Pats drafting WR early, according to NESN

[manxman2601]

If people are thinking about a WR draftee, they should consider Kenny Bell of Nebraska. Not a big time playmaker in that offends but fits very well as a BB type: very smart, excellent blocker and very athletic (6.66 3-cone for example).

However, the best WRs not being discussed in this thread are Tre McBride and DeAndre Smelter.

 

[manxman2601]

I would also add the ability to go up and get the ball at the highest point, as he excelled at grabbing a lot of deep balls.

As you mention, he hasn't been the best blocking WR (putting it mildly), and was taken off the field in obvious run situations a lot. That said, things are a bit different in the NFL, and Meyer/OSU may have had him in that kind of role in fear that he'd become injured. After all, he was their track star, downfield threat which would've been a huge blow had he become hurt.

I'd be okay with spending ONE of multiple 2nd rounders on him--yes, but only under that scenario. If we don't accumulate at least two seconds via trade, then I certainly wouldn't want to waste the only 2nd round pick on him. No way.

I can't remember who it was, maybe Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, but Devin Smith was described as the best special teamer in CFB. I can't speak to that although I did see him make a couple of outstanding plays at the Senior Bowl so I can believe it. That part of his game is certainly going to appeal. He's also the best deep ball tracker I've seen since 'scouting' college football.

 

[woolster22]

If people are thinking about a WR draftee, they should consider Kenny Bell of Nebraska. Not a big time playmaker in that offends but fits very well as a BB type: very smart, excellent blocker and very athletic (6.66 3-cone for example).

However, the best WRs not being discussed in this thread are Tre McBride and DeAndre Smelter.

McBride III, correct? While his body control looked great, I don't think he has the legs to make it. He looked slow on the highlight reels I've seen, and this isn't exactly against top competition.

Personally, my binky is Mike Davis, RB, out of SC. But you know that...

 

[manxman2601]

McBride III, correct? While his body control looked great, I don't think he has the legs to make it. He looked slow on the highlight reels I've seen, and this isn't exactly against top competition.

Personally, my binky is Mike Davis, RB, out of SC. But you know that...

He had the fastest 10 yard split at the combine so he's definitely got the quickness. I agree that you don't necessarily see that separation on film on a consistent basis but it doesn't really matter with that catch radius.

As for Mike Davis, I like him but I don't love him - see him as a Todd Gurley-lite. I do think he could be the pick though and I'd be fine with it whilst feeling sad it wasn't Abdullah.

 

[supafly]

I can't remember who it was, maybe Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, but Devin Smith was described as the best special teamer in CFB. I can't speak to that although I did see him make a couple of outstanding plays at the Senior Bowl so I can believe it. That part of his game is certainly going to appeal. He's also the best deep ball tracker I've seen since 'scouting' college football.

I couldn't possibly agree more, which is precisely why I'd be happy with the selection. I'm just not sure that I'd pull the trigger at #32, nor do I feel that it's reasonable to assume that Belichick would consider it. A trade down, however, into the mid-late 30s, could be just fine--especially if it allows us to pick up an additional 3rd round pick. To take it one step further, that third/third rounder could be used to move up into the second again, which is what I'd love to see happen.

The more I think about it though, I actually wouldn't be surprised in the least if Belichick pulled the trigger on a higher round RB with one of the first 2-3 selections. His choice not to pursue Ridley in any capacity seems that it could be a hint to me, when you consider how low-risk/high-reward a deal like that could've been. Either way, Belichick has something else in mind for the position of RB.

DT, CB, IOL, WR, and RB are the biggest needs at the moment, so I would be happy to see 3-4 of those five addressed in the top 101, with a pick moved into next spring to set us up all over again (plus the 3rd rd pick for Revis).

 

[woolster22]

Just looked up mcbrides 40 on Google, 4.39? I would have guessed 4.59 from tape, but what do I know.

As far as Davis and Gurley, one goes mid first, the other third. I'd be thrilled with davis in the third. Wide legs, speed, power, half decent hands. He's a potential ray rice minus the Tyson hand...

