So how do YOU grade the Patriots draft?

I'm leaning in two possible directions on this draft.
If it produces 2 solid starters then BB is a genius and it's an A+. If no better than a single JAG or two contributor comes out of it BB is and has always been a terrible GM and I give it an F.

I kinda could go either way on it...

PatriotsPimp136 said:

Calhoun was still there from MSU. You can never have enough pass rushers.

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Calhoun may end up being this year's "Jeremy Langford" Michigan State pick (4th round last year, sigh).

Last year, the duo of Flowers and Grissom were selected over Langford, who was taken a few spots later and has already proven himself worthy enough to make Matt Forte expendable. He may give Le'Veon Bell a run for his money in terms of being a dual threat out of the backfield.

Normally, I try not to play the "what if" game, but there are a handful of players over the years who I just can't let go.

TheBostonStraggler said:

I'm leaning in two possible directions on this draft.
If it produces 2 solid starters then BB is a genius and it's an A+. If no better than a single JAG or two contributor comes out of it BB is and has always been a terrible GM and I give it an F.

I kinda could go either way on it...

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Yes, I'm much too stupid to try and place a grade on a draft that just occurred since I can't predict the future and all, but I'm going to give them an "A" for effort.

There doesn't seem to be any starters or impact players.

supafly said:

Yes, I'm much too stupid to try and place a grade on a draft that just occurred since I can't predict the future and all, but I'm going to give them an "A" for effort.

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You're wrong Sup. In the war room BB seemed a little uninterested, almost perfunctory. I'm absolutely certain this year he deserves a C+ for effort.

TheBostonStraggler said:

You're wrong Sup. In the war room BB seemed a little uninterested, almost perfunctory. I'm absolutely certain this year he deserves a C+ for effort.

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It would be difficult to argue after listening to the Cyrus Jones phone call, so you may be right. It's almost like Belichick has a script that he reads from. I think Bill was just trying to trade as many picks into next year and get back home to Linda. I don't blame him on either front.

MrNathanDrake said:

There doesn't seem to be any starters or impact players.

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I don't know about all of that, and this is coming from someone who was very...unimpressed with the selections. It's virtually impossible to make that determination at this point in time.

We don't have any idea who may pan out, and who may not. For example, if a guy like Cyrus Jones ends up as a good returner and a sub package CB, we will be happy. If any of the first 4-5 picks pan out, we will be happy. History also suggests that there's a sleeper in there somewhere, whether it be a late rounder or UDFA.

Going into the draft, I was just hoping that we'd take a few impact players and try and trade as many picks into next year. I just didn't feel as though there was much room on this particular team, aside from hoping for an OT and RB. At least they addressed the WR, CB, and front seven positions for youth, competition, and depth.

2016 NFL Draft
New England Patriots
Grade D+

The plus is for acquiring a 4th round draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Kenneth Dixon in lieu of Jacoby Brissett
Andrew Billings in lieu of Vincent Valentine

Grade B

Kamu Grugier-Hill - meh

There are undrafted players that excite me more than some of our picks.... that should just about tell you how I feel about this year's draft

I like the draft a lot. They addressed needs and built some depth. I understand the clamor for a RB and thought they would pick one up as well. However, they are carrying Lewis, White, Blount, Boldin, Devlin

That is 5 guys they are comfortable with. Sure, some competition to force Blount out or a guy to back him up would be nice, but they probably did not see a guy in the draft who was worth that roster spot.

I would normally revel in *****ing about this draft but I would like to approach things a little differently.
We have to consider the total picture. What have the Patriots done in the off season adding players from
trades, free agents, the draft, and undrafted free agents? They have added running backs, a quarterback,
offensive linemen, wide receivers, tight ends, cornerbacks, linebackers, defensive tackles, and a defensive
end. They will now let them compete and will cull out the bad players and add the good ones to their 53
man roster.
I think the Patriots will end up with an exciting, prolific offense and a top-ten defense in 2016. However,
things could go to hell in 2017 because they have a bunch of free agents on defense. This is where the 2016
draft was a disappointment. The Patriots did not take advantage of the best draft in 40 years for linebackers, defensive ends, and defensive tackles. They better get their signing pens ready to ink the
likes of Butler, Ryan, Collins, Hightower, Sheard, and Ninkovitch. There is quite a bit of available $ in 2017.

I think WR's Malcom Mitchell and David Lucien are going to be great picks for this Team down the road and will shine in this draft. Both excell at routes the Patriots Offense runs don't know who scouted them but kudos I have a good feeling about both...Dobson must be sweating all the better. I will say it right now Devin Lucien reminds me of the 2014 Brandon LaFell lets jut say LaFell with hands Lucien is a Beast on Back-Shoulder catches...Brady is going to like him.

