Draft recap and its possible implications.

[Brady_to_Moss]

Blount will be used a lot in goaline situations. For those of you that play FF Ridleys stock may have dropped!

 

[patfanken]

Blount will be used a lot in goaline situations. For those of you that play FF Ridleys stock may have dropped!

From what I can gather from Bucs fans, Blount is more of a dancer than a banger. The bottom line here is that both teams helped each other by taking the other's problem children. IMHO I doubt either will end up on the 53 man roster. The 7th round pick was most likely a thank you to Schiano for all the Rutgers guys he recruited and trained.....and now play for the Pats

 

[PatsFanStnfrd]

5. Josh Boyce – First I feel the need to apologize to all those people I implied were idiots for hoping the Pats would draft TWO WR's. Clearly I was wrong

On behalf of the many here who hoped the Pats would draft 2 WRs as they "redid" their WR corps, apology accepted

Learn a lot from your posts always. Just didn't like the characterization of holders of alternative viewpoints as "idiots". Turns out, the GOAT, BB himself, shared this view -- and acted on it.

 

[ausbacker]

Blount will be used a lot in goaline situations. For those of you that play FF Ridleys stock may have dropped!

I'd rather use Bolden or Ridley. Bolden is a thumper and Ridley (to me) is more explosive and capable of creating plays than Blount. Blount would be firmly entrenched as the fourth option behind Ridley, Vereen and Bolden. If he makes the roster, it's another dynamic to keep our RB's fresh as the season progresses.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Oh, absolutely. You are correct, I'm just concerned (a bit) about the implications of carrying 6 WR has on the rest of the roster and its depth. Of course there is always the PS and the phantom IR that can fix things. A lot can happen between now and the first week of September that can change things drastically.

I see slater and Edelman as ST aces more than receivers, so it doesn't worry me so much fwiw. McCourty's flexibility should allow keeping one fewer cb/s, if it comes to that. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of Dowling/AWilson get in preseason

 

[PatsFanStnfrd]

Yeah, like all of those other "red-shirt" rookies they "stashed" after seemingly healthy camps on crowded rosters, only to have them come back and make the team the next year! Like...umm....like...oh, I know, Oscar Lua! No wait, I mean Bo Ruud -- or rather, Markell Carter. No? Hold on, I'll think of one....

this has been a public service announcement from the "there's no such thing as stashing" committee. yes, i'll shut up now.

Great to see you active on these boards, patchick.

Excellent point. Can't recall a single ROOKIE who made a significant impact after spending his rookie year on IR for whatever reason. (Veterans are different eg. Brady/Welker) Which is why I am skeptical Dowling is going to be a productive corner. I'll be happy to be proven wrong. After all, there has to be an exception to every rule.

 

[mgteich]

We drafted 2 receivers. We need them. That doesn't mean that they will contribute a huge amount this year. Also, Jones and Jenkins are no-costers competing for a roster spot.

We start the roster with Amendola, 2 STers, and 2 rookies (Slater and Edelman). In theory a veteran could beat out Edelman in his roles as backup slot receiver and punt returner, but it doesn't seem likely. Besides Edelman doesn't charge much and he knows the system.

There is room for one more. I could certainly see the last spot as a competition between Lloyd, Jones and Jenkins. I suspect that this won't happen partly because Josh like Edelman and expects some WR reps from him, especially if no one else steps up.

OK, I'll call you crazy. IMO drafting 2 WRs closes the door on Lloyd coming back. The Pats have nice young group of physically talented WRs all in their mid 20's and younger. That are a lot faster and physically stronger than who they've had recently. The only real questions in my mind are whether they stay on the field, and how fast all the new players (and that's most of them) can learn the offense. I LIKE our WR group now...on paper. All that awaits is to see if that talent translates on the field in production.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick has been looking to carry a short yardage back or a fullback as his #5 back for a few years now. Maybe this is the year, maybe not. Also, if Blount looks good enough, he could go ahead of Bolden in the depth chart. Also, Blount is injury insurance in case one of our other running backs is injured during camp.

But I agree with your analysis. The most likely result is that Blount won't make the 53.

From what I can gather from Bucs fans, Blount is more of a dancer than a banger. The bottom line here is that both teams helped each other by taking the other's problem children. IMHO I doubt either will end up on the 53 man roster. The 7th round pick was most likely a thank you to Schiano for all the Rutgers guys he recruited and trained.....and now play for the Pats

 

[Se7eN]

I don't see why people are not counting Julian Edelman as being a serious WR or are even saying that his role as a Patriot is not set in stone.

He is extremely versatile, for the Patriots he is a WR but has played Linebacker and CB with exceptional punt returning. In a thread I previously read he was a few punts short of being one of the best punt returners statistically.

