Report: Patriots Want To Trade Up In First Round, Draft Wide Receiver

[meatface]

Correct me if I am wrong, but Siliga and Chris Jones both weren't on the roster prior to Wilfork going down. Either way, both were head and shoulders above Vellano over the course of the entire season. If the guy hasn't put in a lot and I mean A LOT of work this offseason (getting heavier, improving strength, working on technique) I don't view him as worthy of a spot on a roster.

Armstead will also be in the mix this year and I think he can really add a pass rushing presence to this team. He was a priority free agent and Belichick alluded to the fact that in the offseason it was the plan that he was the top backup at DT.

Armstead/Siliga/Jones may make Vellano just a body in training camp. Especially if the patriots also add another DT in the draft.

yeah honestly Jones and Vellano are pretty bad, I know the patriots like how Chris Jones pushes on the line but neither player are really very good, I would have much rather had Kyle love than any of them but I do like Silga.

 

[rdf63]

Trading up especially for a WR would be a real stupid move. The Pats need DL/OC/OG/DE/TE/LB/QB help and there will be a lot of solid players available in the 2nd - 4th round. I see the Pats trading down and adding to that list and it wouldn't surprise me to see the Pats ending up with 5 picks in the 2nd - 4th. The DLine with Wilfork and Kelly will improve but it still needs help. The Pats had the worst run defense in the AFC and 3rd worst in the entire league and a strong DT can really change it. I also think the Pats can add two immediate starters to the OL which is more important than adding another WR to the team.

 

[DaBruinz]

yeah honestly Jones and Vellano are pretty bad, I know the patriots like how Chris Jones pushes on the line but neither player are really very good, I would have much rather had Kyle love than any of them but I do like Silga.

Chris Jones isn't very good??? He only put up 6.5 sacks last year without a good NT next to him and without Mayo behind him.. Against, the run, not so much. That's why many people think he'll be a good situational pass rusher..

 

[meatface]

Chris Jones isn't very good??? He only put up 6.5 sacks last year without a good NT next to him and without Mayo behind him.. Against, the run, not so much. That's why many people think he'll be a good situational pass rusher..

The sacks are great but he was just dreadful against the run and he really wasnt that good getting at the QB, he pressured the QB only 13 times, I give him a lot of credit for filling in but he is an okay backup and nothing more.

 

[serifyn]

If the Patriots move up for a receiver, it will be a TE and the only one worth moving up for would be Ebron.

The Patriots didn't know Hernandez wasn't going to be playing for them last year and it really hurt their offense. At this point in his career, Brady is a better decision-maker than he is a passer, therefore he is going to need all of the big targets who can get open as he can get.

I don't believe Brady would be able to take advantage of a burner anymore, most of the Patriots passing offense is going to continue to be YAC.

I think the best possible pickup for the team at this point would be a big tight end who can block and catch, that way they can contribute to the passing and running game and achieve the balance the patriots have been seeking for a few years.

 

[bagwell368]

There are some outstanding WR's available in the 2nd, so no need to trade up. Ebron may go top 10, he's simply not worth it. If we draft a TE, probably CJF late 3rd-mid 4th.

 

[Sicilian]

The sacks are great but he was just dreadful against the run and he really wasnt that good getting at the QB, he pressured the QB only 13 times, I give him a lot of credit for filling in but he is an okay backup and nothing more.

I think part of the problem with Jones last year was a bit of overworking. There were a few games in a row where he was playing close to 100% of the snaps at DT. I think if he's in a role where he can play situationally and not be counted on all the time you'll see his disruption per play go up.

 

[patsoxfan]

Love moving up rumors. My favorite was the move up to draft Vernon Gholston! Have you seen that dude in a t-shirt??

On a serious note, would love to see Watkins here. But I'll dream on. And in any event, Atlanta showed us the cost/benefit of moving up for a top ranked WR in Julio Jones. If he goes down, your eggs are in that basket and the depth there is a problem since with all the picks you used to get him you could have added depth.

