The New England Patriots selected Arizona State wide receiver Devin Lucien in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the understanding that he would be a developmental prospect. Lucien battled injuries and transferred schools in college, but had one of the most dominant stretches to close out the final five games of his college career with 659 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Patriots stashed Lucien on their practice squad for his rookie season in 2016 after he gained 39 yards on 3 catches in the 2016 preseason, but an injury in the final preseason game of 2017- the same game Lucien had erupted for 96 yards and a touchdown- prevented the team from putting him on their practice squad (more on that later).