2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Patriots could take in Round 1

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots raises the Lombardi Trophy as he walks onto the field before the Red Sox home opening game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. A.J. Brown

Julian Edelman is a really good wide receiver, but he can’t catch every ball Tom Brady throws to wide receivers next season. The recent acquisition of Demaryius Thomas could help New England, but they still need to add another weapon in the slot.

There’s a small, but appreciable minority of NFL scouts who believe Brown is the best wide receiver in this year’s draft. His teammates, D.K. Metcalf will almost certainly go higher in Round 1, but Brown was the more productive player in college.

Brown isn’t a finished product as a receiver though. That’s likely what will push him down to the bottom of Day One or beginning of Day Two. When you watch his college tape you see a guy who looks really raw when he’s trying to run routes against SEC defensive backs. Brown also lacks the elite athleticism required to create separation with bad technique.

The upside for Brown occurs after he manages to catch the football. He instantly transforms into a running back who almost always finds a way to make the first guy miss. That’s something the Patriots don’t have at the moment. If they can make him a quality route runner, they could turn him into one of Brady’s biggest weapons.

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