been met with a soft market for defensive backs. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
With two days of free agent movement complete, the New England Patriots’ draft strategy remains muddled at best, owing to the uncertain statuses of starters such as right tackle Sebastian Vollmer and cornerbacks Kyle Arrington and Aqib Talib. However, New England has nonetheless been affected by the signings which have already occurred; after the jump, we’ll take a look at what the free agent market has shown us about New England’s intentions thus far, as well as which positions they could target in the draft this April. (more…)
Danny Amendola received quite a bit of attention against the Detroit Lions last season. (Photo: US Presswire)
If you’re not familiar with incoming wide receiver Danny Amendola, who signed with New England yesterday on a five-year, $31 million deal, take a look at his performance versus Detroit last season after the jump. (more…)
Can Danny Amendola pick up where Wes Welker left off? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
Although New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently reiterated his interest in retaining wide receiver Wes Welker in free agency, Welker has officially left the club in favor of a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos worth a fully-guaranteed $12 million. He will join Demariyus Thomas and Eric Decker in Peyton Manning’s intriguing stable of targets.
