2018 Combine

[DaBruinz]

Aside from size (240lbs plus), I don't think there is a specific athletic requirement at LB. Elandon Roberts had a 7.23, 3c, Collins a 7.10, Hightower didn't run the 3cone.

Hightower ran the 3-Cone at his Pro-Day. 7.55

 

[DaBruinz]

Our defense gave up 41 points in the super bowl. I never thought i would see that even with the injuries. It's clear as day that this team needs some players on defense especially at LB. They might need another corner because of the butler departure and maybe another body upfront on the DL.

The Defense gave up 27. The other 14 were handed to the Eagles via BS calls that the League office made sure went against the Patriots..

The team was without Hightower, McClellin, and Valentine. Hightower was clearly the biggest piece missing.. They do need help with someone who can provide some of what he does.. Someone who can be a leader out there when HT is off the field..

 

[DaBruinz]

Ouch



Makes a mockery of the notion that “it’s all about the tape”.

Remember, though, that this is the time of year that the propaganda starts about prospects because teams don't want to "tip their hand"..

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The combine numbers (and their comparisons to Pats players) just confirm to me what I was thinking for the last few weeks. This is a draft where the value is on day 2 / early day 3. This is where you want to have the most picks / most flexibility to move around and collect talent.

Realistically all the blue chippers will be gone so unless we want to get a OT or a QB to use a fifth year option on there is no good reason to hang to 31 over gaining an additional pick in that range by selling that fifth year option to another team.

The only problem is that it's a bit hard to get extra picks in that range. Trading down from 31 to 40 would likely only net them an early 4.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Remember, though, that this is the time of year that the propaganda starts about prospects because teams don't want to "tip their hand"..

True, but we're talking a historically bad combine performance.

Yeah, he'll probably still get drafted, but if I were a GM and a scout told me this didn't set off a red flag, I'd fire that scout on the spot.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

True, but we're talking a historically bad combine performance.

Yeah, he'll probably still get drafted, but if I were a GM and a scout told me this didn't set off a red flag, I'd fire that scout on the spot.

I think you have to know the person. He was 450 pounds after his dad died, completely rudderless, and had no idea of how to take care of himself. He's worked very hard to even get to this point. Listening to his interviews is extremely reassuring: he's very open about his shortcomings, and the work he's putting in to continue to address them. He didn't make any excuses for his poor performance, but just said that he has a long way to go and that he's not happy with his results so far.

This is a young guy who has played well on the field, but needs to develop more life skills. Yeah, he's the son of a great player, but he didn't benefit from a lot of guidance during his serious high school and college athletic years (his father died in 2011). In the right program, with the right structure around him, Brown can still flourish. His tape is better than a lot of the guys who will go in front of him.

 

[DaBruinz]

I fully expect the Pats to be sifting through the UDFA to find OTs to put on the Practice squad. They need at least one MORE OT who can play either side, though I also wouldn't be surprised to see one of the 2nd round picks used on an OT because of the questions surround Garcia and Cannon.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think you have to know the person. He was 450 pounds after his dad died, completely rudderless, and had no idea of how to take care of himself. He's worked very hard to even get to this point. Listening to his interviews is extremely reassuring: he's very open about his shortcomings, and the work he's putting in to continue to address them. He didn't make any excuses for his poor performance, but just said that he has a long way to go and that he's not happy with his results so far.

Note I didn't say "He's not draftable," just that he needs to be carefully examined.

 

[maineman209]

The only problem is that it's a bit hard to get extra picks in that range. Trading down from 31 to 40 would likely only net them an early 4.

Well, trading down to #40 (DEN) would get their Comp-3rd (#104), but that's kind of a distinction without a difference. They'd need to trade from #31 down to, say, #50 from Dallas, which would pick up and mid-3rd (#81) and a mid-6th (#193).

That wold give the Pats #43, #50, #63, #81 & #95, plus a second 6th-rounder. Five picks between #43 and #95 seems pretty decent. The two 6th-rounders would give them a bit more flexibility to move around on Day-3.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Yes let's trade down and get a boat load of picks on players who fit the system and become role players. This team needs talent especially on defense. Need a talent at LB and maybe a corner.

