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Quinton Patton

(Photo by AP)

INDIANAPOLIS – Ask Quinton Patton who the best receiver in the NFL Draft is and he doesn't even have to pause to think about it.

"Quinton Patton," he said without a smirk or smile or his face.

"I catch everything my way. I will say that I'm the best blocker," he continued. "But at the of the day I just make plays. No matter what it is doing, I'm going to give 110 percent every down, every minute of the game."

Patton isn't just all talk. The 6-foot, 202-pound wide receiver may really be one of the best wide receivers in the draft, and proved so after catching 183 passes for 2,594 yards and 24 touchdowns during his two seasons at Louisiana Tech.

With his ability to get deep down the field and make acrobatic catches on the sidelines, he is quickly climbing up draft boards and could be one of the first wide receivers taken in April's draft.

He was scheduled to meet with New England Friday night and said he knew what to expect heading into the meeting.

"I ain't got to be around coach Belichick to know that you got to shut up and just get it done," he said. "You got to be detail oriented. Just shut up and get it done with him."

With Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and Deion Branch all set to enter free agency, Patton could be a potential draft target for the Patriots. The team was also known to have set up meetings with Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and USC's Robert Woods.

Patton wouldn't mind going to team like the Patriots, but he's only worried about what is in front of him.

"I'm just out to put on a show here then it's up to the football gods after that," he said.

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Some other highlights from Patton, who was easily the biggest character that I've encountered this week:

A lot of critics point out that you face the most talented players in college.

“You see what I can do. I can play with the best of them.”

Did your game against Texas A&M prove that (21 catches, 233 yards, four touchdowns)?



"It really don't matter. Everybody says I got the exposure off the Texas A&M game, but last year I played against of the best DBs that's in this combine right here and in the draft, Jonathan Banks (of Mississippi State). I really don't care what people say. I'm just a ballplayer."

Did that game give you confidence?



"It gives me the utmost confidence. I'm a confident person, confident in my abilities that God has given me. My confidence level is always high."

Would you mind going to a team with some veteran receivers in place?



"I'll just sit there quietly … or sometimes quiet because I'm never quiet. But just sit and watch what he does and take notes and learn."

Is there a receiver you model your game after?



"I watch all of them. Mostly all the big names. But my favorite one is Chad Johnson, not Chad Ochocinco. He was just so smooth coming out of his routes and breaks. For a period of time he would catch anything and everything thrown his way."

Is there someone closest in terms of skill set?



"I don't compare myself to anybody. I'm Quinton Patton."

What do you want to accomplish here and what did you accomplish at the Senior Bowl?



"That I am one of the best receivers out here in this country."

What makes you the best?



"I just make plays. That's it. It don't matter if I'm blocking 60 yards downfield for a running back, going in and digging out a linebacker or safety. I have no fear on the field. Just get it done. Hard-nosed player."

Is there anything you aren't good at?



"I need to improve my press (coverage) release."

What would be a successful 40 time for you?



"Probably like a 5.2. Anything under a 5.2 would be good for me. I don't know. Anything in the mid-4.4 range would be good for me."

Have you ever been tackled from behind?



"Does a great angle count?"

Not really



"Ok then, then no."



