There's not a whole lot of film available on the internet of Patriots third-round pick Devin Asiasi. Guess Chip Kelly's 4-8 Bruins weren't exactly must-see TV for most.
And, to be honest, what film was available ... wasn't very compelling. Asiasi looked like a mix between Jermaine Wiggins (undrafted by the Jets in 1999 but went on to average 62 catches for the Vikings after a stint with the Patriots) and Michael Hoomanawanui (fifth-round pick by the Rams in 2010).
Asiasi looks slow and plodding. There's nothing special in his route running. His blocking isn't great. Look for yourself against Washington State, No. 86 (there's a schemed-up TD at the end):
Could have called him Wiggy-awanui.
That can't be it. There has to be something more. There has to be a reason why the Patriots picked Asiasi 91st overall.
So I texted an NFL source who scouts the West for another NFL team.
"What did you think of Asiasi? He looks ... ok," I asked. "Not all that fast, fluid body, better after the catch, has upside because it doesn’t look like he’s been coached very well. What am I missing?"
The scout immediately called back: "You're not watching the right games. Hold on, let me send you some clips. You'll see it."
The clips, as you'll see below, are short and they're not exactly dazzling in their production for a bunch of different reasons — some are even mid-play — but I think they're good enough for you to get the gist:
Asiasi, while in many ways far from polished and a little bit of a project, is an exciting prospect who has a tantalizing upside.
Play 1
Setup: He's in the slot (as he often is) and you'll see him at the 20-yard break out on a corner route.
Skinny: This was the first clip where I saw a guy who had some explosion off the line and ability to get out into a route and make something happen. Good route, good explosion. OK, now we're talking.
Play 2 (was able to find this one online)
Setup: He's inline at the Y TE spot where he'll play mostly for the Patriots.
Skinny: Gets up the field, finds a soft spot in the zone and shows soft hands. Good adjustment to a ball thrown behind him on purpose. Nothing really special, but a nice little play.
Play 3
Setup: Inline left TE spot against Oklahoma.
Skinny: Similar to the first play, shows a good burst off the line and gets to a good depth at the top of the QB drop. Sticks his foot in the ground with a little head fake to throw off the coverage. Makes the catch over the middle and is dangerous after the catch. The end zone footage shows the route-running and the high-pointing of a tough ball considering it's over the middle and you could get blasted. Good stuff.
Play 4
Setup: Inline left TE spot again against Oklahoma, a good and fast team.
Skinny: This play is unbelievable. First of all, he shakes a flat-footed safety out of his shoes, twists back-shoulder in mid-route to catch a poorly thrown ball and then doesn't really break stride as he picks up some YAC. This is the part of the cartoon when my eyes bulge out of my head. That's an NFL play. That's a high-level NFL play.
Play 5
Setup: Trips right, he's the tip of the spear.
Skinny: This is purely a YAC play and it shows his ability to quickly get up to speed after the catch — that's something that would separate him from more average tight ends, like Matt LaCosse — and the leap at the end wasn't bad (doubt Belichick would approve during the season).
Play 6
Setup: He's going to be coming from offscreen on the right and the slot.
Skinny: Another tremendous catch of a ball thrown behind him. Very nice.
Play 7
Setup: Asiasi will be on the right side of the screen.
Skinny: For the first time, we see him come straight across the field, which the Patriots will ask him to do. And this time, also for the first time, he creates some separation. And I'm told by the scout that the USC defender, No. 21 Isaiah Pola-Mao, is a good player and can really run. So another great sign.
Play 8
Setup: Left Y TE.
Skinny: Gets to the second level quickly, and then explodes down the field after the catch and beats Pola-Mao again to the goal line. This is an upper-level NFL TE play where you see a glimpse of a Travis Kelce or George Kittle.
Play 9
Setup: Slot left.
Skinny: Another great adjustment to the ball in midair.
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NEGATIVES
- Inconsistent on the college level. Looks like a stiff who won't stay long in the league in some games (especially early last season), and then looks like a future All-Pro in others.
- What's the deal with that? What are the reasons? Very leery of players who think they can turn it off and on when they want. Did he only turn it on last year when he thought about turning pro? Does he have maturity issues? Had a lot of penalties for his position. Left Michigan, three-game suspension.
- Blocking, at this point, is terrible, but almost all of it is technique. He exposes his chest too much, lets defenders get into body, thumps with shoulder. Someone needs to show him how to block like a man, man0 a mano. Patriots will get him out there on the edge. Let John Simon go a round or two with him.
- Not a great football body and could get heavy. Does he care enough? Weak with only 16 reps on the 225-pound bench press. Shows up in his blocking. Not a dynamic athlete. May limit his ceiling in the NFL.
- May have trouble getting off man coverage at the NFL if someone is physical with him. Will need to show he's not soft on those types of plays.
POSITIVES
- Gets into his route quickly and has a great fluidity to him as an athlete — almost like a basketball player. This is probably the part that excites me the most. If he wants to be a good pro, he has a lot of potential just due to the underlying athlete he is. He has way more potential to even what he's shown.
- Doesn't power down after the catch and gets up to speed quickly.
- Tremendously soft hands (only one drop last season) and adjusts very well to the ball in the air.
- Has rare after-the-catch ability for the position so he'll be more than just the type who catches the ball and dives forward.
- Can line up all over the formation.
- Despite his maturity issues, was extremely well-liked by teammates. Comments by one: "I can honestly tell you he was a great teammate. All of the players love the guy. If I ever wanted to get extra work in, he was always wanting to be a part of it. He wasn’t a big party guy that some people make him out to be. He is really relaxed and calm with a strong work ethic."
- Seems to have an infectious attitude and love of the game on the field.
PARTING THOUGHTS
I assume the Patriots did a deep-dive with the area scout on Asiasi's maturity and whether he really loves the game, because much of his drafting in the third round is about the potential he's shown on the field in bursts. He's certainly not that player on a consistent basis or else he would have been a first-round pick.
In many ways, this pick and player feels Gronk-ish. There were a lot of legit questions (aside from the medicals) about Rob Gronkowski's attitude and professionalism coming out of Arizona — who turns early pro after a season in which you don't play? — and that worked out just fine.
If Asiasi wants to be a good pro and puts in the time and effort to be the best he can be, then he could really be a special player and a perfect Y tight end for the Patriots. He could be like a Kittle or a Kelce with better blocking.
Asiasi might hit quickly in the passing game, but his poor blocking will keep him off the field in many situations as a rookie.