New England Patriots: Players to trade-up for in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Ian Higgins
6
Devonta Smith WR
Potential Trade:
After signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, the New England Patriots have placed a band-aid over the wide receiver position but still need to look for their long-term franchise solution. With three wide receiver prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft standing well above the remainder of the class, the New England Patriots could snag the latest of the three with a move up in the 2021 NFL Draft order.
Despite winning the Heisman as a wide receiver and being the single most dominant college football player of the 2020 season, Alabama‘s Devonta Smith still finds his draft stock in company with, or even below LSU rival Ja’Marr Chase and teammate Jaylen Waddle. Held back by concerns over his long-term durability due to his 174-pound frame, Smith could find himself sliding as far back as twelfth overall.
With a small investment though, the New England Patriots could get themselves the most precise route-runner of the 2021 NFL Draft and have an every-down target capable of moving the chains on any given snap (sound familiar?). With franchise legend Julian Edelman likely nearing the end of his days in a Patriots jersey, bringing in a similarly technical and consistent short-yardage threat would be the perfect chain of succession.