Patriots Reportedly 'Gushing' Over SMU Wide Receiver at Senior Bowl

Could the New England Patriots target a wide receiver in the NFL Draft for the second consecutive season?

For the first time in Bill Belichick's 20-year reign in Foxborough, the Pats selected a wideout, Arizona State product N'Keal Harry, in the first round of last year's draft.

Well, Patriots scouts are reportedly enamored with one of this year's crop of receivers, SMU standout James Proche, who is a projected mid-round pick.

Patriots scouts reportedly were overheard "gushing over" this wide receiver. https://t.co/z5MEJNtqZq pic.twitter.com/FHbnqW0FQS
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 23, 2020

The irony here lies in the fact that Proche's 5-foot-10, 196-pound frame is the polar opposite of Harry's imposing 6-foot-4, 225-pound physique. In 2019, Proche compiled 111 receptions for 1,225 yards, and 15 touchdowns.

Proche was productive from the moment he touched down in University Park, reeling in 301 passes for 3,949 yards and 39 scores across his four seasons at SMU.

With the Patriots said to be "gushing" over Proche, don't be surprised if the team goes after him in the middle rounds.

#Patriots scouts were reportedly impressed by SMU WR James Proche at the Senior Bowl. He’s got unreal hands and body control to pluck the ball in traffic and contort his body. Varies speeds in his stems and has some wiggle too. Mid-round prospect. pic.twitter.com/OH8xvqVvy8
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 23, 2020

Perhaps Proche's most alluring attribute is the deep threat he personifies. Of course, the Pats miserably lacked a vertical aerial attack this season. According to Pro Football Focus, the SMU star caught 11 deep passes for 367 yards, and recorded just three drops the entire campaign.

With New England evidently looking to bolster its receiving corps this offseason, Proche is certainly a name to keep tabs on.