sleepers at 28

[tricktak]

I think the most realistic option at 17 is JJ Watt. but what about their 28th pick. with their history, many people are saying they will trade this pick but I don't think so. I think this is the year they get 2 stud defensive players in the first round. There are a few options at 28 that are both realistic and can be classified as sleepers.

-Akeem Ayers is slipping in this draft and could slip all the way to 28. He has the versatility the patriots love and can play outside linebacker.

-Brooks Reed is another guy who's getting recognition after a great combine and would be a good pick here for the Pats and would fill their pass rushing needs.

-Ryan Kerrigan could also fall here and would be a good value pick for a guy getting mentioned in the top 15. Kerrigan has been questioned as to whether or not he can stand up in a 3-4 but seems like the type of player the patriots would take and work with on that.

-Martez Wilson from Illinois is the sleeper I really like here. Haven't heard much about him other than him having a great combine, but I watched some video on him and he looks like a beast. They project him to play inside in the NFL but definately has enough athleticism and pass rushing ability to become a dominant outside linebacker

 

[stinkypete]

I think Ayers is a very realistic possibility. He is custom built to play 3-4 OLB. I don't see a star in Ayers, but he looks to be a solid 3 down player who can do everything pretty well. IMO, he's an upgrade over all of our OLBs, and while less flashy than Quinn or even Reed, might be a more effective every down player.

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

I think that Gabe Carimi could/should be there at 28 and if so, they should take him. He's ready to play right now and with Vollmer and Carimi we have a pair of massive bookends protecting Brady.

 

[tricktak]

could probably add Jabaal Sheard to the list as well. He is just so explosive but he has a few character issues. Character issues don't seem to bother the patriots too much though (tate, spikes, moss). I'm not saying sheard will necessarily go at pick 28, they may not value him there, they may take hankerson at 28 instead of 33 and pick Sheard at 33. If it weren't for some character concerns, this guy looks like a mid first round pick.

 

[DW Toys]

I think Ayers is a very realistic possibility. He is custom built to play 3-4 OLB. I don't see a star in Ayers, but he looks to be a solid 3 down player who can do everything pretty well. IMO, he's an upgrade over all of our OLBs, and while less flashy than Quinn or even Reed, might be a more effective every down player.

Weakest part of his game?........Pass rush. The last guy we need. Like 2 sacks???
Not for me. I don't care what he looks like. I respect your choice though.
DW Toys

 

[dryheat44]

Ayers certainly isn't "slipping" to #28. I haven't heard him mentioned as a 1st rounder by anyone. Maybe he climbs there between now and the draft...but there's something about him that I don't like.

Reed is certainly getting a lot of love, but I would be surprised if he went at #28. Of course, that would be consistent with a "sleeper".

Guys I would consider "sleepers" at #28 are guys that you figure wouldn't be a first-round priority or don't seem to fit the profile. Brandon Harris would be a sleeper. Steve Wisniewski would be another. Christian Ballard. Phil Taylor. Corey Liuget. Ryan Williams. Any safety.

 

[charlie2]

While he far too much of a project to take at 17, I am really coming around to Akeem Ayers at 28. He has outstanding athleticism and ability to drop back into coverage. Furthermore, he has a nonstop motor and his length makes him an absolute terror on underneath routes and screen passes- he bats a lot of balls at the LOS. Right now the biggest knock on him for a 3-4 is his strength and ability to set the edge but I think a year in a professional conditioning program could develop him very nicely.

 

[reflexblue]

How could you have a "Sleeper" at 28 When i think of sleepers its in the later rounds.

 

[MaineMan]

How could you have a "Sleeper" at 28 When i think of sleepers its in the later rounds.

Kinda what I was thinking. You could have a "surprise" in the 1st round, but it's not likely to be a guy who isn't fairly widely known. Like Alualu last year - maybe Phil Taylor to the Skins this year.

I agree that a sleeper is some guy who's relatively unknown outside of a few dedicated draft geeks - a guy who even most of THEM would think of as a 7th/UDFA type - who gets drafted in the 5th and turns out to be pretty good.

 

[tricktak]

Ayers certainly isn't "slipping" to #28. I haven't heard him mentioned as a 1st rounder by anyone. Maybe he climbs there between now and the draft...but there's something about him that I don't like.

Reed is certainly getting a lot of love, but I would be surprised if he went at #28. Of course, that would be consistent with a "sleeper".

Guys I would consider "sleepers" at #28 are guys that you figure wouldn't be a first-round priority or don't seem to fit the profile. Brandon Harris would be a sleeper. Steve Wisniewski would be another. Christian Ballard. Phil Taylor. Corey Liuget. Ryan Williams. Any safety.

