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Inside the New England Patriots Draft Room: Who Will Join the Super Bowl Champions

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots draft Chris Hogan
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) reacts after a first down during the first quarter in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

 Wide Receivers At Least 6-feet

Tom Brady has a plethora of receiving targets at his disposal, but there is a significant lack of size on the outside. The only contributor at wide receiver over six-feet tall still on the roster is Chris Hogan. Although he’s still unsigned, the Patriots aren’t expected to bring back Michael Floyd unless there’s an emergency.

2016 seventh-round pick Devin Lucien spent his entire first season on the practice squad and is a good bet to remain there in 2017. Even if the team is satisfied with Lucien’s development in year one, this is a position the Patriots need to address in the draft.

Highly-valued skills:

arm length, 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, vertical, three cone (174 graded)

1. Robert Davis (Georgia State) – 75%

2. C.J. Board (Chattanooga) – 43.7%

2. Francis Owusu (Stanford) – 43.7%

4. Amara Darboh (Michigan) – 25%

4. Krishawn Hogan (Marian) – 25%

6. Justice Liggins (Stephen F. Austin) – 18.7%

7. Quincy Adeboyejo (Ole Miss) – 12.5%

7. Deante Burton (Kansas State) – 12.5%

7. Kenny Golladay (Northern Illinois) – 12.5%

7. Zay Jones (East Carolina) – 12.5%

7. Michael Rector (Stanford) – 12.5%

12. Josh Reynolds (Texas A&M) – 6.2%

Fell below the minimum threshold in one category, but still finished with a positive score:

1. Anthony Nash (Duke) – 25%

2. Bug Howard (North Carolina) – 18.7%

3. Tommy Armstrong, Jr. (Nebraska) – 12.5%

3. Dominique Reed (Arkansas) – 12.5%

5. Keon Hatcher (Arkansas) – 6.2%

5. Jerome Lane (Akron) – 6.2%

5. JuJu Smith-Schuster (USC) – 6.2%

Both Corey Davis (Western Michigan) and Mack Hollins (North Carolina) scored positively from a size standpoint, but did not workout due to injury.

The good news for the Patriots is the majority of these receiver will be on the board deep into the draft. There are plenty of intriguing names as well. By far the best fit is Georgia State’s Robert Davis. Davis lit up the Combine, and at nearly 6-foot-3 with a 41-inch vertical, would make the Patriots even more dangerous in the red zone.

If the Patriots select a wide receiver with one of their first two picks (both in round 3), Amara Darboh is the player to watch. The fifth-year senior led the Wolverines in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2016. According to Tony Pauline of draftanalyst.com, Darboh was very impressive at the Michigan Pro Day with Bill Belichick in attendance.

Potential late-round or free-agent signings include Tommy Armstrong, the former Nebraska quarterback and Jerome Lane, the defender turned receiver who also scored above average at strong safety, which may be his best position at the next level.

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