Now a lot of mock drafts have us taking a tackle in the first round because of the solder situation.

 

[Snooky97]

It will depend who falls to us at 31, if there is someone there that BB doesn't think is first round ability then he will just trade down

 

[manxman2601]

Hightower ran the 3-Cone at his Pro-Day. 7.55

Reinforces the idea that the 3-cone isn’t necessarily a difference maker at linebacker. Thanks.

 

[manxman2601]

Remember, though, that this is the time of year that the propaganda starts about prospects because teams don't want to "tip their hand"..

True, but the fact that he had a historically bad combine does support the idea that he’ll fall. How far is really only the debatable point. We see it every year, the media boards have significant changes post combine.

 

[manxman2601]

In Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock he has Jaire Alexander going at 10. Ugh.

 

[Snooky97]

In Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock he has Jaire Alexander going at 10. Ugh.

I think one thing people are forgetting is that even if Alexander goes stupidly high it wouldn't be the worst thing for the Pats. As i think we will be looking at FA for a corner. Ideally I'd love to have sherman here..

I want Landry here badly unless the value isn't there then i say we just trade back with our first.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Reinforces the idea that the 3-cone isn’t necessarily a difference maker at linebacker. Thanks.

Depends on the kind of linebacker. Hightower is best moving forward, attacking the run or blitzing the quarterback. He's solid in zone drops, but he's not a premier man to man cover guy -- and that's okay. I'm not sure we want to take him off run or blitz duty to cover, if given the choice.

Collins had a 7.1, which seems more in keeping with his role, sans freelancing.

Jamie Collins - MockDraftable

Still, the constant between hightower, McClellin, Van Noy, Collins, M. Flowers etc, is that they are on the bigger side for linebackers. Only Roberts breaks the mold, and he's been pretty inconsistent. That's partly the appeal behind Vander Esch, aside from his name meshing so well with Van Noy. Carter, Landry, Nwosu, Kalambayi, Bellamy, DeLuca, and Edmunds are about the only linebackers who fit the size profile this year. They're all pretty good matches for our scheme, too; Edmunds, LVE, and Landry are probably the only ones who won't be available for 31 - 65. LB should be a solid option early.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

In Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock he has Jaire Alexander going at 10. Ugh.

Other than injury concerns, he was CB #1 going into the year, and he only fell in mocks because he was out of the public eye. The Combine just reminded people how good he could be if healthy.

 

[manxman2601]

Depends on the kind of linebacker. Hightower is best moving forward, attacking the run or blitzing the quarterback. He's solid in zone drops, but he's not a premier man to man cover guy -- and that's okay. I'm not sure we want to take him off run or blitz duty to cover, if given the choice.

Collins had a 7.1, which seems more in keeping with his role, sans freelancing.

Jamie Collins - MockDraftable

Still, the constant between hightower, McClellin, Van Noy, Collins, M. Flowers etc, is that they are on the bigger side for linebackers. Only Roberts breaks the mold, and he's been pretty inconsistent. That's partly the appeal behind Vander Esch, aside from his name meshing so well with Van Noy. Carter, Landry, Nwosu, Kalambayi, Bellamy, DeLuca, and Edmunds are about the only linebackers who fit the size profile this year. They're all pretty good matches for our scheme, too; Edmunds, LVE, and Landry are probably the only ones who won't be available for 31 - 65. LB should be a solid option early.

Size has always been the factor I've weighed at linebacker in the past. 240lb minimum, preferably closer to 250lb.

 

[manxman2601]

I think one thing people are forgetting is that even if Alexander goes stupidly high it wouldn't be the worst thing for the Pats. As i think we will be looking at FA for a corner. Ideally I'd love to have sherman here..

I want Landry here badly unless the value isn't there then i say we just trade back with our first.

I agree that a free agent/trade CB is more likely but I just saw a Patriot when I watched Alexander so excuse my disappointment.

 

[Snooky97]

I agree that a free agent/trade CB is more likely but I just saw a Patriot when I watched Alexander so excuse my disappointment.

I Completely agree. I'm gutted as well, considering about a week ago we could of been looking at a second rounder for him