Offense ONLY: one draftee you'd love, one you'd cross off the list

[manxman2601]

@Wilfork 75

I have a question for you. Where are you on Criner now? During drills yesterday I could see why you liked him so much, he looked very accomplished. But his measurables were pretty horrible. Do you still afford him binky status or do you move on? Do you have to do as I do and Hightower* him.

* He's not in my mock anymore because of his shorter arms but I will still cheer if we draft him.

 

[Wilfork#75]

@Wilfork 75

I have a question for you. Where are you on Criner now? During drills yesterday I could see why you liked him so much, he looked very accomplished. But his measurables were pretty horrible. Do you still afford him binky status or do you move on? Do you have to do as I do and Hightower* him.

* He's not in my mock anymore because of his shorter arms but I will still cheer if we draft him.

I've said all year I put very little stock into what people do at the combine without pads, so it would be very hypocritical for me to drop someone like Criner (or Sanu) when I really like them on tape. I was a little disappointed with his numbers, his 3 cone more than anything, but I have never thought this was his strength. He's not an speed guy, he is a big, smooth, fluid runner that is pretty consistent in his routes and works the entire field. While some of his numbers weren't too impressive, what I liked from him in the passing drill was his ability to drop his hips and get in and out of his breaks, which is exactly what I saw in his routes on tape.

To me he is a guy that plays much fast than his time suggests (like Kendall Wright who ran a 4.61). I think he more than makes up for his lack of athleticism with his size and more importantly body control, which makes him more effective even if he doesn't get great seperation. I think he tracks the deep ball and adjusts to it in the air as well as anyone in this draft, which still makes him a deep threat despite his speed. And the thing I think everyone overlooks about him, which I actually think is his strength, is his YAC ability. He is very dangerous with the ball in his hands and that is one of the reasons I think he would be a fit here.

In the end I still love this kid, he's still my binky and I would still draft him (as high as 48 if necessary). But I think these numbers actually help the Pats chances of taking him because I think he will be value. With such a deep WR class and so many "sexy" picks around him, I think he will be there in the 3rd and be a steal.

On Hightower, I think its still okay to have someone as a binky even if you don't think the Pats will take him (believe me, if Matt Barkley was in this draft I would be making the argument that the Colts should trade down and take him instead of Luck).

 

[manxman2601]

I've said all year I put very little stock into what people do at the combine without pads, so it would be very hypocritical for me to drop someone like Criner (or Sanu) when I really like them on tape. I was a little disappointed with his numbers, his 3 cone more than anything, but I have never thought this was his strength. He's not an speed guy, he is a big, smooth, fluid runner that is pretty consistent in his routes and works the entire field. While some of his numbers weren't too impressive, what I liked from him in the passing drill was his ability to drop his hips and get in and out of his breaks, which is exactly what I saw in his routes on tape.

To me he is a guy that plays much fast than his time suggests (like Kendall Wright who ran a 4.61). I think he more than makes up for his lack of athleticism with his size and more importantly body control, which makes him more effective even if he doesn't get great seperation. I think he tracks the deep ball and adjusts to it in the air as well as anyone in this draft, which still makes him a deep threat despite his speed. And the thing I think everyone overlooks about him, which I actually think is his strength, is his YAC ability. He is very dangerous with the ball in his hands and that is one of the reasons I think he would be a fit here.

In the end I still love this kid, he's still my binky and I would still draft him (as high as 48 if necessary). But I think these numbers actually help the Pats chances of taking him because I think he will be value. With such a deep WR class and so many "sexy" picks around him, I think he will be there in the 3rd and be a steal.

On Hightower, I think its still okay to have someone as a binky even if you don't think the Pats will take him (believe me, if Matt Barkley was in this draft I would be making the argument that the Colts should trade down and take him instead of Luck).

Thanks. i wish you luck. not too much mind, if we're taking Criner it means we've passed on Jones.

