The Patriots have a lot of bodies at the wide receiver position, but no clear-cut top options with Jakobi Meyers now in Vegas. Tyquan Thornton is poised to become a bigger part of the offense after being drafted in the 2nd round last season, but he was inconsistent as a rookie. DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne have had explosive flashes, but Parker’s injury history is well-documented and Bourne still hasn’t proven he can be relied on consistently. New addition JuJu Smith-Schuster has been a formidable #2 receiver in both Pittsburgh and Kansas City, but he’s more of a possession receiver with upside after the catch.
If the Patriots want to take their passing attack from solid to spectacular, they need at least one receiver who can threaten every level of a defense and become the focal point of game plans. While this draft class may lack a Ja’Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson who checks every box, it has no shortage of playmakers and separators.
Here are the top 5 wide receivers in the 2023 draft class and their ideal fits in New England.
QUENTIN JOHNSTON, TCU (JUNIOR)
Height: 6’3″ Weight: 208 lbs
Scouting Report
+ Generational talent physically with prototypical X receiver traits
+ Excels against zone coverage and after the catch
– Struggles beating press coverage
– Doesn’t consistently play to his size in contested catch situations, despite exceptional tracking ability and catch radius
Quentin Johnston vs. Kansas last season:
14 receptions
206 yards
1 TDHis talents are on display today at @TCUFootball Pro Day. ? @MrJohnston____ pic.twitter.com/mGIKHdxiN2
— NFL (@NFL) March 30, 2023
Patriots perspective: Johnston’s rare blend of size, speed, and strength would give the Patriots a skill set they haven’t had out wide since Randy Moss. While he has all the tools to be a dominant X receiver, his elusiveness as a ball carrier would make him an interesting big slot option. Johnston will need time to refine his technique against man coverage, and he could stand to attack the ball more often rather than letting it come to him, but he would thrive in their boundary receiver role with occassional manufactured touches sprinkled in to let him make plays in space.
JAXSON SMITH-NJIGBA, OHIO STATE (JUNIOR)
Height: 6’1″ Weight: 196 lbs
Scouting Report
+ Quickness, technique, and awareness make him the class’ best separator
+ Ball skills and body control to catch anything in his area code
– Lacks explosiveness to pull away from coverage
– One full season of production at the college level
With the 12th pick The Houston Texans select Jaxson Smith-Njigba pic.twitter.com/ZLzHNWXywM
— Forever Trill?? ?? ?? (@mccauley318) March 19, 2023
Patriots perspective: Smith-Njigba would be a perfect replacement for Jakobi Meyers as the Patriot’s primary slot in 3-receiver sets and Z in 2-receiver sets. He’s the separator the group currently lacks and would provide a bit more after the catch than Meyers did. While JSN does lack explosiveness, his ability to win early in routes and make any necessary adjustment allows him to threaten short-to-deep. He has the potential to immediately become a 100-catch receiver for New England.
ZAY FLOWERS, BOSTON COLLEGE (SENIOR)
Height: 5’9″ Weight: 182 lbs
Scouting Report
+ Explosive playmaker who can win at every level of the defense
+ Best YAC and deep threat in the class with alpha mentality at the catch point
– Lack of size can lead to disrupted routes and pass deflections
– Suffers from concentration drops
Boston College WR @ZayFlowers recorded 12 TDs and 1077 receiving yards in his senior season… no wonder he is a top Draft prospect?
?: 2023 #NFLDraft – April 27-29 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/uhokVCZ5St
— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2023
Patriots perspective: In terms of impact in the Patriots’ system, think of Julian Edelman with rocket boots. That’s Zay Flowers. Bill O’Brien and the Patriots’ staff even had Flowers assume Edelman’s role during Senior Bowl practices. Between being a BC graduate, already having familiarity with New England’s coaches and system, and how seamlessly he should slide into a playmaking role that’s been vacant for years, Flowers is a no-brainer fit for the Patriots.
JORDAN ADDISON, USC (JUNIOR)
Height: 5’11” Weight: 173 lbs
Scouting Report
+ Advanced route-runner who wins with pace, deception, and awareness
+ Ability to adjust to passes outside his frame
– Lacks WR1 size and explosiveness
– History of drops
Jordan Addison is #good. pic.twitter.com/1dZSngCvuh
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) March 24, 2023
Patriots perspective: Addison may not be the athlete teams want from a true #1 receiver, but he understands how to play the position, creates enough space to mitigate his physical limitations, and makes life easier on quarterbacks. If the Patritos want a separator in the late 1st/early 2nd round, Addison could be a great value.
JOSH DOWNS, UNC (JUNIOR)
Height: 5’9″ Weight: 171 lbs
Scouting Report
+ Dynamic athlete with the route-running prowess to carry productive college career into the NFL
+ Better contested catch receiver than his size would suggest
– Size limits catch radius and effectiveness vs physicality
– Struggled with drops the past two seasons
I would welcome Josh Downs with open arms.
via: @CutToIt89. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/racQMfwafb
— PANTHERSNAT1ON (@PANTHERSNAT1ON_) March 28, 2023
Patriots perspective: If Downs were a few inches taller, he’d be an easy 1st round pick. Luckily, the Patriots have a pretty good track record of maximizing explosive players who lack stature. Downs’ alpha mentality on the field and ability to win in different ways makes him an excellent backup plan if the Patriots miss out on Flowers.
