NFL Notes: Patriots shouldn’t pass on Alabama receiver Jameson Williams

Earlier than the Patriots made the transfer to amass DeVante Parker, there have been fairly a number of mock drafts with Jameson Williams’ title penciled into the No. 21 spot.

The Alabama star receiver was a well-liked selection for the Patriots within the first spherical.

With Parker now within the fold, the possibilities of the Patriots taking Williams have dwindled significantly given they won’t be fairly as inclined to supply extra firepower for quarterback Mac Jones, particularly within the first spherical.

They will concentrate on different wants that require extra speedy assist, specifically cornerback, offensive line and linebacker.

However let’s not utterly erase Williams from the board.

What if the Crimson Tide wideout occurs to be sitting there when the Patriots are on the clock? What then?

Reply: Go for it!

Had Williams not suffered a current ACL tear, he would have been the highest receiver on the board. He’s precisely what the Patriots want to assist sustain with the remainder of the AFC — and that’s with Parker within the combine.

Williams has the form of blazing velocity that permits him to separate from man protection, and the kind of electrifying skill that may drive defensive coordinators loopy. He’s a particular participant, and the Patriots might actually use an infusion of Williams’ expertise on offense.

Earlier than getting harm, the 6-foot-1, 179-pound receiver was a big-play machine for the Crimson Tide, with 79 catches for 1,572 yards with 15 TDs. Virtually 30% of his catches went for over 30 yards.

The query, in fact, is whether or not or not Williams would be capable to leap in immediately, or if this could be a redshirt yr. He underwent knee surgical procedure in January.

On condition that, there’s no assure. However each time he’s absolutely again and wholesome following his rehab, Williams would give the Patriots the elite offensive weapon that’s sorely lacking from the receiving corps. He would give Jones no less than one dynamic playmaker in his arsenal.

ESPN draft knowledgeable Todd McShay referred to as Williams “the closest factor to Tyreek Hill within the draft” when it comes to explosiveness. He stated Williams’ velocity, not solely vertically however after the catch, provides him a “big-play factor.” And when he will get again to well being, McShay believes Williams shall be a “dynamic difference-maker” for some staff.

Why not in New England?

The league has advanced into one the place the profitable groups have no less than one, if no more, elite playmakers. Already, we’ve seen a number of AFC groups load up as a lot expertise across the quarterback as doable.

Having an explosive offense has just about turn into a necessity for groups to succeed. Which means the Patriots actually need to step up, to maintain up within the arms race.

In fact, the Patriots can wait to land receiving assist in the latter rounds, given the depth of the draft on the place. They will nonetheless get explosive gamers within the second spherical. They simply received’t be in the identical league as Williams.

It’s doable the Patriots will go that route, and snag Alabama’s John Metchie, who stands on the head of the Day 2 class, given his playmaking skill, and familiarity with Jones.

Williams, nonetheless, is a type of uncommon skills who impacts protection simply by lining up. Even the Patriots, who’ve had bother drafting receiver expertise, aren’t more likely to botch the choose in the event that they go together with Williams.

Having Parker really provides them the posh to seize Williams or Metchie, who’re each getting back from ACL surgical procedure.

In Williams’ case, he might leap in halfway by means of the season. He received’t should be plug-and-play in the beginning. Let’s additionally keep in mind, Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers are unrestricted free brokers subsequent yr. So bringing Williams aboard can be an vital, proactive transfer.

ESPN analyst Damien Woody agreed. He’d like to see the Patriots snag Williams.

“I believe New England is in a first-rate spot to go get Jameson Williams. I believe the payoff may very well be large,” Woody instructed the Herald. “They traded for DeVante Parker, which is okay and nice, however in flip, when you draft Jameson Williams, there’s not any strain on him immediately. You enable him to proceed his rehab, and when he’s prepared, then you possibly can unleash him. I like that transfer for the Patriots.”

Earlier than the Pats landed Parker, NFL Community draft knowledgeable Daniel Jeremiah had Invoice Belichick deciding on Williams with the No. 21 choose given the staff’s must “get extra dynamic weapons for Mac Jones.”

However will they make that sort of transfer now?

It actually hasn’t been of their Day 1 DNA to take action.

With eight picks total, the Pats can nonetheless land a much-needed cornerback after the primary spherical, nab speedier linebackers within the center rounds or past, and seize assistance on the offensive and line of defense. As talked about above, they will additionally land Metchie.

On the subject of Williams, nonetheless, they received’t have the possibility to safe this kind of expertise, this kind of participant in the event that they move on the Alabama receiver — if he’s nonetheless obtainable at No. 21. Or, if it’s mandatory to maneuver up the board to verify they get him.

“You gotta have these guys,” stated Woody. “Proper now, with New England, they don’t have anyone that defensive coordinators are frightened of. You gotta have one individual, the place, it’s similar to, ‘This dude can completely blow the highest off a protection.’”

Matt Groh, the newly anointed director of participant personnel for the Patriots, appeared to agree with Woody’s take throughout his media session Friday. He stated groups must he “proactive” to find affect large receivers.

“Wherever groups can add an instant-impact participant, which is what these large receivers are within the sport at present, they’re going to do it,” stated Groh. “You’ll be able to’t simply sit round, wait, and hope to get one in every of these guys within the draft. You bought to be proactive about going and getting one in every of them.”

So it seems there’s no less than an opportunity the Patriots will make a play for Williams.

It was throughout the School Soccer Playoff nationwide championship sport towards Georgia that the Alabama wideout went down with a non-contact ACL harm.

