Pick Your Patriots First Rounder

[manxman2601]

So I've been running through a full first round mock and I've got to the Patriots pick. Now I know who I'd put there, but I thought I'd throw this open to us all to get a feel for what we all think should be the first round pick.

There are some debatable choices in this mock so feel free to debate them and of course a trade down is always a possibility but I would like a feel for who you'd pick from the choices available.

Firstly the mock:

1. Chiefs Luke Joeckel

2. Jaguars Sharrif Floyd

3. Raiders Geno Smith

4. Eagles Star Lotulelei

5. Lions Bjoern Werner

6. Browns Barkevious Mingo

7. Cardinals Eric Fisher

8. Bills Ryan Nassib

9. Jets Cordarelle Patterson

10. Titans Ezekiel Ansah

11. Chargers Lane Johnson

12. Dolphins Dee Milliner

13. Bucs Chance Warmack

14. Panthers Jesse Williams

15. Saints Damontre Moore

16. Rams Kenny Vaccaro

17. Steelers Keenan Allen

18. Cowboys Sheldon Richardson

19. Giants Xavier Rhodes

20. Bears DJ Fluker

21. Bengals Alec Ogletree

22. Rams Menelik Watson

23. Vikings Deandre Hopkins

24. Colts Jarvis Jones

25. Seahawks Datone Jones

26. Packers Johnathan Hankins

27. Texans John Jenkins

28. Broncos Manti Te'o

29. Patriots ???????????????

Prospects avaialble are:

Jon Cooper
Desmond Trufant
Matt Barkley
Alex Okafor
Zach Ertz
Dion Jordan
Mike Glennon
Sam Montgomery
Johnthan Banks
Kevin Minter
Tavon austin
Quinton Patton

etc

Personally, I'd be running to the podium with Jon Cooper's name on my card. What about you?

 

[Username]

Although it will be an unpopular pick, and some will claim I'm reaching....

Robert Woods.

 

[everlong]

2. Jaguars Sharrif Floyd

9. Jets Cordarelle Patterson

22. Rams Menelik Watson

23. Vikings Deandre Hopkins

That's a lot higher than think any of these guys will go.

Prospects avaialble are:

Jon Cooper
Desmond Trufant
Matt Barkley
Alex Okafor
Zach Ertz
Dion Jordan
Mike Glennon
Sam Montgomery
Johnthan Banks
Kevin Minter
Tavon austin
Quinton Patton

etc

Personally, I'd be running to the podium with Jon Cooper's name on my card. What about you?

Cooper is probably the BPA at that point I just hate going guard but at that point there isn't a DT, S or CB I like enough to use the first on so I'd probably trade down or take Cooper. Okafor is an interesting prospect for a 4-3 but I still have hope they flip back to a 3-4. I like Jones, Hankins and Jenkins so maybe a small trade up.

 

[manxman2601]

That's a lot higher than think any of these guys will go.

There is some logic to the picks:

1. Sharrif Floyd. Daniel Jeremiah is telling everyone who'll listen that he is going "high". Scott Pioli tells us also that Floyd is rated very highly by teams. I don't think that's a controversial point any longer. The Jags have switched to the Seahawks front of three big linemen and a leo rusher. The drawback to that form of defense is that it only allows for one rusher in base packages. Floyd gives them someone who can push the pocket and get penetration inside.

2. Patterson - He's 6'3" and will be one of the fastest prospects at the combine. I'd be amazed if he falls out of the Top 10. He's got #1 WR upside.

3. Menelik Watson - This guy is this years Chandler Jones. He's going to keep climbing and climbing I believe. Last year Mayock was talking about Chandler Jones being "the best defensive player in the draft in three years". Expect similar comments about Menelik Watson being the best OT from this draft in time.

4. Hopkins. Best WR in this draft beyond Keenan Allen and it's a big need for the Vikes.

Anyway, that's why they were picked where they were.

 

[zimmy]

Given our lack of picks and number of players I like in that 2nd round range I would be looking to trade back into the late 30s or 40s and pick up some more mid round picks. That would allow us to be flexible in targeting players. In that scenario i would target WR, CB, DT (assuming these aren't addressed in free agency).

If I'm forced to pick I go for Dion Jordan - although not an area I've identified, I think he can be a potential game changer of defence.

Wouldn't be unhappy to see Cooper though.

 

[Sciz]

I think I like Banks more than most (despite Johnthan being an effed up name), and whether the Pats sign a free agent CB or not, there's nothing wrong with adding a 6'1" CB who can cover.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I'm all about Cooper. Protect your investment and run the ball. Solder and Cooper are a step not only into Brady's tenure. But also Mallett or whoever else man's the helm down the road. One of the safest picks in the draft imo. Nothing Jane about this guy. Run blocks like Tarzan.

