NFL Draft’s Potential Patriots: South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery

WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that may be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2012 NFL draft. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

Alshon Jeffery picks up some yards after the catch in a game against The Citadel. (AP)

Alshon Jeffery

Position: Wide receiver

School: South Carolina

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 229 pounds

Achievements: 2010 Biletnikoff Award runner-up, 2010 All-SEC, FWAA Freshman All-American

What he brings: Jeffery has the speed, size, hands and hand-eye coordination that make him extremely tough to handle for cornerbacks. His size advantage makes him a matchup nightmare, something Patriots receivers currently lack. While he doesn’t have the top-end speed of a true deep threat the Patriots desperately need, he has the ability to get yards after the catch because he is elusive for his size. Route-running and blocking are his biggest weaknesses.

Where the Patriots could get him: Round 1

Notes: In 2010, Jeffery broke South Carolina single season records with 1, 517 receiving yards and  88 receptions and he is the current leader in nearly every receiving category. His numbers dipped this season as a junior, but he ended strong, as on Jan. 2 he was the Capital One Bowl MVP in a win over Nebraska. Despite playing just weeks after having surgery on his hand for an injury suffered in the regular-season finale, Jeffery had four catches for 148 yards, including a 51-yard Hail Mary touchdown reception — before he was thrown out of the game in the third quarter for fighting. His lack of improvement in route-running and top end speed are major concerns and his 40 time will be extremely important.

Recent articles:

Top 10 prospects centered around the passing game

Kiper projects Jeffery to 49ers

Video: Here’s Jeffery’s Hail Mary TD catch in the Capital One Bowl.