People equated the success of the 2021 New England Patriots to Bill Belichick removing his hand from drafting players.
Reports surfaced on him allowing the scouting department to handle responsibilities for him, and it yielded a better hit rate on guys for a team that made the playoffs. New England had success with Mac Jones (quarterback), Christian Barmore (defensive lineman), and Rhamondre Stevenson (running back) as rookies. Jones set rookie records, Barmore impressed teammates with his production, and Stevenson produced quality out the backfield. The Patriots could have between seven or eight picks in April’s draft. New England wants to regain dominance in the AFC East, and the wide receiver position is one for improvement.
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Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne caught 50+ passes for 800+ receiving yards, but Belichick also saw many dropped balls.
Tom Brady won NFL Most Valuable Player three times (2007, 2010, 2017) in 19 seasons with the Patriots. He had elite weapons in all three seasons, including Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Danny Amendola.
New England fans believe Jones is the next Brady. The Patriots need to build around him if it wants Jones to reach that status. Three receivers are in the NFL Draft as Alabama alums. John Metchie, Jameson Williams, and Slade Bolden have told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that they have met with the Patriots. Metchie, who had a successful 2020 season with Jones at Alabama, said it would be ‘cool’ to reunite with his former teammate.
Bolden made himself look like the ultimate Patriot in interviews.
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Metchie and Bolden have chemistry with Jones, while Williams would bring incredible playmaking abilities to the offense.
Teams need to have more than a quarterback to win Super Bowls. The Los Angeles Rams had several playmakers, including Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr., Van Jefferson, and Robert Woods (before injury), around Matthew Stafford last season.
It is a long shot and one that goes against what Belichick does, but New England can draft Williams in the first round, Metchie in the second round, and Bolden in the fifth or sixth round for Jones. If Belichick wants to show that Jones is on the level of Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow, he has to surround the former Alabama signal-caller with help.
Williams and Metchie will be ready to work by training camp in healing from knee injuries.
Both receivers got their Combine measurements.
Jameson Williams’ NFL Combine measurements
-Height: 6’1″
-Weight: 179 pounds
-Hands: 9 1/4″
-Arms: 32 1/8″
-Wingspan: 75 7/8″
John Metchie’s NFL Combine measurements
-Height: 5’11”
-Weight: 187 pounds
-Hands: 9 1/4″
-Arms: 30 5/8″
Teams may look at Williams’ size as a detriment, but we have to remember DeVonta Smith. Smith was not the biggest receiver entering the 2021 NFL Draft, but he dominated at Alabama and turned in a successful rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Realistically, the Patriots may get one or two of the three. Jones proved himself to be a capable quarterback, and New England might get his input on it. Whatever it decides to do, Belichick needs to go all-in on Jones as the next high-level passer in the league. Brady needed dependable weapons to win NFL MVP honors, and he left because the Pats did not spend money for players.
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Jones returned New England to the playoffs at 10-7 in 2021. Belichick must invest in his quarterback by pursuing every opportunity to draft Williams, Metchie, and Bolden.
Jones could be a perennial Pro Bowl selection, All-Pro selection, and Super Bowl Champion if the Patriots get his Alabama weapons for him.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
