The Most Questionable 2014 Draft Choice

[mgteich]

Given who was available, this was NOT the choice of Garrapolo, the highest rated player on the board, and few others available that were of reasonable value.

The most questionable choice was clearly the choice of Easley. I am NOT criticizing the choice, just pointing out the obvious. There were many fine alternatives on the board at just about every position.

29 DT Easley
30 S Ward
31 CB Roby
32 QB Bridgewater
35 OT Bitanio
37 DT Hageman
38 TE Jenkins
39 WR Lee
40 LB Van Nuy
43 OC Richburg

 

[The Scrizz]

But that's what the draft is, choosing between players. DT was a need (and inside pass rush maybe the biggest need) and this is who was chosen. All of the guys on that list have their fair share of flaws.

If the biggest concern were the injuries and the Pats were okay with the medicals then it's pretty high upside choice.

And much like the Mankins pick where everybody thought he went way too high only to find out that SF would have picked him soon after, it has become apparent that he was Seattle's guy at 32.

I guess I just don't get why we're pointing out the obvious if it isn't to criticize the pick?

 

[Deus Irae]

Garrapolo by a mile
Easley well behind Garrapolo, but well in front of
White


But I'm sure they'll all end up as the best ever at their positions, because the Patriots took them and that's all that matters.

 

[jah]

Garoppolo and it isn't even close. I don't see why people keep calling Easley a reach when the Seahawks were clearly going to take him 3 picks later.

 

[ashley]

My vote would be for Garoppolo, we are a now team and there were some really good players still on the board when we picked him that could have potentially helped us this year.

 

[JMC00]

But I'm sure they'll all end up as the best ever at their positions, because the Patriots took them and that's all that matters.

And I'm sure you are hoping they don't turn out to be solid players. Kind of like how you are hoping that after flashing ability last season Collins struggles so you can say "see I was right, it was a bad pick".

 

[mgteich]

Garoppolo and it isn't even close. I don't see why people keep calling Easley a reach when the Seahawks were clearly going to take him 3 picks later.

Easley is not a questionable choice because no one else would have chosen him. The choice was a questionable choice because of the players available at the time.

 

[Deus Irae]

And I'm sure if they turn out to be solid players you won't admit you were wrong. Kind of like how you are hoping that after flashing ability last season Collins struggles so you can say "see I was right, it was a bad pick".

1.) The reasons the picks are questionable have nothing to do with their ability.

2.) My issue with the Collins pick was not Collins, but the choice of a DE/LB tweener when it was not a position of need compared to others (i.e. safety).



But it's all good now. BB can do no wrong. We're about to see 17-18 straight SB wins by the Patriots.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Let's see ... Belichick - Caserio - Lombardi - Adams .. et al

vs

PatsFans.com brain trust that hates the Garoppolo pick.

going to be a fun summer ...

 

[BradyFTW!]

Definitely the Garoppolo pick, IMO. The Easley pick is definitely a question mark due to the injuries, but at least it's a guy who has skills that the team needs and that will help in a significant way in 2014.

 

[ausbacker]

I can't see how this pick can be anyone other than Jimmy Garoppolo @mgteich. The Easley pick makes perfect sense if he's been medically cleared by the Patriots medical staff.

Truthfully, I'm pleased with the Patriots draft haul. On face value it doesn't look sexy but winning the battles in the trenches goes a long way to determining success. Most people agree protecting Brady is (should be) the Patriots first priority. Belichick and co. added three tough, smart maulers from the Mankins school of line play. On the other side of the ball, the Patriots added two physically gifted, potentially disruptive forces who are both considered value picks.

I have been the first to admit I would have been more comfortable taking Easley a little later but if Seattle had serious interest, then 29 was the only option. Garoppolo on the other hand, seems like a luxury pick to me although I'm happy to concede long-term, it's probably going to be a good pick. In the long run it may work out but it does nothing to help the team win now. That's why I consider it the most questionable selection.

 

[hwc]

... we are a now team and there were some really good players still on the board when we picked him that could have potentially helped us this year.

If you want a player who will help you for just one year, probably better to go sign a one-year rental on a proven NFL veteran. The calculation on a draft pick should probably be a contribution over the four year length of the rookie contract.

95% of the players drafted this week won't be ready to make a significant contribution to their teams this year. And, nobody knows which 5% will.

 

[DarrylS]

My vote would be for Garoppolo, we are a now team and there were some really good players still on the board when we picked him that could have potentially helped us this year.

This draft pick was not about this year, there will be life after Brady and the transition has begun to the afterlife... in fact this draft was not focused on this year.

There is a sig somewhere that says something like this is about building a team, not accumulating talent...

