2017 Draft Prospect Thread

[WaterfallJumper]

I'm on vacation, so I'm a bit behind checking the board, but I'll throw out a couple name to watch for next year.

Avery Gennesey is not a prototypical Patriots lineman, but despite his stumpy body and bizarre foot shuffling technique, he's one of the most effective OTs I've watched. Superior strength. Great drive blocking. Shockingly fast for a square body. Once he gets his hands on people, it's over. Really really intrigued by him. Think he can play left tackle with technique work. Seems decently under the radar, but just gets it done on the field. Impressive player.

Kemoko Turay is all arms and legs. He's too slender to stay at DE in the pros, but he reminds me a ton of the newly acquired Mingo. Explosive, athletic, and boy can he leap out of the building -- just Google the pictures of his blocked kicks. He has multiple blocks, and he looks like he can out-jump Superman. Oh. One more thing. He's from Rutgers.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

So happy for James Connor. What a stiff arm.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm on vacation, so I'm a bit behind checking the board, but I'll throw out a couple name to watch for next year.

Avery Gennesey is not a prototypical Patriots lineman, but despite his stumpy body and bizarre foot shuffling technique, he's one of the most effective OTs I've watched. Superior strength. Great drive blocking. Shockingly fast for a square body. Once he gets his hands on people, it's over. Really really intrigued by him. Think he can play left tackle with technique work. Seems decently under the radar, but just gets it done on the field. Impressive player.

Kemoko Turay is all arms and legs. He's too slender to stay at DE in the pros, but he reminds me a ton of the newly acquired Mingo. Explosive, athletic, and boy can he leap out of the building -- just Google the pictures of his blocked kicks. He has multiple blocks, and he looks like he can out-jump Superman. Oh. One more thing. He's from Rutgers.

I mentioned Turay last yeatr. Seriously explosive. As you say, a switch to linebacker might be better for him.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Gotta feel good to play again if you're Mike Williams. Broken neck last year in the first game. He worked hard to rehab and just had under 200 yards receiving. Fantastic story.

 

[mihap]

Brent Sobleski @brentsobleski 15h
Garrett beat McDermott twice clean for QB hits and added a couple more hurries during the first half.

Brent Sobleski @brentsobleski 16h
I love how Conor McDermott holds his hands high in his pass set. Reminds me of Marvel Smith.

La Times
Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett recorded only one sack but continually hurried Rosen.

PFF college
It is no surprise to see Myles Garrett being named the best player on the field for the Aggie defense. A&M brought pressure all game long and Garrett fought through some tough holds against very talented left tackle Conor McDermott.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I watched McDermott vs Garrett. Yes, Garrett won several reps, but he played very well for most of the game. I still think McDermott is a first round talent. He's my target for the Patriots, but I don't think he'll be available when we pick (32
I hope).

Kupp. Big frame, mostly aligns in the slot. Could be an Amendola replacement in the future? Not as shifty, but very good run after the catch. Abuses linebackers and safeties in coverage. Great stats to open the season.

Cooper Kupp vs Washington State (2016) | Draft Breakdown

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Arkansas had a giant ot that is a monster in the run game. Pass protection needs lots of help though.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Malik Jefferson from Texas is one to watch for next year. Good size (6'3, 240), good speed. Aggressive linebacker. He needs to improve at getting off blocks, but everything else is there for him to be a mini Hightower. Really like him.

 

[ATippett56]

Notable Unrestricted Free Agents

Defensive Ends
Long
Ninkovich
Sheard

Defensive Tackle
Branch

Linebacker
Collins
Hightower
Mingo

Safety
Harmon

Cornerback
Ryan

Offensive Tackle
Cannon
Vollmer

 

[manxman2601]

It was called back, but hello Christian McCaffrey

 

[manxman2601]

I watched McDermott vs Garrett. Yes, Garrett won several reps, but he played very well for most of the game. I still think McDermott is a first round talent. He's my target for the Patriots, but I don't think he'll be available when we pick (32
I hope).

Kupp. Big frame, mostly aligns in the slot. Could be an Amendola replacement in the future? Not as shifty, but very good run after the catch. Abuses linebackers and safeties in coverage. Great stats to open the season.

Cooper Kupp vs Washington State (2016) | Draft Breakdown

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Since we've been looking at the McDermott matchup, here you go. Full game online:



Some good, some bad. The biggest thing for me is that he displayed this athleticism and range. Losing to Garrett shouldn't be a big deal--Garrett will go first overall barring injury. Solder gave up 4 sacks to Aldon Smith in their college matchup. It happens. McDermott still has the raw tools to be a very good player.

Also, I love watching Gennessey. He's got active hands and explodes out of his stance. Might need to move to guard, but I think he's got tackle upside. He's just do strong through his core; he essentially auto wins when he latches on to defenders.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

I will add another name to watch for OT: Chad Wheeler

Typically I am not a fan of USC talent, but he has a lot of tools. He gets down low and quickly, and can also get down field in a hurry. Really good size and thickness, so probably more similar to Vollmer than a Solder type. USC's whole running attack goes through the left side, and that's with a potential top 60pick on the right side as well.



