2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[JerseyShore99]

Aren't you forgetting Steve Beauharnais? I suspect he was drafted as a future replacement for Spikes' roster spot with Hightower stepping up into Spikes' role.

Beauharnais was a great emotional leader at RU and was a great tackler in the middle of the defense, if he has a great training camp Pats should keep him, but I don't think BB would mind cutting a 7th rounder after a year of bench-warming

 

[doesntmatter1]

If you are looking for a day 3 MLB at this point, Max Bullough from Michigan St. is a poor man's Sean Lee. Very smart, tough, good in coverage but not a liability against the run.

But I'm comfortable with Hightower at MLB given the versatility of Mayo and Spikes to play inside, and see what Beauharnais has got. What I'd really love to do is to add Kyle Van Noy (a Manx favorite) in the 2nd round and see what he and Collins can do together.

I'm intrigued by Kyle Van Noy as well. I don't like this year's crop of lb very much. The only guys I really like are Van Noy, Ron Powell, and CJ Mosley. Every other linebacker seems to have a few holes in their game I don't like.

 

[stelfans]

If you are looking for a day 3 MLB at this point, Max Bullough from Michigan St. is a poor man's Sean Lee. Very smart, tough, good in coverage but not a liability against the run.

But I'm comfortable with Hightower at MLB given the versatility of Mayo and Spikes to play inside, and see what Beauharnais has got. What I'd really love to do is to add Kyle Van Noy (a Manx favorite) in the 2nd round and see what he and Collins can do together.

True about Van Noy, he is the definition of versatility.

I like Ronald Powell, who besides the obvious florida/meyer connection is Jamie Collins 2.0 with a bad knee that could push him to the back end of the draft.
The injury concern is huge but if he can put that behind him and test as well as he is supposed to, he has that Collins DE/OLB freaky atheticism.

 

[mayoclinic]

Yep, big fan of Van Noy but I actually think LB is one of the positions I think we're least likely to draft. Having said that, Greg Blair of Cincinnati (we double dipped there in post draft FA last year) or Roosevelt Nix, a 260lb DT from Kent State who's expected to switch to MLB are two possibilities for me. In fact, considering how much BB loves putting freaks of nature out there (Blount and Hightower for example), I might just push Nix near the top of my UDFA list. Has that versatility BB likes.

I'll have to check out Nix - sounds very interesting.

I understand that LB isn't the biggest need position, assuming Dane Fletcher is re-signed (likely). Mayo, Hightower, Collins and Fletcher will be a solid nucleus. But I think that we saw last night the value of an uber-athletic rangy LB, and there is plenty of room to work a guy like Van Noy into the mix. I'm not predicting anything (especially with the Pats, which would be absurd), but I'd be quite happy if it happened.

True about Van Noy, he is the definition of versatility.

I like Ronald Powell, who besides the obvious florida/meyer connection is Jamie Collins 2.0 with a bad knee that could push him to the back end of the draft.
The injury concern is huge but if he can put that behind him and test as well as he is supposed to, he has that Collins DE/OLB freaky atheticism.

I haven't watched enough of Powell to make an evaluation, but it sounds like an intriguing day 3 option.

 

[manxman2601]

I'll have to check out Nix - sounds very interesting.

I understand that LB isn't the biggest need position, assuming Dane Fletcher is re-signed (likely). Mayo, Hightower, Collins and Fletcher will be a solid nucleus. But I think that we saw last night the value of an uber-athletic rangy LB, and there is plenty of room to work a guy like Van Noy into the mix. I'm not predicting anything (especially with the Pats, which would be absurd), but I'd be quite happy if it happened.



I haven't watched enough of Powell to make an evaluation, but it sounds like an intriguing day 3 option.

As would I. Heck, trade Mallett for another second rounder trade back from our first and let's go all in on a binkyfest of Van Noy-Joyner-Fuller. Screw the TEs.

 

[mayoclinic]

As would I. Heck, trade Mallett for another second rounder trade back from our first and let's go all in on a binkyfest of Van Noy-Joyner-Fuller. Screw the TEs.

I have Van Noy as a Mallett trade option in my latest mock. I kind of think of it as hit all the main notes first, and if the Pats happen to trade Mallett for an early 2nd round pick, then adding a Van Noy or Joyner would be gravy. Neither is a need, but both would be impact players who would elevate our defense to the top 5 potential range (assuming a few other areas are addressed).

