NFL Draft 2023: Insider predicts Mac Jones’ Patriots will add three WRs including USC star Jordan Addison
The Patriots are not afraid to drastically change their offensive lineup. Bill Belichick spent a lot of money on free agents two years ago, and fans often joked that the spending spree was an act of desperation. Well, two years and zero playoff victories later, the Patriots might be prepping for another similar run on offensive players.
Writing in The Athletic, NFL insider Chad Graff named three wide receiver rookies that could be catching passes from Mac Jones in 2023. He predicted the Patriots to start out with a bang in picking Jordan Addison in the first round, and then picking up A.T. Perry and Jake Bobo. Here's a look at who those players are.
Will Mac Jones have multiple new receivers by May?
First up is Jordan Addison, who Graff predicts will survive until almost halfway through the first round. Addison is coming off a down year, which is never a good thing in college, but did flash blindingly bright in his second season. In his freshman year, he caught 60 passes for 666 yards and four touchdowns in ten games.
In his sophomore season, he popped in a big way, earning 100 catches for 1593 yards and 17 touchdowns in 14 games. Then, after a transfer from Pittsburgh to USC, he earned 59 catches for 875 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games.
A.T. Perry and Jake Bobo predicted to fillout receiving corps for Patriots in 2023 NFL Draft
Next up could be A.T. Perry, who played wide receiver at Wake Forest.. He began slowly in his first two years at the school, but exploded in his final two seasons. His best season was his penultimate one. In nine games over his first two years, he averaged about 270 yards and two touchdowns.
1. Yes, the Patriots CAN, in fact, draft a good WR in Rd 1 if they want to.
2. No, they don't need to be an "X" receiver or bust. In fact, THAT'S how you get N'Keal Harry.
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In 2021, he had 71 catches for 1293 yards and 15 touchdowns in 14 games. In 2022, he had 81 catches for 1096 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Jake Bobo, a wide receiver from UCLA, would be more of a flyer pick, but still one with a decent chance to serve as a net positive for the team. First, the bad: in five seasons in college, the receiver never crossed 1000 yards in a season.
Speed. Athleticism. RAS!(@MathBomb)
That's what the Patriots got in last year's NFL Draft, and that's what they need in 2023 if they want to compete with the best.
Coach @TheRealJonLyons gives some game on @1standFoxboro:
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That said, he got close in his final two years of school, earning 794 yards and 817 yards. However, in his final season, he also had a career-high seven touchdowns in a final uptick in production.
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