As for this:

On Hightower, I think its still okay to have someone as a binky even if you don't think the Pats will take him

I'm so locked in to thinking about fits for the Patriots when looking at prospects that my binkies are prospects I see as ideal fits for the Patriots. I love watching Lavonte David but could never consider him in a mock. I have four locks in my draft - Barron, Jones, Fleming, Hicks. The only one who doesn't qualify as "ideal for the Patriots" is Fleming, not because he's not a fit, but because a) I'm unclear about The Pats secondary and system and B) because there's so many CB's available that singling out one who's ideal is next to impossible. It's also really difficult to predict where Fleming will go, I've see him ranged between the first round and fifth (Casey Heyward is another like that).

 

[Wilfork#75]

Thanks. i wish you luck. not too much mind, if we're taking Criner it means we've passed on Jones.

I don't think its an either/or situation with these guys. I think we need to add 3 outside WRs in the offseason because I don't think we can count on Branch, and I would prefer to get 1 in FA and 2 in the draft. I'm also of the opinion that the need for a pure deep threat is completely overrated, so I would prefer balanced, intelligent WRs (which I would consider both Jones and Criner to be). So I don't see why we couldn't take both if they are of value, and have them complement each other. Neither are likely #1's in the NFL, but with the amount of resources defenses need to employ to stop our TE's, all we need is guys that can take advantage of that and beat man coverage on the outside.

I'm so locked in to thinking about fits for the Patriots when looking at prospects that my binkies are prospects I see as ideal fits for the Patriots. I love watching Lavonte David but could never consider him in a mock. I have four locks in my draft - Barron, Jones, Fleming, Hicks. The only one who doesn't qualify as "ideal for the Patriots" is Fleming, not because he's not a fit, but because a) I'm unclear about The Pats secondary and system and B) because there's so many CB's available that singling out one who's ideal is next to impossible. It's also really difficult to predict where Fleming will go, I've see him ranged between the first round and fifth (Casey Heyward is another like that).

I just love College Football, so I fall in love with guys that I know would never fit here (like Barkley). On the secondary, my biggest issue when looking at guys is my view of what kind of scheme I would like to see the Pats run vs what they will run. I would prefer them to have the ability to play press man coverage when required because I think its a necessary part of today's passing NFL. That's why I have bigger, physical CB's in my mocks, rather than zone, soft man corners. I agree with you on Fleming and being tough to get a read on. It seems all the experts were really talking him up, but never actually moved him up their boards or mocks. At the senior bowl it seemed like he would be a late 1st/high 2nd round pick, but everyone has kept him in the 3rd/4th round range. I still think he will probably be seen as a late riser, maybe into the second round, but in reality everyone knows he is a good player and they are just moving him up late.

 

[Peachhead]

Must draft - DL Fletcher Cox. Perfect size for a DL. Great athleticism for his size. (I almost said Dont'a Hightower)

Stay Away - CB Janoris Jenkins. A cross between Antonio Cromartie and Pacman Jones. In all the wrong ways. (Malcolm Floyd also has too much off-field baggage for me, and Vontaze Burfict play way too undisciplined.)

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Must draft - DL Fletcher Cox.
Stay Away - CB Janoris Jenkins.

"Offense ONLY." The folks on D will get their turn soon enough.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Who the #$%& is Malcom Floyd???

but in all seriousness I meant Michael but funny how they are comparable in style.

 

[alvinnf]

Want= Michael Floyd ND WR
Not Want = Mohamed Sanu Rutgers WR

 

[Leemo]

WANT: Floyd
Stay Away: Jeffery (unless its in the third)

 

[Deus Irae]

Not so much love and avoid as rising and falling:

Rising - Hill
Falling - Adams


To me, any early offense picks should be all about the WRs

 

[Why?PJ]

I'd love to see Chris Rainey. Who knows where he'd go, but he could play anywhere and his speed is really impressive.

Stay away from anyone who cannot beat man coverage and double teams.

 

[DH523]

Want: WR Tommy Streeter out of Miami aka The U. Plays as fast as he was timed (4.40 40 I believe) and has great size at 6'5" 219. I especially like that he should fall to the 3rd or 4th round and can be a big outside target who's legit fast on field and in shorts.

Honorable Mentions: Marvin McNutt of Iowa (sneaky fast, seemed to constantly get separation deep despite not appearing all that fast) and Danny Coale of Virginia Tech.

Don't Want: Juron Criner. Ran a slow 40 time and while he displayed downfield speed at the college level... I think he'll be drafted higher than he's probably warranted.