My personal dream:

DE: Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Trent Murphy (2014 1st round pick), Michael Buchanan
DT/DE hybrid: Armond Armstead and either Taylor Hart or Keith Urban (2014 day 3 pick)
DT: Vince Wilfork/Linvale Joseph (2014 UFA, depending on Wilfork's health and cap issues), Tommy Kelly, Chris Jones, Sealver Siliga
LB: Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy (2014 2nd round pick if Mallett is traded), Dane Fletcher
S: Devin McCourty, Steve Gregory, Duron Harmon, Tavon Wilson, Nate Ebner
CB: Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan, Kyle Arrington, Jonathan Dowling (2014 day 3 pick also plays FS)

I'll take that defense against any in the NFL. If you want to substitute Lamarcus Joyner for Van Noy and swap out Tavon Wilson for Steve Beauharnais or a day 3 LB (Max Bullough, Ronald Powell or whomever) I'd be fine with it, though I think I prefer the Van Noy option.

That would also leave us our 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th and a couple of likely 6th round comp picks to address the offense. Should be able to add 4-5 out of the following:

OL: Travis Swanson, La'el Collins (if he declares), Bryan Stork, Nick Bitonto, Billy Turner
TE: Troy Niklas, Richard Rodgers
WR: Jordan Matthews
QB: Brett Smith, late round developmental QB (Connor Shaw, Logan Thomas)
RB: Devonta Freeman
FB/H-Back: Trey Millard

 

[manxman2601]

He has his troubles but if we end up looking for a Blount replacement in the draft, Jeremy Hill at 6-2, 235 comes close. Will announce tomorrow.

LSU RB Jeremy Hill to announce NFL draft decision Monday - NFL.com

The Supreme Jeremy Hill Highlights - YouTube

 

[AQPE]

I agree with Manx that LB doesn't seem as likely a target area for the Pats in the early part of the draft as is one of the line positions (including TE). However, I watch them struggle on defense against faster TEs and mobile QBs, think about how you have 3 pretty mobile QBs in the division, Andrew Luck and who knows who else in the AFC, and see how Seattle, San Francisco, and Carolina are approaching things on defense, well I get more interested in seeing the Pats add more athleticism. Collins was great last night, but right now his ability iseems unique on the team. I'd be thrilled with a Van Noy added to that mix, even if a at the expense of an improvement at second TE. In this draft, I think the depth is better at TE than at the rangy LB profile. Just my $0.02, hammer away if you will, I appreciate understanding where I may be off-bad here.

 

[manxman2601]

I agree with Manx that LB doesn't seem as likely a target area for the Pats in the early part of the draft as is one of the line positions (including TE). However, I watch them struggle on defense against faster TEs and mobile QBs, think about how you have 3 pretty mobile QBs in the division, Andrew Luck and who knows who else in the AFC, and see how Seattle, San Francisco, and Carolina are approaching things on defense, well I get more interested in seeing the Pats add more athleticism. Collins was great last night, but right now his ability iseems unique on the team. I'd be thrilled with a Van Noy added to that mix, even if a at the expense of an improvement at second TE. In this draft, I think the depth is better at TE than at the rangy LB profile. Just my $0.02, hammer away if you will, I appreciate understanding where I may be off-bad here.

This is spot on. No hammering from me. Good post.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree with Manx that LB doesn't seem as likely a target area for the Pats in the early part of the draft as is one of the line positions (including TE). However, I watch them struggle on defense against faster TEs and mobile QBs, think about how you have 3 pretty mobile QBs in the division, Andrew Luck and who knows who else in the AFC, and see how Seattle, San Francisco, and Carolina are approaching things on defense, well I get more interested in seeing the Pats add more athleticism. Collins was great last night, but right now his ability iseems unique on the team. I'd be thrilled with a Van Noy added to that mix, even if a at the expense of an improvement at second TE. In this draft, I think the depth is better at TE than at the rangy LB profile. Just my $0.02, hammer away if you will, I appreciate understanding where I may be off-bad here.

I obviously agree. Put 2 guys out there with that kind of range and coverage ability, and you make it very difficult. The ability to contain mobile QBs is also another reason I like Trent Murphy at DE/OLB - he's a guy who can maintain gap discipline with the best of them, and was a big part of Stanford shutting down Marcus Mariota and Oregon 2 years in a row.

 

[manxman2601]

Just bear in mind that we risk ignoring Mayo in these discussions. for most of the defensive snaps there will only be two linebackers on the field. Van Noy or A.N. Other linebacker would probably need a couple of injuries ahead of him to even see the field, maybe one if we don't re-sign Fletcher. That's a limited number of snaps for a high draft pick.

 

[mayoclinic]

Just bear in mind that we risk ignoring Mayo in these discussions. for most of the defensive snaps there will only be two linebackers on the field. Van Noy or A.N. Other linebacker would probably need a couple of injuries ahead of him to even see the field, maybe one if we don't re-sign Fletcher. That's a limited number of snaps for a high draft pick.

