Reassessing the draft/offseason needs after AFCCG

[manxman2601]

So how does the Armstead signing affect our need on the DL? I've put Datone Jones in my mock. Would that be redundant now that Armstead's on board?

Personally I don't think so. Armstead isn't going to be a top notch pass-rusher although he'll likely be better than anything else we have at DT and as Wilfork75 noted elsewhere, Armstead and someone like Datone Jones or Ansah would be very effective playing on the interior in sub packages.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I don't necessarily think we need an upgrade to our base DT's because I think the Wilfork/Love/Deaderick rotation did well on early downs. They are very stout against the run and allowed our LBers some freedom to make plays. To me the issue was 3rd down and obvious passing situations where we simply couldn't get pressure with 4 down lineman. I think Armstead certainly has the potential to improve this area, but I still think we need 1 more interior pass rush presence. Whether that be another DE/DT like Datone Jones or a pure 3-tech like Sylvester Williams. Or they may have confidence developing someone like Marcus Forston who is already on the roster. I also wouldn't rule out another high pick on a pure edge rusher like Ziggy Ansah. I really like what the Giants do continually adding quality depth to their D-line and I wouldn't mind trying to copy that. Adding guys like Ansah and Datone Jones to Armstead, Chandler Jones, Ninko, Francis, Bequette could make our D-line a strength. As long as we are able to create pressure with 4 guys I am all for any lineman.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I don't necessarily think we need an upgrade to our base DT's because I think the Wilfork/Love/Deaderick rotation did well on early downs. They are very stout against the run and allowed our LBers some freedom to make plays. To me the issue was 3rd down and obvious passing situations where we simply couldn't get pressure with 4 down lineman. I think Armstead certainly has the potential to improve this area, but I still think we need 1 more interior pass rush presence. Whether that be another DE/DT like Datone Jones or a pure 3-tech like Sylvester Williams. Or they may have confidence developing someone like Marcus Forston who is already on the roster. I also wouldn't rule out another high pick on a pure edge rusher like Ziggy Ansah. I really like what the Giants do continually adding quality depth to their D-line and I wouldn't mind trying to copy that. Adding guys like Ansah and Datone Jones to Armstead, Chandler Jones, Ninko, Francis, Bequette could make our D-line a strength. As long as we are able to create pressure with 4 guys I am all for any lineman.

I think Ansah or Jones would be for what you want. Hopefully, start at LDE in the 4-3. When we go NASCAR or a faster defense could slide into dt. Move Hightower from SAM to LDE. He could even drop into coverage. Give teams a lot of looks like we used to be able to do. Could give Vince a blow and have a front four of; D.Hightower-E.Ansah-A.Armstead-C.Jones. Some pretty good depth too in Wilfork and Deaderick/Love at DT. J.Francis/J.Cunningham and J. Bequette at de. Very young too, with the exception of Wilfork.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

I'm happy with the LB corps. Bring Fletcher back and bring another lighter body in and you've got solid backups for a physical set of LB's. There has to be a focus on taking some of the attention away from Wilfork, whether that is by bringing in a vertically capable interior player or stretching out the line with another edge presence, it needs to happen. A more seasoned and healthy Chandler Jones might be the answer to spreading out the protections, but putting someone more threatening opposite him would help us not be crippled by one pile up and a reinjured ankle. We saw Scott and Cunningham are role guys at best, and for all of the clutchness Nink is, between crucial plays (one or two per game), he's a nonfactor.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

That coverage LB was sitting there for the taking at #48 in last years draft were they took Tavon Wilson. Zach Brown at 52, Lavonte David at 58 or a slight trade up for Bobby Wagner who went at 47 or Mychal Kendricks at 46.

Other positions of need were DT Jerel Worthy at 51, CB Casey Hayward at 62 and WR Rueban Randle at 63. This isn't simply revisionist history, these were well regarded players leading up to the draft.