What? No eggs, no basket, just production they may have given up a lot but if you want an impact guy you have to go get him. At the place the patriots are right now ( Brady winding down) how do you get him the weapon he needs? If the pats could go get a Julio Jones, go get him. predicting injuries is impossible. Jimmy Johnson said "You can play it safe and be good or take a chance and be great" then ignored his own thinking and drafted John Avery and passed on Randy Moss. How did that work out. Take a chance, how many of 8 draft picks do the pats have room for on the roster.

 

[Sicilian]

What? No eggs, no basket, just production they may have given up a lot but if you want an impact guy you have to go get him. At the place the patriots are right now ( Brady winding down) how do you get him the weapon he needs? If the pats could go get a Julio Jones, go get him. predicting injuries is impossible. Jimmy Johnson said "You can play it safe and be good or take a chance and be great" then ignored his own thinking and drafted John Avery and passed on Randy Moss. How did that work out. Take a chance, how many of 8 draft picks do the pats have room for on the roster.

The following are players that could all potentially be upgraded by the right draft pick:

Mallet
Bolden
Develin
Thompkins
Boyce
Hoomanawanui
Wendell
Connolly
T. Wilson
Chung
Arrington
Vellano
Chris Jones
Armstead
Bequette
Buchanon

Now some of these players are going to improve and earn spots. But to say there aren't enough spots on the roster for eight more draftees is putting too much faith in that improvement as a guarantee. Not to mention the cost for moving up to get an "impact" player as you're suggesting isn't going to be the bottom of the draft long-shot picks (5th, 6th, 7th rounders), it's going to be 2nds, 3rds, other picks that have the potential to land impact players.

 

[meatface]

I think part of the problem with Jones last year was a bit of overworking. There were a few games in a row where he was playing close to 100% of the snaps at DT. I think if he's in a role where he can play situationally and not be counted on all the time you'll see his disruption per play go up.

maybe, but the key is that he is a rotational guy at best so he shouldn't be relied upon for any real contribution to the team.

 

[Luxusdk]

The following are players that could all potentially be upgraded by the right draft pick:

.

Chris Jones had a really good rookie season. Sure you can upgrade him, with Aaron Donald ONLY! Look at the numbers vs Geno Atkins or Warren Sapp. Jones first season when playing 85% of the snaps and without a good NT was of the charge.

 

[Deus Irae]

Chris Jones had a really good rookie season. Sure you can upgrade him, with Aaron Donald ONLY! Look at the numbers vs Geno Atkins or Warren Sapp. Jones first season when playing 85% of the snaps and without a good NT was of the charge.

Drugs?

 

[Bartmac36]

I am pretty high on Beckham if they are looking for a first round WR, but the highest i would trade up for him is maybe 20-22 range if he were there.

Overall this is a pretty deep WR class and they could offord to wait until round 2 or 3 and still get a solid prospect.

 

[supafly]

There are some outstanding WR's available in the 2nd, so no need to trade up. Ebron may go top 10, he's simply not worth it. If we draft a TE, probably CJF late 3rd-mid 4th.

According to the newest projections and a Mike Reiss agreement statement from yesterday's article, CJF likely won't be around when we pick again at 93, let alone mid 4th.

It's looking like we'd have to either pick our TE with the 2nd round pick, or attempt to trade back up into the early/mid 3rd round at worst. Of course there are obviously TEs available that aren't part of the "top 5" that can be explored in the middle/later rounds just as well.

 

[mgteich]

According to the newest projections and a Mike Reiss agreement statement from yesterday's article, CJF likely won't be around when we pick again at 93, let alone mid 4th.

It's looking like we'd have to either pick our TE with the 2nd round pick, or attempt to trade back up into the early/mid 3rd round at worst. Of course there are obviously TEs available that aren't part of the "top 5" that can be explored in the middle/later rounds just as well.

I agree. If we want one of the top 5, it's with our second round pick.

