On Tuesday, the Felger & Mazz Big Board began picking the Patriots’ ‘big three’ positions of need. First up – wide receivers.
Wide receiver has been a major position of need for the Patriots for a few years now. In particular, the team has a hole at the top of the depth chart. Recent additions like Kendrick Bourne and Pop Douglas have proven to be good complementary options, but the group still lacks the coverage-dictating player to tie everything together.
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—Patriots Mock Draft 3.0
The Patriots already tried once to add such a player this year, making a significant offer to free agent Calvin Ridley. However, they were outbid. Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf have both also noted the team has had some sort of trade discussions with other teams about veteran wide receivers.
So far though, no trades have materialized. The Patriots’ best chance of finding that top-level receiver still seems to be through the draft for now. Did the Felger & Mazz Big Board find any such players? Let’s take a look…
Malik Nabers, LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 25: Malik Nabers #8 of the LSU Tigers catches the ball for a touchdown as Demani Richardson #26 of the Texas A&M Aggies defends during the second half at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
So far, the vast majority of reports have indicated the Patriots will take a quarterback with their first pick. If they don’t though, they’ve had more contact with Nabers than any of the other non-quarterback top prospects – they met with him at his pro day.
If Eliot Wolf truly wants to ‘weaponize the offense’ no non-quarterback would fit that description better than Nabers. He’s a big play threat from multiple alignments in the formation and is a significant threat after the catch. There’s a reason the Patriots would need to use their top pick to get him, which again seems unlikely at this point.
Keon Coleman, Florida State
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 23: Keon Coleman #4 of the Florida State Seminoles makes the game-winning catch against Jeadyn Lukus #10 of the Clemson Tigers in overtime at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Coleman, a projected second-round pick, is a prototypical contested-catch wide receiver at 6-foot-3, 213 pounds. His catch radius is among the biggest in this draft, both vertically and horizontally. He also uses his size after the catch, and smaller defensive backs will struggle to take him down one-on-one in the open field.
In order to become a true No. 1 though, Coleman will need to improve as a route runner. Right now his game is mostly vertical, and he’ll need to be able to win underneath at the next level to keep defenses honest. With the Patriots needing a true ‘X’ receiver right now, it would make sense for Coleman to be on their board. Coleman has some similarities to their last ‘X’ receiver, DeVante Parker.
Jamari Thrash, Louisville
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 1: Jamari Thrash #1 of the Louisville Cardinals pulls in a touchdown reception during the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 1, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
A projected Day 3 pick, Thrash has the quickness to elude defenders as both a route runner and after the catch at the NFL level. He’s also better in contested catch situations than most players around his size (6-foot, 188 pounds). Bigger, physical cornerbacks will give him issues though, capping his season. He projects as a strong complementary option as a ‘Z’ or slot receiver.
