The Experimental WR/QB Mock

WR and QB seem to be the two most controversial positions for the Patriots in this draft. Those opposed to drafting to the positions feel that the team has other pressing needs for 2014 and can't afford to waste the draft capital.

It made me wonder what a Pats draft with WR & QB as the first two picks would actually look like. Would it guarantee a 2014 train wreck? Or might it be possible to put together a realistic draft class that still addresses other needs with solid value and talent? (And without sprinkling Ryan Mallett Pixie Dust to magically create extra high draft picks. )

Here's my attempt. See what you think:

#29: TRADE to Cleveland for #35 & #106. Cleveland passed on a QB earlier but grabs one now.

#35: Cody Latimer, WR. Excellent balance of size, skills and athleticism to become a legitimate nfl wide receiver.

#54: TRADE from Philadelphia. New England sends #62 & #106 for #54 & #237. The Eagles get another pick in the meat of the draft, and besides, these two teams have to make a trade at some point, right? The selection:

Tom Savage, QB. A fast-rising prospect whose head seems to be finally catching up with his physical skills, and who the Patriots are rumored to be high on.

#93: Cauran Reid, DT. An athletic penetrator, smallish but not a liability against the run. Smart and highly coachable.

#130: Christian Kirksey, LB. Underrated coverage LB with good instincts and leadership. Matches up well against TEs, and the extra LB talent helps free up Hightower for reps at the LOS.

#140: Wesley Johnson, OL. Athletic, fiery, versatile lineman adds depth at multiple positions.

#198: Crockett Gillmore, TE. Raw but promising TE with great length. Was moved around to various positions
due to team needs.

#206: John Urschel, C. No experience at the position but projects perfectly to it; some patience required.

#237: Marion Grice, RB. Versatile RB with good pass-catching skills.

#244: Terrence Fede, DE. Small-school athlete with intriguing potential.

patchick said:

WR and QB seem to be the two most controversial positions for the Patriots in this draft. Those opposed to drafting to the positions feel that the team has other pressing needs for 2014 and can't afford to waste the draft capital.

It made me wonder what a Pats draft with WR & QB as the first two picks would actually look like. Would it guarantee a 2014 train wreck? Or might it be possible to put together a realistic draft class that still addresses other needs with solid value and talent? (And without sprinkling Ryan Mallett Pixie Dust to magically create extra high draft picks. )


Tom Savage, QB. A fast-rising prospect whose head seems to be finally catching up with his physical skills, and who the Patriots are rumored to be high on.

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I was wrong about Tom Savage.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...-savages-winding-road-to-nfl-draft-worthwhile

I'm starting to reassess my views on him.

You are certainly pushing my buttons with Reid, Grice, Urschel, Fede and Kirksey. Those are all very nice picks. I like Savage (upside) and Latimer too. My only thought on Latimer is that I think he's too similar to Dobson in the way he plays. He might be an upgrade to Dobson potentially but I wonder whether it might be better to add a different type of weapon to the offence rather than another of the same. Allen Robinson perhaps?

But, I do think you've gone a long way towards proving the point you were trying to make. That is a very good mock top to bottom.

No joking around, Christian Kirksey is really an underrated LB that OTG and Manx like.

I think he and Kyle Van Noy are the type of balanced "coverage" linebackers that,if selected, allows BB to get his "feet wet" and would give us a better indication what type of "aggressive" defense BB is envisioning.

manxman2601 said:

Allen Robinson perhaps?

But, I do think you've gone a long way towards proving the point you were trying to make. That is a very good mock top to bottom.

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The Allen Robinson "fanboy" has been on the money on about all the receivers in the draft, especially Cody Latimer.

sircole said:

The Allen Robinson "fanboy" has been on the money on about all the receivers in the draft, especially Cody Latimer.

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If you mean Merrill, then absolutely, he's done a great job with those two, particularly Latimer. and I believe overlong was equally high on Latimer too (or was he just down on Moncrief?...I can't remember).

manxman2601 said:

I am well behind OTG on the Kirksey bandwagon. He's


If you mean Merrill, then absolutely, he's done a great job with those two, particularly Latimer. and I believe overlong was equally high on Latimer too (or was he just down on Moncrief?...I can't remember).