TheRazorsEdge said:

I think our RB Corp will be fine for one more year given that the oline improves

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The reign of Gaffney and Blount were significant in the scheme of things. It appears never intended to go RB.
DW Toys

[facepalm]

mgteich said:

When you use low level picks for a position, you need to make a lot of picks.

Also, the team has been in the process of filling 6 roster spots, 3 starters, 2 backup interior lineman, and backup OT.

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If we could have packaged up those picks and Drafted for talent with one 0or two sure choices rather than numbers I say we would have been better off. I say again, BB is the best NFL Coach ever. He is fun to watch going up and down the board Draft day, but as Draft success is no more than average. If anyone disagrees you might be a "homer". He is one of the tops and Trading and obtaining FAs and Trade talent ever which makes up for it.


Look at the signals this year........... 13 FA and Traded players added. That should have been the tip off that Bill did not think much of this Draft Class and even less without a first rounder.

DRAFT DAY, BILL PUT ON HIS "CAT HAT"...."LET'S TRY THIS CAT AND THAT CAT".

It was Casino Night in Foxborough. To add-I am sure some of those picks could not make the Foxborough Varsity.

Average is 17% to 20% player retention on the Team that Drafts you within a 3 year term. This can be solid back up (not JAG please-See Dobson) Special Teams, Starter, High Tier Starter or Pro Bowl value. .

43 picks the last five years as a sampling. 7 Starters and 2 Special Teams guys and B.U. QB. To be fair, the worst Teams have the highest Draft retention because their roster stinks from year to year.

That equates to 16.2% on Pats Starters and if you add the other two, 20.9% ......or just average. JAGS who are replaceable every year and Injuered are not counted. Last year our Draft class was almost half injured. going into this season so Bad luck or bad scouting?

I hope those Drafted kids do make it because we all love the underdog....and that is what this Draft is...The Underdog Draft.

DW Toys

Detailed draft break down. Had some time to look back and reflect a bit more and i think it makes for better grades. First some thoughts.

#1 This was not a strong draft for starters. We all knew that and though there were some good upside guys and perhaps decent starters we and most teams are unlikely to find much help this draft.
#2 The team can play as is for the most part. That is good to keep in mind.
#3 The RBs were bad this year besides 1 player who went #4 (which was way too high). This is the shared upon of all 32 teams and not just mine. The fact so many RBs slide late is proof.

Okay now on to the picks. A = Steal, B = Good pick, C = Meh, D = Clearly Bad, E = Future Bust

#60 - Cyrus Jones - CB - This was a player I had on my board for the Pats so i was not taken by too much surprise and though I think other players might have been better overall I don't think it is fair to call him a reach. He plays a position of need and his STs can have an instant impact if he is not ready to go. His height is not idea but he plays bigger than he is on tape and has the flexibility to play both outside and inside and is one of the better athletes at CB this draft. Overall: B

#61 - Trade for 78 and 114 - There were players here that I would have loved to have but this trade down did not keep you from getting them as trade ups were still very possible at this point. I think this is good value for this draft. Overall B+ (in hindsight I think they should have traded up higher into the 3rd after this pick though but I don't blame that on the trade itself.

#78 Joe Thuney - OL - The player here is very good value. I think he will be a starting guard by the end of the year and a good one as well as a back up tackle. Not bad for 78. The question is how needed was it? The Pats had a lot of options at OG before the draft with many players with a high possibility to improve and make a big impact this year. If you don't believe that will be happening though Guard certainly is a need area that needed addressing. If you like him as an OT that is a less certain proposition. The fact La'Raven Clark was still on the board is worth noting as he was clearly the top OT prospect left at this point and would have been good value too. Overall B+ (Good player and helps the OL which was not so good last year).

#91 Jacoby Brissett - QB - The main issue I have with this pick is I can not decide on the value of the player. I don't ever mind a team picking a QB at any point in the draft if he will be good but this was not a strong QB class and Brissett does not stand out to me. He has a lot to work on and there are serious questions as to whether he can fix those things (my main complaints are pocket presence, footwork, reading defenses) In particular reading defenses is worrying. In the tape i saw of him he looked like a look for the top 2 options then run kinda QB. That QB does not do well in the NFL. If he can show promise and if that allows the Pats to trade Jimmy G with no worries then this pick will look at a lot better. As for now that is a lot of ifs and maybes. QB is worth addressing on this team but i think this felt forced. Overall C- (though incomplete might be the best answer)

#96 Vincent Valentine - DT - I knew the Pats needed to address DT as did all of us. I thought they were going to go in an entirely different direction than a big body DT. I was looking at the smaller pass rushers. The Pats thought this was the best thing to do moving forward so let me grade him on what he is. Let me first say the little tape i have seen on Valentine is not impressive. I think he needs to be coached up a pretty good amount and do not expect him to help much till late if at all. That being said for a big body DT he is fascinating. He has agility that is very rare for his size. For instance only 2 other players in this draft fit the same kind of mold he does as far as size, speed, agility. He seems to have a lot of tools but can he learn to use them properly and be more than a mere space eater? If so this could be a impactful player. At the least he is a guy that should be hard to move. Overall B

