By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- A few nuggets and thoughts on the Patriots' fourth-round selection:

WR Josh Boyce, TCU

• Junior entry


• 5-11, 206 pounds, 4.38 in the 40 (tied for third highest at combine)


• 31 1/4-inch arms, 9 1/4-inch hands, 34-inch vertical, 4.10 short shuttle (good), 6.68 three-cone (great), 22 bench (great);


• Caught passes from Andy Dalton at TCU, and was a high school teammate of Robert Griffin III;


• Tied for second-highest among receivers this year with a Wonderlic score of 23. That's the highest known Patriots score since Deion Branch (26) in 2002;


• Led team with 66 receptions for 891 yards and seven touchdowns;


• Has lined up in various spots, including running back.

What the "experts" are saying:

OurLads Scouting: "A good athlete with rare speed. Didn't always play to that timed speed. Instant acceleration but rather picks up speed as he races down field. Can keep secondary honest by driving them deep. Good body control when making a catch. Can separate better deep than short and medium. Has size and speed coaches like but needs to elevate his inconsistent receivers skills."

Pro Football Weekly: "Good zie and strength. Terrific timed speed. Can play outside or inside. Flashes playmaking. ... Average length and leaping ability. Concentration drops are too prevalent. Did not catch naturally at the combine. Poor, lazy blocker. ... Boyce's stopwatch speed has yet to translate on the field, and Boyce does not project as a core special-teams player, meaning he will have to establish himself as a short-to-intermediate No. 3 to have longevity."

Mel Kiper Jr.: "He is a solid all-around receiver with a powerful, sturdy frame and an impressive upper body. Boyce also has very good speed and smarts for the position. Has the talent to be a very solid, reliable No. 2 receiver in right pro offense.

Analysis

Like that the Patriots have double dipped at receiver, and with two guys who can help outside the numbers. The lack of viable threats there has really hampered the offense in the biggest games. Certainly like the speed and the smarts on Boyce. He won't see the field if he doesn't catch or block well, but those are things that, hopefully, can be refined. Hearing from a lot of scouts that Boyce's foot fracture likely caused his drop from about a third-round level. A good prospect with a lot of potential with the type of skills that are needed in this offense.