New England Patriots History Of Bad Receiver Development Continues
By Erik Lambert
Aug 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson (17) celebrates with wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (85) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
There aren’t many things to look down on when it comes to the success of the New England Patriots. Yet there is one stigma they still can’t get right.
Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins fizzle after strong rookie outings
That is the ongoing inability to draft or sign young receivers and develop them into full-time starters. History will show that during the Bill Belichick era the team has relied much more heavily on veteran free agents for their success rather than homegrown talent. For a time that wasn’t true. David Givens and Deion Branch highlighted their 2002 draft class and paved the way to back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004. Branch ended up Super Bowl MVP for the second one. However since then the team has selected ten receivers in the draft. Only one has emerged as a capable starter in Julian Edelman. Matthew Slater is a special teams ace but that is about it.
Their most recent high draft choice, 2013 second round pick Aaron Dobson looked like he had all the tools to become a future go-to guy for Tom Brady. He finished his rookie year with 519 yards and four touchdowns. Now he’s not even in the starting lineup. The same goes for Kenbrell Thompkins. Easily one of the best undrafted free agent discoveries last season, the Cincinnati product posted 466 yards and four touchdowns of his own. Fast forward a season and he’s only played in two games and was just recently waived by the team. It’s yet another validation that Bill Belichick, for all his genius, can’t seem to figure out how to properly nurture young pass catchers for his quarterback. For the New England Patriots, that may finally be coming back to haunt them.