This could be the most fun draft for the pats in 4-5 years. Maybe going back to 08 depending on what happens with Jimmy G and Butler. The great thing is, if JG plays well for the next 4 weeks, you can pencil in an extra 1st without much mental gymnastics. I could see Chicago, New Orleans, San Fran, KC, Washington and Zona all looking at QBs, when there MIGHT be 3 with a first round grade. At that point, you could be talking about a McCaffrey/Peppers/Howard type talent being added, while being able to add to the O Line with our own pick

I have a feeling the draft board is going to be the place to be this year.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

So, how are you guys ranking the running back group as of today? I think most would expect a pick at some point at the position, but who do you like best?

I know Fournette is the real deal, and will get everything he deserves praise wise, but I think I would be just as interested in Cook for us. He is just so incredibly dynamic, and his receiving ability is obscene. I don't remember who said it, but I heard someone say he was what we hoped Reggie bush would've become, and that feels accurate. Or a little closer to home, a faster, more explosive running Vereen.

The guy that makes me most nervous is Chubb, who just seems to always looking to bounce a run before it starts. I know patience takes time with some backs, but his happy feet behind the line brings back parallels to Maroney for me. Electric runner, but only if he has holes opened or he's elusive enough to hit it in time. Personally, I am much more interested in his backup Sony Michel. He runs much more decisively, and has the natural hands to go with it.

I loved Conner for this past draft for the pats, so I will mention him again. If they are looking for more of a Blount replacement, Conner would be a natural selection for that role. He has a great nose for the endzone, great finishing power, and good in short yardage. Maybe not lead back material, but with 4 scatbacks on the roster/ps already, they might want a more specific pounding back in the draft. Another comparable would be Perine from Oklahoma. He might be the closest to Blount in style, with pretty quick feet for a big guy, but might leave you expecting more hammer in his game.

It's a long season, and by January I am sure we will be talking about the backup from Appalacian state or some Div 3 water boy, but it's nice to be able to talk about the big boys to start things off.

 

[manxman2601]

So, how are you guys ranking the running back group as of today? I think most would expect a pick at some point at the position, but who do you like best?

I know Fournette is the real deal, and will get everything he deserves praise wise, but I think I would be just as interested in Cook for us. He is just so incredibly dynamic, and his receiving ability is obscene. I don't remember who said it, but I heard someone say he was what we hoped Reggie bush would've become, and that feels accurate. Or a little closer to home, a faster, more explosive running Vereen.

The guy that makes me most nervous is Chubb, who just seems to always looking to bounce a run before it starts. I know patience takes time with some backs, but his happy feet behind the line brings back parallels to Maroney for me. Electric runner, but only if he has holes opened or he's elusive enough to hit it in time. Personally, I am much more interested in his backup Sony Michel. He runs much more decisively, and has the natural hands to go with it.

I loved Conner for this past draft for the pats, so I will mention him again. If they are looking for more of a Blount replacement, Conner would be a natural selection for that role. He has a great nose for the endzone, great finishing power, and good in short yardage. Maybe not lead back material, but with 4 scatbacks on the roster/ps already, they might want a more specific pounding back in the draft. Another comparable would be Perine from Oklahoma. He might be the closest to Blount in style, with pretty quick feet for a big guy, but might leave you expecting more hammer in his game.

It's a long season, and by January I am sure we will be talking about the backup from Appalacian state or some Div 3 water boy, but it's nice to be able to talk about the big boys to start things off.

I find it hard to look past McCaffrey as a good Pats fit at RB. Whether BB drafts a RB that high is another matter (can see him getting a similar round grade as Ameer Abdullah). I concur on James Conner - I enjoy watching him run. I'm a fan of Jalen Hurd although his height, although at 6'3", he's quite tall for a RB. His teammate Alvin Kamara is interesting as a Vereen type back and then theres my early binky, Kalen Ballage of Arizona State. I also need to watch Samaje Perine.

 

[manxman2601]

Alabama's Reuben Foster looks like a nice fit if they can't re-sign Hightower.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Alabama's Reuben Foster looks like a nice fit if they can't re-sign Hightower.

Hahah, I flirted with doing a foster bit or the running back post.

I think, if we lose either HT or Collins, Fostee would be an ideal fit for us. He is a bit of both, while at the same time very much his own style. Much better sideline to sideline than HT, but also as good as a coverage LB as I can think. Maybe not quite a Kuechly level guy, but as close as you are finding these days.

If JimmyG ends up netting us a top 15 pick, I would be very ok with Foster being the guy. The depth at our key need areas are great, so getting a tackle at 32 and Dt/rb at 64 would still net us high impact performers.

So yeh, I think Foster is special.

 

[manxman2601]

Maybe not quite a Kuechly level guy, but as close as you are finding these days.

That's funny because, literally, a minute before reading your reply, I saw this tweet.

 

[manxman2601]

Not necessarily in terms of athleticism or size, but in terms of role, Colorado CB Chidobe Awuzie reminds me a little of Kyle Arrington. Slot corner who plays well when the ball is in front of him, can blitz effectively and is excellent at run defense. My kind of corner.