Thoughts on Kiper's "Grade A" Patriots Draft for New England

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Thoughts on Kiper's "Grade A" Patriots Draft for New England
By: Derek Havens

In a recent post by ESPN's Mel Kiper, he played the role of every NFL General Manager and made selections for each of the first three rounds. Here is what Kiper had for the New England Patriots....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[Rob0729]

Several things:

• I don't see the Pats taking a CB in the first. They may need more depth, but a starting CB or even nickelback isn't a need right now.
• I don't know if a WR with "great athleticism and can stretch the field vertically" is an element the Pats would love to have. I think they want outside receivers, but I don't know if they neccessarily want a deep threat.
• If Wheaton is a Wallace clone, I don't want him. Don't know anything about Wheaton, but I know that I feel Wallace would be a horrible fit in this offense.
• I expect the Pats to add a pass rusher with one of their first two picks. That seems like a bigger need on defense.

 

[manxman2601]

Several things:

• I don't see the Pats taking a CB in the first. They may need more depth, but a starting CB or even nickelback isn't a need right now.
• I don't know if a WR with "great athleticism and can stretch the field vertically" is an element the Pats would love to have. I think they want outside receivers, but I don't know if they neccessarily want a deep threat.
• If Wheaton is a Wallace clone, I don't want him. Don't know anything about Wheaton, but I know that I feel Wallace would be a horrible fit in this offense.
• I expect the Pats to add a pass rusher with one of their first two picks. That seems like a bigger need on defense.

Character wise, Wheaton is a perfect Patriot. He's humble, very much a team player, quietly spoken and a leader/captain. as a receiver he has the quickness the Patriots like (excellent 3-cone). His speed is just gravy. He's a Deion Branch with 4.3-4.4 speed.


In reply to the OP, this is a mock I'd be comfortable with. I absolutely love Wheaton so that's a win straight away. Jamar Taylor is a nice fit for our defense but I do think we could do better than Travis Frederick; slow linemen don't really fit the Patriots MO. David Bakhtiari would be a better fit in the 3rd although I like LB Kiko alonso at that spot. I'd grade this a B mainly because I love Wheaton and could live with Taylor.

 

[Henroc]

Only way pats add a cb is if rhodes falls to them. Other then that i see probably a DE. Don't see a wr worth taking in the first. First round talent is expected to make an impact their first year. Most all wrs seem like they'll pan out later on. Plus I feel terrance williams will be available in 2nd. Great potential there. I say take jesse williams. Wilfork needs some help man. Again unless rhodes falls. Pats will go de or dt. If they go o line I swear someone's getting punched.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think it's awful. Under no circumstance should the Pats be taking a CB in round one. So that would be a blown pick. Wheaton, I wouldn't exactly call a "Wallace Clone" as he appears to be a more polished route runner than Wallace at this point, but he is a burner. Still, I'm not as high on him as others. Give me Woods, Hopkins, or Rogers there. They are capable of threatening all levels of the field and specialize outside the hashes. If the team selects a center with their third pick, when they should be looking at OL next year, I will probably smash my head into the wall.

 

[Onedaful]

I think it's awful. Under no circumstance should the Pats be taking a CB in round one. So that would be a blown pick. Wheaton, I wouldn't exactly call a "Wallace Clone" as he appears to be a more polished route runner than Wallace at this point, but he is a burner. Still, I'm not as high on him as others. Give me Woods, Hopkins, or Rogers there. They are capable of threatening all levels of the field and specialize outside the hashes. If the team selects a center with their third pick, when they should be looking at OL next year, I will probably smash my head into the wall.

Completely agree.. Do not want CB first round.

 

[Deus Irae]

2 out of 3 are bad positional choices, regardless of the player chosen.

 

[mgteich]

Only some message board fans think that the patriots don't need a corner in the first or early second round.

As was the case when we drafted Solder, a CB may be given a year before he is expected to have a major role or start.

The draft is about the future. Talib is no guarantee for 2014. One of the worst secondaries in the NFL needs help. All but ostriches understand this.

The only excuse for not drafting a corner in the first couple of rounds would be if Belichick is planning to move McCourty back to corner. In that case, we would likely draft a safety among the top 3 picks.

 

[mgteich]

Kiper made fine choices. A 3rd round center also needs to be able to play OG. This player would be an upgrade to McDonald.

Thoughts on Kiper's "Grade A" Patriots Draft for New England
By: Derek Havens

In a recent post by ESPN's Mel Kiper, he played the role of every NFL General Manager and made selections for each of the first three rounds. Here is what Kiper had for the New England Patriots....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The draft is about the future. Talib is no guarantee for 2014. One of the worst secondaries in the NFL needs help. All but ostriches understand this.

The problem with this is that using that first-rounder on a CB this year means that you get little benefit from that pick in 2013. I would think there have to be other picks (e.g., WR, DL) that would add more value this year.

 

[Deus Irae]

Only some message board fans think that the patriots don't need a corner in the first or early second round.

As was the case when we drafted Solder, a CB may be given a year before he is expected to have a major role or start.

