The Pats did not "reach" for Mayo or Wheatley

[PonyExpress]

The three best, and most accurate current NFL draft analysts (IMO) are Gosselin, Nawrocki and Mayock.

In their pre draft top 100 rankings, Mayock had Mayo at #8, Nawricki at #15 and Gosselin at #19. That averages out to #14. Mayo was a "fast riser" as the draft approached. The Pats took him at #10, which is where they had to take him to ensure they could get him ahead of Denver at #12, which was looking for an Al Wilson clone, and Detroit at #15.

As for Wheatley, in their predraft rankings Mayock had him at #64, Nawrocki at #80 and Gosselin at #96. That averages out to #80. He was also a fast riser as the draft approached. The Pats took him at #62, ahead of several teams who likely coveted him.

Mayo and Wheatley are not only quality players, but IMO represented solid value for their draft slots.

 

[letekro]

I would add that Mayock is the only one of the three analysts to play DB in the NFL (or probably at any level), and played under BB to boot.

 

[PATRIOT64]

The three best, and most accurate current NFL draft analysts (IMO) are Gosselin, Nawrocki and Mayock.

In their pre draft top 100 rankings, Mayock had Mayo at #8, Nawricki at #15 and Gosselin at #19. That averages out to #14. Mayo was a "fast riser" as the draft approached. The Pats took him at #10, which is where they had to take him to ensure they could get him ahead of Denver at #12, which was looking for an Al Wilson clone, and Detroit at #15.

As for Wheatley, in their predraft rankings Mayock had him at #64, Nawrocki at #80 and Gosselin at #96. That averages out to #80. He was also a fast riser as the draft approached. The Pats took him at #62, ahead of several teams who likely coveted him.

Mayo and Wheatley are not only quality players, but IMO represented solid value for their draft slots.

I think Mayo was a decent choice but can't agree that Wheately is not a reach,IMO there are several better athletes than Wheately still on the board and Wheately should have been no earlier than mid/late 3rd but it was a typical BB wild pick so we will see how it pans out.

 

[letekro]

I think Mayo was a decent choice but can't agree that Wheately is not a reach,IMO there are several better athletes than Wheately still on the board and Wheately should have been no earlier than mid/late 3rd but it was a typical BB wild pick so we will see how it pans out.

Not to say your opinion in this matter is meaningless, but it's meaningless. I mean how much game film of college cornerbacks have you watched this year? Mayock's comments and the write-up of him at NFL.com has everything that you would want in a corner except height: elite speed, change of direction, ball skills, confidence, and smarts.

 

[patchick]

The Pats pretty clearly viewed Mayo as a rare player, and he legitimately could have gone as early as 11.

As for Wheatley, who knows? He was one of those players who I would read about and wonder "where's the catch"? Why ranked so low? The writeups on his skills are drool-worthy, and his measurables are tremendous. Yes he's small, but so were higher-rated CBs like Flowers and Porter. So I concluded that the injury was the problem, and likely a serious one. If his health really isn't an issue, he's a fine pick at 62 -- especially taking into account that he was probably the single best KR left in the draft.

 

[Seels]

I think both were very slight reaches, but here's the thing:

With Mayo, before and after he was picked, hell the general theme of the first round, was Oline and front seven on D. Mayo was the best person defensive player left on the board after Cinci took Rivers, so while it MAY have been a slight reach, the Pats couldn't exactly afford to find out if Denver, Detroit, or one of the other teams right past them that has trouble on D would have taken him.

For Wheatley, the end of the first round and 2nd round were loaded with CB's coming off the board. Maybe the Pats could have waited another 7 picks. Maybe not. The apparently wanted him for a reason though, and got him.

The only dissapointment I have right now is that they didn't get Groves before the Jags did, but I'm guessing if they didn't it's because Bill didn't think he was worth it (same reason we didn't take Connor).

