The New England Patriots have drafted eight receivers following their selections of Deion Branch and David Givens in 2002, with the group combining for just 140 catches, 1,835 yards and 14 touchdowns. Julian Edelman has been the most productive, catching 69 balls for 714 yards and four touchdowns.

“Even [Bill] Belichick would admit they’ve been terrible,” said an NFC general manager. “I mean, those guys haven’t done anything after they’ve left, either. They’re just bad.”

Bill Belichick has looked more toward free agents due to how difficult it has become to project wide receivers coming out of college.