New England Patriots Mock Draft 2.0, Post Trade Edition

[PatsFans.com Article]

New England Patriots Mock Draft 2.0, Post Trade Edition

Steve Balestrieri

&nbsp; <h2>Lots of Opportunities to Move Up</h2> <span style="font-weight: 400;With the trade of Brandin Cooks to the Rams, the Patriots draft picks now look vastly differ

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[mgteich]

I applaud the effort and disagree with the priorities. I want a better LT prospect, and a better QB prospect.

As far at LT, there is likely to be one available for move up and 3 more between 25 and 35. Unless we want the top LT, 23 is the sweet spot to have our choice of LT's and 31 the place if 2-3 are rated close to equal as prospects.

 

[signbabybrady]

I like these picks tell Bill to make it so.

 

[patfanken]

I applaud the effort and disagree with the priorities. I want a better LT prospect, and a better QB prospect.

As far at LT, there is likely to be one available for move up and 3 more between 25 and 35. Unless we want the top LT, 23 is the sweet spot to have our choice of LT's and 31 the place if 2-3 are rated close to equal as prospects.

Before I even look at Steve's picks, I have to as the question, "Is there going to be a better LT prospect than Garcia in THIS draft when the Pats pick, MG?

 

[patfanken]

Pretty much hits all of my wants position-wise. But I hear a lot about this kid Vander Esch, the LB from Boise. Can a draft nerd do a comparison between him and Evans and why you'd chose one over the other? And can we do the same for the 2 TE picks we often see bandied about, the kid from NDstate and Steve's Penn State pick?

 

[scott99]

Though our LTs have been just 2 guys picked in the 1st round since 2001 (Light & Solder), doesn’t mean our next LT needs to be a 1st round pick. Lots of great Olinemen have been chosen in rounds 3 and later.

 

[maineman209]

In terms of positions drafted, it seems fairly close. However ...

Gesicki apparently can't block much at all, which would seem to take him off the Pats big board completely. Personally, I haven't seen a TE prospect in this draft who's projected to be selected in the first two rounds, and who presents anywhere near as much potential value as the prospects at other positions who are likely to be available in that range.

This appears to be a rare draft that offers some real depth at safety, and it seems that as many as three good ones may be available between picks #23 and #63. It also seems to me that the Pats aren't likely to pass on an opportunity to upgrade from Richards and get a good developmental safety-in-training prospect to eventually take the reins from the aging McCourty or Chung.

I like Hubbard for the Pats, but it seems to me that there may be other ILB/MLB prospects available in the 2nd who are of roughly equal quality to Evans. Meanwhile, OT and QB may (or may not) be higher priorities to consider for the #23.

 

[IllegalContact]

draftek is screwy but I would do this in a heartbeat

23: R1P23
EDGE HAROLD LANDRY
BOSTON COLLEGE
31: R1P31
LB LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH
BOISE STATE
43: R2P11
OT TYRELL CROSBY
OREGON
63: R2P31
TE MIKE GESICKI
PENN STATE
95: R3P31
QB KYLE LAULETTA
RICHMOND
198: R6P24
OT MARTINAS RANKIN
MISSISSIPPI STATE
210: R6P36
LB GENARD AVERY
MEMPHIS
219: R7P1
LB JACK CICHY
WISCONSIN

 

[IllegalContact]

In terms of positions drafted, it seems fairly close. However ...

Gesicki apparently can't block much at all, which would seem to take him off the Pats big board completely. Personally, I haven't seen a TE prospect in this draft who's projected to be selected in the first two rounds, and who presents anywhere near as much potential value as the prospects at other positions who are likely to be available in that range.

This appears to be a rare draft that offers some real depth at safety, and it seems that as many as three good ones may be available between picks #23 and #63. It also seems to me that the Pats aren't likely to pass on an opportunity to upgrade from Richards and get a good developmental safety-in-training prospect to eventually take the reins from the aging McCourty or Chung.

