ASU receiver Devin Lucien selected by New England Patriots in 7th round of NFL Draft
Apr 30, 2016, 2:48 PM | Updated: 10:29 pm
Arizona State wide receiver Devin Lucien (15) scores a touchdown as West Virginia linebacker Shaq Petteway (36) defends during the first half of the Cactus Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona State Sun Devils have another player off the board in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Wide receiver Devin Lucien went fourth in the seventh round to the New England Patriots, becoming the 225th overall selection. He came off the board after ASU teammate Christian Westerman went in the fifth round to the Cincinnati Bengals.
In New England, Lucien will play with ASU receiver D.J. Foster, who was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
In three years at UCLA, Lucien had no more than 29 receptions and 339 yards in a single season.
After transferring to ASU for his senior season, Lucien had a breakout year.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver was far and away the best down-field option for coach Todd Graham in 2015, leading the team with 1,074 receiving yards, co-leading with eight touchdown receptions and ranking second with 16.3 yards per catch.
Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus named Lucien their No. 1 sleeper in the draft.
There are a number of receivers in this class who project as good NFL players, and that depth has pushed Lucien down draft boards, making him a potentially excellent value. He has strong hands and plenty of experience adjusting to poorly thrown passes at Arizona State, so he can make plays even when covered. He’s effective on the outside and on shorter routes, so look for Lucien to provide an effective option in the second or third tier of wide receiver prospects.