I personally don't tend to look at it in terms that way, but rather whether the value that he can provide is worth a pick at that level. As Patchick wrote in the postgame thread last night:

If all Jamie Collins could do was cover TEs, he'd still be worth the draft pick. A 6'3" 250-lb. man with legit cover skills is a rare, rare asset.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...colts-postgame-thread-page3.html#post3716575 (post #26)

Given the nature in which offenses are evolving - big WRs, more TEs as receiving threads, and mobile QBs - having 2 such guys in your pocket would be very valuable. I could see situations where Mayo moves inside to MLB and you go with Collins and Van Noy outside, with Hightower moving up on the line. Plus the added value of going 4 deep with starting caliber LBs, plus uber-utility man Fletcher to back them up.

 

[mayoclinic]

Just bear in mind that we risk ignoring Mayo in these discussions. for most of the defensive snaps there will only be two linebackers on the field. Van Noy or A.N. Other linebacker would probably need a couple of injuries ahead of him to even see the field, maybe one if we don't re-sign Fletcher. That's a limited number of snaps for a high draft pick.

I personally don't tend to look at it in terms that way, but rather whether the value that he can provide is worth a pick at that level. As Patchick wrote in the postgame thread last night:

If all Jamie Collins could do was cover TEs, he'd still be worth the draft pick. A 6'3" 250-lb. man with legit cover skills is a rare, rare asset.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...colts-postgame-thread-page3.html#post3716575 (post #26)

Given the nature in which offenses are evolving - big WRs, more TEs as receiving threads, and mobile QBs - having 2 such guys in your pocket would be very valuable. I could see situations where Mayo moves inside to MLB and you go with Collins and Van Noy outside, with Hightower moving up on the line. Plus the added value of going 4 deep with starting caliber LBs, plus uber-utility man Fletcher to back them up.

 

[manxman2601]

Where's Merrill Hoge's Tie Knot when you want him to get excited about a prospect:

Surprising because of injury, not because of talent RT @Rotoworld_Draft: Bama S Vinnie Sunseri declares for the NFL NFL Draft | Bama S Vinnie Sunseri declares for the NFL - Rotoworld.com

https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/status/422745244925313024


Pretty sure he was a big fan of Sunseri.

 

[manxman2601]

He has his troubles but if we end up looking for a Blount replacement in the draft, Jeremy Hill at 6-2, 235 comes close. Will announce tomorrow.

LSU RB Jeremy Hill to announce NFL draft decision Monday - NFL.com

The Supreme Jeremy Hill Highlights - YouTube

He's in. I think he's a good possibility for us.

 

[varjao]

That Sopoaga trade didn't work out well, we moved down what, 20 spots?

 

[patsfaninpa]

He's in. I think he's a good possibility for us.

He's on my 10 foot pole list. Wouldn't touch him with one of those. Check this video from last summer of him sucker-punching some dude in a parking lot. Has been in trouble before he even got to LSU. Pass.

Buckeye Empire » If you somehow haven?t seen it: Jeremy HIll?s Sucker Punch [VIDEO]

Here's a link to the article on what Hill did as a senior in high school.

http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2011/01/lsu_football_commitment_jeremy.html

 

[patsfaninpa]

I personally don't tend to look at it in terms that way, but rather whether the value that he can provide is worth a pick at that level. As Patchick wrote in the postgame thread last night:



http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...colts-postgame-thread-page3.html#post3716575 (post #26)

Given the nature in which offenses are evolving - big WRs, more TEs as receiving threads, and mobile QBs - having 2 such guys in your pocket would be very valuable. I could see situations where Mayo moves inside to MLB and you go with Collins and Van Noy outside, with Hightower moving up on the line. Plus the added value of going 4 deep with starting caliber LBs, plus uber-utility man Fletcher to back them up.

I'm wondering how we are going to use Collins next year. Against pass 1st teams, I could see him as a standup de in the 4-2-5. Lined up with TE. Mayo and Hightower will be your two inside linebackers. Chandler Jones at RDE of course. Hopefully, we have Vince and Silver Slugger for 1st and 2nd down. Bring in Chris Jones(Will be good pass-rusher if we can limit his snaps a little) and someone else to get after the qb. Not really a wide-body. I guess Armstead could grow into that. I'm not against drafting Tuitt if he's there to fill that role.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That Sopoaga trade didn't work out well, we moved down what, 20 spots?

At that point in the draft (mid-5 to mid-6), it's not as big a deal as the $1M in dead money they'll likely be paying him next year after they release him.

 

[Husse]

So what is the opinion on Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA?

I mean doesn't he look like a Patriots player?

Edelman


Fletcher


Zumwalt