The amount of people dissapointed or crying about this draft is pretty hysterical. It's the same thing EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

 

[ALP]

they were both slight reaches....but they filled team needs, which makes those reaches disappear

when u get a guy u like at a position u like, and that guy pans out, they u havnt reached

 

[MosiT]

Re: The Pats did not \"reach\" for Mayo or Wheatley

The Pats pretty clearly viewed Mayo as a rare player, and he legitimately could have gone as early as 11.

As for Wheatley, who knows? He was one of those players who I would read about and wonder \"where\'s the catch\"? Why ranked so low? The writeups on his skills are drool-worthy, and his measurables are tremendous. Yes he\'s small, but so were higher-rated CBs like Flowers and Porter. So I concluded that the injury was the problem, and likely a serious one. If his health really isn\'t an issue, he\'s a fine pick at 62 -- especially taking into account that he was probably the single best KR left in the draft.

KR in the NFL is very different. We already have Hobbs as a KR and this kid is no different than Hobbs.

I will continue to suggest that it is a wasted pick and lsee what happens in camp.

 

[ALP]

Re: The Pats did not \"reach\" for Mayo or Wheatley

KR in the NFL is very different. We already have Hobbs as a KR and this kid is no different than Hobbs.

I will continue to suggest that it is a wasted pick and lsee what happens in camp.

if he becomes a Starting corner for us either opposite hobbs or in the slot, it was a GREAT pick

not often u get a rookie be starting on an 18-1 team

 

[jeffbiologist]

I dont like the fact that we got LESS than a 3rd rd pick to move back to 10. It seems to me we wanted to give Ellis to NO, and I think we should have had cincy bid against them to up the ante. I mean 2 picks earlier they were offering their first and second in todays draft AND their first next year....I cant believe we got LESS than a 3rd from this same team for the 2nd best DT.

 

[PonyExpress]

The Pats pretty clearly viewed Mayo as a rare player, and he legitimately could have gone as early as 11.

As for Wheatley, who knows? He was one of those players who I would read about and wonder "where's the catch"? Why ranked so low? The writeups on his skills are drool-worthy, and his measurables are tremendous. Yes he's small, but so were higher-rated CBs like Flowers and Porter. So I concluded that the injury was the problem, and likely a serious one. If his health really isn't an issue, he's a fine pick at 62 -- especially taking into account that he was probably the single best KR left in the draft.

This is such a good point. Wheatley measured in at 5'9 5/8'' 187 lbs. McKelvin was 5'10 1/8'' 190 lbs. So the difference between Wheatley and McKelvin was 1/2 inch and 3 lbs. And everybody would have been happy with McKelvin's size. It's laughable. Also, Jenkins is 5'10 1/4''.

Meanwhile Wheatley is faster, just as quick, a better leaper, played better competition, more of a leader, smarter, and more productive with better ball skills, despite having recovered from a serious wrist injury.

This kid is going to start for the Pats and start quick. Like midway next season.

 

[JoePats]

Fair market value depends on the market. The Pats have three third-round picks, so why did they take a guy who was projected to go in the 4th round when they could have used one of their third round picks on him?

Because they a) obviously loved him, and b) felt that one of the 6 teams that pick between 62 and 69 were going to take him. So if someone else was going to take him at 65, the Pats had to take him at 62. That's not a reach.

As for the Saints trade...you're trading for the player not the pick. Look at it that way. They might have had Dorsey #1 on their board, so when you factor in #1 talent at #5 contract, you get a much much better offer.

 

[flasox27]

If you look at the value chart, it was a fair trade.

 

[SamBamsFan]

This is such a good point. Wheatley measured in at 5'9 5/8'' 187 lbs. McKelvin was 5'10 1/8'' 190 lbs. So the difference between Wheatley and McKelvin was 1/2 inch and 3 lbs. And everybody would have been happy with McKelvin's size. It's laughable. Also, Jenkins is 5'10 1/4''.

