Breaking Down Patriots’ New Waiver Receivers

With two open roster spots and just three wide receivers on the initial roster, it was little surprise that the Patriots signed two wideouts off the waiver wire. Chad Hansen and Amara Darbo are both second-year receivers who had nine catches as rookies with their respective teams.

Can we count on either to step in and contribute? The track record for in-season receivers is pretty poor outside of Jabar Gaffney in 2006.

Neither name has the sexiness of a Dez Bryant, but both are clearly Patriots-type receivers. Let’s take a quick look at them both.

Amara Darbo

A third-round pick by the Seahawks out of Michigan, Darbo’s best trait is his size and toughness. At 6’2″ with good arm length, Darbo is willing to do the dirty work even if he isn’t the fastest or quickest receiver. Usually that kind of player screams special teams and he did play a third of the Seahawks ST snaps last season.

The biggest concern with Darbo is his hands, with PFF making an apt comparison to Brandon LaFell in Darbo’s scouting report. That tells you what kind of fit he is and that he’ll likely looked at more on the outside at first, a spot where he’ll be behind Dorsett and Hogan.

From NFL.com:

Good NFL size with above-average arm length. Experience in Michigan’s pro-style passing attack. Saw increase in targets and responded with improved production. In 2016, had at least one catch of at least 30 yards in eight of first nine games, outplaying highly regarded teammate Jehu Chesson. Fluid working two-way releases from slot. Smooth transitions in his routes. Won’t give away plant-and-go cuts to the post, allowing him to stay ahead of the cornerback. Heady player. Adjusts routes to create better throwing opportunities for quarterbacks. Accepts responsibility as blocker climbing up to cornerbacks with some urgency of engagement. Able to sustain his block when run play flows his way. Locks up back-side safety blocks.

Chad Hansen

Hansen’s fit is obvious because his traits remind me a lot of Chris Hogan. He played about a third of the snaps for the Jets last season, including just a handful of special teams. He’s a physical blocker, a polished route technician and at 6’2″ would bring a needed element of size just like Darbo.

Based on him potentially being a better fit inside, I could see him getting onto the field a step before Darbo. His traits fit what the Patriots ask their receivers do. He might not be an explosive, quick-twitch athlete but he’s got enough burst to be successful and is just the kind of guy that often blossom in New England. Can get pick up the offense and earn Tom Brady’s trust? It likely won’t happen in September, but his development behind the scenes will be something to be excited about.

From NFL.com:

 Maneuvers around route redirection in space and keeps his route on time. Works back to the throw. Has some talent after catch on wide receiver screens. Drive off the line and into his routes is consistent no matter which level he is going to work. Good awareness near sidelines. Able to drop his feet in-bounds when crowded against the boundary. Plays with good strength and physicality when mugged in his routes. Has fluid, powerful strides to burst past cornerbacks on vertical routes. Natural ball-tracker. Plus body control for ball adjustments in any direction. Hands are strong and can secure in traffic. Didn’t have to run much of the route tree, but showed willingness to work the middle. Gives physical, extended effort as run-blocker punching into cornerbacks frame and locking out. Able to make first tackler miss and accelerate into open field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aeIP95gia0

Neither of these two receivers represents immediate help for the receiver corps, but both provide reasons to be excited about them down the road. Both bring an element of size and youth that was badly needed. We won’t be able to track their progress from behind the scenes but both have traits to make them successful in New England.