The draft is about the future. Talib is no guarantee for 2014. One of the worst secondaries in the NFL needs help. All but ostriches understand this.

The only excuse for not drafting a corner in the first couple of rounds would be if Belichick is planning to move McCourty back to corner. In that case, we would likely draft a safety among the top 3 picks.

Your take would make sense if the Patriots had 4-5 picks in the first and second rounds. Since they don't, however, it makes pretty much no sense at all. Maybe you haven't actually seen the receiving corps:

Gronk

Hernandez

Amendola

Edelman

Jenkins

Jones

 

[mgteich]

That is NOT true for WR. As has been noted all week in the media analyses, the patriot offense is extremely complex and getting Brady's confidence is difficult. A WR (other than a top 10 receiver) is extremely unlikely to have a major 2013 impact.

I do agree that a DL might provide immediate impact. It is not clear that anyone at 29 would be enough of an upgrade to justify a 1st round or early second round pick.

Personally, I hope that we will draft a corner and a couple of wide receivers with our first 3 picks. AND, I don't think that we should wait for the end of 3rd round to try to find a corner to replace Talib in 2014. There is much more talent in the end of the first or beginning of the second at corner. With regard to WR, I'm not at all sure that a #29 WR would help us much more than a 2nd or even 3rd down receiver.

The problem with this is that using that first-rounder on a CB this year means that you get little benefit from that pick in 2013. I would think there have to be other picks (e.g., WR, DL) that would add more value this year.

 

[Ozymandias]

Kiper's off base at bit about Wheaton (not surprising). Wheaton's not a Mike Wallace "clone" as some draftniks are portraying him as. Wallace is much more of a straight line speedster who is the faster of the two and is a significantly better downfield threat than Wheaton in that regard.

Wheaton possesses the traits of a slot receiver than can also line up outside and win because of route running, quick-twitch suddenness and jump-ball ability. Wallace is strictly an outside receiver, Wheaton offers more versatility in that sense.

Could he be a target for the Patriots in round 2? Possibly, along with a slew of others. The Patriots interest in Emmanuel Sanders proves they're looking for starting receivers who can line-up in multiple spots in the WR corps, not just a WR who runs go-routes a la Wallace. Wheaton offers some similarities to Sanders, but his small hands mean he has had problems with drops and ball security in the past. That alone should be a red flag.

 

[Deus Irae]

Kiper's off base at bit about Wheaton (not surprising). Wheaton's not a Mike Wallace "clone" as some draftniks are portraying him as. Wallace is much more of a straight line speedster who is the faster of the two and is a significantly better downfield threat than Wheaton in that regard.

Wheaton possesses the traits of a slot receiver than can also line up outside and win because of route running, quick-twitch suddenness and jump-ball ability. Wallace is strictly an outside receiver, Wheaton offers more versatility in that sense.

Could he be a target for the Patriots in round 2? Possibly, along with a slew of others. The Patriots interest in Emmanuel Sanders proves they're looking for starting receivers who can line-up in multiple spots in the WR corps, not just a WR who runs go-routes a la Wallace. Wheaton offers some similarities to Sanders, but his small hands mean he has had problems with drops and ball security in the past. That alone should be a red flag.

Amendola has 10 fumbles in 42 games. Sanders has 5 fumbles in 40 games, despite being a #4 target. Worrying about fumbles doesn't seem to be in vogue at Gillette this offseason, for whatever reason.

 

[RobAllan]

Watching the Pats' draft strategy the past 4 years or so has taught me 1 very important thing:

If someone suggests the Pats will be taking a player in the draft, they will most assuredly be taking someone else.

I think it's safe to say we can rule out any of these as potential Patriots now. The greater task will be to find someone that's a reach for our draft position so we know who we ARE taking. (And yes, I'm giving them the business a bit about their drafts of late.) Maybe a Ryan Swope or something...

 

[VrabelJr]

EDIT: I totally thought I was replying to a different thread.

 

[DW Toys]

Several things:

• I don't see the Pats taking a CB in the first. They may need more depth, but a starting CB or even nickelback isn't a need right now.
• I don't know if a WR with "great athleticism and can stretch the field vertically" is an element the Pats would love to have. I think they want outside receivers, but I don't know if they neccessarily want a deep threat.
• If Wheaton is a Wallace clone, I don't want him. Don't know anything about Wheaton, but I know that I feel Wallace would be a horrible fit in this offense.
• I expect the Pats to add a pass rusher with one of their first two picks. That seems like a bigger need on defense.

Draft seventeen CBs and if you can't have pressure on the QB if is a worthless effort. I say we need a pass rusher and/plus a John Abraham.

Where is the cover OLB in his Draft?

We don't need a 5'10 WR. Why does everyone think we need WW at every wideout position? I think even the slow footed Hopkins is too short at 6'1".

I thought this would be a great year for the WR class. And although it is deep, they all have holes. Everyone wants Justin "alligator arms" Hunter (when I saw that he was done for me). Wheaton is a lighter, less accomplished WW. I am thinking Keenan Allen but is he not just a slightly larger Jabar Gaffney? Tavon Wilson anyone? Don't we have a guy like Jeff Demps who can do the same things if he gets his head on straight?

