New mock time (with some FA stuff)
Pre-Draft
Trade for Jason McCourty. I'm not very good at establishing trade value for veterans but I'm going with a 3rd round pick here. I doubt we'd get him for anything worse than a 4th and I'm choosing to err on the side over overvaluing rather than undervaluing. It now seems that there is genuine interest in trading for him if the recent reports were true and whilst he's relatively expensive at 7m per over the next two years, that's affordable even if we want to keep Jones/Hightower/Collins. That gives us the secondary help we need.
Sign Doug Martin. This might b a bit of a reach considering how little BB spends on the RB position. However, Blount is a FA and whilst its very possible he comes back, something I wouldn't have a problem with, I do prefer Martin over Blount. Blount certainly has game but he's a little too inconsistent for my taste. On the other hand, I've always been a fan of Martin. Whichever it is, we need someone to tote the rock on a consistent basis.
That's CB and RB taken care of, two of our biggest end of season holes. Now on to the draft:
RND 2
Joe Dahl, OT, Washington State
OK, first off I should note that CBS have Dahl ranked as an OG, and graded at #667 overall so that should be noted. Whilst OG might be his future at 6-5, 310 (according to his official bio), I do see him as a nice LT fit for this team. Athletically he reminds me of Logan Mankins, he thinks he'll run a 5.00 flat and looks very good in space, but schematically he reminds me of Nate Solder. Like Solder he struggles a bit with the bull rush, but his feet are quick enough to guide speed rushers past the QB and he has the athleticism to get ahead of the ball carrier on screens and sweeps. I'm not convinced he's a day one starter, but I do like him as a future Nate Solder replacement or someone who could start at LG one day. I also like him as a run blocker so RT could be in his future too. PFF, in late October graded him as the #1 pass blocking LT in CFB, as they did last season too.
RND 3
Traded For Jason McCourty
RND 3 (Comp)
Braxton Miller, WR/HB, Ohio State
My #1 binkie currently. I just think he's the perfect fit for the Patriots offense. Miller, Edelman and Lewis on the field at the same time in this offense is a nightmare choice for opposing defenses.
RND 4
Montese Overton, LB/S, East Carolina
At 221lbs, it might be a stretch to call Overton a linebacker, but he could be an excellent passing down player who can blitz (7.5 sacks this year) and who has the athleticism to cover the slot, TE or RB. He's 6-3, could run a sub 4.4 forty and runs sub 4.00 in the short shuttle and sub 7.00 in the 3-cone. Aside from the CB position, we're potentially well covered for some time to come on defence at almost all the positions so this is an opportunity to add a scheme specific chess piece.
RND 6 (From Texans)
DJ Foster, WR/RB, Arizona State
A Shane Vereen redux. After two consecutive years of putting up over 500 yards receiving as a RB, Foster was switched to WR this year and has struggled a bit. Thats fine by me because it potentially drops his value. My view of Foster is that he's closer to Shane Vereen than James White as a receiving RB which is why I've always been a fan. Bring him in and let him battle the slightly underwhelming White in camp.
RND 6 (Comp)
Ian Seau, LB, Nevada.
Nephew of Junior. To be honest, I was running out of fresh ideas at this point in the mock and was going to put Seau in on name alone. And then I watched the below video. I think this is the first time I've said wow! aloud this year watching tape. Showcases outstanding effort, smarts and the physicality,nastiness to take on OL blockers. I saw a comparison to Clay Matthews on twitter and I can see him move from an EDGE rusher to a Hightower-like linebacker role, much like Matthews has done.
Bear in mind, this tape doesn't include his 4 sacks in one game effort against Hawaii. I think he'll be in my mock for a while.
RND 6 (Comp)
Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah.
Hey! Do you like 6-3 safeties that weigh 230lbs and that hit really hard? If so, you'll probably want to watch the video below.
I haven't seen any tape yet so this will have to do. Impressive highlight reel and looks to be another good, big safety that could play special teams. And BB likes those.
RND 6 (Comp)
David Morgan II, TE, Texas-San Antonio
PFF's leading run blocking TE and their third highest ranked receiving TE as of two weeks ago. Has good size at 6-4, 260lbs but I know little about him apart from that.
RND 7 (From Texans)
Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa
I'm not in love with what tape I've seen, but he's intriguing enough for a 7th round pick. You see, I have a soft spot for wide receivers that can catch the ball away from their bodies, particularly when they're 6-4 and 221lbs.
RND 7
??? At this point, I don't really have any strong feelings about anyone.
I must admit, I've yet to get really excited about prospects although I'm still at the 'tip of the iceberg' stage in my scouting. So far, only Jonathan Bullard, Myles Jack, Braxton Miller and (maybe now) Ian Seau have got the juices flowing. I desperately hope that changes.
I realise it's an offensive heavy draft but I did think through the pre-season that we lacked some offensive depth. As for defence, adding McCourty at CB really shores up any immediate defensive holes, including depth.
Right Mayo?
