As i head off to bed tonight, this is what we could have been looking at....
17. Solder
28. Ingram
33. Reed
60. Houston
74. Hankerson
92. Boling/Matthews/Ocho/Stanzi
(obviously these are the original picks)
Pretty sure just about everyone on this board would be loving this draft with more picks to go. Almost all of these guys would help THIS YEAR.
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?
What happened 100% is terribly easy to figure out. In the past 5 yrs, we had 13 of our first 14 picks on the defensive side of the ball. Didn't SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE feel as though the other side would be addressed??
We got a huge, tall, athletic monster OT for the protection of our most important piece of the puzzle.
We added another first round pick for next year, giving us 2 in the first AND 2 in the second, so we can properly be reloaded yet...again. The picks already have been put into the future for next year--can't you see that we are playing with house money already???
We got THE best talent level QB in the entire draft, forget about the supposed 'character' concerns, and trust Belichick. If the kid did some drugs in college (who didn't?), and admitted to it, then I am going to trust BB. He has an absolute rocket for an arm, and will learn about respect and have the proper tutelage under one of the GOAT QB's. Not only did we get the best overall QB talent-wise, we instantly improved the backup situation, and most-importantly, we got him in the THIRD round. Many were talking of him going to MIA at #15 overall. It was highway robbery, Belichick style.
We added depth to the RB position, something that was much needed. We got the draft board RB binky in Shane Vareen, who can run, block, catch out of the backfield, and has certain HR potential.
We added another high pick CB, who is incredibly tall (almost 6'2"), and athletic. He should learn instantly, and by the end of the season be contributing for sure--likely at the nickle or dime position. Who knows? He may end up being the other side of the McCourtey shutdown connection.
I have no idea why you would be so bitter about this draft? We obviously had an extreme luxury, and not many needs. Just b/c most of us wanted a DE/OLB pick 'high' did not have anything to do with BB's opinion. He obviously feels as though DE is sufficient enough right now, and can be added in the mid to late rds for camp fodder. Who did you see getting cut? One of our 2 pro-bowlers? Major sub-package guys who already know the system like Wright or Pryor? How about our high 2nd rd pick from 2 yrs ago, who has shown flashes of 'getting it' last yr in Brace? The veteran steal in Marcus Stroud?? We still have Deaderick, Richards, Love, etc for depth, competition, and camp fodder. The position was obviously NOT a major need in BB's eyes.
As far as LB goes, we had the NFL's leader in tackles in Mayo, the sub package pass coverage veteran in Guyton, the emergence of underrated Ninkovich, and the high 2nd rd pick in Cunningham--who is likely the pass rusher of the future. Again, the position can be added through the mid-to-late rds, UFDA's, and even (gasp...free agency).
Look at all of the positives, and trust in the system, the coach, and the luxury that we had coming off of a 14-2 year.