Patriots Will Target New No. 1 Receiver in 2022 NFL Draft, Per Analyst

Julian Edelman is out meaning the New England Patriots will have to find their next No.1 receiver in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft. Head coach Bill Belichick spent a lot of money last offseason. He brought great players to New England. Now he has to find a receiver.

Mac Jones is leading the team and they have a 9-4 record at this point of the regular season. That’s more than great if you take into consideration that the Patriots lack a playmaker at WR. Belichick is probably planning his next move and getting a top receiver is definitely a priority. Who is the best option for the Patriots?

Patriots to get a top WR in 2022

Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report reported that the Patriots will probably get Alabama wide receiver James Williams in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

“The New England Patriots have gotten a tremendous inaugural campaign out of quarterback Mac Jones thus far,” says Knox. “Jones has played smart, efficient football—he has a passer rating of 97.0—and he’s helped raise the level of New England’s patchwork receiving corps.

The Patriots rank sixth in yards per pass attempt.

While receivers Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne have been more than serviceable this year, the Patriots still lack a go-to No. 1 receiver. Targeting Jameson Williams could help change that.

Williams, the 19th-ranked prospect on Bleacher Report’s draft board, has legitimate No. 1 receiver potential. With a long (6’2″, 189 lbs) frame and plenty of quickness, Williams has shined as the Crimson Tide’s latest big-play pass-catcher.

In 13 games this season, Williams has caught 68 passes for 1,445 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Patriots should be willing to trade up to get him.”

There’s a catch though. To get Williams, the Patriots may have to trade up. CBS Sports Josh Edwards created his mock draft suggesting that Williams will be selected No.13 overall. This makes things a lot simpler for everyone.

Belichick has a good group of receivers and he just needs someone to take the top position in the depth chart.