Patriots Predicted To Select Receiver With Elite Speed For Drake Maye In Second Round

University of Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II

Patriots Predicted To Select Receiver With Elite Speed For Drake Maye In Second Round originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots have some important decisions to make during the NFL Draft, starting with what they plan to do at wide receiver.

The team is reportedly interested in adding another pass catcher, but it remains to be seen whether that pass catcher is A.J. Brown or a rookie. The Patriots could draft a receiver and add Brown, but if they are going to trade for Brown, investing in a wide receiver early in the draft seems like a waste.

The tricky part is that a trade for Brown may take place after June 1, when his cap implications change. The Patriots may not want to put all of their eggs in one basket and then miss out on Brown and a talented rookie. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted the Patriots would select University of Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II in the second round, setting their receiver room up for success regardless of whether they get Brown or not.

"It's still possible that the Patriots trade for A.J. Brown, which would obviously take the wide receiver room to another level," wrote Kiper. "Even so, Brazzell ran a 4.37 at 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, and he finished last season with 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. New England should be eager to add pass catchers with physical traits and production like that, as third-year quarterback Drake Maye needs more playmakers."

Brazzell was a star at the NFL Combine and in the SEC. He could be a difference maker from Day 1 with the Patriots. His speed and size are both things the Patriots need in their receiver room.

The Patriots lost Stefon Diggs this offseason and need to replace his production. Romeo Doubs will help in that department, but he has never been a 1,000-yard receiver, like Diggs was last season. It may take more than just Doubs to replace Diggs' numbers in the offense.

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