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Going into training camp, 3 of my major areas of long term need for the Pats looking towards 2015 included:
1. Another quality TE, especially a move TE. I have not been particularly impressed with the 2015 class, though Jesse James looks like a potential athletic freak. Move TE/WR David Funchess has been a popular early mock candidate for the Patriots.
2. Another quality young DT to groom opposite Dominique Easley, given Wilfork's age. This could possibly be an NT, but given the evolving nature of the game a player who can play both the 0/1 and 3 techniques would be an appealing alternative. The 2015 DT class looks pretty ordinary at this point.
3. A successor at LG to Logan Mankins, who I assumed would be a potential cap casualty in 2015. There are a ton of intriguing guys in the 2015 draft who could possibly play this role, including Brandon Scherff, La'el Collins, and Spencer Drango.
In the past 2 weeks, BB has made 2 significant trades, affecting all 3 of these positions:
- Jerel Worthy is an intriguing talent who was mis-used as a 5-tech in Green Bay, who has struggled with injuries, and who has underperformed. He has some motor and technical issues, but he has the raw talent and skill set to play a number of DL roles. It's by no means a given, but if the light goes on and Worthy finally realizes his potential, he and Dominique Easley could be a very intriguing long-term tackle combo.
- The trade of Logan Mankins to TB affects 2 positions. The Pats have moved on from Mankins a year earlier than I expected, and have an extra 4th round pick to deal, plus some cap space. They could make a play for Alex Boone, and certainly have the draft capital to go after one of top prospects for next year. The cap space saved may also allow them to keep Marcus Cannon, who could be an important long-term cog on the OL, either inside or out. Meanwhile, Tim Wright is an intriguing move TE/WR player, with much of the same skill set as Funchess.
The bottom line is that IF Worthy and Wright pan out, the Pats could solve 2 of these 3 needs this year (possibly all 3 if they trade for Alex Boone), and have the draft capital to go after a top LG for 2015.
Thoughts?
1. Another quality TE, especially a move TE. I have not been particularly impressed with the 2015 class, though Jesse James looks like a potential athletic freak. Move TE/WR David Funchess has been a popular early mock candidate for the Patriots.
2. Another quality young DT to groom opposite Dominique Easley, given Wilfork's age. This could possibly be an NT, but given the evolving nature of the game a player who can play both the 0/1 and 3 techniques would be an appealing alternative. The 2015 DT class looks pretty ordinary at this point.
3. A successor at LG to Logan Mankins, who I assumed would be a potential cap casualty in 2015. There are a ton of intriguing guys in the 2015 draft who could possibly play this role, including Brandon Scherff, La'el Collins, and Spencer Drango.
In the past 2 weeks, BB has made 2 significant trades, affecting all 3 of these positions:
- Jerel Worthy is an intriguing talent who was mis-used as a 5-tech in Green Bay, who has struggled with injuries, and who has underperformed. He has some motor and technical issues, but he has the raw talent and skill set to play a number of DL roles. It's by no means a given, but if the light goes on and Worthy finally realizes his potential, he and Dominique Easley could be a very intriguing long-term tackle combo.
- The trade of Logan Mankins to TB affects 2 positions. The Pats have moved on from Mankins a year earlier than I expected, and have an extra 4th round pick to deal, plus some cap space. They could make a play for Alex Boone, and certainly have the draft capital to go after one of top prospects for next year. The cap space saved may also allow them to keep Marcus Cannon, who could be an important long-term cog on the OL, either inside or out. Meanwhile, Tim Wright is an intriguing move TE/WR player, with much of the same skill set as Funchess.
The bottom line is that IF Worthy and Wright pan out, the Pats could solve 2 of these 3 needs this year (possibly all 3 if they trade for Alex Boone), and have the draft capital to go after a top LG for 2015.
Thoughts?
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