MrNathanDrake
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2009
- Messages
- 2,898
- Reaction score
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I look at this draft class and it's probably the least exciting draft the Pats have had in a loooooong time.
But it was a necessary draft. OLine depth/youth was really needed. It's always hard to be excited with OLine picks, but it had to be done. The Pats have a history of turning mid-round OLinemen into starters and contributors. They used 3 picks on OLine. I think at least one of these guys will see significant playing time this year.
QB was necessary. Mallet won't be around after this year and IMO was never going to be the player to replace Brady. Garoppolo could truly be the 'heir to the throne' in a couple years. He needs to sit and learn for a year or two as he wasn't ready to start for any team in the league. It's a perfect situation for him. Some don't like the pick because he probably won't play for a few years, but he might be a real stud when he finally does play. Could end up being the best QB from this draft class learning behind Brady and having Belichick coach him up. It wasn't a pick that will pay off this year, but it could pay off big time in a few years. BB likes to stay one step ahead and this is an example of that.
Easley is boom or bust. I didn't think the Pats would draft him at all because his style is so different than all the DT's BB has drafted. But this pick has grown on me. He's exactly what we need on defense if he's healthy. I don't mind the team taking a risk here but the fear of him being another Ras-I Dowling(never healthy) is very real. it's hard to be excited about a player that might take a while to get back to 100%. He might not be ready to go in week 1 and nobody knows his exact timetable... but we might see a similar situation that we did with Collins last year where they slowly ease him into the lineup and by the time the playoffs come around he's running on fresh legs and being disruptive while everyone else is running on empty.
But it was a necessary draft. OLine depth/youth was really needed. It's always hard to be excited with OLine picks, but it had to be done. The Pats have a history of turning mid-round OLinemen into starters and contributors. They used 3 picks on OLine. I think at least one of these guys will see significant playing time this year.
QB was necessary. Mallet won't be around after this year and IMO was never going to be the player to replace Brady. Garoppolo could truly be the 'heir to the throne' in a couple years. He needs to sit and learn for a year or two as he wasn't ready to start for any team in the league. It's a perfect situation for him. Some don't like the pick because he probably won't play for a few years, but he might be a real stud when he finally does play. Could end up being the best QB from this draft class learning behind Brady and having Belichick coach him up. It wasn't a pick that will pay off this year, but it could pay off big time in a few years. BB likes to stay one step ahead and this is an example of that.
Easley is boom or bust. I didn't think the Pats would draft him at all because his style is so different than all the DT's BB has drafted. But this pick has grown on me. He's exactly what we need on defense if he's healthy. I don't mind the team taking a risk here but the fear of him being another Ras-I Dowling(never healthy) is very real. it's hard to be excited about a player that might take a while to get back to 100%. He might not be ready to go in week 1 and nobody knows his exact timetable... but we might see a similar situation that we did with Collins last year where they slowly ease him into the lineup and by the time the playoffs come around he's running on fresh legs and being disruptive while everyone else is running on empty.