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New England Patriots: 3 Takeaways from a successful 2021 NFL Draft

By Owen Crisafulli

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws the ball during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws the ball during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots Tre Nixon  (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Tre Nixon  (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

No. 3: New England Patriots waited too long to add another wide receiver

Even after the Patriots free agency frenzy, the wide receiver room was a clear area that needed some additional reinforcements.

The Patriots only added Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency, while Jakobi Meyers and N’Keal Harry are slated to return next season as well.

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While Agholor and Bourne should help out, it’s clear this wideout grouping isn’t exactly one of the best in the NFL, especially with Julian Edelman recently announcing his retirement.

That’s what made some of the Patriots selections in this draft somewhat confusing, especially on Day 3.

After trading up for Christian Barmore and inadvertently having Ronnie Perkins fall in their lap on Day 2 (more on these guys later) it seemed logical for New England to target a wideout with their only remaining fourth rounder to open up the final day of the Draft.

Instead, they waited all the way until their last pick of the draft, and picked up Tre Nixon, who they probably could have scooped up in the undrafted free agent pool shortly afterwards.

At this point, Nixon is nothing more than a developmental prospect the Patriots can hope to turn into something a couple years down the line, similar to what happened with Julian Edelman.

However, banking on a seventh rounder to turn into a bonafide star isn’t exactly a tantalizing proposition, and it would have been nice to see Belichick and co. address the position earlier on in the Draft rather than waiting until the last possible minute.

If the receiving core struggles again this upcoming season, it will be fair to wonder why a move wasn’t made earlier at this position.

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