#114 Malcolm Mitchell - WR - I don't usually talk up WRs that much and I think a lot of other spots are more valuable with WRs being over paid. However it is hard to not really like this pick. He got injured then looked good all of last year though the cast was meh. Also the fact that besides being a talent steal he comes from a pro style offense. There is little not to like about this pick as WR certainly could use a boost particularly outside WR. A very good mix of talent, fit, need and value. It is hard not to like this pick. Overall A

Pick Trade - The Pats turned 2 6s and a 7th and made them a 4th next year and a higher 7th. I loved this. Overall A+

#208 Kamu Grugier Hill - LB/S - Hybrid player. Good athlete. Looks interesting. Overall B-

#214 Elandon Roberts - LB - Though not typical LB size for the Pats he looks interesting. I could see him doing well as a spot player. Not bad Overall B

#221 Ted Karras - G - Even for a later round pick I don't see much point here. Not some great value and a spot that is chock full. He has PS hopes at best most likely. Hard to criticize this late though. Overall B-

#225 Devon Lucien - WR - Now this pick I loved. Again i'm not a huge WR guy and with Mitchell not much need but i see value here and a chance to really surprise. Overall A+

BobDigital: that was breath of fresh air brother great write up couldn't agree more and I'm a WR guy I think we finally got it right.

D-

2 of our biggest needs - LT & RB - were completely ignored. Inexcusable.

This is what the Naked Emperor should have done:

60) OT LeRaven Clark - He would've filled the biggest hole on this team: providing an athletic backup
for the annual Solder & Vollmer injuries, while being groomed to become the Starting LT by 2018.
What happened to Brady in the AFCC was a national embarrassment, and should have been off-season Priority #1. Instead, Bill has completely ignored this most-glaring need, to our downfall.

78) WR Braxton Miller - The next Anquan Bolden, lighter but more athletic, and just as tough.

91) CB Cyrus Jones - If he were 2-3" taller, then taking him at 60 would be justified…but he's not.

96) I would have traded this to Oakland for 114 & 154, which is what they gave Cleveland for 100.

112) I would have traded this to Chicago for 117 & 206, which is what they gave LA for 113.

114) DT Hassan Ridgeway - Malcom Brown's linemate at Texas, and the 3-Tech to replace predicted
bust Dom Easily. Willie Henry would also have been an acceptable answer.
Slow, weak, lazy Fat Vinnie Valentine at 96? Bill's worst 3rd-rounder ever, and that's saying a lot.

117) RBs Devontae Booker, Kenneth Dixon, Jordan Howard or Jonathan Williams - take your pick.

147 from Miami) LG/T Joe Dahl - Our Starting LG, who can play LT in a pinch better than anybody
else on this damn OL, including Vollmer.
I would have then traded 154 to Seattle instead of 147. Betcha they would've taken it too.

206 from Chicago) DE Stephen Weatherly - Best DE available, and would automatically become a far
superior upgrade to the execrable GeeNo Grissom.

208) TE Beau Sandland - Finally, a worthy replacement for The Prisoner; a Move TE who can really, really move. Devon Cajuste, Thomas Duarte & Stephen Anderson were also still available here.

214) OLB Travis Feeney - Most athletic LB available, would've been a top-125 pick were it not for his
shoulder injuries. The healthier but less experienced Aaron Wallace would also have been an acceptable answer.

221) WR Mitch Mathews, this year's version of Jeff Janis. Charone Peake, Kenny Lawler & Keyarris Garrett were also still available here.

225) CB Kalan Reed - the next Asante Samuel? - or CB/FS Jalen Mills, who would've been a top-100 pick
were it not for his injury/legal issues.

In summary:
2 Left-side OLmen? Check.
2 WRs with both size and speed? Check.
Powerful young legs at RB? Check.
An athletic, true Move TE? Check.
A strong and athletic 3-Tech? Check.
An athletic DE? Check.
An athletic LB? Check.
2 athletic DBs? Check.
Almost every, single hole on this team filled? Check.

You're welcome.

captain stone said:

214) OLB Travis Feeney - Most athletic LB available, would've been a top-125 pick were it not for his
shoulder injuries.

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Admittedly he's giving up 22lbs to him but KGH is more athletic than Feeney.

Urgent said:

No better than a C.

CB Jones - Gambling on the 'obsessive film study' as an indicator that he will improve, while passing over other larger, higher-rated corners.

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Like who? The only two possibilities are Will Redmond and Kendall Fuller, both of whom had serious injuries.