Kenbrell Thompkins l WR l New England Patriots

[Seventy5]

Anything to see here? Anybody know much about him other than the little blurbs that have been floating around lately? I don't know anything about the guy, but I tend to follow smoke hoping to find fire and his name has been popping up all offseason long with quotes like:

"he's looking very good/standing out in OTAs"

"receiving 1st team reps"

"working ahead of fellow rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce"

Someone will get a decent amount of targets on the outside and it's not looking like they will bring in a veteran WR to fill that role, so it looks like the starting X WR job will come down to Michael Jenkins vs Aaron Dobson vs Kenbrell Thompkins. Early indications are its Kenbrell vs Jenkins and Dobson is struggling. Other WRs in the mix - Mark Harrison (one of Bloom's favorites), Donald Jones, Lavelle Hawkins, Julian Edelman, and Josh Boyce.. but I'd expect Boyce/Edelman to be competing with Edelman more so than Jenkins/Kenbrell/Dobson.

Jenkins was a 1st round draft pick in 2004 but hasn't played like one, and Dobson was the one of the most hyped rookie WRs directly after the NFL draft (I thought it was mostly due to the situation people thought he was going to be thrust into but I wasn't sold on the talent).

Rotoworld Profile - http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/864 ... -thompkins

NFL Draft Scout Profile - http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/ds ... &genpos=WR

What are everyones thoughts on this player and the patriots outside WR job? I stashed Jenkins away at the end of my bench in one league but just swapped him out for Kenbrell mostly due to the fact that he can be placed on the Taxi Squad and hasn't proven to not be very good yet.

[49erAus]

The pats havnt hit on a wideout in the draft for ages, can't remember the last one?

I'm more excited about seeing if Donald jones gets an oppurtunity. I think with Brady he can really blossom, just a gut feeling tho.

It's definitely a battle worth monitoring tho.

[WZA]

This year's Lestar Jean...

[49erAus]

This year's Lestar Jean...

Man that guy shafted me lol never again .......

[Seventy5]

This year's Lestar Jean...

I have to agree with ya, but this years 'Lestar Jean" has Tom Brady throwing to him instead of Matt Schaub... so there's on reason for optimism

[Euclid]

The pats havnt hit on a wideout in the draft for ages, can't remember the last one?

Terry Glenn, but that was different leadership.



I think the rookie type to go after is Mark Harrison. Best fundamental physical abilities of the bunch. Thompkins' contract is extremely cuttable (like many of the other WRs). I think he goes to the PS.

[thriftyrocker]

I definitely would drop Jenkins for him as the OP did.

He's Antonio Brown's cousin. He was going to go to TENN but changed his mind when Kiffin left.

He was great in JUCO but kinda got unlucky at Cincinnati.

I think Edelman is the redraft sleeper, but don't expect him to be great.

Some chance Thompkins flashes more this year than Boyce and Dobson and is valued higher.

This is kinda turning into a Marvin Jones/Mohammed Sanu/Armon Binns situation. Although each of the 3 players are worse.

That said I rostered Kenbrell wherever I could in 12x30 leagues.

[Water Buffalo]

The pats havnt hit on a wideout in the draft for ages, can't remember the last one?

I'm more excited about seeing if Donald jones gets an oppurtunity. I think with Brady he can really blossom, just a gut feeling tho.

It's definitely a battle worth monitoring tho.

Although the "the pats can't draft WRs" argument is, at least to me, a foolish way to try and predict NFL/Fantasy success of players, I agree with the second part.

Of all the sleeper type WRs in NE this year, Donald Jones is the guy I'm buying in to if I want a horse in that race.

[49erAus]

The pats havnt hit on a wideout in the draft for ages, can't remember the last one?

I'm more excited about seeing if Donald jones gets an oppurtunity. I think with Brady he can really blossom, just a gut feeling tho.

It's definitely a battle worth monitoring tho.

Although the "the pats can't draft WRs" argument is, at least to me, a foolish way to try and predict NFL/Fantasy success of players, I agree with the second part.

Of all the sleeper type WRs in NE this year, Donald Jones is the guy I'm buying in to if I want a horse in that race.

Was more just a statement then a tool to knock down kenbrell, although I think it would be interesting to see a list of
Who , what round and the success rate of pats wide receivers. not all scouts will Evaluate talent the same way etc and not all front offices would value positions the same way.

[clarion contrarion]

This year's Lestar Jean...

or w/ the almost Tennessee connection.... denarious moore
intrigues me a bit
someone will need to absorb lots of targets

[orangecrush]

The belief that NE is not successful at drafting wide receivers got me interested so I did a little research...

Wide Receiver Picks In The Belichick Era:


Name RD YR Now? Best Year

Jeremy Ebert 7th 2012 JAX Rookie Yr PS

Taylor Price 3rd 2010 FA 2010 3/41/0 NE

Brandon Tate 3rd 2009 CIN 2010 - 24/432/3 NE

Julian Edelman 7th 2009 NE 2009 - 37/359/1 NE

Matthew Slater 5th 2008 OOL 2011 - 1/46/0 NE

Chad Jackson 2nd 2006 OOL 2006 - 13/152/3 NE

P.K. Sam 5th 2004 OOL Never Caught A Ball

Bethel Johnson 2nd 2003 CFL 2003 - 16/209/2 NE

Deion Branch 2nd 2002 FA 2005 - 78/998/5 NE

David Givens 7th 2002 OOL 2004 - 56/874/4 NE

[49erAus]

Thanks OC !

That's very interesting, doesn't look as though they have drafted one in the 1st for a while!

Branch was obviously their best selection but he ended up holding out and leaving to seattle? iirc. 7/10 either out of the league or FA'sis a very poor strike rate. Some teams are just better suited to drafting certain positions I guess, for such a successful offense you would think belichek would have a very good idea of the type of WR that would suit his offense.

It makes you question the ligitimacy of when people say

"He's going to be good because Brady is throwing him the ball!"

[Seventy5]

Little update on Kenbrell:

"According to ESPN Boston, Friday's release of Donald Jones was tied at least in part to UDFA WR Kenbrell Thompkins' "strong work" at spring practices.
The Pats salvaged a $200,000 training camp reporting bonus by cutting Jones, but Thompkins practiced so well that he earned first-team reps by the end of minicamp. Reliable beat writer Mike Reiss deems Thompkins "the under-the-radar Patriots offensive player who has arguably built more momentum than any other." Worth a look in all dynasty leagues, Thompkins is also a favorite of Rookie Scouting Portfolio's Matt Waldman, who has a terrific eye for talent."

[Jimmy Graham Cracker]

I think we've found this year's Lestar Jean.

[Seventy5]

I think we've found this year's Lestar Jean.

What exactly happened to Jean last offseason? I remember seeing all the hype and then it just stopped.. Can't remember if he had an injury or if he just ended up not being any good?