Anyone else confused by BB's trades this week?

[ctpatsfan77]

In particular, the fact that this is supposed to be a really deep draft, and yet BB's reaction to the combine seems to be "blech."

 

[manxman2601]

A point I made in the Cooks thread is that in a DEEP draft, almost by definition, the value comes later. There will be good players available in rounds 3 and 4 and even later.

 

[BobDigital]

Now I really hope they trade JAG cause people on this board me included did a lot of souting from the projected 10-64 slot players (so to speak) and they are not there right now.

If they don't add picks I will almost feel like I wasted my time haha

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

I am with @manxman2601 in that the value in this draft will be found later, opposed to earlier. A few of us were expecting a trade down from their 1st anyway, since most players are going to be graded similarly between 20-75, and real talent up to 150ish. That may seem like a significant grouping of players, but you start going down the list, and there will be real talent available on day 3.

It's always nice to have lots of high picks, and I think it's likely we will get at least one more 1st back (either Butler or JimmyG) but I am all in on getting proven talent when we have a clear top roster and the necessary cap space to accomodate it.

It's Mid March and we already have a team that could win a championship. That's insanity, and you do that every day of the week, especially when it really doesn't hurt you long term.

 

[Mark Morse]

What BB has done with the draft picks is flat out brilliant! Kony Ealy = Jabaal Shaerd for a drop of 8 draft slots! Our 1st and 2nd 3rd (CLE for Collins #103) for Cooks and #118. Any day, all day. Cooks is 23 and had nearly 1200 yds last year. Who can you double? Edelman? Gronk? Cooks? Hogan?

 

[DaBruinz]

The problem that I have with the Cooks trade is that they immediately lose the 4th round pick since it's higher than Seattle's pick. Yes, they get the Seattle pick back, but that is #132.. So they traded down almost a full round.. I just don't see the value in Cooks being worth that..

On the other hand, I love the trade for Kony Ealy.

The only problem now is that the Pats don't have any picks before #96.. I find it very hard to believe that the talent level between 32 and 96 is a marginal drop off.

EDIT: I forgot that we'd gotten #72 from the Panthers.. Still a long time to wait without making a pick.

Could BB believe that this draft sucks the way that 2008 did? Or is the real blockbuster coming..

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

What BB has done with the draft picks is flat out brilliant! Kony Ealy = Jabaal Shaerd for a drop of 8 draft slots! Our 1st and 2nd 3rd (CLE for Collins #103) for Cooks and #118. Any day, all day. Cooks is 23 and had nearly 1200 yds last year. Who can you double? Edelman? Gronk? Cooks? Hogan?

Teams are going to have to play zones on us, which is Bradys dream.

Seriously, I don't think people are talking up this potential offense up enough. As good as history has seen.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

The problem that I have with the Cooks trade is that they immediately lose the 4th round pick since it's higher than Seattle's pick. Yes, they get the Seattle pick back, but that is #132.. So they traded down almost a full round.. I just don't see the value in Cooks being worth that..

On the other hand, I love the trade for Kony Ealy.

The only problem now is that the Pats don't have any picks before #96.. I find it very hard to believe that the talent level between 32 and 96 is a marginal drop off.

They could technically trade that pick before it's made and still lose the original pick, in order to maximize value. It's not a lot of lost value, but I am sure BB cares about every morsel of value.

 

[manxman2601]

The problem that I have with the Cooks trade is that they immediately lose the 4th round pick since it's higher than Seattle's pick. Yes, they get the Seattle pick back, but that is #132.. So they traded down almost a full round.. I just don't see the value in Cooks being worth that..

On the other hand, I love the trade for Kony Ealy.

The only problem now is that the Pats don't have any picks before #96.. I find it very hard to believe that the talent level between 32 and 96 is a marginal drop off.

It's not a marginal drop off, but if you take into account adding Cooks, that certainly marginalises it more. Let's say that instead of Cooks, they just drafted John Ross at 32. Okay, there's a loss of three years of cost control in that equation but I believe that makes it more bearable. The other thing to factor in is that, assuming Hightower returns, there really isn't an obvious starting spot on the roster over the next couple of years for a highly drafted rookie outside of DE and maybe Hightower's partner.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

It's not a marginal drop off, but if you take into account adding Cooks, that certainly marginalises it more. Let's say that instead of Cooks, they just drafted John Ross at 32. Okay, there's a loss of three years of cost control in that equation but I believe that makes it more bearable. The other thing to factor in is that, assuming Hightower returns, there really isn't an obvious starting spot on the roster over the next couple of years for a highly drafted rookie outside of DE and maybe Hightower's partner.

As for HTs partner, I am still keeping my eye on Mychel Kendricks. I think he makes a lot of sense, and won't cost more than a 5th.

