2021 NFL Draft: Five first-round targets for the New England Patriots
By Ian Higgins
17
Jaylen Waddle WR
2020 Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd (FA), N’Keal Harry
After seeing their receiving offense led by Jakobi Meyers in the absence of veteran slot-man Julian Edelman, the New England Patriots cannot deny their need for a thoroughbred number one wide receiver.
Despite being able to solve the problem with a top-tier free agent such as Allen Robinson or T.Y. Hilton, the Patriots need to pair this veteran leader with a legitimate youthful number two who can draw attention and hopefully inherit the number one role in due time.
With yet another deep wide receiver class in the 2021 NFL Draft following last year’s cornucopia of talent, the New England Patriots could still find themselves with one of the best receivers of the class despite being relegated to the fifteenth overall selection.
Likely following LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Heisman-winning teammate De’Vonta Smith off of the board, New England finds themselves with ball-in-hands playmakers Jaylen Waddle.
Possessing modern game-breaking speed and phonebooth shiftiness, Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle is undoubtedly the best isolation-playmaker of the 2021 NFL Draft encouraging discussion of being selected ahead of some selection of the two previously named prospects. Able to manufacture his own yardage from behind the line of scrimmage, Waddle separates himself with the ability to create consistent separation and make plays across the middle.
With speed rivaling that of former teammate and forty record holder Henry Ruggs, Waddle is a unique athlete who can transform the New England Patriots passing offense with raw speed and quickness.