2017 Draft Prospect Thread

[PatriotsPimp136]

7ft high jumper David Njoku is entering the draft.

6'4 245 and rumors of some crazy #'s he'll put up.

Basically every position besides QB, T and WR are absolutely stacked. Even WR and T have a few really good prospects.


This will be an incredible draft.

I like some of the tight ends in this draft. I expect him and engram to put some good numbers.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

TE Michael Roberts from Toledo is a guy that will be getting a lot of love soon. 6'5 270

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

TE Michael Roberts from Toledo is a guy that will be getting a lot of love soon. 6'5 270

Give me your top 5 tight ends in this draft and two sleepers

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Give me your top 5 tight ends in this draft and two sleepers

Sorry at work.

I have Engram as a wr/flex so I haven't included him as a TE in over a year. Just always thought he'd make the move. If not he'd be my #1 guy.

Howard
Leggett
Roberts
Njoku
Butt

Jeremy Sprinkle
Blake Jarwin
Scott Orndoff

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Cole Hikutini from Louisville is quickly moving up my list on TEs.

6'4 245lbs

He looks so much like Owen Daniels to me. He has deceptive quickness and athleticism, very reliable hands, good route running, and surprising ability and willingness to block inline, or in the backfield. Hidden value for me is that he played in an offense where he wasn't expected to get the ball much at Louisville, but always looked engaged. That's huge for me on this team, and something I am learning BB values as well.

On the flip side, it's hard to see him as a priority when they just dealt away a player with a similar Skillset in derby. I would argue hikutini has a lot more experience than derby as both a blocker and receiver, and our TE position has changed drastically since that trade happened.

He is probably going anywhere from 100-130 picks, and think he could be an interesting and reliable option for Brady.

And as much as some of these small school guys have tremendous skillsets, I have serious doubts about a TE being drafted out of them for the Pats. BB puts so much onus on the TE to be able to make proper reads and be able to move all around the formations, I am just not sure we will see someone from a smaller school be trusted to be the guy to carry the weight of TE offense. Maybe as a late round flyer if they double up on the position, but I don't see it otherwise. It's why I see guys as Howard and Leggett and sprinkle and hikutini as having added value in this draft.

 

[manxman2601]

Worth bearing in mind on Garrett. Less than half his career sacks came against SEC opponents.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Worth bearing in mind on Garrett. Less than half his career sacks came against SEC opponents.

Interesting . . . maybe. There are too many variables in college football. Was he up against a Freshman or Sophomore? A Senior? Most players develop a lot more strength and technique as they get older. Are we grading by common opponent, or just the SEC? And while I think the SEC is by and large a very strong conference, many of the other teams are strong in their own right (I mean, they lost to Kansas State last night). It's hard to give a weight to these stats without knowing some of the other factors.

Garrett is highly thought of because of his length and burst off the snap. He's disruptive. No sacks last night in the bowl game, but he blocked an extra point. He's very young and he's got incredible physical tools. His production might not be out of this world against the SEC, but he is the current active sacks leader in college football (Barnett is half a sack behind).

That reminds me of a thread I wanted to start about Production vs Projection. I'll give you guys a short preview. Production is somewhat overrated in college, at least in terms of predicting success at the pro level. Plenty of players are monsters at the college level and don't have the traits or right coaching situation. Consider Jarrett Dillard, who set the record for receiving touchdowns several years back. He had 60 career TD receptions! Yet our rookie Malcolm Mitchell has already surpassed his numbers in the pros. Dillard didn't pan out despite huge production. He is now a practicing lawyer, however, so kudos to him for a great start to his professional career.

I'm not even sure where I'm going with this anymore -- I just kept typing! Anyway, Garrett is a great prospect. Whether or not he reaches his potential remains to be seen, but I'm not going to hold SEC sack production against him in the least.

EDIT: I'm so glad to see you posting in here again @manxman2601 !

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Looks like Landry is almost certainly declaring, per his teammates. The DA Draft Buzz: December 27th | Draft Analyst

This could be the best edge class in a few years. Nice variation of skillsets and size, too.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Looks like Sprinkle will be available in the later rounds. Arrested for shoplifting? Great timing.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Looks like Landry is almost certainly declaring, per his teammates. The DA Draft Buzz: December 27th | Draft Analyst

This could be the best edge class in a few years. Nice variation of skillsets and size, too.

Saw this the other day. He's gone.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Worth bearing in mind on Garrett. Less than half his career sacks came against SEC opponents.

I saw this the other day on Twitter. He's getting Bosa'd already.

As good as Barnett is or any other other rush player its Garrett by light years.

Barnett purposely gets move around to get weaker and better match ups. His effort has been a lot better but still noticeable when hes not rushing the passer.

Besides Bruce Smith I'm not sure there's a non QB I'd take over him that has been drafted recently.

 

[manxman2601]

I saw this the other day on Twitter. He's getting Bosa'd already.