I like Hubbard for the Pats, but it seems to me that there may be other ILB/MLB prospects available in the 2nd who are of roughly equal quality to Evans. Meanwhile, OT and QB may (or may not) be higher priorities to consider for the #23.

with how much gronk lines up wide, blocking skills aren't needed as much.......gesicki would have to improve, but he's w ahcked out athlete......and has the ball skills....they would adjust the scheme accordingly

evans is the end of the line in terms of LB's who can play inside 3 downs after him and vander esch, there isn't anybody

 

[mgteich]

Though our LTs have been just 2 guys picked in the 1st round since 2001 (Light & Solder), doesn’t mean our next LT needs to be a 1st round pick. Lots of great Olinemen have been chosen in rounds 3 and later.

We have only 3 LT's since 1987. All have been 1st rounders. This has worked for the patriots and our quarterbacks. We could try to find a LT in the 3rd or 4th. Or we could go to what has worked for us. I presume that Belichick finds one of the top OT's worthy of at least Pick 31. He might take ac chance at 31 and trade down a bit if 3 are available, but having the extra year might be considered important enough to draft him in the first round.

 

[mgteich]

Before I even look at Steve's picks, I have to as the question, "Is there going to be a better LT prospect than Garcia in THIS draft when the Pats pick, MG?

I would make clear that we are NOT talking about Garcia in the 2017 draft. We are talking about Belichick's current assessment of Garcia's value. And, of course, I don't know if Belichick values anyone higher than the Garcia he now has on the roster. If Garcia is rated higher, then there is little reason to draft an OT in this draft, unless we draft or move up for McGlinchey if Belichick has him rated higher than Garcia.

Personally, I think that we would in fine shape with Cannon, Waddle, a first rounder and Garcia. Camp and the pre-season can decide who starts where, who is the backup, and who is inactive. If necessary, Garcia could start on PUP, with Tobin taking his place on the roster. We've only has 3 LT's in the last 30 years. I think that it's worth the pick, even if it isn't absolutely necessary.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Pretty much hits all of my wants position-wise. But I hear a lot about this kid Vander Esch, the LB from Boise. Can a draft nerd do a comparison between him and Evans and why you'd chose one over the other? And can we do the same for the 2 TE picks we often see bandied about, the kid from NDstate and Steve's Penn State pick?

When in doubt Bill is going to go SEC, so evans over vander esche.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

With this draft the pats would win the SB.

 

[zipster9]

Rashad Evans #23.

Harold is injury prone. No more Easley-type players, please.

 

[Huckleberry1]

We have only 3 LT's since 1987. All have been 1st rounders. This has worked for the patriots and our quarterbacks. We could try to find a LT in the 3rd or 4th. Or we could go to what has worked for us. I presume that Belichick finds one of the top OT's worthy of at least Pick 31. He might take ac chance at 31 and trade down a bit if 3 are available, but having the extra year might be considered important enough to draft him in the first round.

Matt Light as a second round pick.

I don’t disagree with the sentiment however. I would be fine with McGlinchey at 23.

 

[patfanken]

I would make clear that we are NOT talking about Garcia in the 2017 draft. We are talking about Belichick's current assessment of Garcia's value. And, of course, I don't know if Belichick values anyone higher than the Garcia he now has on the roster. If Garcia is rated higher, then there is little reason to draft an OT in this draft, unless we draft or move up for McGlinchey if Belichick has him rated higher than Garcia.

Personally, I think that we would in fine shape with Cannon, Waddle, a first rounder and Garcia. Camp and the pre-season can decide who starts where, who is the backup, and who is inactive. If necessary, Garcia could start on PUP, with Tobin taking his place on the roster. We've only has 3 LT's in the last 30 years. I think that it's worth the pick, even if it isn't absolutely necessary.

You missed what I was asking for. IS there a worthy LT prospect that will be there when the Pats pick at either 23 or 31???? From what I can gather, there isn't one at that point who would be ready to start for them. But I could be misinformed. McGlinchey will be long gone and I have a lot of questions if guys like Miller are actually worth a pick that high or are they just the best of a bad lot and will get overdrafted.

We agree that we are in decent shape with Waddell and Cannon as starters. I would suggest that with Garcia, Colston and the new guy from Seattle we aren't in a horrible situation for depth. Garcia is an obvious prospect. From everything we have inferred Colston is someone the Pats were high enough on that they let their draft pick go and kept him on the roster despite the fact his playing time was going to be minimal. Finally the guy from Seattle must have some worth or they wouldn't have signed him so early in the process.