Now Wilson statistically had a good year, especially for a part time rookie, 41 tackles and 4 interceptions. He's a good special team player, a hard worker and at least decent depth at Safety but I wonder if he is going to be another James Sanders, a good effort, smart but physically limited player, or does he have a higher ceiling?

I hope it's the latter but if it isn't there was a lot of talent in that 2nd round the Pats passed up on, Lavonte David in particular, at positions of need that they had then and still have now.

If Wilson can step in to the starting SS position and produce at a high level then it's a moot point but if not you'll be able to look at the talent they left behind and see a holes at two positions that weren't filled.

 

[everlong]

So how does the Armstead signing affect our need on the DL? I've put Datone Jones in my mock. Would that be redundant now that Armstead's on board?

Personally I don't think so. Armstead isn't going to be a top notch pass-rusher although he'll likely be better than anything else we have at DT and as Wilfork75 noted elsewhere, Armstead and someone like Datone Jones or Ansah would be very effective playing on the interior in sub packages.

I like Jones as a 3-4 DE and a situational pass rusher in a 4-3. Honestly given our LBs I would prefer going back to a 3-4. I wouldn't mind picking up a guy like Jenkins who's a complete load to play on the nose and move Vince to DE on running downs and back to NT in passing situations. Even if they stick with their 4-3 which at time is just a 3-4 the way they're using everybody both of these players would fill needs and add versatility.

Armstead and Deaderick would also be part of that rotation. I don't know what you can expect from Pryor after all this time.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

patriots - One scout's priority list for Patriots: Wide receiver, safety and pass rusher - WEEI | Christopher Price

“Wide receiver: The Patriots need to add a vertical speed player with some size to the offense. Rob Gronkowski stretches the seams, and they are efficient running the ball, as well as with their horizontal passing attack. People try to get hands on their hands on wide receivers, and bracket inside options. If Gronk and Hernandez are on the field at the same time, they put stress on the defense -- but not as much vertically. The Patriots do have fast wide receivers, but they are small, and require Brady to be more accurate on his deeper throws. And because of their size, they aren’t consistent vertical threats. What they need is a wide receiver who is a vertical threat, but is also big enough to be physical in press coverage.”

“Secondary: They need a play-making, rangy deep safety that can also play in the box. Steve Gregory was admirable, but not a playmaker, and can be mismatched in certain situations. Devin McCourty has range and some instincts, but lacks some size. They need someone to complement McCourty. Patrick Chung is good player, but injuries are somewhat of a concern because of his style of play and size.”

 

[VJCPatriot]

Agreed. Needs:

safety
CB if Talib or Arrington leave
coverage linebacker
deep WR with #1 potential
passrusher either DT or DE

Some of these needs can be met in free agency.
Some of them will need to be addressed in the draft.

In general we suck at drafting WRs, so I'd expect us to sign a veteran although it's expensive.
We should also add one more veteran player to the defense for depth and experience purposes.
Our defense just appears much to young/green at big moments.

5 needs that can be met. We'll just have to see how the Pats go about doing it. If we acquire a very physical strong safety, he could be used in lieu of the coverage LB imo.

 

[zimmy]

I broadly agree but think the key needs are wide receiver and the secondary.

We have no bodies under contract at wide receiver and even if we bring everyone back we still desperately need a deep threat - ideally someone who can just go up and get the ball. This will give us so much more versatility in games and especially if Gronk is injured.

Secondly, we need some better secondary play. It definitely improved when McCourty moved to safety and Talib came in but Talib is a free agent and also carries health questions makrs even if he comes back. Without Talib we only really have Dennard, and I wouldn't even call him a sure thing as yet. Gregory can definitely be upgraded at safety too. Hoping for a 2nd year jump from Wilson. Only really room for one early pick in the secondary so have to get one via free agency.

Other needs - interior pass rush (we've tried this year with Cunningham and Francis but haven't had that much success, while Fanene flamed out)

If Vollmer leaves tackle becomes a higher priority. Otherwise a coverage backer would be good and you can never have enough pass rushers, although we have bodies at that position so hoping for 2nd year jumps from Jones, Bequette et al.