As good as Barnett is or any other other rush player its Garrett by light years.

Barnett purposely gets move around to get weaker and better match ups. His effort has been a lot better but still noticeable when hes not rushing the passer.

Besides Bruce Smith I'm not sure there's a non QB I'd take over him that has been drafted recently.

I look forward to watching his tape then.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Cole Hikutini from Louisville is quickly moving up my list on TEs.

6'4 245lbs

He looks so much like Owen Daniels to me. He has deceptive quickness and athleticism, very reliable hands, good route running, and surprising ability and willingness to block inline, or in the backfield. Hidden value for me is that he played in an offense where he wasn't expected to get the ball much at Louisville, but always looked engaged. That's huge for me on this team, and something I am learning BB values as well.

On the flip side, it's hard to see him as a priority when they just dealt away a player with a similar Skillset in derby. I would argue hikutini has a lot more experience than derby as both a blocker and receiver, and our TE position has changed drastically since that trade happened.

He is probably going anywhere from 100-130 picks, and think he could be an interesting and reliable option for Brady.

And as much as some of these small school guys have tremendous skillsets, I have serious doubts about a TE being drafted out of them for the Pats. BB puts so much onus on the TE to be able to make proper reads and be able to move all around the formations, I am just not sure we will see someone from a smaller school be trusted to be the guy to carry the weight of TE offense. Maybe as a late round flyer if they double up on the position, but I don't see it otherwise. It's why I see guys as Howard and Leggett and sprinkle and hikutini as having added value in this draft.

I heard him say that after QB its the most important position on our offense bc of what we ask them to do.

Flyers are one thing but when it comes to wanting a legit starter he better be dynamic and versatile.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Happy 21st Birthday to Myles Garrett

He's just not normal.

Not a normal teenager




I really liked Clowney as a prospect but I often say he had no real skill set coming out. His best move was probably his bull rusb and most of the time he never extended or locked ot his arms. His athleticism is off the charts and your seeing him develop slowly now.

Garrett is everything that people hyped up Clowney to be and more.

Very much a complete football w/ great character. Amazing body that hasn't even filled out. This kid will be terrorizing QB's across the front for years to come if he can stay healthy. Brings an array of moves. Single arm power stab, bull rush, inside spin, amazing speed rush and quickness. When he times the snap hes unblockable. Great closing speed. Can play the run.

I see Peppers and Ware. And who knows maybe some Michael Bennett too.


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[Snooky97]

With regards to Jimmy, say we get high first rounder and multiple picks in the middle rounds, where i personally think we are going to get the best value out of this. In the ideal world what would everyone like to see our draft like?

Huge Pats from England UK.

 

[meatface]

Give me your top 5 tight ends in this draft and two sleepers

i have no trust for draft TE's at this point, remember how much we all loved Jace Amaro and Austin Seferian-Jenkins? In three seasons those guys have combined for 1100 yards, Troy Niklas hasnt done anything at all, C.J. Fiedorowicz hasnt done anything until this season. Even Eric Ebron has been a dissapointment

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

i have no trust for draft TE's at this point, remember how much we all loved Jace Amaro and Austin Seferian-Jenkins? In three seasons those guys have combined for 1100 yards, Troy Niklas hasnt done anything at all, C.J. Fiedorowicz hasnt done anything until this season. Even Eric Ebron has been a dissapointment

That's every position. Lumping TEs together as a failed experiment outlines the importance of getting the position right. All of the guys you listed had very specific things that were thought to be a possible detriment to their careers, and all have strangely materialize. Ebron was only an athlete, ASJ had a checkered record, niklas was slow and couldn't catch, and fiedorowicz was a nominal player who would just be reliable.

The reality is, not many TEs fit the modern NFL, but that isn't to say none do. Kelce over came his questions, as have Jordan reed, Walford, hunter Henry, Austin hopper. It is what makes skillset so much more important than production.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

With regards to Jimmy, say we get high first rounder and multiple picks in the middle rounds, where i personally think we are going to get the best value out of this. In the ideal world what would everyone like to see our draft like?

Huge Pats from England UK.

It really depends on who declares. Vita Vea is my #1 target, but it's not likely that he comes out as a redshirt sophomore, unless he absolutely dominates against Alabama (entirely possible). The more realistic target in the 10 - 15 range is Derek Barnett. He is a great player on the edge who should be a long term starter. If we wanted to go offense, Corey Davis would be my guy.

There are a TON of 2nd and 3rd round players that I really like, though, so I'd probably trade down to be honest. Great year to stock up.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

Zach Cunningham sure would make a great replacement for Collins. Love his all-around game. Looks like he is still raw too.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

Ashland TE Adam Shaheen has declared for the draft. at 6'7" and 277lbs he intrigues me, particularly with this athleticism:

Great find. He seem talented. I like how he often looks back at the QB when he's running like he gives zero ****s about running into any secondary player. If I was 6'7 277, I probably wouldn't either. lol