Could Alabama’s Slade Bolden be the Patriots’ next Wes Welker/Julian Edelman? - The Boston Globe
INDIANAPOLIS — NFL draft prospect Slade Bolden had a name at the ready when asked to list pro players he has modeled his game after.
“That’s the easiest answer I’ve got,” he said Wednesday morning. “Julian Edelman, for sure.”
Bolden, a 5-foot-11-inch, 194-pound slot receiver out of Alabama, went on to say that he admires the way Edelman played the game, from his work ethic to his mind-set. Edelman, who retired from football after the 2020 season, earned a reputation as a tough, scrappy, and reliable receiver during his 12 years in New England.
“ ‘You can’t guard me, you can’t stop me, I’m going to catch everything’ — that kind of mind-set,” Bolden said. “I see myself being that kind of person and try to emulate that as best I can.”
At Alabama, Bolden said, he spoke to offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien “all the time” about how O’Brien used Edelman and Wes Welker in the Patriots offense. O’Brien, who was on Nick Saban’s staff for just Bolden’s redshirt junior season, spent five years with the Patriots — and in four of them Welker was the team’s leading receiver.
The Patriots certainly may want to consider Bolden as an option to fill their shifty slot archetype. Last year, Bolden had 42 receptions for 408 yards, while also contributing on special teams with 14 punt returns for 99 yards and five kickoff returns for 67 yards.
Strengthening Bolden’s case is the fact that he is close friends with Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. When Bolden visited Alabama as a recruit, Jones hosted him. The two ended up rooming together and have stayed in close contact.
Bolden confirmed that he met with a Patriots representative at the combine. He said that reconnecting with Jones in New England would be “an easy transition” because of their bond, but, of course, he would be happy to play for any team interested in extending an opportunity.
So, any chance Jones has put in a good word with coach Bill Belichick?
Bolden laughed.
“I don’t know,” he said. “If he did, I probably wouldn’t be allowed to say.”