First of all, sleeper can be applied to any round 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th. The reason why I have these guys as sleepers is because they're not being connected to the patriots at all, which is a sleeper, duh. Martez Wilson and Brooks Reed at 28 would be definite sleepers because they're boorderline first rounders but people won't expect them to go that high. Martez Wilson especially because people will question his ability to play ouside linebacker in a 3-4 but the patriots may think otherwise. Christian ballard sucks, he's too small to be a Patriots D-lineman, They don't need another nose tackle like Phil Taylor, Danny Watkins and John Moffitt would both be better picks than Wisniewski, They're not going to pick another corner in the first round like they did last year especially with Bodden coming back, so cross Harris off that list as well and there's no way they take a running back like Williams in the first round, it's not a need. Leonard Hankerson is a better sleeper pick than Williams because WR is a bigger need. Jabaal Sheard is another sleeper at 28 as well.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I think the most realistic option at 17 is JJ Watt. but what about their 28th pick. with their history, many people are saying they will trade this pick but I don't think so. I think this is the year they get 2 stud defensive players in the first round. There are a few options at 28 that are both realistic and can be classified as sleepers.

-Akeem Ayers is slipping in this draft and could slip all the way to 28. He has the versatility the patriots love and can play outside linebacker.

-Brooks Reed is another guy who's getting recognition after a great combine and would be a good pick here for the Pats and would fill their pass rushing needs.

-Ryan Kerrigan could also fall here and would be a good value pick for a guy getting mentioned in the top 15. Kerrigan has been questioned as to whether or not he can stand up in a 3-4 but seems like the type of player the patriots would take and work with on that.

-Martez Wilson from Illinois is the sleeper I really like here. Haven't heard much about him other than him having a great combine, but I watched some video on him and he looks like a beast. They project him to play inside in the NFL but definitely has enough athleticism and pass rushing ability to become a dominant outside linebacker

If JJ Watt is available, and taken at 17, I would think that BB might decide to move up to acquire Ryan Kerrigan at 20-23. That gives him the Big Two to complete the Defensive rebuilding.

He might stay at 33 or position-trade down still in the second to acquire an OL interior lineman. But Tackles, Costanza, Solder or Carimi would certainly be appealing if one slid down, even though he doesn't really need a tackle for a year or two yet.

I suspect Danny Watkins or Curtis Brown will be my preference for the 2nd Second rounder.

 

[rookBoston]

This thread confuses me...

1) how can we be talking about guys like Ayers and Kerrigan as sleepers? regardless where they go, they're not sleepers. they've been in first round discussion since last year. sleeper would be someone like Jarrell Powe who never gets mentioned as a first round prospect, but might tweak a team's attention if they want a big body, or Shane Vereen who doesn't get press as a top RB propect.

2) Akeem Ayers looks horrible on film. What do people see in him at all? I dont get it. What are you acting on when you decide you're "warming up" to him?!?

3) Kerrigan is the better prospect between him and Watt. And even if you dont agree, you have to grant that it's a damn close call. I dont think you wait for Watt to come off the board as a signal that you need to trade up for Kerrigan, cause he could come off the board anytime in the teens or twenties.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

First of all, sleeper can be applied to any round 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th. The reason why I have these guys as sleepers is because they're not being connected to the patriots at all, which is a sleeper, duh. Martez Wilson and Brooks Reed at 28 would be definite sleepers because they're boorderline first rounders but people won't expect them to go that high. Martez Wilson especially because people will question his ability to play ouside linebacker in a 3-4 but the patriots may think otherwise. Christian ballard sucks, he's too small to be a Patriots D-lineman, They don't need another nose tackle like Phil Taylor, Danny Watkins and John Moffitt would both be better picks than Wisniewski, They're not going to pick another corner in the first round like they did last year especially with Bodden coming back, so cross Harris off that list as well and there's no way they take a running back like Williams in the first round, it's not a need. Leonard Hankerson is a better sleeper pick than Williams because WR is a bigger need. Jabaal Sheard is another sleeper at 28 as well.

Howdy neighbor, if you don't mind a word of encouragement from a guy who has had his share of sharp exchanges around here? You're off to a good start at patsfans. You bring value to the discussions, that's much appreciated.

My word of encouragement is to point to the highlight above and suggest allowing your frustration with Dryheat's perspective lead to an uncalled for shot is more likely to lead to future conflict than to help communicate effectively. Been there, done that, got the demerits to prove it - like I said, you've been a welcome addition to the forum, try not to let disagreement feel personal, it's generally more fun that way. :rocker:

My definition of a "sleeper" at the end of the first round would be someone like Mankins whom most draftniks projected to the third round. Ayers, Kerrigan, guys like that don't rise to my definition.