So I would suggest that given those 5 guys, plus whomever else gets signed in FA between now and camp (and there WILL be more) would make drafting an OT EARLY a redundant pick that could be better used in other areas.

 

[mgteich]

We agree with Waddle and Cannon as starters, and with Garcia and Tobin as backups. We also agree with Croston having a roster spot, partly because of his ability to be an emergency backup at OT.

Where we don't agree its with regard to the best strategy to develop our 2019 starter.

IFF (if and only if) Belichick rates Garcia as a 1st round quality OT prospect AT THIS POINT, then indeed picking an OT at any point would be a waste of resources. We already would have our 1st rounder. As you say, we likely have another one or two vets in camp before the season starts.

So, for me, I will be fine either way. As an aside, I view LT much differently than any position other than QB. Both these are critical, where another positions can be worked around. For me, it is indeed worth a redundant pick if Garcia's future is questionable.

As an aside, McGlinchey may not be long gone. Perhaps he will be available around 15 (or not). In that case a trade up is doable.

You missed what I was asking for. IS there a worthy LT prospect that will be there when the Pats pick at either 23 or 31???? From what I can gather, there isn't one at that point who would be ready to start for them. But I could be misinformed. McGlinchey will be long gone and I have a lot of questions if guys like Miller are actually worth a pick that high or are they just the best of a bad lot and will get overdrafted.

We agree that we are in decent shape with Waddell and Cannon as starters. I would suggest that with Garcia, Colston and the new guy from Seattle we aren't in a horrible situation for depth. Garcia is an obvious prospect. From everything we have inferred Colston is someone the Pats were high enough on that they let their draft pick go and kept him on the roster despite the fact his playing time was going to be minimal. Finally the guy from Seattle must have some worth or they wouldn't have signed him so early in the process.

So I would suggest that given those 5 guys, plus whomever else gets signed in FA between now and camp (and there WILL be more) would make drafting an OT EARLY a redundant pick that could be better used in other areas.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Light was drafted in the second round (48th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft

 

[IllegalContact]

Rashad Evans #23.

Harold is injury prone. No more Easley-type players, please.

I used Fanspeak and got this

23: R1P23

EDGE MARCUS DAVENPORT
UTSA
31: R1P31

LB LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH
BOISE STATE
43: R2P11

OT TYRELL CROSBY
OREGON
63: R2P31

TE MARK ANDREWS
OKLAHOMA
95: R3P31

DL DA'SHAWN HAND
ALABAMA
198: R6P24

QB CHASE LITTON
MARSHALL
210: R6P36

G SKYLER PHILLIPS
IDAHO STATE
219: R7P1

EDGE ADE ARUNA
TULANE

 

[patfanken]

We agree with Waddle and Cannon as starters, and with Garcia and Tobin as backups. We also agree with Croston having a roster spot, partly because of his ability to be an emergency backup at OT.

Where we don't agree its with regard to the best strategy to develop our 2019 starter.

IFF (if and only if) Belichick rates Garcia as a 1st round quality OT prospect AT THIS POINT, then indeed picking an OT at any point would be a waste of resources. We already would have our 1st rounder. As you say, we likely have another one or two vets in camp before the season starts.

So, for me, I will be fine either way. As an aside, I view LT much differently than any position other than QB. Both these are critical, where another positions can be worked around. For me, it is indeed worth a redundant pick if Garcia's future is questionable.

As an aside, McGlinchey may not be long gone. Perhaps he will be available around 15 (or not). In that case a trade up is doable.

I am REALLY against trading up more than marginally (just a few slots like we did with Hightower and Jones) in this draft. But I'd rather not do even that. We have 4 picks in the top 64. This is a rare opportunity to find 3 or 4 future starters from these picks. We need to start to develop a new core group I am unwilling to give up ANY of them to move up significantly for just one guy.

Of course if they deem Garcia isn't going to be ready to take over in 2019 then an OT pick in the first 5 is useful. AGAIN though, I am concerned that this OL class is bad enough that to pick on in the first 2 rounds would be like taking another shot at a "garcia-like" prospect, and just reaching for guys in the first and 2nd rounds, who would be 3rd and 4th round picks in good OL years