 

[Love The Drake]

I'm driving the Tevin Coleman bandwagon my second rated back in this draft after Gurley.
Trading up for Gurley would be awesome but I would settle for a offense of Tevin Coleman Sammie Coates and Ali Marpet.

 

[Love The Drake]

Would extend Bradys career five more seasons.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'm driving the Tevin Coleman bandwagon my second rated back in this draft after Gurley.
Trading up for Gurley would be awesome but I would settle for a offense of Tevin Coleman Sammie Coates and Ali Marpet.

I watched Coates at the combine and he had the worst hands of any receiver there.

 

[Love The Drake]

BB worked him out personally and was supposedly high on the kid.
Would love him and Dorial as bookends for years to come.

 

[Oswlek]

DT, CB, IOL, WR, and RB are the biggest needs at the moment

I completely agree with the first three, but I'm not seeing the "need" at the other two positions.

WR - Edelman, LaFell and Amendola make a top three that is very good. Then, between Dobson, Tyms, the certain late round/UDFA prospect du jour, the couple scrap heap signing and possible Boyce/Wright, you've got more than enough to expect a couple reasonable options emerge.

I'd like to get a game changing outside presence as much as anyone, but NE is built from the inside out, so I'm not seeing the need other people are.

As for RB, they lack the long-term options, but Blount seems unlikely to go anywhere else if he earns another contract and the Patriots have lots of young options. It would take a remarkable confluence of events to think RB is problem area in 2015. It seems likely they pick someone in the 4th(ish) round to give a red shirt to, but I doubt they make an earlier selection. If so, IMO it will be more due to arbitrage than need.

Personally, I'd put safety and LB over both of those.

 

[Deus Irae]

I completely agree with the first three, but I'm not seeing the "need" at the other two positions.

WR - Edelman, LaFell and Amendola make a top three that is very good. Then, between Dobson, Tyms, the certain late round/UDFA prospect du jour, the couple scrap heap signing and possible Boyce/Wright, you've got more than enough to expect a couple reasonable options emerge.

I'd like to get a game changing outside presence as much as anyone, but NE is built from the inside out, so I'm not seeing the need other people are.

As for RB, they lack the long-term options, but Blount seems unlikely to go anywhere else if he earns another contract and the Patriots have lots of young options. It would take a remarkable confluence of events to think RB is problem area in 2015. It seems likely they pick someone in the 4th(ish) round to give a red shirt to, but I doubt they make an earlier selection. If so, IMO it will be more due to arbitrage than need.

Personally, I'd put safety and LB over both of those.

Unless they're ditching Mayo, there is no need at LB.

 

[supafly]

Personally, I'd put safety and LB over both of those.

I can understand safety, but I'm not seeing it at LB myself. We line up in subs 70+ percent of the time with only two LBs, and also use hybrid safety/LBs as well. The current depth chart of Mayo, Hightower, and Collins is definitely good enough, unless Belichick feels that the injury situation is more serious than initially thought.

Of course, that doesn't explain the visit from the thug from DAL--but that could've been for a number of reasons, so we're left to speculate--as usual.

All in all, I think the definition of "need" is determined by personal opinion for both the upcoming year as well as the immediate future (2016). When you factor that into account, I suppose it cheapens my use of the word "need" a bit. Personally, I think the current RB depth chart is a joke, but I'd also agree that the word "need" is stretching things since we're used to seeing Brady without anything close to a viable RB over the years, while still having continued success.

 

[Oswlek]

The current depth chart of Mayo, Hightower, and Collins is definitely good enough, unless Belichick feels that the injury situation is more serious than initially thought.

Therein lies the problem. HT is on the mend. Mayo hasn't played even half a season since 2012 and has a very difficult task ahead of him. That leaves Collins and not much else after losing Casillas and Ayers. Beyond that, both Collins and HT are due some serious cash by the end of next year.