My "sleepers" for #28:
-- OL Vinva Ijalana
-- OL Clint Boling
-- OL James Carpenter
-- RB Jordan Todman
-- RB Shane Vareen
-- OLB Brooks Reed (whom you mentioned)
-- CB Curtis Brown
-- CB Davon House
-- DL Jarvis Jenkins

Kiper is starting to talk about Reed in the late first, but I think he's just throwing stuff against the wall. Otherwise these are all players projected in the second and third rounds who would be a surprise at #28.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i think a guy like Jabaal Sheard, would be more of a sleeper... Ryan Kerrigan has been talked about as a top 20 pick and should be long gone by #28 Brooks Reed, went from a high 2th round pick to a first round lock so #28 would not be a reach, Akeem Ayers most mocks i have seen have him going to the pats at #28 or jets at #30


but i dont think the pats will draft two #1's on defense if they use them both i have Jonathan Baldwin WR as my sleeper at #28

 

[patchick]

Draftniks are by nature a detail-oriented bunch, so nothing sets this board off more reliably than using a non-standard definition of a term! FWIW, I think "sleeper" has 2 generally accepted uses:

1. A player who hasn't been in the popular discussion as a top pick or a top choice to fill a roster hole, but who could ultimately surprise and sneak in there. Examples: Mankins, Vollmer.
2. A player who is lightly regarded and little talked about in general, especially a small-school guy, who you think has a good chance to succeed in the NFL. Examples: Edelman, Cassel.

A highly touted prospect who you think might surprise by still being available later, like Kerrigan, is usually called a "slider."

/pedantry

Anyway...I'd be very surprised if Martez Wilson ended up a Patriot. He's a spectacular athlete with terrible instincts, which is a very non-Patriots LB profile, plus this draft is so weak at ILB that somebody else is bound to reach for him.

 

[Sciz]

3) Kerrigan is the better prospect between him and Watt. And even if you dont agree, you have to grant that it's a damn close call. I dont think you wait for Watt to come off the board as a signal that you need to trade up for Kerrigan, cause he could come off the board anytime in the teens or twenties.

No, and even if he were, Watt is at the more valuable position.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think the most realistic option at 17 is JJ Watt. but what about their 28th pick. with their history, many people are saying they will trade this pick but I don't think so. I think this is the year they get 2 stud defensive players in the first round. There are a few options at 28 that are both realistic and can be classified as sleepers.

-Akeem Ayers is slipping in this draft and could slip all the way to 28. He has the versatility the patriots love and can play outside linebacker.

-Brooks Reed is another guy who's getting recognition after a great combine and would be a good pick here for the Pats and would fill their pass rushing needs.

-Ryan Kerrigan could also fall here and would be a good value pick for a guy getting mentioned in the top 15. Kerrigan has been questioned as to whether or not he can stand up in a 3-4 but seems like the type of player the patriots would take and work with on that.

-Martez Wilson from Illinois is the sleeper I really like here. Haven't heard much about him other than him having a great combine, but I watched some video on him and he looks like a beast. They project him to play inside in the NFL but definately has enough athleticism and pass rushing ability to become a dominant outside linebacker

I could be wrong, but I do not see BB drafting Watt at #17. There is not enough film on Watt and he is not strong enough against the run or double team to hold the LOS. I see on film a guy that gets turned sideways when he is double teamed.

The more I watch of Wilson, the more I think that he is very stiff. There is no way he can make the transition to OLB.

Ayers does not have the size to set a hard edge and he is not even on my Patriots type players draft board anymore. And ran poorly at the combine.

Kerrigan is very stiff but has a knack for getting to the QB while being able to play the run effectively.

Reed fits the description of an OLB that should fit our system, but the film says that for all his talent, he didn't really produce much in college.

While I do think that BB will take at least one defensive player in the first round, unless he trades way up, the only guy that projects well in our defense that will still be on the board at #17 is Wilkerson, and even then, he won't be a day one starter.

Unless someone totally unexpected, I expect BB will trade down.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

maybe Phil Taylor to the Skins this year.

I have been watching a lot of Baylor film recently and I see Taylor as the best 3-4 NT in this draft. He really holds his ground well and eats up double teams pretty effectively.

He is an effective pocket pushing pass rusher as well.

I have always thought the Jets would take Taylor in the first.

But based on Patriot type player BPA talent available at #28 and the fact that Wilfork looked good at DE and that we have the #33 pick, I am starting to like the idea of taking Taylor at #28.

 

[Sciz]

Taylor would play DE, not Wilfork.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

My guess is that BB trades down unless Fairley or someone like that falls like Wilfork did. There is not a lot of difference between the DE/OLB types so BB will trade down and take two at 25 and 28? Then trade out of the 33 position (you know that is coming) and then grab a bunch of 2nd round guys. Bruschi is right - the Pats can not have too many rookies but this draft is too good at the Defensive front 7 BB must be sleeping with a smile - and hopefully he will remember - TRENCHES, TRENCHES, TRENCHES. We used to win the battle in the trenches, let's hope this draft gets us back there.