So, are we looking for cornerbacks?

[manxman2601]

If K. Johnson, P.J. Williams and B. Jones are all available at 32, who would you pick?

1. Jones - because of the upside and ball skills
2. Williams - Should be able to start from day one - has the look of a #1 Cb
3. Johnson - Not convinced he's a true #1. Doesn't look as though he'll ever dominate at the position but should always be a good reliable CB.

 

[kennyb]

If K. Johnson, P.J. Williams and B. Jones are all available at 32, who would you pick?

They'd pick johnson imo. Does everything well. Smart guy very experienced.

 

[mayoclinic]

1. Jones - because of the upside and ball skills
2. Williams - Should be able to start from day one - has the look of a #1 Cb
3. Johnson - Not convinced he's a true #1. Doesn't look as though he'll ever dominate at the position but should always be a good reliable CB.

Chris Burke has a mock up at SI.com, FWIW. He mocks Johnson to the Ravens at #26, and notes:

Based on where he's likely to go come draft weekend (late Round 1-early Round 2), there honestly might not be a safer pick than Johnson. He has decent size at 6’0”, 188, and plays bigger than that, with an obvious comfort level in man or zone. At the least, he's a special-teams contributor and a No. 3 outside cornerback as a rookie.

http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/03/12/20...ston-marcus-mariota?page=2&devicetype=default

I don't have a strong favorite among the CBs right now, but I could see that appealing to BB. Jones has more upside, but may not be as ready, and I don't believe he is as much of a ST contributor. Johnson could start out in a rotation and as a STer, and move to a man role. He's a bit like Devin McCourty in some respects, but bigger and with better man coverage skills.

Again, I'm not picking favorites right now, but I could see the potential appeal to BB.

He also mocks DT Michael Bennett to the Pats at 32, noting:

The most prudent way right now for New England to enter life minus Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner is by getting better along the D-line. Create more havoc up front and the secondary doesn't need to be as dominant. Enter Bennett, a disruptive player on Ohio State's title team. He wins with technique, and Bill Belichick would love him because of his ability to be effective all over the line.

I'm not a huge Bennett fan, but that reasoning is exactly why I want Marcus Hardison on day 2. Create more havoc on the interior DL with Hardison and Easley, both of whom have the ability to be effective all over the line.

 

[Brady6]

Chris Burke has a mock up at SI.com, FWIW. He mocks Johnson to the Ravens at #26, and notes:


http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/03/12/20...ston-marcus-mariota?page=2&devicetype=default

I don't have a strong favorite among the CBs right now, but I could see that appealing to BB. Jones has more upside, but may not be as ready, and I don't believe he is as much of a ST contributor. Johnson could start out in a rotation and as a STer, and move to a man role. He's a bit like Devin McCourty in some respects, but bigger and with better man coverage skills.

Again, I'm not picking favorites right now, but I could see the potential appeal to BB.

He also mocks DT Michael Bennett to the Pats at 32, noting:


I'm not a huge Bennett fan, but that reasoning is exactly why I want Marcus Hardison on day 2. Create more havoc on the interior DL with Hardison and Easley, both of whom have the ability to be effective all over the line.

I like Hardison but I'm not all for taking him in the second round now that we have Sheard here. I think the best front pass rushing front we could field would be -

LB/DE - Hightower
DT - Easley
DT - Jones
LB/DE - Sheard
LB - Collins
LB - Mayo

If I picked straight up I would go

32 - Byron Jones, CB
64 - Ali Marpet, OL
96 - Jay Ajayi, RB
97 - Eric Rowe, CB
102 - Davis Tull, LB
132 - Jamil Douglas, OL
178 - DeAndre Smelter, WR
215 - Deon Simon, DL

If I could make some trades I would hope to get Hardison in the 3rd which I think is possible in very deep draft for edge and DL because I would really like to have him in a Red Bryant type role only able to get pressure from the LDE 5-Tech in a 4-3 under.

 

[Luxusdk]

Mayo why is it you beleave a starting corner, as I really hope the get if they use #32, need to be a STer also. This year Revis didnt do ST plus Patriots are loaded with ST only Guys. They even talk about adding extra game day spots and if so then I can see BB fill those with even more ST Guys.

 

[mayoclinic]

Mayo why is it you beleave a starting corner, as I really hope the get if they use #32, need to be a STer also. This year Revis didnt do ST plus Patriots are loaded with ST only Guys. They even talk about adding extra game day spots and if so then I can see BB fill those with even more ST Guys.

