While on the topic of sleepers in the NFL draft, here is another name to consider for the Patriots: UNLV receiver Ryan Wolfe.
Former NFL receiver Drew Bennett, who was signed by current Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese as a rookie free agent with the Tennessee Titans, has been working out with Wolfe. He sees a potential fit in New England.
“They are looking for character guys and that whole system is based on being in the right spot at the right time,” Bennett said in a phone interview. “Bill Belichick doesn’t have anyone there who makes mistakes and that includes drops. This guy has great hands and he’s going to be where he’s supposed to be.”
Wolfe (6-1, 205) is considered a late-round prospect, primarily because of a lack of top-end speed. With the Patriots owning two sixth-round picks and five seventh-rounders, he could be the type of player they’d target in that area if he’s available.
Wolfe totaled more receptions than anyone in the country over the last four years and was a team captain. He is the Mountain West Conference’s all-time leader in receptions.
“He’s not going to run a 4.3, but I think he’s deceptively fast, catches the ball well and runs good routes,” said Bennett, who views Wolfe as a player who could line up at multiple spots. “It’s funny. He reminds me of myself from eight, nine years ago.”
As for Bennett himself, he’s quickly transitioned into his post-playing career, having spent time in 2009 as a football analyst on ESPN’s “First Take” program.
Patriots fans probably remember him best from the 2003 playoffs, when the Titans visited Gillette Stadium in the AFC Divisional round. The temperature was 4 degrees that day, the Patriots led 17-14 late in the fourth quarter, but the Titans had one last attempt. On fourth-and-12, Bennett slipped behind the defense for a catchable long bomb from quarterback Steve McNair, but dropped it.
“That will live with me forever,” Bennett said.