Regardless of the intense knee subject, Williams stated on the NFL’s scouting mix in early March that he was “forward of schedule” with respect to the five- to seven-month timeline that was drawn up, which might have him prepared for the 2022 season.

Williams additionally boasted about his skill.

“My deep play risk is thrilling and it occurs incessantly,” stated Williams. “So I really feel like it could be a giant add-on to no matter staff takes a shot at me.”

It was additionally attention-grabbing to listen to Williams say he had by no means run a 40-yard sprint at Alabama when requested his time. However he additionally didn’t suppose it was mandatory.

“I don’t know no 40 time. I simply know no person can run with me,” he stated. “Simply say regardless of the quickest 40 time right here, I’m quicker.”

Sure, he’s assured, as are many top-flight receivers.

Because the Patriots have principally shied away from paying high cash for receivers, they should assault the place within the draft, even with their poor historical past drafting receivers. They should add elite prospects, who shall be cost-effective early on. Groh didn’t disagree with that notion when talking with reporters Friday.

There isn’t a lot doubt about Williams being a professional first-round choose, with or with out the harm.

He might go as early as No. 10 to the Jets, who have been within the working for Hill however misplaced out to the Dolphins.

The Chiefs may additionally leapfrog over the Patriots to get him, as a result of they not have Hill. They’ve a number of first-round picks to make use of in the event that they wish to shoot up the board.

Irrespective of which method you slice it, the Patriots want what Williams brings to the desk. They want what he brings, together with what they have already got in-house, with the intention to compete with all of the high-powered offenses they’re set to face in 2022 and past.

“If he’s there (at No. 21), it’s simple,” stated Woody. “Take him!”

Given the Patriots historical past, it’s simply arduous to think about them doing that, though there’s actually a curiosity to see if Belichick would go towards sort and seize arguably the most effective receiver within the draft.

The scars from being burned by the N’Keal Harry choose in 2019 could be too recent in Belichick’s thoughts, it doesn’t matter what Groh advised.

If that’s the case, Plan B needs to be Metchie, who had an official go to with the Patriots throughout the week. Metchie additionally hung out with the Payments, who’re searching for a slot-type receiver to switch Cole Beasley. On this NFL, you possibly can by no means have sufficient receiver expertise.

Whereas Williams didn’t play with Mac Jones, Metchie did, and had a terrific yr. Williams doesn’t have the background with Jones, however he’s aware of the Patriots offense, having performed for Invoice O’Brien, now the offensive coordinator at Alabama.

The Patriots most likely can’t go incorrect with both. But when Williams remains to be obtainable at No. 21, or in putting distance, they need to significantly think about making a transfer to convey him aboard. Given how good he’s projected to be, it would wind up haunting them in the event that they move.

Andover’s Perry making the rounds

Brown quarterback E.J. Perry, who had an official go to with the Patriots final week, has made the rounds with quite a few NFL groups.

The previous star quarterback at Andover Excessive, who went to Boston School earlier than transferring to Brown, may very well be a late-round choice for some staff. The 6-1, 211 pound Perry had two noteworthy seasons as a dual-threat quarterback for Brown.

By way of the Patriots, they may very well be searching for a developmental quarterback to be a backup for Jones down the highway. Or, he might convert to receiver, or be a Taysom Hill-like weapon.

Perry has generated some buzz after being the offensive MVP of the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, whereas additionally performing nicely on the NFL Scouting Mix.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper stated Thursday throughout a video name with the media that Perry had an opportunity to be a late-round choose.

“Late-round perhaps. Extra so precedence free agent. But it surely wouldn’t shock me if he went within the sixth or seventh spherical,” stated Kiper. “I believe there’s an opportunity he may very well be a backup, perhaps greater than that. We’ll see, perhaps catch lightning in a bottle. However E.J. Perry has completed sufficient to be worthy of getting right into a camp.”

Carr’s team-friendly extension 

Derek Carr’s three-year, $121.5 million extension leaves the Raiders with the form of wage cap flexibility the Patriots used to have with Tom Brady.

That wasn’t misplaced on Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.

“What he did, and what we have been prepared to return to phrases on, I believe exhibits you he’s considerably invested on this place, this group, and serving to us in anyway that he can to attempt to win,” McDaniels instructed reporters Wednesday.

Even with the extension, it was reported that the Raiders could have the choice to maneuver on from Carr after subsequent yr.

Corridor finalists coming Tuesday

The Patriots’ Corridor of Fame finalists shall be introduced on Tuesday. The voting will run for roughly 4 weeks earlier than the most recent Corridor of Fame choice by the followers is revealed on Tuesday, Might 17.

I used to be lucky to be part of the nomination committee that met two weeks in the past to assist present followers with the three most-deserving candidates to be thought of for this yr’s induction.

To recap, the slate of nominees spanned a number of completely different a long time. Vince Wilfork, Wes Welker, Mike Vrabel, Invoice Parcells, Logan Mankins, Lawyer Milloy, John Smith, Chuck Fairbanks and Julius Adams obtained nominations. All however Milloy and Smith have been nominated previously, and Fairbanks (2013), Parcells (2011, 2012, 2014, 2020) and Vrabel (2016-20) have beforehand been finalists.

Committee members have been then given a poll to listing their high three nominees, so as. For the document, I had Wilfork, Welker and Vrabel, in that order. A dominant nostril deal with, a slot receiver who revolutionized the place, and a participant who was impactful on offense, protection and particular groups.

It was robust to slender it down. All are worthy.

After Tuesday, it’ll be as much as followers to make the selection.