WAY TOO EARLY OVERREACTION MOCK DRAFT!
Trades
QB- Ryan Mallett to Houston for 2(33)
Houston takes Clowney and BOB gets his QB
1 (29) + 6 (190) to SF for 2(56) + 2(61) + 5(158)
SF always has tons of picks, they can be aggressive and move up
2015 1st to Stl for 2(44)
*This is what I would do not what I think BB will do*
This is against my general draft philosophy but I love the depth and talent in this draft, I would go all out and try and load up because 2015 might not be as talented.
2(61) to Cleveland 3(83) + 4(102) + 5(133)
Move down to add more picks in a deep draft
Picks
2 (33) OL- David Yankey- Stanford
To me there are two guys that seem like perfect fits for the Pats at OG, Yankey and Zack Martin. It’s very close between the two, but I have to go with the Aussie. He can either start at RG or be a backup OG/OT in 2014 and take over for Mankins in 2015 at LG.
2 (44) C- Travis Swanson- Arkansas
Another guy that just seems like a perfect fit. Should step in from day 1 and be an upgrade at C.
2 (56) DT- Aaron Donald- Pitt
Interior pass rush is obviously an issue and Donald is probably the best pass rushing DT in the draft. He can play inside or outside depending on the scheme and should be a monster on passing downs wreaking havoc in the middle.
2 (62) TE- Troy Niklas- ND
I see him as potentially Gronk 2.0. He is the best blocking TE in the draft and still developing as a pass catcher. Huge upside.
3 (83) OG- Gabe Jackson- Miss State
I think 2014 will be Mankins last year with the Pats so I would double dip at OG. I love Jackson’s game and I personally have him as a fringe 1st rounder. A perfect hit at RG, I think him and Yankey could be a dominant Guard pair for the next decade. Along with Swanson, Solder and Vollmer I think we could have the best O-line in the NFL.
3 (93) RB- Devonta Freeman- Florida State
Blount has been fantastic to close out the year but he is a free agent. Freeman is not only an excellent between the tackles RB, he can also catch the ball out of the backfield, something we have lacked outside of Vereen.
4 (102) WR- Donte Moncrief- Ole Miss
I think Dobson will make a big leap in 2014 but we still need another outside threat. He is extremely talented although he had a down year in 2013. In a strong WR class he is good value.
4 (126) NT- Justin Ellis- LA Tech
A week ago he was seen as a 7th/UDFA, now he has jumped to the 4th round after a dominant week at the East West Shrine Game. We need a long term replacement for Big Vince and Ellis could develop into a quality starting NT in the NFL.
5 (133) QB- Aaron Murray- Georgia
If we do trade Mallett we will need a developmental QB, even if we sign a vet FA. I really like Murray and his injury will make him good value in the later rounds.
5 (158) S- Vinnie Sunseri- Alabama
Another guy that will fall due to injury, Sunseri is always someone that has stood out to me watching Alabama. He has a knack for making big plays and is just a really solid football player. The son of a coach he should be a great fit with the Pats.
6 (182)- OLB- Ronald Powell- Florida
Former top recruit slowed by numerous injuries. Powell is a fantastic, explosive athlete that can be something special if he can stay healthy and put it all together. He is a lottery ticket that could turn into an explosive pass rusher off the edge.
6c FB- Trey Millard- Oklahoma
Just a pure weapon.
6c TE/DE- Larry Webster- Bloomsberg
Big, long athlete, why not take a shot as a TE.
7 NT- Zach Kerr- Delaware
Another fast rising NT, Kerr flashes a ton of potential. Worth a shot in the later rounds to see if he can do the same against tougher competition.
Free Agents
Re-sign WR- Julian Edelman- 4yrs $20mil ($5mil guaranteed)
Minitron is a must sign, he has been our most reliable weapon as well as an elite punt returner. He hasn't proven enough to get Welker money but its not too far off. I think he would take less to stay.
Re-sign CB- Aquib Talib- 4 years $26mil + Incentives ($12mil guaranteed)
Mid season he was looking at a monster contract, now his leverage is gone. Injury really slowed him down and a fairly strong FA market will stop him getting top money. I think this is a fair deal for both sides and Talib seems to love New England.
Sign FA DE Michael Johnson- 5yrs $45mil ($20 guaranteed)
This might seem unrealistic considering our cap situation but I think it can be done. We need more depth and talent along the defensive front and Johnson would certainly add that. A bookend opposite Chandler Jones that allows Ninko to move around would certainly be a major addition and help us improve against the pass and the run. He had down production sack wise in 2013 which may drop his price a bit, but he was still one of the best DE's in the game even if the stats didn't tell the whole story. I think 5yrs $45 mil is reasonable, its higher than last years top FA pass rusher contract for Paul Kruger and we should be able to fit it in if we back load.
*I would love to re-sign Blount but I can't justify paying another RB. I he comes back cheap I would love him but I think he gets paid elsewhere as he should*
Cap Management (*Savings are net savings and take into account replacing player in top 51)
Extend Wilfork ($4mil)
Extend McCourty ($1mil) *assuming he reached his $3.2mil escelator
Extend Ghost ($1mil)
Re-structure Kelly ($1mil)
Cut Sopoaga ($2.005mil)
Mallett ($282k) *Traded*
Possible Cap Casualties
Gregory ($1.855)
A. Wilson ($671k)
Final Thoughts:
- I've been tossing up what type of approach to take and what positions to target based on needs and strengths of the draft. I'm sure I'll change my mind a number of times but this is my overreaction draft after losing the AFCCG.
- DT is a huge need to me and my ideal situation would be to have Ra'Shede Hageman fall in the 1st round but I dont think that is going to happen. In that case I would look to get an explosive, penetrating DT (Donald) early and some mid/late round run stuffing DT's (Ellis, Kerr) later. My thinking is just put them all together in camp and see who stands out. There are always injuries so you can never have too much depth, especially in the trenches.
- The position I would look to target most based on the strengths of this draft is interior O-line. C and RG are huge needs but I would also look to double dip at OG for a long term Mankins replacement. To me an O-line of LT- Solder, LG- Yankey, C-Swanson, RG- Jackson, RT- Vollmer could be elite.
- TE is obviously another need but if I am going to spend a high pick on one they better be able to block. Niklas is the best blocking TE in the draft and has some Gronk like qualities. Pair him with an athletic developmental guy like Webster and convert Mark Harrison to move TE and I think we have the potential for a good group.
- It will be interesting to see how our WR group looks next season. Hopefully having Edelman back with Amendola, Thompkins and Dobson healthy they can take a big step forward as a group.