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I can't remember either, but I think he was hinting that Moncrief wasn't all that.

manxman2601 said:

YMy only thought on Latimer is that I think he's too similar to Dobson in the way he plays. He might be an upgrade to Dobson potentially but I wonder whether it might be better to add a different type of weapon to the offence rather than another of the same. Allen Robinson perhaps?

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I would definitely consider Allen Robinson there. As I put this together, I was really struck by the wealth of WR talent likely to be available even after round 1.

But, I do think you've gone a long way towards proving the point you were trying to make. That is a very good mock top to bottom.

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Thanks, I found that the exercise really helped clarify my thinking. FWIW I don't actually want a QB that early, but the end result is much better than I expected. One takeaway is that DT is a position with good quality but not a lot of depth in this draft, and should probably be targeted by day 2.

patchick said:

I would definitely consider Allen Robinson there. As I put this together, I was really struck by the wealth of WR talent likely to be available even after round 1.



Thanks, I found that the exercise really helped clarify my thinking. FWIW I don't actually want a QB that early, but the end result is much better than I expected. One takeaway is that DT is a position with good quality but not a lot of depth in this draft, and should probably be targeted by day 2.

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Agree on the DT class. I think your mock would live or die on how Caraun Reid and Terrence Fede perform. If Fede becomes DE 3 and Reid can either become a starter or legitimate pass down guy then it's a success. If either or both fail, taking the WR and QB early probably goes down as a missed opportunity. Sorry, I realise that stating the obvious a little but I'm trying to get across the point that in this scenario there's little margin for error.

manxman2601 said:

Agree on the DT class. I think your mock would live or die on how Caraun Reid and Terrence Fede perform. If Fede becomes DE 3 and Reid can either become a starter or legitimate pass down guy then it's a success. If either or both fail, taking the WR and QB early probably goes down as a missed opportunity. Sorry, I realise that stating the obvious a little but I'm trying to get across the point that in this scenario there's little margin for error.

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Agreed on DT, though IMO other DT options earlier than Reid would be risky too -- Easley's knees, Hageman's attitude, etc. On DE, I'm projecting Hightower to take on more DE-style duties with Mayo back and Kirksey on board.

Only wondering about the Reid pick. 3tech DT is not something i think Patriots lacking but a NT. Chris Jones had 6½ sacks last year without Vince NeXT to him, or Kelly/Armstead. I might be wrong, but i think ppl underestimate Jones alot.

I think the Pats are testing QB "chemistry" in some of these "highlights" with many prospects.

I could be wrong.

Luxusdk said:

Only wondering about the Reid pick. 3tech DT is not something i think Patriots lacking but a NT. Chris Jones had 6½ sacks last year without Vince NeXT to him, or Kelly/Armstead. I might be wrong, but i think ppl underestimate Jones alot.

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The board in general seems more focused on a 3-tech, but if you're thinking NT you could swap in Justin Ellis in place of Reid.

This is an interesting exercise, and I was going to let it go....since your point has been well made. However, I'm procrastinating like a man waiting for his new job to start so he can leave this one, so I'll offer my thoughts. The top 2 rounds are per my mock draft, the rest is per CBS rankings. I'm also assuming the signing of Dustin Keller prior to the draft, or perhaps a gentleman's agreement to sign him afterwards.

29. Trade to Tennessee for 42, 151, and DE Derrick Morgan
42. Aaron Murray QB Georgia. In my mock, the quarterbacks leave pretty quickly in the 2nd round. I'm making my choice here, even though the quality of WR here figures to be better than at 62.
62. Trade to Tampa Bay for 69 and 143.
69. Devante Adams WR Fresno St
93. CJ Fiedorowicz TE Iowa
130. Antone Exum S Virginia Tech
140. David Yankey G Stanford
143. Chris Davis CB Auburn
151. Justin Britt OT Missouri
198. Prince Shembo LB Notre Dame
206. Rajion Neal RB Tennessee
244. Terrence Fede DT Marist

Luxusdk said:

Only wondering about the Reid pick. 3tech DT is not something i think Patriots lacking but a NT. Chris Jones had 6½ sacks last year without Vince NeXT to him, or Kelly/Armstead. I might be wrong, but i think ppl underestimate Jones alot.

