It's that time of year again. It's officially the part of the calendar where I put my unhealthy fetish toward "diamonds in the rough" on full display. Since Freeland1787 has been doing a fantastic job in covering All Star events and prospects who have been heavily featured, I'd do something different.

I'd introduce you some prospects who are projected to be drafted in Day 3 or undrafted yet can potentially help Patriots tremendously. Finding jackpots like Julian Edelman & Malcolm Butler or even quality depth / rotational players a la Justin Coleman / Dane Fletcher with minimal capital is EXTREMELY crucial in this particular year where Bill Belichick sacrificed their first round pick to cast powerful dark spell on those in Indy or Baltimore.

This entry features K.J. Maye, WR from University of Minnesota.

Measurables

Height: 5' 8 3/8"

Weight: 194lbs

Hand Size: 8 1/2"

40 yards: Yet to be measured

3-cone: Yet to be measured

(He wasn't invited to the Combine so we won't know till his Pro-day)

Production

Maye's reception total ranks second on Minnesota's single-season list to the 84 of Eric Decker in 2008.

(Disclaimer)

I know I put a bevy of clips below, but each one is pretty short so don't be overwhelmed. Some clips have the same thumbnails but are all different. (To be more exact, they are differently timestamped regions from one long video). It just became that way when I embedded in the way that makes looping easier.

Pros

Very strong and reliable hands. Natural hand catcher. Can really pluck balls in the air. Rarely drops or even double clutches catch-able passes. Catch radius bigger than his sheer size.









Can gain quick separation in under neath routes with his above average quickness and crisp, savvy route running.



















(Against Desmond King, who could have gone to the 1st round had he declared)



Extremely good at catching through contacts. There are many instances where he was hit had immediately after making a catch. Fearless in traffic. He almost never loses the ball. Also shows ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls.



























On the related note, he's very good at making "contested catches" even defenders are all over him. Can play bigger than his size by shielding defenders away from passes by using his body. Elite concentration.









(Bonus points for Edelman esque emotion and making the Elder Harbough look like...a Harbough)



(Bonus points for Edelman esque emotion and making the Elder Harbough look like...a Harbough) (Following from the clip just above) Clutch. Cathes critical 3rd / 4th down throws one after another. 1st Down Machine.



Good YAC ability with some wiggle when ball is in his hands.













Great foot awareness near boundary.





(against Eli Apple, a projected 1st ~ 2nd round CB)

(against Eli Apple, a projected 1st ~ 2nd round CB) There are times he can get behind the defense over the middle by using double moves. Some potential to be more than just a slot guy.









He is also a willing run blocker. Underrated quality for WRs but not for our offense.











UM used him in jet sweeps occasionally and was moderately successful (also Edelman esque)









This is extremely crucial. He played under Pro Style offense and ran full route tree. Just like Pats offense, they moved him outside/inside and motioned him a lot. He was also a prolific high school QB who transitioned to a WR at UM. Extremely hard worker. These factors will help him get acclimated into the notoriously high demanding scheme...and QB.

Cons

While he can play bigger or stronger than his statue, nobody will mistake him for Ashlon Jeffery. There are some plays that makes you think "Had he had extra few inches or few pounds..." Although better throws from his QBs would made it complete and we have a QB that excels in threading a needle, it still doesn't help him.

















His speed is just average. He will not beat outside corners with pure speed. Definitely not a true vertical threat.









Final Words

While he is not a big time prospect (currently projected to be a 7th rounder ~ UDFA by CBS), he has everything what Patriots want from a slot receiver. Quick, gritty, fearless, crisp route running, hard working and mostly, reliable.

Some may argue we already have plethora of short receivers, but with Edelman's foot/age, Amendola's uncertain future, Harper's track record (or lack thereof), there will be a room for another short receiver.

Personally I think he has a ceiling to be a good 3rd receiver of the team and may be a better player than Harper was a year ago. If you can get such a player with these "throw away picks," that's a great value.

Games I studied / See Yourself

(in chronological order)

vs TCU (Draftbreakdown)

vs Nebraska (Draftbreakdown)

vs Michigan (Self-made: Dailymotion)

vs Ohio State (Draftbreakdown)

vs Iowa (Draftbreakdown)

vs Wisconsin (Self-made:Dailymotion)

vs Central Michigan (Draftbreakdown)