My dream, after everything that has already happened, is bring in Kendricks and go get Hankins to shore up the interior line. Dollars are still there, and could still see some more cleaned up with a Dola release, and maybe a Solder extension.

 

[manxman2601]

As for HTs partner, I am still keeping my eye on Mychel Kendricks. I think he makes a lot of sense, and won't cost more than a 5th.

My dream, after everything that has already happened, is bring in Kendricks and go get Hankins to shore up the interior line. Dollars are still there, and could still see some more cleaned up with a Dola release, and maybe a Solder extension.

Always been a fan of Kendricks. I'd be a fan of that move.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The only problem now is that the Pats don't have any picks before #96.. I find it very hard to believe that the talent level between 32 and 96 is a marginal drop off.

Don't we have #72? Or did bb trade it away as well?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

As for HTs partner, I am still keeping my eye on Mychel Kendricks. I think he makes a lot of sense, and won't cost more than a 5th.

My dream, after everything that has already happened, is bring in Kendricks and go get Hankins to shore up the interior line. Dollars are still there, and could still see some more cleaned up with a Dola release, and maybe a Solder extension.

I would feel really good about a solder extension and drafting McDermott.

 

[Luxusdk]

Don't we have #72? Or did bb trade it away as well?

We still have it

 

[luuked]

With those resources invested into the team I somehow am wondering if it makes a Jimmy G trade actually less likely. Do you really want to have a single point of failure with so many pieces acquired especially because you have a fix already on your roster.

Not saying it's not happening but I can slowly see a rationale where there is so much money/picks invested in the team next year that having a high quality backup to not lose it all to one unfortunate hit on your QB seems reasonable.

 

[Thelonious]

I'm concerned that he might have overpaid Gilmore some. Other than that, I've been SURPRIZED, but not confused. There's always logic in his moves, when you examine them. It's just not the logic you had expected, the flashy stuff you sorta hope for. It's the kind of logic that would lead a guy to chop off his sweatshirt sleeves with bandage shears: know what I mean?

 

[manxman2601]

With those resources invested into the team I somehow am wondering if it makes a Jimmy G trade actually less likely. Do you really want to have a single point of failure with so many pieces acquired especially because you have a fix already on your roster.

Not saying it's not happening but I can slowly see a rationale where there is so much money/picks invested in the team next year that having a high quality backup to not lose it all to one unfortunate hit on your QB seems reasonable.

Reluctantly, as someone who'd love loads of draft picks, I think this is an excellent point and I tend to agree.

 

[zimmy]

I agree. I don't think they risk the entire team they have put together by trading away the backup QB. If Brady goes down we roll on with Jimmy. Without him, quest for no 6 probably ends.

I'm sure Bill sees value in the draft. But he is looking at who he can pick at 32 against Cooks. Cooks is as young as the players in the draft and has 3 proven years in the league. He can come into NE and hit the ground running. Any draft pick is a gamble no matter who they are, and even if they end up being good players can't be relied to contribute in year 1.

If Cooks was in this draft he would be drafted mid last round or so. At 32 it seems fair value. I love the trade anyway - Cooks was my absolute binky back in 2014(?). To finally end up with him is great.

I still think a Butler trade is potentially on the cards to recoup some draft picks.

 

[maineman209]

With those resources invested into the team I somehow am wondering if it makes a Jimmy G trade actually less likely. Do you really want to have a single point of failure with so many pieces acquired especially because you have a fix already on your roster.

Not saying it's not happening but I can slowly see a rationale where there is so much money/picks invested in the team next year that having a high quality backup to not lose it all to one unfortunate hit on your QB seems reasonable.

There's also a distinct possibility that the Pats end up with enough carryover cap space from 2017 to franchise Jimmy G in 2018 without breaking the bank.

 

[luuked]

I agree. I don't think they risk the entire team they have put together by trading away the backup QB. If Brady goes down we roll on with Jimmy. Without him, quest for no 6 probably ends.

I'm sure Bill sees value in the draft. But he is looking at who he can pick at 32 against Cooks. Cooks is as young as the players in the draft and has 3 proven years in the league. He can come into NE and hit the ground running. Any draft pick is a gamble no matter who they are, and even if they end up being good players can't be relied to contribute in year 1.

If Cooks was in this draft he would be drafted mid last round or so. At 32 it seems fair value. I love the trade anyway - Cooks was my absolute binky back in 2014(?). To finally end up with him is great.

I still think a Butler trade is potentially on the cards to recoup some draft picks.

It all goes back to the joint practices with the Saints. I suppose BB saw enough up close for about a week that made him certain that Cooks would fit our notoriously hard offensive system.

Like you said, any draft pick can be a bust no matter where he is picked so getting someone proven if only for 2-3 years (4th year, 5th year option, franchise tag maybe) for clearly below market value is huge.

2 years are an eternity in the league.. just look at the turnover we had since 2014.