This might be the Personnel Department's best job in a decade of very good jobs by the personnel department. As if it was by design, BB replaced that stolen first rounder by grabbing first round and high 2nd round talent from other teams in Long, Van Noy, McClellin, Mingo and Rowe. Those are 5 athletes that were picked in the top 45 IIRC. Those weren't big names, or even popular names in their own cities, in fact most were far from that. But they were all top notch athletes who, for some reason, were underperforming where they were. They easily replace whatever the player Goodell/Irsay/Biscoiti ripped from our arms in their attempt to damage us.
Given what picks we had to work with, by the time they had been processed, even the most avid homer was, at best, underwhelmned. I was in denial about the entire process that I couldm't even bear to follow these rookies until well into TC.
So looking over overwhelming success of our draft picks, even CJones' disappointment is easily overcome, since the problem was less of a talent issue than one of mentality. And since his issue had nothing to do with effort or heart, I expect a big turnaround year from him next season. As to the rest, I never expected Tuney to be a starter right from OTA's, let alone a quality starter. Who exepected Brissett to contribute. Valentine? Who expected him to evolve into not only a player who captured a regular role, but one who could be trusted to start on a very good DL. All of us can't wait to watch Mitchell develop even further.
Roberts has gone from an afterthought to another guy with a regular role on the Defense. Karras made the team at 2 positions and can only get better with experience.
Lucien still incubates on the PS, while KGH, a particular binkie of mine, justifies his draft pick as a core member of the Philly ST's. And what puts this rookie class over the top is the fact that we mined the UDFA's for THREE players who have helped us this year and may again in the future, in Foster, JJones, and Hamilton. It's one thing for a bad team to find UDFA's to make their teams, but the Patriots are an ELITE orginization with a mature roster, and yet somehow every year, SOME player winds up in Foxboro and makes this team that everyone in the league had a shot at.
The fact that in a year where we were torn from our first pick, we manage to find THREE such players is just a great credit our FO. Jones has been a stellar contributor on ST's and an occasional contributor on defense has been a find. Besides he's a perfect fit into the CB midget mafia. Foster is a true Binky of mine. He's more Lewis than White, imho, and there is a reason he's stayed on the roster despite how deep down the depth chart he is. They know how good he is, and he WILL carve a place on this team in future years. And you can't have enough space eaters, especially as the pendulum starts to slowly swing toward the running game again. Woody did a good job in the time he had on the field and it was too bad he was injuried for the rest of the time he was on the roster.
Just a final note - In 2015 Trey Flowers was a draft pick that no one thought much of when it was made. He made just the briefest of impressions, got hurt, and quickly forgotten. Very few had high hopes for him this season, and look how it's turned out. He's literally become THE man over the final half of the season. So, my friends, don't be surprised if someone who didn't flash much in their rookie season, doesn't surprise use by becoming a key performer in the next.
