This is an idea that has been tossed around for a few weeks now. With WRs
Wes Welker,
Deion Branch, and
Julian Edelman all set to become free agents, the
Patriots could look to upgrade their wide receiver crew through the draft. Last offseason, the Pats signed
Brandon Lloyd to be the big-play guy that they haven't really had since Moss was traded in 2010. Although he proved to be a great signing, Lloyd didn't necessarily open up the deep pass like we were all hoping for. Sure Gronkowski and Hernandez can provide big plays too, but the team needs someone to stretch the field vertically.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
compiled his list for the top five wide receivers in this year's upcoming NFL Draft. With the 29th pick, it's doubtful that these guys will be available for the Patriots. The teams in front of the Pats are also in need of play-making wide receivers. Still, there's always a chance. So here's Mel Kiper's top five wide receivers, and you can click the link on their names for their ESPN profiles: 1)
Cordarrelle Patterson from Tenessee, 2)
Keenan Allen from Cal, 3)
DeAndre Hopkins from Clemson, 4)
Tavon Austin from West Virginia, and 5)
Quinton Patton from Louisiana Tech. Just as a quick note, ESPN's Todd McShay has predicted that the Patriots will select Tavon Austin, and Mel Kiper
originally believed that they would snag DeAndre Hopkins.