 

[everlong]

There is some logic to the picks:

I know you put in a lot of time and research.

1. Sharrif Floyd. Daniel Jeremiah is telling everyone who'll listen that he is going "high". Scott Pioli tells us also that Floyd is rated very highly by teams. I don't think that's a controversial point any longer. The Jags have switched to the Seahawks front of three big linemen and a leo rusher. The drawback to that form of defense is that it only allows for one rusher in base packages. Floyd gives them someone who can push the pocket and get penetration inside.

I don't doubt he cracks the top 15 but 2 opened my eyes.

2. Patterson - He's 6'3" and will be one of the fastest prospects at the combine. I'd be amazed if he falls out of the Top 10. He's got #1 WR upside.

I like Allen better and while Patterson is an athletic specimen his routes aren't great. He may be a good choice for the Jets to just chuck it up and go get it.

3. Menelik Watson - This guy is this years Chandler Jones. He's going to keep climbing and climbing I believe. Last year Mayock was talking about Chandler Jones being "the best defensive player in the draft in three years". Expect similar comments about Menelik Watson being the best OT from this draft in time.

I'll have to watch him a little closer and take your word on it for now.

4. Hopkins. Best WR in this draft beyond Keenan Allen and it's a big need for the Vikes.

Anyway, that's why they were picked where they were.

Actually I had Hopkins higher than I thought when I checked my notes going high second so 23 isn't that far off. The supply of Youtube videos on the prospects grows and grows every year.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I'm all about Cooper. Protect your investment and run the ball. Solder and Cooper are a step not only into Brady's tenure. But also Mallett or whoever else man's the helm down the road. One of the safest picks in the draft imo. Nothing Jane about this guy. Run blocks like Tarzan.

This, all of it.

 

[stelfans]

My first choice is Cooper but it would depend on what they do in FA regarding CB given that there are 2 pretty good prospects on the board(Banks and Trufant).

 

[patsfaninpa]

If we keep Talib and Welker, I'm fine with Cooper. Slide Connolly to center. Maybe, upgrade two positions. Makes up for the step back from Vollmer to Cannon.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I think Cooper is a great player and a safe pick, but we have the greatest OL coach ever. Dante has turned Connolly and Thomas into pretty good guards, turned Wendell into a starting caliber center, etc. I trust him to coach up Cannon and Zusevics if Vollmer leaves.

Sign me up for the trade down.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

I think Cooper is a great player and a safe pick, but we have the greatest OL coach ever. Dante has turned Connolly and Thomas into pretty good guards, turned Wendell into a starting caliber center, etc. I trust him to coach up Cannon and Zusevics if Vollmer leaves.

Sign me up for the trade down.

Its incredible having such an asset as an assistant coach who never gets sniffed around from other teams. On one hand I agree, Dante has proven to coach up slugs into average to good starters, so why waste our precious picks when we know we will get decent quality anyways. On the flip side, every top pick we have made on the line has turned into an all-pro. I mean, the only miss we have made on the line in the last decade was Ornberger, who was a 4th!!!

So, for me its whether they see the value on the board, since there 'hit' rate for the position is ridiculous.

 

[wpgjets>nyjets]

First post, long time lurker, especially around draft time.

This year I’m going to think a bit differently and not focus as much on Youtube highlights, as I have been reading around the Internet about Pat Kirwan’s “Production Ratio” that he apparently discusses in his book ‘Take your Eye off the Ball’.

I don’t know much about it other than some teams probably have been using it (i.e Denver Bronco’s, who also from what I understand have kept a lot of the pats draft philosophies). I should mention that I have not read Kirwan’s book yet either.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on it/know about it? Seems to be popular on the milehighreport and some of the Cowboy’s message boards and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone post about it on here yet. Maybe it’s trash, but looking at the prospects from the past few years and their success in the NFL, it seems to have some value.

Basically for DT the formula is something like
(SACKS + TACKLES FOR LOSS)/NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED = PRODUCTION RATIO
and anything over 1 is good.

Therefore (sorry for the long winded reply) I would trade up to 15 for Damonte Moore (45 TFL, 26.5 sacks and a production ratio of 1.88) or Kawann Short (49 TFL, 19.5 sacks PR = 1.85)

 

[EwanSellars]

at 29 id take cooper or banks or trade down and get elam or short and wait is it really johnthan banks and not johnathan

 

[Patriot Missile]

Its incredible having such an asset as an assistant coach who never gets sniffed around from other teams. On one hand I agree, Dante has proven to coach up slugs into average to good starters, so why waste our precious picks when we know we will get decent quality anyways. On the flip side, every top pick we have made on the line has turned into an all-pro. I mean, the only miss we have made on the line in the last decade was Ornberger, who was a 4th!!!