I don't believe it, and never said I did. I did say that I could see Johnson appealing to BB, and that his ST background was one of several factors that might appeal. I think that BB values ST highly, and one of the places that he looks for a player making an impact early is on STs. Many high picks have played STs. Chandler Jones and Vince Wilfork blocked field goals this season. Jamie Collins played in special teams.

Devin McCourty was widely regarded as the best ST player in the 2010 draft, and that was widely cited as one of the appeals to BB in taking him. At the time he was viewed as a nickel CB, and the general consensus in the media (and on this board) was that the Pats needed a pass rusher like Jerry Hughes, not another DB. The idea that the nickel was important enough to warrant a 1st round pick was radical at the time.

As Nick O'Malley recently noted, Johnson is reminiscent of McCourty in some ways:

http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2015/03/patriots_2015_nfl_draft_prospe_8.html

I'm not advocating for Johnson, and I'm not suggesting that a high level CB pick has to be a special teams ace. I am suggesting that it could be a plus in his favor and appeal to BB: pick a guy who is technically more developed and able to play both zone and man well and who is a ST ace, throw him in this year as your #3 CB and on STs playing mostly zone, and gradually move back towards more man coverage if you believe that your players skill set can handle it.

 

[manxman2601]

As someone who has two Kansas players already as binkies (Heeney, Sendish), here's another name I've been interested in:

I keep hearing positive buzz on Kansas CB JaCorey Shepard. Multiple DB coaches dropped his name as a "sleeper" pick..

https://twitter.com/BuckyBrooks/status/577351898342113280

He has a reputation for getting his hands on the ball which is one of those criteria BB likes from a DB as mentioned earlier in the thread.

 

[IllegalContact]

I like Hardison but I'm not all for taking him in the second round now that we have Sheard here. I think the best front pass rushing front we could field would be -

LB/DE - Hightower
DT - Easley
DT - Jones
LB/DE - Sheard
LB - Collins
LB - Mayo

If I picked straight up I would go

32 - Byron Jones, CB
64 - Ali Marpet, OL
96 - Jay Ajayi, RB
97 - Eric Rowe, CB
102 - Davis Tull, LB
132 - Jamil Douglas, OL
178 - DeAndre Smelter, WR
215 - Deon Simon, DL

If I could make some trades I would hope to get Hardison in the 3rd which I think is possible in very deep draft for edge and DL because I would really like to have him in a Red Bryant type role only able to get pressure from the LDE 5-Tech in a 4-3 under.

I would take hardison before I would take marpet
- more likely to help immediately
- bigger need
- showed more in college

 

[varjao]

Is this year draft deep at CB? Because BB historically has double dipped in positions with good depth in the draft.

 

[manxman2601]

Is this year draft deep at CB? Because BB historically has double dipped in positions with good depth in the draft.

It's not bad. Was just watching Texas Tech's Craig Mager, he really reminded me of Kyle Fuller as he's one of the most physical guys in the draft. Has 4.4 speed, good jumps and quickness at the combine too and looks fluid on tape. At 5'11" and 202lbs, he's an interesting safety convert candidate.

 

[patman52]

Spent my friday night watching more CB film. I think it might actually be bordering on obsession at this point. Anyways, here are some more tidbits from my viewing.
1. The more I watch Marcus Peters, the more I want him. Great instincts, great size, scheme diverse. Off field issues seem to be from a competitive nature and seem to be resolved between the 2 parties. Was hoping he would fall because of it, but I don't see it. Would be willing to do a small trade up for him.

2. I keep finding myself wanting to move Eric Rowe up my boards. I had assumed he would go back to safety in the NFL, but he played well at CB his senior year and his combine shows he has the speed and movement skills to play there. I like the idea of position flexibility.

3. I watched a little more Byron Jones. He is stiff when he turns, but he has a nice low backpedal and if the patriots do go to a zone based scheme, I think he would be good in it. I don't think his freak athleticism translates to the field, so I am pumping the brakes a little. Would feel more comfortable getting him at the end of round 2 rather than having to trade up to get him.

4. I just cannot get on board with PJ Williams as a first round pick. I think he struggles to turn and run with guys and I don't see him turn to locate the ball very well.

Just my 2 cents this morning.

Rowe, Josh Shaw and Justin Cox are the guys that I like after the first.