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Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga & Tommy Kelly all can/have played NT drafting another would a wasted pick. Chris Jones might have had 6.5 sacks but he also generated essentially zero pressure outside of that. 3 tech is a huge need.

Thought I'd revisit this, since a draft with a round-2 QB feels oddly relevant. Here's how it went in my initial scenario:

patchick said:

#35: Cody Latimer, WR.
#54: Tom Savage, QB.
#93: Cauran Reid, DT
#130: Christian Kirksey, LB
#140: Wesley Johnson, OL
#198: Crockett Gillmore, TE
#206: John Urschel, C
#237: Marion Grice, RB
#244: Terrence Fede, DE

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I didn't expect Garappolo to still be there, he's an upgrade over Savage. And with With Easley instead of Latimer at the first pick, Reid is no longer a need. The bad news is that, as suspected, tight ends have been VASTLY overdrafted out of desperation. That cupboard is mighty bare.

I'd really like to see LB & OL among the 4th-round picks. Kirksey is gone, but there's still plenty of LB talent: Telvin Smith, Christian Jones, Jordan Tripp, Lamin Barrow, Kevin Pierre-Louis, etc.

OL is trickier. My two suggestions of Wesley Johnson and John Urschel are still around, and I'd be delighted to get them, but other than that...maybe Charles Leno? Maybe Russell Bodine or Matt Patchan?

EDIT: Meant to add an "About that tight end..." section. IMO there are two ways to go:

- Gamble on upside with a Blake Annen or Larry Webster (EDIT: or Logan Thomas!)
- Turn to a smaller FB/HB like Millard or Hoskins

patchick said:

Thought I'd revisit this, since a draft with a round-2 QB feels oddly relevant. Here's how it went in my initial scenario:



I didn't expect Garappolo to still be there, he's an upgrade over Savage. And with With Easley instead of Latimer at the first pick, Reid is no longer a need. The bad news is that, as suspected, tight ends have been VASTLY overdrafted out of desperation. That cupboard is mighty bare.

I'd really like to see LB & OL among the 4th-round picks. Kirksey is gone, but there's still plenty of LB talent: Telvin Smith, Christian Jones, Jordan Tripp, Lamin Barrow, Kevin Pierre-Louis, etc.

OL is trickier. My two suggestions of Wesley Johnson and John Urschel are still around, and I'd be delighted to get them, but other than that...maybe Charles Leno? Maybe Russell Bodine or Matt Patchan?

EDIT: Meant to add an "About that tight end..." section. IMO there are two ways to go:

- Gamble on upside with a Blake Annen or Larry Webster (EDIT: or Logan Thomas!)
- Turn to a smaller FB/HB like Millard or Hoskins

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I was going back to this thread myself. Yeah, we didn't get that WR, but as you said, we got a QB that didn't figure to be available.

The good news is that the rest of my guys, save Britt, are still available. Add in Easley, and this has the chance of being a great haul for the team's needs.

dryheat44 said:

29. Trade to Tennessee for 42, 151, and DE Derrick Morgan
42. Aaron Murray QB Georgia. In my mock, the quarterbacks leave pretty quickly in the 2nd round. I'm making my choice here, even though the quality of WR here figures to be better than at 62.
62. Trade to Tampa Bay for 69 and 143.
69. Devante Adams WR Fresno St
93. CJ Fiedorowicz TE Iowa
130. Antone Exum S Virginia Tech
140. David Yankey G Stanford
143. Chris Davis CB Auburn
151. Justin Britt OT Missouri
198. Prince Shembo LB Notre Dame
206. Rajion Neal RB Tennessee
244. Terrence Fede DT Marist

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