New England Patriots 2019 NFL Draft: Interest in Andy Isabella very real
UMass prospect Andy Isabella seems like the perfect wide receiver prospect for the New England Patriots to target in the 2019 NFL Draft.
With the New England Patriots whiffing on the top free agents and coming up short in obtaining the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., and Antonio Brown, it’s time for the team to turn their attention to the 2019 NFL Draft to find wide receiver help.
They should look no further than University of Massachusetts standout Andy Isabella.
Unless the team has something up their sleeve via trade, there is no way Tom Brady can go into next season with Julian Edelman and a bunch of question marks as his supporting cast.
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In having twelve draft picks, including a late first, two seconds and threw third-round selections, the wide receiver position as to be addressed and Isabella certainly fits the mold, especially as a player who can play outside, in the slot and return kicks.
Appearing on the Bleay Podcast Network, Draft Analyst Tony Pauline summed up those attributes as to why the Patriots are one of two teams interested in Andy Isabella.
"“Two teams I left out, who a number of people tell me who are really interested in him are the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers,” Pauline said on the podcast, as transcribed by WEEI. “The Patriots make sense in so many ways. This is their type of receiver. A little bit shorter, a little bit undersized, but incredibly quick, incredibly creative, fast, a guy who can produce when the ball is in his hands running after the catch, as well as lining up as a return specialist.”"
At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Isabella is a bit undersized, but that is just what the Patriots like in a receiver, especially with his quickness. Think a more polished Julian Edelman coming out of college and that sums up the impressive numbers Isabella put up at UMass.
After recording over 1,000 yards in his junior year, this baller broke out in his senior year with 102 receptions for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now, imagine this type of talent and youth catching the ball from. Tom Brady?
While the Packers are also intrigued by Isabella catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, the New England Patriots should have the draft capital to snag him in the third round if the opportunity arises.
Andy Isabella playing in Gillette Stadium, as he did for some of his career while at UMass, seems like destiny. The Patriots need to make this happen because 32-year-old Julian Edelman won’t be Julian Edelman forever.