 

[mayoclinic]

Is this year draft deep at CB? Because BB historically has double dipped in positions with good depth in the draft.

I think double dips at both CB and OL are quite possible. There's pretty decent depth.

Right now there's about 7 guys who are projected to go in the 1st 2 rounds, possibly all top 50:

- Trae Waynes, Michigan St.
- Jalen Collins, LSU
- Marcus Peters, Washington
- Byron Jones, UConn
- Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
- PJ Williams, Florida St.
- Quentin Rollins, Miami (Ohio)

There's another group who are currently projected to go in the late 3rd-4th round:

- Ronald Darby, Florida St.
- Eric Rowe, Utah
- Josh Shaw, USC
- Doran Grant, Ohio St.
- Senquez Golson, Mississippi St.
- Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
- Kevin White, TCU
- Jacoby Glenn, UCF

There are some other guys who are currently ranked as 3rd round picks (Alex Carter, Steve Nelson, D'Joun Smith) and some 4th-5th round guys (Nick Marshall, Lorenzo Doss, Justin Cox). There will undoubtedly be some movement among these groups and within them between now and the draft.

Overall, there are not many studs but good depth and a variety of skill sets. There will undoubtedly be a few gems in that list. I think it's quite possible that the Pats take 1 from each of the 2 major peaks.

 

[Brady6]

I would take hardison before I would take marpet
- more likely to help immediately
- bigger need
- showed more in college

I love Hardison but we need to address the LG position long term and I think that Marpet can do that.

 

[manxman2601]

I love Hardison but we need to address the LG position long term and I think that Marpet can do that.

So can Jake Fisher and Cam Erving and maybe Jamil Douglas. Marpet isn't the only potential LG out there.

 

[IllegalContact]

I love Hardison but we need to address the LG position long term and I think that Marpet can do that.

he might actually be ready for when brady retires, but I'm not seeing a small school kid as being ready year 1. right now, everything is hedges on an above average combine.......I'm not putting my eggs into that basket with a 37 year old QB. and as an OL, if being ready week 1 is not realistic, then they're not worth it prior to day 3

 

[patsfaninpa]

he might actually be ready for when brady retires, but I'm not seeing a small school kid as being ready year 1. right now, everything is hedges on an above average combine.......I'm not putting my eggs into that basket with a 37 year old QB. and as an OL, if being ready week 1 is not realistic, then they're not worth it prior to day 3

I think we could take Hardison at 64 and trade up for Marpet. According to trade value chart. 96 AND 128 get you to 86. 96 ans 98(TB 4th) get you to 74-75.

 

[IllegalContact]

I think we could take Hardison at 64 and trade up for Marpet. According to trade value chart. 96 AND 128 get you to 86. 96 ans 98(TB 4th) get you to 74-75.

and also explore other options at OG.......even if drafting Marpet......the expectation that he is going to be capable of starting in 2015 seems unreasonable......he will be pretty raw, especially when it comes to filling the needs of the LG in this system

 

[Brady6]

he might actually be ready for when brady retires, but I'm not seeing a small school kid as being ready year 1. right now, everything is hedges on an above average combine.......I'm not putting my eggs into that basket with a 37 year old QB. and as an OL, if being ready week 1 is not realistic, then they're not worth it prior to day 3

He played great at the senior bowl. He dominated players like Danny Shelton throughout the week in practice.

 

[IllegalContact]

He played great at the senior bowl. He dominated players like Danny Shelton throughout the week in practice.

small data set......doesn't mean squat that he wouldn't just get tossed aside by suh, muhammad wilferson, sheldon richardson, marcell dareus, etc.........IMO, too big of an unknown for a position that is critical to protecting brady.....don't get me wrong....the guy sounds great, but going into the season with him as the answer from the beginning has a low chance for success

shelton is also a rookie, and honestly, regardless of what kind of run stopping capacity you have, a >5.6/40 is going to be a liability in this league...I have shelton pegged as my pick to bust

 

[midwestpatsfan]

As someone who has two Kansas players already as binkies (Heeney, Sendish), here's another name I've been interested in:



https://twitter.com/BuckyBrooks/status/577351898342113280

He has a reputation for getting his hands on the ball which is one of those criteria BB likes from a DB as mentioned earlier in the thread.

You better be careful with these Kansas binkies. That is 3 players from a defense that was not very good.
In all seriousness, as individuals, each one of them does some nice things.