2014 Draft Contact List

[manxman2601]

Isn't a situational guy and a backup by definition a JAG? I don't have anything against the patriots drafting him in the 4th round or later. I just don't think you use a top pick on a player like that. Jake Ballard was a UDFA. He is as you say the best blocking TE coming out this year. If they draft him on day 3 I would be happy.

No. I think of a Jag as someone you can replace with a walk-on/free agent. Situational players have much more value than that. Brandon Spikes was a situational player. Jamie Collins was too last year.

I suppose "top pick" depends on your definition of a what a top pick is. I'd be fine with Fiedorowicz in the third round which is where we tend to take valuable backups (and any backup to The Gronk is valuable). I make no great claims for Fiedorowicz, I just think that his potential value, and what he's capable of, are being undersold a little by some.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't think what you are saying is wrong but, what I would prefer would be a TE who could offer a bit more in the passing game. I don't think FED is a terrible receiver, I would personally like to see someone who could have more impact threatening the safeties. If we don't get ASJ, Amaro, or Niklas then I would personally like to what until the later rounds and take a more athletic prospect like Logan Thomas. Just my preference.

That's my problem. There aren't that many more athletic TE's later in the draft unless you take H-backs into consideration. As for Logan Thomas, I'm a huge fan of his potential. But do we even know if he can catch a ball?

 

[patchick]

No. I think of a Jag as someone you can replace with a walk-on/free agent. Situational players have much more value than that. Brandon Spikes was a situational player. Jamie Collins was too last year.

I suppose "top pick" depends on your definition of a what a top pick is. I'd be fine with Fiedorowicz in the third round which is where we tend to take valuable backups (and any backup to The Gronk is valuable). I make no great claims for Fiedorowicz, I just think that his potential value, and what he's capable of, are being undersold a little by some.

That's exactly where I am. The top 4 TE candidates are all clearly a cut above him, but I think he's equally a cut above everybody else. As a presumed 3rd rounder, he's likely the last available player who could upgrade the position.

Frankly, though, that very fact makes me nervous. Plenty of teams will be looking for TEs, and IMO the pool of them bottoms out after the top 5. (I know Mayoclinic doesn't agree with that, though!)

 

[Coach42]

That's my problem. There aren't that many more athletic TE's later in the draft unless you take H-backs into consideration. As for Logan Thomas, I'm a huge fan of his potential. But do we even know if he can catch a ball?

I'm absolutely taking H-Backs into consideration and I really don't know what Logan Thomas's hands are like but I also wouldn't really consider either until round 7.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm absolutely taking H-Backs into consideration and I really don't know what Logan Thomas's hands are like but I also wouldn't really consider either until round 7.

I personally think H-backs are a different matter altogether. I'm really thinking of someone who can line up inline if required, an important consideration for me considering The Gronk's recent injury history. There are some interesting H-back types, I just don't think you take them instead of Fiedorowicz.

 

[Coach42]

I personally think H-backs are a different matter altogether. I'm really thinking of someone who can line up inline if required, an important consideration for me considering The Gronk's recent injury history. There are some interesting H-back types, I just don't think you take them instead of Fiedorowicz.

My feeling is that you can get an inline type at much less cost than what you would have to pay for FED. If that's the direction they want to go I would be in favor of doing whatever it takes to land someone in the ASJ, Niklas, Amaro group over waiting till the third and taking FED.

 

[manxman2601]

My feeling is that you can get an inline type at much less cost than what you would have to pay for FED. If that's the direction they want to go I would be in favor of doing whatever it takes to land someone in the ASJ, Niklas, Amaro group over waiting till the third and taking FED.

Which probably means missing out on a pass rusher, defensive tackle, premium offensive line player. That's the equation.

I'm probably the biggest ASJ fan on here, I'd be thrilled if we drafted him in the first round. But, if we aren't drafting the big three and BB feels we have bigger needs, then Fiedorowicz is a league ahead of anything else available.

 

[manxman2601]

That's exactly where I am. The top 4 TE candidates are all clearly a cut above him, but I think he's equally a cut above everybody else. As a presumed 3rd rounder, he's likely the last available player who could upgrade the position.

Frankly, though, that very fact makes me nervous. Plenty of teams will be looking for TEs, and IMO the pool of them bottoms out after the top 5. (I know Mayoclinic doesn't agree with that, though!)

I agree. It's the top 5 and then the rest. And the rest aren't much good. Arthur Lynch is tolerable if we miss out on CJ and there are a couple of move TE/h-back types but, yes, I think the floor of real talent is Fiedorowicz.

Good thing is, I've learned how to spell his name.

 

[Coach42]

Which probably means missing out on a pass rusher, defensive tackle, premium offensive line player. That's the equation.

I'm probably the biggest ASJ fan on here, I'd be thrilled if we drafted him in the first round. But, if we aren't drafting the big three and BB feels we have bigger needs, then Fiedorowicz is a league ahead of anything else available.

Depending how the draft unfolds I'd have no problem using a 1st on ASJ or 2nd on Niklas or Amaro over using a 3rd on FED.

