The New England Patriots do not reveal much about their draft plans, but scheduled visits have all signs pointing towards a wide receiver being selected in the first round. NFL sources have been reporting that the Patriots have brought in almost all of the top prospects and are even considering making a trade up to get one of the more elite players. There will be a run at the position this year which could lead to some issues for Danny Amendola.
Amendola's future has been in question for most of the offseason. The wide receiver made almost no impact on last year's season as he sat out several games for various injuries. Could the Patriots give up on him after a year once they draft a rookie on Thursday? According to Amendola, he is healthy and fully prepared to play with Tom Brady in 2014.
"Bringing in new faces is part of the offseason, and we've brought in some savvy veterans and some guys who've played in a lot of games in the NFL," Amendola said, via the Boston Herald. "Any time you do that, you give your team a chance to be better, so I'm excited. I feel great. I feel ready to keep training hard and keep getting better. There's a lot of progress to be made with our whole group. We're all excited to be back working together."
Amendola signed one of the bigger free agent contracts of last season and followed that up with a disappointing 633 yards and two touchdowns. He avoided groin surgery with rehab work and insists that he is fully healthy, but will the Patriots put another year of faith in him? With several teams needing wide receivers in various rounds, could someone make a deal on draft day?
The Patriots are ready to take a top prospect and could move up to get one. They will not rope in Amendola in the trade, but could deal him after if the opportunity is there. The Boston Herald goes on to predict that the Oakland Raiders are a top landing spot for the wide receiver if he is available. The Carolina Panthers could also be a target. Both teams need top wide receivers, but also need to use the draft for other position needs.
Meanwhile the Patriots are favorites to draft anyone from Mike Evans to Odell Beckham Jr. Making their first pick at No. 29 could make it tough to get either player, but with teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins look to jump down a bit, the Patriots could make a serious move.