 

[ashley]

If you want a player who will help you for just one year, probably better to go sign a one-year rental on a proven NFL veteran. The calculation on a draft pick should probably be a contribution over the four year length of the rookie contract.

95% of the players drafted this week won't be ready to make a significant contribution to their teams this year. And, nobody knows which 5% will.

I should have rephrased : to help us this year and in the years to come.
Some of the players I think could have had an impact this year that were still available are:

- Marcus Martin
-CJ Fed
-Scott Chrichton
-Chris Borland
-Terrance Brooks
- Louis Nix
-Trai Turner
-Tre Mason

 

[sb1]

I like the Garoppolo pick if this was planned as drafting Tom Brady's replacement. Whether it works out that way is TBD but I can appreciate the effort and the forward thinking.

But if it was for other reasons like just to get a backup QB then I think it was a lousy pick.

 

[TBR]

Garrapolo easily

I have lots of confidence Brady will be playing at a high enough level to be starting the next 3 seasons. (Barring any significant injury setbacks). By that 4th season, Garrapolo will be on the final year of his contract and we'll be back where we started again. Brady takes great care of himself and seems to naturally age very well. Stacking our o-line will help ensure that he's barely touched too.

I'd rather spend a 2nd rounder on a QB 2 years from now. For now I'd prefer we sign Cassel or get Hoyer back from Cleveland (assuming they go with Johnny Bust)

My initial reaction to the Easley pick - didn't like it. Although the more I look into it and watch his interviews & highlights, I love the pick. 2 years from now I can see Easley/Jones/Collins being one of the best trios in the league. On top of that, knowing the Seahawks were about to take Easley 3 picks later says a lot. Look at how well they've drafted lately. They were so high on him that once we took Easley, they packed up shop and traded back several spots cause they felt nobody else was worth taking.

 

[hwc]

Cassel and Hoyer will cost you millions, cap money that would probably be better spent on a long-term extension for Revis. If you can get a decent back up QB for the next four years for a measley 3rd round draft pick (which is basically where the Pats were drafting), then you've got a bargain. It may not be sexy, but it's an important role on the team that has to be filled, one way or another.

 

[yukon cornelius]

Cassel and Hoyer will cost you millions, cap money that would probably be better spent on a long-term extension for Revis. If you can get a decent back up QB for the next four years for a measley 3rd round draft pick (which is basically where the Pats were drafting), then you've got a bargain. It may not be sexy, but it's an important role on the team that has to be filled, one way or another.

people undersell the luxury of having options for replacing brady


i've been a patriots fan since '76ish......i'll be a fan, if all things go well, for another 45-50 years....i love the brady era, but it is all about the front of the uni

the reality is, there is life after brady, and that must be planned for


i might agree 3 years is the logical window......if JG works out, you extend him to keep him here....you suck up the cap hit for a year of high priced back up in order to keep him

if he doesn't, you're still a year or two away from the 'QB dead zone' and your hand isn't forced into drafting a QB out of absolute necessity


as a fan of the franchise, it is hard to argue with the logic

 

[50-yard-line]

Given who was available, this was NOT the choice of Garrapolo, the highest rated player on the board, and few others available that were of reasonable value.

The most questionable choice was clearly the choice of Easley. I am NOT criticizing the choice, just pointing out the obvious. There were many fine alternatives on the board at just about every position.

29 DT Easley
30 S Ward
31 CB Roby
32 QB Bridgewater
35 OT Bitanio
37 DT Hageman
38 TE Jenkins
39 WR Lee
40 LB Van Nuy
43 OC Richburg

I'll take a shot on Easley over any of those guys for this Pats team, without the slightest hesitation.

He's the one who brings what they don't have: interior disruption. The difference between him at his position and the other guys on your list at their position is HUGE. Only Donald shows Easley's inside disruption (or Hageman when he decides to).

Garopollo is the head-scratcher for me.

 

[jsull87]

1.) The reasons the picks are questionable have nothing to do with their ability.

2.) My issue with the Collins pick was not Collins, but the choice of a DE/LB tweener when it was not a position of need compared to others (i.e. safety).



But it's all good now. BB can do no wrong. We're about to see 17-18 straight SB wins by the Patriots.

Except now Collins in our starting LB and we are thin at the position. Another way of looking at it is, BB was a year ahead of you by addressing the LB position before it became a need. while also addressing safety (the position you think is a need) with Harmon and rumor has it (although i don't see it) Logan Ryan may convert to S as well.

It's all in the eye of the beholder and the proof of the pudding is that Harmon played well (if unspectacular) Collins played well and is now slotted into the starting LB spot. So S and Lb were addressed. Just not in the way you wanted.