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Tennessee football: Five best NFL landing spots for Josh Palmer

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 12: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers gestures during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 12: Josh Palmer #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers gestures during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Nov 29, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Palmer was a great developmental story out of Canada, coming away with over 450 yards receiving each of his final three years with Tennessee football. At the same time, he only had 475 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 1 receiver his senior year, making it hard to gauge him.

As a 6’2″ 210-pound wideout who runs a 4.51 40-yard dash, Palmer doesn’t have the athletic ability to overcome that production either. However, poor quarterback play was the main cause of it. Pro Football Focus noted that 37.2 percent of passes thrown to Palmer were uncatchable, and UT was sixth-worst among Power Five teams in throwing uncatchable balls in general.

Simply put, Palmer couldn’t do too much, and he actually had a strong Pro Day, probably making him a fifth-to-seventh rounder. The best spot would be for a team not looking for immediate help at receiver but one that could use a deep threat. Looking at that, these are the five best landing spots for the former Tennessee football receiver.

5.) New England Patriots

Given their history with Tom Brady so many years, the New England Patriots wouldn’t seem like a team that needs a deep-threat receiver. They need a receiver, particularly with the retirement of Julian Edelman, but would a deep route-runner fit their profile? Well, somebody like Josh Palmer just might if he’s used right.

Remember, Palmer is an elite route-runner and has great hands, two key components in the Pats’ system. Also, Brady has been gone for over a year. The Pats need to adjust, and if Cam Newton is the starter again, or even if somebody else is, a few more deep balls wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Given his limited athletic ability and his questionable production with Tennessee football, Palmer seems like the perfect player for Bill Belichick to find and turn into a star. The draft is loaded with top-notch receivers, and the Pats may take one of them early on to specifically replace Edelman, but Palmer could be a new element in their offense. That’s enough for them to be on here.

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