 

[manxman2601]

It will be interesting to see who they'll be:

#Patriots can now shift focus from big NT type DT to 3-Tech... I hear they have lined up a lot of workouts with some of the top 3-Techs

https://twitter.com/NEPD_Loyko/status/449297994022944768

 

[manxman2601]

In addition to the #Patriots, Louisville SS Hakeem Smith told me he has workouts with the #Titans and #Falcons.

https://twitter.com/Dan_Hope/status/449309326600331264


Not the Louisville safety people want

 

[MrNathanDrake]

OP should be updated.

 

[manxman2601]

UCF RB Storm Johnson to meet with Jaguars and Patriots.

https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/449329874805616641

 

[ATippett56]

https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/449329874805616641

Storm "fumble" Johnson for you.

 

[manxman2601]

**UPDATED**



The Patriots have had pre-draft contact with the following 2014 NFL Draft Prospects.

PW – Private Workout
OV – Official Visit
CI – Combine Interview
U – Unconfirmed Contact (Interview, Workout, Etc…)

Quarterbacks
Kenny Guiton, QB, Ohio State (PW)
Connor Shaw, QB, S Carolina (PW)

Running Backs
Ben Malena, RB, Texas A&M (U)
Nikita Whitlock, FB (?), Wake Forest (PW)
Dri Archer, RB, Kent State (PW)
Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State (U)
Stephen Houston, RB, Indiana (PW)
Storm Johnson, RB, UCF (PW)


Wide Receivers
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU (CI)
Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest (CI, U)
Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers (CI)
Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M (PW)
Marqise Lee, WR, USC (CI)
Bruce Ellington, WR, S Carolina (PW)
Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming (PW)
Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan (PW)
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, FSU (PW)


Tight Ends
Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech (CI)
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa (CI) (OV)
Troy Niklas,TE, Notre Dame (CI)
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington (CI)
Blake Annen, TE, Cincinnati (PW)
Marcel Jensen, TE, Fresno State (U)

Offensive Line
Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA (CI)
Matt Patchan, OT, Boston College (CI)

Defensive Line
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh (CI)
Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU (CI)
Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota (CI)
Zach Moore, DE, Concordia (PW)
Dee Ford, DE, Auburn (PW)
James Gayle, DE, Virginia Tech (U)

Linebackers
Jackson Jeffcoat, OLB, Texas (CI)
Tyler Starr, OLB, South Dakota (CI)
Kevin Pierre-Louis, OLB, Boston College (U)
Jordan Tripp, OLB, Montana (PW)
Brock Coyle, OLB, Montana (PW)
Jack Tyler, ILB, Virginia Tech (PW)
Xavius Boyd, LB, Western Kentucky (PW)
Andrew Wilson, ILB, Missouri (PW)


Defensive Backs
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (CI)
Brock Vereen, S, Minnesota (CI)
Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona (PW)
Alden Darby, S, Arizona (PW)
Kenneth Gilstrap, CB, Middle Tennessee State (U)
Kendall James, CB, Maine (U)
Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty (PW)
Kevin Fogg, CB, Liberty (PW)
Lonnie Ballentine, S, Memphis (PW)
Hakeem Smith, S, Louisville (PW)



Specialists
Vincenzo D’Amato, PK, California (PW)
Andrew Furney, PK, Washington (PW)

 

[VJCPatriot]

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (CI)

If Clinton-Dix slips to us I think you have to take him. The talent is a no-brainer. Plus we'd have ages of endless fun using his name in puns and headlines. LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAfVwRXVwHk&feature=player_embedded

I don't think he gets out of the top 20 though. I still feel that we need one more good safety to get our secondary over the top. Oh yeah, and another passrusher for our DL.

 

[manxman2601]

@Ethanhamm: Jeremiah Attaochu is set to have a visit with the Patriots.

Never thought he was a good BB fit as he's a very linear athlete. If Attaochu is a possibility then Marcus Smith must be too. The pass rusher pool may have opened a little wider.

https://twitter.com/ethanhamm/status/449784386394017793

 

[manxman2601]

Never thought he was a good BB fit as he's a very linear athlete. If Attaochu is a possibility then Marcus Smith must be too. The pass rusher pool may have opened a little wider.

https://twitter.com/ethanhamm/status/449784386394017793

It should be pointed out that they worked out the defensive players from Louisville so would have worked Marcus Smith out.

 

[manxman2601]

According to NEPatriotsDraft, we've supposedly met with Texas OL Trey Hopkins. Doing some research, I couldn't find confirmation save the information that Hopkins was meeting with "a very good AFC team". This is pretty close to confirmation.

The reason this is interesting is that if you remember my post linking linemen to the vertical jump, Hopkins had a 32" vert so that sounds like a match.

Here's a video of Hopkins playing LG. It should be noted that the LT, Donald Hawkins, of whom there is no record of a meeting with the Pats, also jumped a 32" vertical.

Trey Hopkins vs Texas Tech (2013) | Draft Breakdown

 

[manxman2601]

Kevin Norwood has a workout lined up with the Patriots, per @TomPelissero's draft diary story. I'm a big fan of his.

https://twitter.com/Ethanhamm/status/449961434328621056

Underrated prospect.

Also, if they're working out Norwood then I wouldn't be surprised to hear they've worked out Damien Copeland of Louisville. Similar players.