Initially looks like a reach, but I'm more interested in what we can infer about what the Pats were looking for, since Easly clearly doesn't fit the "typical" mold that BB has utilized the last 30 years in a DLman. Especially given that there were several of the those "typical guys" there when the Pats picked. Nix, Hageman, Tuitt, Jernigan, etc were all there for the taking and BB seemed to go for Aaron Donald-lite. I think that tells us a lot.
1. We continue to move away from the 3-4 toward the 4-3 as our basic alignment.
2. The Easly pick once again points out the key importance of the inside pass rush. Push up the middle was a need, and a healthy Easly would have been highly thought of because of this very rare skill.
3. So no to the 6'6 310 lb stereo typical 2 gap NT/3-4 TE. Bill wants an explosive player in the middle and THEY evidently thought Easly was the best guy to fill that need.
4. I think that they would have traded the pick in a nano-second if the opportunity arose, but when it didn't, they went for the best guy on THEIR board, and it was Easly. Lets hope that ACL surgery is like Tommy John surgery and players actually get better once its done.
5. Its going to be crowded and competition should be fierce for those DT slots this TC. I'm looking forward to it. (Wilfolk, Kelly, Easly, Armstead, CJones, Siliga, and Joe V....so far)
6. Say what you want for BB. He never ceases to surprise us with his draft picks.....and today is only DAY one.