Frankly, if OL/CB/DT didn't have obvious holes, I'd have LB as a prime area for a first round target. I could still be talked into LB as a bigger need than DT if I squint hard enough.

 

[supafly]

Therein lies the problem. HT is on the mend. Mayo hasn't played even half a season since 2012 and has a very difficult task ahead of him. That leaves Collins and not much else after losing Casillas and Ayers. Beyond that, both Collins and HT are due some serious cash by the end of next year.

Frankly, if OL/CB/DT didn't have obvious holes, I'd have LB as a prime area for a first round target. I could still be talked into LB as a bigger need than DT if I squint hard enough.

Fair enough. Either way you look at it, there seems to be ample resources available with 5 picks in the top 101.

For the record, Jamie Collins is only 2 years into a 4 year deal though, so he isn't due big money until March of 2017.

 

[AzorianPats]

Have to agree with your assessment. If we are Drafting for the bogus "best player variable" Let's just hope it's not a long snapper. I suppose if White dropped to #32 you must take him. For what it is worth, I took a later stab on some worthy picks and pigeon holed those into that "Best Player Available" target with a under/over factor of three slots and here is who I come up with and why. These picks are as weird as what BB does:

1st Round (32nd Overall) Eric Kendricks OLB. UCLA Best player available at #32. "The best instincts of any player in the Draft". Is OLB the biggest need? No but we have two LBs who are status unknown.

2nd Round (64th Overall) Quinten Rollins CB. Miami of Ohio Former hoop player. "Quickness and fight..... a better football player!". 6'0" helps

3rd Round (96th Overall) Joshue Mattias G. Fla St. "Immediate starting ability". Needs supervision to "get it".

3rd Round (97th Overall, Compensatory) Marcus Hardison DT Arizona St. 3 tech disruptor with speed. Former QB still learning.

4th Round (101st Overall, Jameson Crowder WR Duke, Productive athlete/return man. Very quick. Slighter Harvin without attitude. Let's not have Edelman at risk in punt returns.

4th Round (131st Overall) Mitch Morris G/T Missouri will be solid and diverse in position.

6th Round (177th Overall) Ladarius Gunter CB Miami, Tall press coverage CB that fits the Pats scheme and he is almost 6'2". Teams did not throw at this kid. .

7th Round (219th Overall) Ben Heeney LB Kansas, Think a little faster Bruschi. The kid is all over the field. Football junkie. Under the radar.

7th Round (253rd Overall, Compensatory) Dez Lewis WR Central Arkansas. Big Body, red zone guy with some good numbers. Solid in the Senior Bowl. Was big fish in small pond. Think Saints Marquez Colston. Worth a shot.

These are not my picks but an experiment in evaluations. Even though two WR were chosen it was not a top priority here.


DW Toys

I love Kendricks myself. That would be a BPA pick, and gives us options for the future in case Mayo goes down again and the HT/Collins contract situations.

 

[Oswlek]

For the record, Jamie Collins is only 2 years into a 4 year deal though, so he isn't due big money until March of 2017.

Lack of clarity on my part. I already consider 2015 to be "this" and 2016 to be "next", but it definitely looks odd on the screen now that you point it out.

 

[Oswlek]

What's next- people don't exist who always have to get the last word in and "win" every argument? Because I'm quite sure I know one poster who is like that.

Ha! I don't know how I skipped over this part last time. Assuming it's a thinly veiled shot at me, I have to admit there is some truth to it. I definitely have a pedantic side.

That said, considering the subject matter and the type of people who are willing to waste hours of their lives yammering about it on line, you can bet that it isn't just me.

 

[1960Pats]

No it was more about the Kool Aid drinkers who are 1000% sure that Dobson's injury was the only possible explanation for his demotion while highly overrating his rookie season.

The Pats have the best tasting Kool Aid in the entire world of sports. It's so good that I shower in it on a daily basis.

 

[IllegalContact]

by the way the pats manage the draft, the 5th round can be considered early