While working on the rookie story for the magazine, Ian had his eye on one late-round pick: Patriots sixth-rounder Braxton Berrios. Selected deep in the draft, Berrios didn't offer anything significant in terms of size or speed. But he fit the profile of some slot receivers that have been very successful in New England over the years.
And now the opportunity looks especially good for Berrios. Julian Edelman has been hit with a four-game suspension for PEDs. Malcolm Mitchell (knee) has been sidelined at OTAs, as usually seems to be the case for him. New England's top two receivers a year ago, Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola, are with other teams now.
Chris Hogan is the most popular beneficiary, and then you will find people talking up Jordan Matthews, Kenny Britt or even Phillip Dorsett. Matthews typically plays in the slot at his various stops.
But he's also 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, much different than the smaller, quicker guys the Patriots have used in the slot over the years: Wes Welker, Amendola, Edelman. Berrios, at 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, is similar, and the Patriots were apparently intrigued not by his 40-yard dash but his three-cone time entering college (Edelman fared well in that area).
Edelman will only be down four games (pending appeal, but guys never win these). But with Mitchell sidelined and a lot of the team's 2017 targets gone, one of these wide receivers is going to be needed to contribute a lot, especially early on. Matthews will be the popular favorite, but don't sleep on Berrios. Could pay off as a deep dynasty add or last-round pick in best-ball leagues.
--Andy Richardson