Meanwhile Wheatley is faster, just as quick, a better leaper, played better competition, more of a leader, smarter, and more productive with better ball skills, despite having recovered from a serious wrist injury.

This kid is going to start for the Pats and start quick. Like midway next season.

To follow up on Ponys thoughts, here are the drafted CB's from yesterday-

11 Leodis McKelvin Troy 5’ 10 190
16 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Tennessee State 6’ 2 184
20 Aqib Talib Kansas 6’ 1 202
25 Mike Jenkins South Florida 5’ 10 197
27 Antoine Cason Arizona 6’ 0 191
35 Brandon Flowers Virginia Tech 5’ 10 189
40 Tracy Porter Indiana 5’ 11 188
60 Patrick Lee Auburn 6’ 0 200
62 Terrence Wheatley Colorado 5’ 9 ½ 187
63 Terrell Thomas Southern Cal 6’ 1 202

 

[JoeSixPat]

Th

Mayo and Wheatley are not only quality players, but IMO represented solid value for their draft slots.

All that matters is that they represent value to the PATRIOTS where they were drafted.

It doesn't matter if the rest of the NFL had them projected a few spots behind... and as if often said, if there's a player that you want you need to take them BEFORE they are projected to go.

The money saved dropping back from #7 to #10 is likely money that can be used to retain a free agent. That's something people need to consider as well.

 

[Water Boy]

This is such a good point. Wheatley measured in at 5'9 5/8'' 187 lbs. McKelvin was 5'10 1/8'' 190 lbs. So the difference between Wheatley and McKelvin was 1/2 inch and 3 lbs. And everybody would have been happy with McKelvin's size. It's laughable. Also, Jenkins is 5'10 1/4''.

Meanwhile Wheatley is faster, just as quick, a better leaper, played better competition, more of a leader, smarter, and more productive with better ball skills, despite having recovered from a serious wrist injury.

This kid is going to start for the Pats and start quick. Like midway next season.

I like this pick. Wheatly was the best CB on the board IMO.

 

[patsfaninpa]

His highlight reel on front page is impressive. I'll put a link here for all the haters and doubters.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/te...heatley?id=328

 

[PATSNUTme]

The term "reach" is used by drafniks of which I'm one. But I always scoff at the term. We have no idea where these players were rated on NFL teams boards as players. We only know how the publishers if mocks and draft rankings have players ranked. And they. like us, are not responsible for actually choosing players or are accountable if the players they have ranked don't make it.

So, I always give the teams the benefit of the doubt.

 

[SamBamsFan]

The term "reach" is used by drafniks of which I'm one. But I always scoff at the term. We have no idea where these players were rated on NFL teams boards as players. We only know how the publishers if mocks and draft rankings have players ranked. And they. like us, are not responsible for actually choosing players or are accountable if the players they have ranked don't make it.

So, I always give the teams the benefit of the doubt.

I agree. The other term that gets frequently mis-used in conjuction with the last few weeks of the draft is "Fast Riser". Many seem to think that it has a negative connotation. My understanding of the draft process is that in the last week, or two before the draft all the evaluations, interviews, tests, etc have been done and teams start building their individual boards. Prior to this time the mediots, based on their studies and conversations (and some of these conversations are w/ scouts/ personnel people) have built their ratings. Now as the new information (and disinformation) finds its way out to the mediots they are forced to adjust their earlier ranking.
My question has always been. Which is the truer ranking? Haven't they just risen to their true level?

 

[mcsully]

All that matters is that they represent value to the PATRIOTS where they were drafted.

It doesn't matter if the rest of the NFL had them projected a few spots behind... and as if often said, if there's a player that you want you need to take them BEFORE they are projected to go.

The money saved dropping back from #7 to #10 is likely money that can be used to retain a free agent. That's something people need to consider as well.

Agree with you 100%.. Maybe this money will help in the future with Wilfork or bring in Ty Law this year..

Mayo was the right pick at the right spot. He was going #12 or #15.. both teams were in need of lb help..