"Edelman's snap count increased in the first two games of the 2012 season, including a Week 2 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals in which he started over Wes Welker. After suffering an injury in the Patriots' Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Edelman was inactive for the next three games. He then saw limited duty until the Patriots' record-tying Week 11 win against the Indianapolis Colts, in which he had a career day.[12] Edelman caught five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, picked up 47 yards on a single rushing attempt, and returned two punts for a total of 117 yards. The first of those returns was a 68-yard return for a touchdown, giving Edelman three punt return touchdowns, tying the Patriots franchise mark.
Four days later, on Thanksgiving Day, Edelman scored two more touchdowns in the second quarter of the Patriots' victory over the New York Jets, in which they tied a franchise record with five touchdowns in one quarter: he recovered a Jets fumble and returned it 22 yards, and then caught a 56-yard touchdown from Tom Brady. Although he left early in the third quarter with a head injury, he nevertheless became the first player since the AFL-NFL merger with both a receiving touchdown and a return touchdown in consecutive games."

People consider Amendola to be a stand out because he had one great game. Edelman had great games too for the Patriots when he was starting during the period where they were trying to phase Welker out. In my opinion, Amendola and Edelman are very similar in terms of potential WR production but Amendola will likely be ahead of Edelman on the depth chart so as to not tire Edelman out with playing too many snaps on offense & special teams.

 

[DarrylS]

As we could not score in the red zone against the Ravens last year, BB saw a need to blow up the WR's... while we can win 12-13 games every year, if we cannot score when we need to do so it loses a lot of value. Is this the answer, not sure as time will tell.. our offense will be more creative this year.

Mike Reiss commented..

2. Five of the Patriots' seven picks in the 2013 draft were defensive players. Six of the seven players drafted by the Patriots in 2012 played defense. Add those 11 defenders to high picks in 2011 (second-round CB Ras-I Dowling) and 2010 (first-round DB Devin McCourty, second-round LBs Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes) -- not to mention acquisitions like Aqib Talib and others already in place -- and it seems fair to say that if the Patriots' defense can't turn a more decisive corner it will be a major disappointment. That's a lot of draft capital devoted to defense.

The D has gotten younger, faster and on paper more "football athletic".. we can look at the 5 D picks from this year, and maybe 4 may make this team.. but without regard, this team is being retooled on the fly and maybe this is the year the D side of the ball can regain prominence..

 

[stelfans]

Really liked what they did with the receiver group. Dobson, Joyce and Moe have great potencial, even that kid Thompkins has a great story and could turn into something.

Added to a struggling in coverage LB group and got depth in the secondary. All that combined with Armstead...im liking this defense...on paper at least.

All in all not bad.

 

[goheels22002]

People consider Amendola to be a stand out because he had one great game. Edelman had great games too for the Patriots when he was starting during the period where they were trying to phase Welker out. In my opinion, Amendola and Edelman are very similar in terms of potential WR production but Amendola will likely be ahead of Edelman on the depth chart so as to not tire Edelman out with playing too many snaps on offense & special teams.

Seriously? One great game. Maybe a little time looking at the statistics might help. Amendola's 2010 season for a crappy Rams team might give an indication of what he can do over a season in a system designed to use the slot receiver extensively. Danny Amendola NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[AzorianPats]

Now that the Pats section of the 7th round has been completed, I thought I'd update the final 2 picks. Both of whom IMHO are better than we have the right to expect.

Micheal Buchanan - Based on his draft profile was someone you would have thought would have gone a round or 2 earlier. I doubt the Pats were looking for another DE/OLB, but probably could pass up the value when they saw him still available. The thing that stood out to me was his sub 7 second 3 cone time. That is freakin' outstanding for a guy who is 6'5. His 4.7 forty is mediocre, but very good for player at this point in the draft. His 22 BP's shows he needs another year to get stronger. All in all, great length and speed, great quickness, decent college production. One of his strengths is setting the edge. It could be with Collins and Buchanan, we might be just a year away from returning to a 3-4 base
r.

Don't forget we still have C. Jones and Ninkovich setting the edge. I wonder if drafting Collins really means were moving past Spikes or Ninko after this year. And if we plan on moving Hightower to MLB

 

[patfanken]

Don't forget we still have C. Jones and Ninkovich setting the edge. I wonder if drafting Collins really means were moving past Spikes or Ninko after this year. And if we plan on moving Hightower to MLB

Well from what I understand AZ, one of the problems with Collins is that he's anything BUT an edge setter... at least at this point of his career. No right now Collins looks like he is coming into the league with the skills to be a very good edge rusher and a decent coverage LB. His inability to set the edge consistently is what probably dropped him into the late 2nd round.

I think the key to Collins success his rookie year is for the Pats to put him into situations where he isn't forced to do things he can't do right now. Hopefully over the next few years, as he gets bigger and stronger, he can add edge setting to his repertoire

 

[patfanken]

I too am thinking that Edelman is being underrated as a WR early on (what a shock eh? ). I'm thinking that he's going to get the first shot at playing the Lloyd position as Dobson gets used to the offense. I'm hoping that Dobson will eventually beat him out, and he'll go back to being the #3 WR/slot receiver back up. I see Edelman's problem is that he's the anti-Lloyd. He plays with TOO much reckless abandon, and that causes him to get hurt more than he needs to. He's a dynamic and explosive player, but he needs to find some middle ground that will keep him on the field.

