Here is what I believe. Bill makes it hard on himself. He has the extra steps of molding and honing that square peg to fit it the round hole. If truth be known he is successful less than 50% of the time. Now it is true that people who evaluate are humans and Bill might (and is entitled to) evaluate differently. But it is not his Draft prowess alone that gets us to the Championship games. He is best at evaluating under the radar free agents and trades...The Draft, not so much. In fairness, his first choices are very good considering the typical N.E. pick number.
I feel his best work is as follows (over the last ten or so years) :
Under the radar lower tier free agents:
Example: Ninkovitch, Siliga, Arrington
50%
Grade:B+
Free agency period higher tier talent:
Example: Harrison, LaFell
Grade:B-
Trades either pre-season or during the season:
Example: Talib, Ayers, Moss, Welker
Grade :A
First Round Draft picks:
Example: Solder, Jones, Hightower
Grade :B
Draft picks other than first round with documented talent:
Example: Gronk, Vollmer, Collins
Grade: C+
Forced Draft picks that are shots in the dark and way too high. The mantra BB uses is "value", and it is not inherent here as players are selected when that same talent can be acquired in later rounds. These picks are usually exposed:
Example: Dowling, Wilson, Richards [we''ll see] (these picks are kept and protected)
Grade: D
UDFA
Example: The Law Firm, Bolden, Malcolm Butler, Dane Fletcher, Gary Guyton
Grade: B+ (because every year he finds one or two that work)
Then why does he make unnecessary work for himself? His time is more valuable. That is why this Richards pick is a concern. He went against his copyrighted word: "Value". A fifth round pick if you have to step up a round because you are in love, is a fourth, not a second=Bad value.
If smart qualifies as a second round pick in the NFL Draft, we should be at Pro Day at "T..H..E..MIT Engineers" every year.
The Pats Team has many guys that are "smart". Give me 22 Gronks* and I will beat your 22 Richards.
*No offense Rob!
Talib, Dillon, Spikes and many more were not Mensa material but won games here.
DW Toys