Earlier this week, I saw a thread with some comments regarding the WR corps, and how the Patriots have yet to adress this problems in the draft, free agency or via trade. So I did a quick analysis on our roster, and compared it to the rest of the league. Here is what I found out:
1) NE is the only team in the NFL w/out an skill offensive player formerly drafted in the 1st round, regardless of the way a team obtained this player (draft, trade, free agency).
2) NE is tied in the NFL (OAK, D. McFadden) for fewest 1st round picks on offense currently on their rosters (LT Nate Solder).
3) NE's last 1st rnd pick used in a WR was in 1996 (Terry Glenn). Every other team has drafted 1+ WR in the 1st rnd in the 2000s.
4) Average pick for our offensive players (excluding UDFA): 111th (mid-4th rnd pick). Even if we exclude Brady, the number drops to 105th. 3rd highest (lower means better; closer to 1st pick) in the AFC, right after Texans and Raiders.
5) Average pick for our TE, WR and RB (excluding UDFA): 116th (mid-4th rnd pick). 6th highest in the AFC. Curiously, the entire AFC East leads the chart after the Raiders and Browns.
Just for comparison, Peyton Manning has played with 9 different TE/RB/WR, former 1st rnd picks, and has played with at least TWO each year of his career (until this year, with Moreno going to MIA; you can see their running game struggling, as we realize he was grossly underrated by DEN fans). 1st rounders like Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Dallas Clark and Demaryius Thomas have played along him.
On the other hand, Tom Brady has played with 6, with his biggest year coming when he played with Randy Moss. Apart from them, you get TEs Daniel Graham, Ben Watson and Kyle Brady. Not so sure why so many TEs rather than getting some WRs. He has played with none since 2009.
If you combine the total seasons each of these 9 players played with Manning, you get 48 total seasons.
For Brady, 16 total seasons.
What looks to be a very poor cast around Brady because of the way this season has unfolded, certainly shows in paper when it comes to how this team has got him any help.
Draft positions might be overrated when it comes to evaluating a player's talent, but this is probably the best way to address your team needs. If not, then get some help at the free agency, or via trade.
I still think Brady has a share on the offensive struggles over the last 2 seasons, but not most of it.
Thoughts?
Sources: pro-football-reference.com
1) NE is the only team in the NFL w/out an skill offensive player formerly drafted in the 1st round, regardless of the way a team obtained this player (draft, trade, free agency).
2) NE is tied in the NFL (OAK, D. McFadden) for fewest 1st round picks on offense currently on their rosters (LT Nate Solder).
3) NE's last 1st rnd pick used in a WR was in 1996 (Terry Glenn). Every other team has drafted 1+ WR in the 1st rnd in the 2000s.
4) Average pick for our offensive players (excluding UDFA): 111th (mid-4th rnd pick). Even if we exclude Brady, the number drops to 105th. 3rd highest (lower means better; closer to 1st pick) in the AFC, right after Texans and Raiders.
5) Average pick for our TE, WR and RB (excluding UDFA): 116th (mid-4th rnd pick). 6th highest in the AFC. Curiously, the entire AFC East leads the chart after the Raiders and Browns.
Just for comparison, Peyton Manning has played with 9 different TE/RB/WR, former 1st rnd picks, and has played with at least TWO each year of his career (until this year, with Moreno going to MIA; you can see their running game struggling, as we realize he was grossly underrated by DEN fans). 1st rounders like Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Dallas Clark and Demaryius Thomas have played along him.
On the other hand, Tom Brady has played with 6, with his biggest year coming when he played with Randy Moss. Apart from them, you get TEs Daniel Graham, Ben Watson and Kyle Brady. Not so sure why so many TEs rather than getting some WRs. He has played with none since 2009.
If you combine the total seasons each of these 9 players played with Manning, you get 48 total seasons.
For Brady, 16 total seasons.
What looks to be a very poor cast around Brady because of the way this season has unfolded, certainly shows in paper when it comes to how this team has got him any help.
Draft positions might be overrated when it comes to evaluating a player's talent, but this is probably the best way to address your team needs. If not, then get some help at the free agency, or via trade.
I still think Brady has a share on the offensive struggles over the last 2 seasons, but not most of it.
Thoughts?
Sources: pro-football-reference.com
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