Woods is way over hyped. D'Rick Rogers is a knucklehead. Patterson will struggle to pick up offenses. Bailey is perfect but 4" too short. He is like a younger Steve Smith but not as aggressive. but Smith is pretty good.

When your CBs are now getting to be 6' and taller but still are quick, and these little guys can get muscled now.

The Anti-Kiper Draft:


First-I see Margus Hunt as an All Pro via J.J. Watt, waiting to happen. He can rush a passer. He solves two problems; pressure and secondly that eliminates the need for line up of tons of added CBs.He will also play special Teams in the kicking game and bring that blocking prowess.

Second-OLB sleeper who was a former Safety and can rush the passer as well is Jamie Collins. More pass rush and can pick up a TE or RB out of the backfield with 4.59 speed and 6'4" and 250 lbs. This was a major issue for the D in 2012. This could also make Hightower a MLB. I like part of Spikes tough guy and hitem hard game but he kills us in coverage and he is out of here in 2014. Spikes is more of a two down MLB. Ninc's contract is up in 2014. I love his overachiever game but if you had to make a choice for the good of the Team, is he 100% your answer? He's a tweener.

Third-WR I would trade that pick to the Titans for Kenny Britt who could be Moss II. I can't see another WR in this Draft with his talent. He is still young. He is smart. He is just immature but so was Moss running over parking meter maids. Plan 'B" would be call Andy Reid up once again and try to get Jon Baldwin who has been less than a great first rounder for K.C. but consider the QB issues. BB should know a lot about him.

Not thrilled with any of those Kiper Picks. Frederick would become a 16 game DNP participant. Oregon Sate does not pump out Mensa educated WR's (hello Chad) and Taylor would be a DB rotation guy.

Here is the question Cousins; Would the Pats be a better Team in 2013 after Kiper's Draft? Answer/ Nyet!

DW Toys

 

[VJCPatriot]

Only some message board fans think that the patriots don't need a corner in the first or early second round.

As was the case when we drafted Solder, a CB may be given a year before he is expected to have a major role or start.

The draft is about the future. Talib is no guarantee for 2014. One of the worst secondaries in the NFL needs help. All but ostriches understand this.

The only excuse for not drafting a corner in the first couple of rounds would be if Belichick is planning to move McCourty back to corner. In that case, we would likely draft a safety among the top 3 picks.

I agree. I like the Taylor pick. CB is not a need now but Talib is not a lock beyond this year. He might bust OR he might play too WELL and earn a huge contract from another team in free agency. Drafting a CB in round 1 makes sense if the draft falls that way. IE top wideouts gone by pick 29 and it represents best value.

I also like Wheaton in the 2nd, I think he's good value there. Has the speed and the skills to get open. Runs routes well too from what I hear.

3rd round pick is a meh, but the Pats fails so often in the 3rd round it's probably not worse than what the Pats will end up getting. 3rd round I think is the time to trade down and try to get a couple of fourths or later round picks. If we can get a future 2nd that would be even better but unlikely considering it's a late 3rd.

 

[JackBauer]

The Anti-Kiper Draft:


First-I see Margus Hunt as an All Pro via J.J. Watt, waiting to happen. He can rush a passer. He solves two problems; pressure and secondly that eliminates the need for line up of tons of added CBs.He will also play special Teams in the kicking game and bring that blocking prowess.

Second-OLB sleeper who was a former Safety and can rush the passer as well is Jamie Collins. More pass rush and can pick up a TE or RB out of the backfield with 4.59 speed and 6'4" and 250 lbs. This was a major issue for the D in 2012. This could also make Hightower a MLB. I like part of Spikes tough guy and hitem hard game but he kills us in coverage and he is out of here in 2014. Spikes is more of a two down MLB. Ninc's contract is up in 2014. I love his overachiever game but if you had to make a choice for the good of the Team, is he 100% your answer? He's a tweener.

Third-WR I would trade that pick to the Titans for Kenny Britt who could be Moss II. I can't see another WR in this Draft with his talent. He is still young. He is smart. He is just immature but so was Moss running over parking meter maids. Plan 'B" would be call Andy Reid up once again and try to get Jon Baldwin who has been less than a great first rounder for K.C. but consider the QB issues. BB should know a lot about him.

Not thrilled with any of those Kiper Picks. Frederick would become a 16 game DNP participant. Oregon Sate does not pump out Mensa educated WR's (hello Chad) and Taylor would be a DB rotation guy.

Here is the question Cousins; Would the Pats be a better Team in 2013 after Kiper's Draft? Answer/ Nyet!

DW Toys

If I had to think of the absolute worst-case scenario, it would very closely resemble this. Just the fact that you called Kenny Britt Moss 2.0 and described him as smart - I mean, seriously?

 

[manxman2601]

Daniel Jeremiah calls Jamar Taylor "one of the safest picks in this draft". So there's that.

2013 NFL Draft: Ten things I believe amid all the misinformation - NFL.com