 

[upstater1]

So, Aaron Dobson is in a walking boot 2 1/2 to 3 months after surgery for a stress fracture. I know these things can take a long while to heal but that's quite a bit of time. I don't know, but I'm not feeling great about our receivers staying healthy. Dobson goes down, then what? Amendola and Edelman will be in the slot, but can you rely on LaFell, Boyce and Thompkins? I wouldn't. I'd like to see them grab a WR in the 2nd or 3rd.

 

[supafly]

So, Aaron Dobson is in a walking boot 2 1/2 to 3 months after surgery for a stress fracture. I know these things can take a long while to heal but that's quite a bit of time. I don't know, but I'm not feeling great about our receivers staying healthy. Dobson goes down, then what? Amendola and Edelman will be in the slot, but can you rely on LaFell, Boyce and Thompkins? I wouldn't. I'd like to see them grab a WR in the 2nd or 3rd.

I agree with you that they should bring in another WR from the draft process, although where and when is up for debate.

They've spent a good amount of money and recent resources on addressing the position, and it should be in a better position than last season whether Dobson plays significant reps or not.

Edelman was re-signed, and they brought LaFell in as well. Amendola will be healthi(er) than last year, or at least we hope, anyway. When you consider that Vereen should be in a better position as well, and that we should be targeting a top 2 round TE to pair with Gronk, that should be a significant enough improvement before we even get to the three rookies from last season.

I'd like to see someone at WR, but maybe it's not until the mid to late rounds?

 

[supafly]

I still wouldn't mind seeing some low risk receiving options continued to be brought in, such as options like Miles Austin or Dustin Keller. If they work out, fine--if not, fine too; but at least it will improve the training camp competition.

 

[upstater1]

A possible trade down could enable us to have 2 second round picks, so that could c


I agree with you that they should bring in another WR from the draft process, although where and when is up for debate.

They've spent a good amount of money and recent resources on addressing the position, and it should be in a better position than last season whether Dobson plays significant reps or not.

Edelman was re-signed, and they brought LaFell in as well. Amendola will be healthi(er) than last year, or at least we hope, anyway. When you consider that Vereen should be in a better position as well, and that we should be targeting a top 2 round TE to pair with Gronk, that should be a significant enough improvement before we even get to the three rookies from last season.

I'd like to see someone at WR, but maybe it's not until the mid to late rounds?

I don't think they've spent much in terms of resources or money for that position. I bet NE has spent fewer picks and less money than 2/3rds of the league. Amendola's contract is still only $4m a year. LaFell is on short money. You can compare to, say, what the Broncos have spent with Welker. In the last 5 years, the Brocnos also expended a 1, 2, 3 and 5 on Thomas, Royal, Decker and Tavares. The Patriots expended a 2, 3, 3, 4 on Dobson, Price, Tate and Boyce. Similar resources, but that #1 really panned out for Denver.

 

[Kontradiction]

I posted this in the "right wide receiver" thread in the draft forum, but it should be re-posted here.

Just going off of the first round alone, let Uncle Kontra give you his WR rankings based on skills such as route running, football intelligence, and measurables for the Pats...
1. Sammy Watkins
2. Mike Evans
3. Marquise Lee
4. Odell Beckham, Jr.
5. Allen Robinson
6. Brandin Cooks
7. Donte Moncreif
I'm not as high on Cooks as others. Watkins is obviously the stud WR of the draft but he, Evans, and Beckham should all be gone by the time the Pats pick. Since I don't see a trade up, that would leave Lee, Robinson, and Moncreif. They can also look into the second round where the likes of Jordan Matthews (love) and possibly one or both of Moncreif or Robinson may fall.

...getting back on topic, if the Pats are looking to trade up for a WR, they're doing it for either Watkins or Evans (where they may need to trade into the top ten) or Beckham. Can't see them trading up for Cooks and Lee actually may get to them at #29 if WR is where they are looking to go. Ideally, if they're hell bent on a WR early (it's a deep position), I would love for them to take a look at Matthews in the second round. Great fit in our offense, IMO.