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As part of their thorough pre-draft scouting process, the New England Patriots held a private workout with Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder last week. The private workout was noted by Crowder himself as part of a USA Today first-person account of his experience leading up to the draft. The Patriots have private workouts with hundreds of prospects, which is important context. So from a media perspective, the feeling from here is that if it is confirmed the Patriots are spending individual time with a prospect, the goal is to learn more about the player as well. Crowder is an undersized target (5-foot-8 3/8, 185 pounds) who projects to the slot. He was a team captain at Duke and considered a team-first player whose production is hard to miss (85 catches in 2014; 105 in 2013). From a pure measurement-based perspective, his arm length (30 3/8) and hand size (8 3/4) are a bit below what would generally be desired, but what analysts say stands out is his ability to get in and out of cuts. Crowder is on pace to become the first Duke receiver drafted since 1990, and he potentially adds value as a punt returner. ESPN ranks him as the 17th receiver in the draft, which if it holds true would make him a mid-round projection.
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