For so many reasons, the New England Patriots were bound to show interest in UMass receiver Andy Isabella. And indeed, Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline reports that the Patriots are very interested.
Isabella is a player in the Patriots’ area, and New England makes a point of knowing their area best. Then there’s his profile: an undersized but physically gifted receiver who has had to scrap to get on the field and get production.
Here’s what Pauline had on the team’s relationship with Isabella from an appearance on the on the Bleav Podcast Network.
“Two teams I left out, who a number of people tell me who are really interested in him are the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. The Patriots make sense in so many ways. This is their type of receiver. A little bit shorter, a little bit undersized, but incredibly quick, incredibly creative, fast, a guy who can produce when the ball is in his hands running after the catch, as well as lining up as a return specialist.”
Isabella has been working out with Randy Moss, a former Patriots receiver, who will no doubt give New England all the information they need on the young wideout. With Moss, Isabella has been working on transitioning to the slot, as he spent most of his time in college at the outside spot.
“Randy’s definitely focusing on the inside because that’s where he thinks I’m going to start off at. And he says, based on my performances and my reputation in the league, hopefully my role is going to increase,” Isabella said at the 2019 combine in February.
The Patriots pursued a handful of slot receivers in free agency with the team swinging and missing on Adam Humphries, Cole Beasley and Golden Tate. Perhaps New England will have better lock locking down slot help in the draft.