 

[BTTA]

Great BB from yesterday's presser:

Q: Steve Beauharnais is the same size as Tracy White. Do you see any of him in Beauharnais?
BB: No. Well, yes, but no, not really. I see them as different players.


Q: Is there any advantage to having a football player or athlete that has excelled at another sport?
BB: I don’t know.


Q: On the trade for LeGarrette Blount, were you looking for a bigger, power back or were you just trying to add another running back?
BB: I think we felt like we had an opportunity to get a good player at a price we thought was fair, good value for what we gave up and so that’s why we did it. Our job is to acquire good football players – that’s what we’re in the business of. When you can get a good football player and the price is right – if we can afford the price, depending on what it is, whether that’s financial or compensation, depending on what the trade terms are. It’s all tied in together. If it’s a good player at the right price and it’s affordable then you have to consider it. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t but in this case it did.

 

[patfanken]

Great BB from yesterday's presser:

Q: Steve Beauharnais is the same size as Tracy White. Do you see any of him in Beauharnais?
BB: No. Well, yes, but no, not really. I see them as different players.


Q: Is there any advantage to having a football player or athlete that has excelled at another sport?
BB: I don’t know.


Q: On the trade for LeGarrette Blount, were you looking for a bigger, power back or were you just trying to add another running back?
BB: I think we felt like we had an opportunity to get a good player at a price we thought was fair, good value for what we gave up and so that’s why we did it. Our job is to acquire good football players – that’s what we’re in the business of. When you can get a good football player and the price is right – if we can afford the price, depending on what it is, whether that’s financial or compensation, depending on what the trade terms are. It’s all tied in together. If it’s a good player at the right price and it’s affordable then you have to consider it. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t but in this case it did.

Just like Bill not so say anything of substance beyond what's obvious. He won't give the press even a nibble. It's like a game to him.

BTW- I hate to disagree with him, but I don't really like the Blount trade. I don't see him making the team, unless he changes his running style to be more BJGE, and less Lawrence Moroney - post injury. Frankly I would have rather have kept sprinter and the extra pick. However if Blount DOES become a banger and pile mover (which I doubt), its a great trade as it would be an upgrade over Boldin.

In the end I think neither make their team's final rosters and all we do is end up wasting a 7th round pick which may or may not have had much value, as I don't see enough room for more than 5 draft picks to make the 53 as it is.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Looking at the big picture over the last few years, it seems like the office double drafts ( rounds 2,4) when they want to make a big push to upgrade a position and get younger. Whether TE Gronk/Hernandez, RB Ridley/Vereen and now WR. They have gotten younger at TE, RB, WR ,DB, LB and everywhere but the lines. It makes sense in that it lowers the risk of a bust if even one pans out and if they both work you end up with a 1-2 punch that is hard to beat like Gronk/Hernandez.
Could it be that the long term view is that the 2014 draft will be used to restock either OL or DL??? Will we be shocked when both the 2nd and 4th round picks are O-lineman, likely G or Centers? I think a lot will have to do with Cannon's development and whether they see him as a long term starter.
They just have to tell Dante that they raised the Social Security retirement age to 75 to keep him coaching up the talent.....

 

[ALP]

Looking at the big picture over the last few years, it seems like the office double drafts ( rounds 2,4) when they want to make a big push to upgrade a position and get younger. Whether TE Gronk/Hernandez, RB Ridley/Vereen and now WR. They have gotten younger at TE, RB, WR ,DB, LB and everywhere but the lines. It makes sense in that it lowers the risk of a bust if even one pans out and if they both work you end up with a 1-2 punch that is hard to beat like Gronk/Hernandez.
Could it be that the long term view is that the 2014 draft will be used to restock either OL or DL??? Will we be shocked when both the 2nd and 4th round picks are O-lineman, likely G or Centers? I think a lot will have to do with Cannon's development and whether they see him as a long term starter.
They just have to tell Dante that they raised the Social Security retirement age to 75 to keep him coaching up the talent.....

Im not so sure that the lines are actually so old...

the DE's on this team really aren't old, only the DT's are (and thats mostly because theres only two who start, and sometimes only 1, and one of them is Wilfork) Love is young

as for the Oline, our tackles are young, and most of the G/C on this team are as well, with the exception of obviously Mankins, Connoly

however i agree, i expect a strong push to find Wilfork's replacement next year, so multiple DT/NTs drafted, and also expect a push to find Mankins replacement, and possibly the other G starter and also C starter

so id expect a LOT of G/C/DT/NT next draft

Edit: actually, thinking about it, i could see us having a draft where we move UP, and try to get sure fire players to fill those spots, than do the whole "throw at the wall" which is better for positions such as WR,CB,S,RB,LB

 

[Huckleberry1]

Your analysis is correct. I just don't think that you follow it through. By making the choice to draft 2 rookies, we are much more likely to carry an extra WR.

I think it will be 5 WR's + Slater and 3 TE's.