Is Kenbrell Thompkins the Patriots' Answer at WR?
By Michael Schneid
Patriots receiving situation is up in the air right now.
Aaron Hernandez is off the team and Rob Gronkowski may open the year on the PUP list, following several surgeries on his back.
Wes Welker is gone, and has been replaced by Danny Amendola. Brandon Lloyd is gone. Julian Edelman returns. They drafted Aaron Dobson is the second round and Josh Boyce in the fourth round of this past year's draft. The rest of the WRs include Michael Jenkins, Lavelle Hawkins, Donald Jones, and Matt Slater. Some veterans just trying to make the team.
Assuming Amendola, Edelman, Dobson, and Boyce all make the 53 man roster, there is room for one, maybe two more WRs (the number likely depends on how many TEs and RBs they keep as well).
The 5th WR may not come from that list. It's possible the Patriots carry 3 rookies to open the 2013 season. Dobson, Boyce, and Kenbrell Thompkins, an undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Cincinnati.
Thompkins began his career at Tennessee but later transfered to Cincy. Last season he caught 34 passes for 541 yards and 2 TDs. During his junior season in 2011, Thompkins caught 44 passes for 536 yards and 2 TD.
Those numbers may seem underwhelming to some, but are actually impressive. Thompkins caught 21% of the Bearcats QBs pass completions and 12% of their overall pass attempts in 2012 and was their second overall receiver.
Per Rotoworld.com, "ESPN Boston gives undrafted WR Kenbrell Thompkins a "25 percent" chance of making the 53-man roster."
UPDATE (7/21): Patriots released WR Donald Jones. ESPN Boston has a report that the release is tied to the play of Thompkins in recent practices. Thompkins even practiced with the first team.
Patriots receiving situation is up in the air right now.
Aaron Hernandez is off the team and Rob Gronkowski may open the year on the PUP list, following several surgeries on his back.
Wes Welker is gone, and has been replaced by Danny Amendola. Brandon Lloyd is gone. Julian Edelman returns. They drafted Aaron Dobson is the second round and Josh Boyce in the fourth round of this past year's draft. The rest of the WRs include Michael Jenkins, Lavelle Hawkins, Donald Jones, and Matt Slater. Some veterans just trying to make the team.
Assuming Amendola, Edelman, Dobson, and Boyce all make the 53 man roster, there is room for one, maybe two more WRs (the number likely depends on how many TEs and RBs they keep as well).
The 5th WR may not come from that list. It's possible the Patriots carry 3 rookies to open the 2013 season. Dobson, Boyce, and Kenbrell Thompkins, an undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Cincinnati.
Thompkins began his career at Tennessee but later transfered to Cincy. Last season he caught 34 passes for 541 yards and 2 TDs. During his junior season in 2011, Thompkins caught 44 passes for 536 yards and 2 TD.
Those numbers may seem underwhelming to some, but are actually impressive. Thompkins caught 21% of the Bearcats QBs pass completions and 12% of their overall pass attempts in 2012 and was their second overall receiver.
Per Rotoworld.com, "ESPN Boston gives undrafted WR Kenbrell Thompkins a "25 percent" chance of making the 53-man roster."
Having
seen Thompkins play in person in the past, I believe he has the
potential to make New England's roster and given their lack of
experience and depth, he can make an impact at some point through the
year.
If he doesn't make the 53 man roster, he could
be a practice squad candidate and come up later in the season due to
injury. Either way, expect to see Kenbrell Thompkins in a Patriots
uniform and in the end zone at some point during 2013.UPDATE (7/21): Patriots released WR Donald Jones. ESPN Boston has a report that the release is tied to the play of Thompkins in recent practices. Thompkins even practiced with the first team.
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