So, for me its whether they see the value on the board, since there 'hit' rate for the position is ridiculous.

Good observation there.

I'll go ahead and put this out there.

I'm going solely here on best at position. You can argue right now that Cooper is 1 or 2 at his position in the upcoming draft which makes him a much safer pick than any wr,dt,ot that will be available when we pick. Allegedly unless someone unbelievable drops.

My eyes tells me he is a better guard than Elam is a safety. More clear cut at guard than any wr at their position. I'm certainly not taking Short, Williams or Jordan over him and hope they make an impact.

Give Dante A diamond to work with and he'll give you all pro for a decade. Give him cubic zirconia and it will look like a diamond at times but the buyer knows the truth.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Good observation there.

I'll go ahead and put this out there.

I'm going solely here on best at position. You can argue right now that Cooper is 1 or 2 at his position in the upcoming draft which makes him a much safer pick than any wr,dt,ot that will be available when we pick. Allegedly unless someone unbelievable drops.

My eyes tells me he is a better guard than Elam is a safety. More clear cut at guard than any wr at their position. I'm certainly not taking Short, Williams or Jordan over him and hope they make an impact.

Give Dante A diamond to work with and he'll give you all pro for a decade. Give him cubic zirconia and it will look like a diamond at times but the buyer knows the truth.

I agree with the Cooper pick if he's there. But, is the difference between him and Connolly enough of a gap to off-set the difference between S. Gregory and Matt Elam? A good play by Cooper might give you a few extra yards. A good play by your SS can force a punt or turnover.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I agree with the Cooper pick if he's there. But, is the difference between him and Connolly enough of a gap to off-set the difference between S. Gregory and Matt Elam? A good play by Cooper might give you a few extra yards. A good play by your SS can force a punt or turnover.

I'm fine with Elam. Good player who probably improves the team right away.

I like Connolly as a center more than a guard so im not going to even compare Cooper to Connolly.I can only imagine a line consisting of Solder,Mankins,Connolly, Cooper and Vollmer. That is vicious and a RBs dream. Make the running game as deadly as the passing game and you have the makings of a offense that is not one dimensional come playoff time. They ran it well last year,a huge improvement but I think they can be more dominant and control the clock to protect leads. They failed to run effectively against nickel vs The rats and I don't want to see that again. Play action? No problem. Wear the defense down? Yes.

He is probably not going to be available anyway. But one can wish. I'm all in for drafting him though and I doubt that changes before draft day.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I'm fine with Elam. Good player who probably improves the team right away.

I like Connolly as a center more than a guard so im not going to even compare Cooper to Connolly.I can only imagine a line consisting of Solder,Mankins,Connolly, Cooper and Vollmer. That is vicious and a RBs dream. Make the running game as deadly as the passing game and you have the makings of a offense that is not one dimensional come playoff time. They ran it well last year,a huge improvement but I think they can be more dominant and control the clock to protect leads. They failed to run effectively against nickel vs The rats and I don't want to see that again. Play action? No problem. Wear the defense down? Yes.

He is probably not going to be available anyway. But one can wish. I'm all in for drafting him though and I doubt that changes before draft day.

If we re-sign Vollmer, I don't want to use first on OL. Would be a combo of too much money and resources(top pick) on an area where we're not that bad. My thinking behind Cooper would be to upgrade right-side with Cannon there. His athletic ability will be able to help on pass-blocking.

 

[Wilfork#75]

There more I think about it the less I would like to take Cooper at 29. It's nothing against the player, I love Cooper, think he would be a great fit and certainly believe he is a 1st round OG. My issue is I don't know how much of an upgrade he would actually be. I was surprised and happy with how our O-line played last season, especially Connolly and Wendell. While I think Cooper is better than both of them, I don't think the upgrade is worth a 1st round value, especially with the lack of picks in this years draft. To me Cooper would simply be a luxury pick and one I don't think we can really afford with our lack of resources (draft picks and cap space) this offseason. If we could get more picks somehow (trade Mallett for a kings ransom, tag and trade Vollmer or trade a soon to expire contract we may have trouble extending, Spikes?) then I could certainly get behind a Cooper pick.

My preference would be to trade out of the first round and get more picks. To me there isn't much difference between #16 and #70 in this draft so the more picks in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th round the better. I would much prefer to trade back from 29 into the mid 2nd and draft Barret Jones and a WR in the 3rd with the extra pick rather than Cooper. Outside of Jonathan Hankins and Matt Barkley I don't think there are many realistic options in the 1st that I would prefer than a trade down. Even if we were to somehow trade Mallett to Cleveland for the #6 pick I would continue trading back. I would take four 2nds over the #6 in this draft any day.