2018 Draft Prospect Thread

[maineman209]

Another potential UDFA punt-returner prospect might be Antonio Callaway (5011/200, Florida). He had 55 punt returns for 653 yds (11.3) and 2 TDs over the course of the 2015 & 2016 seasons.

Apparently numerous off-field red flags, though. Still ... UDFA.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Another potential UDFA punt-returner prospect might be Antonio Callaway (5011/200, Florida). He had 55 punt returns for 653 yds (11.3) and 2 TDs over the course of the 2015 & 2016 seasons.

Apparently numerous off-field red flags, though. Still ... UDFA.

Might be the most talented receiver in this draft. He's also an absolute moron. In addition, he has had repeated run ins with the law, and continues to make terrible life choices. No thanks.

 

[Snooky97]

Leon Jacobs.. Could be a steal in this years draft!

 

[manxman2601]

As regards us getig Vander Esch or Evans, this is worth noting

 

[BobDigital]

Good point. I wonder how much the Patriots are looking at a pure STer this year. Slater isn't probably going to be with this team past the current 2 year contract. Maybe they feel they already have the guy to replace him on this team already. If not this could be a year when they spend a 4th round pick or so (after trades) on a pure ST player they hope can be the next Slater.

 

[maineman209]

Good point. I wonder how much the Patriots are looking at a pure STer this year. Slater isn't probably going to be with this team past the current 2 year contract. Maybe they feel they already have the guy to replace him on this team already. If not this could be a year when they spend a 4th round pick or so (after trades) on a pure ST player they hope can be the next Slater.

Could be. Ebner seems to be Slater's "heir apparent" in terms of running the ST show on the field, but I don't know whether or not King has shown the leadership aspect, although he's a great gunner. Ebner doesn't turn 29 until mid-December, so he probably has a couple-three years left. But still ...

 

[zimmy]

I've come later to the draft process than normal this year but I've started looking at the LBs. I'm not certain about Rashaan Evans. He's clearly a good player but seems better going forwards against the run and blitzing. I'm not totally sure about his speed or coverage ability (he hasn't run a 40), and I read some things about his ability to be the signal caller. It seems his skill set (solid against the run, 3rd down blitzer) already exists on our roster with Hightower, Van Noy etc. I'd consider him in the early 2nd round but 23 seems too rich for me.

I'd rather trade up for Roquan Smith if he happens to fall into the 10-15 range. Alternatively, I think you can get a solid LB in the middle rounds. Christian Sam is a favourite of mine - a real solid tackler.

I think there's a chance we take a corner in round 1 simply based on the players available. I really like Jaire Alexander and Mike Hughes. Alternatively, Maurice Hurst is a beast who shouldn't be available at 23 but for his medical. Could finally get an Aaron Donald lite player after missing on Easley.

 

[Bcc66duece]

I've come later to the draft process than normal this year but I've started looking at the LBs. I'm not certain about Rashaan Evans. He's clearly a good player but seems better going forwards against the run and blitzing. I'm not totally sure about his speed or coverage ability, and I read some things about his ability to be the single caller. It seems his skill set already exists on our roster with Hightower, Van Noy etc. I'd consider him in the early 2nd round but 23 seems too rich for me.

I'd rather trade up for Roquan Smith if he happens to fall into the 10-15 range. Alternatively, I think you can get a solid LB in the middle rounds. Christian Sam is a favourite of mine - a real solid tackler.

I think there's a chance we take a corner in round 1 simply based on the players available. I really like Jaire Alexander and Mike Hughes. Alternatively, Maurice Hurst is a beast who shouldn't be available at 23 but for his medical. Could finally get an Aaron Donald lite player after missing on Easley.

Also cb is such a premium position that pays so much nowadays that getting a good blue chip rookie will help with the salary cap for the next 5 years.

 

[long distance]

Could be. Ebner seems to be Slater's "heir apparent" in terms of running the ST show on the field, but I don't know whether or not King has shown the leadership aspect, although he's a great gunner. Ebner doesn't turn 29 until mid-December, so he probably has a couple-three years left. But still ...

Im not so sure Ebner is Slater's “heir apparent“. While he would become #1 NE ST player (and arguably already is when healthy) as I saw it last season Richards took over the ST leadership on the field and is probably closest to assume it off the field as well (it is true though that Ebner was barely on the field; but even in previous seasons I didn't see much of captain, leadership behaviour from him and it was very noticeable with Richards). I understand he is the most unpopular Pats player on current roster (so I wouldn't want to beat this drum too much on the main board) but it will be interesting what they do with him (and draft) after giving him so many opportunities on D and finally benching him in SB. My guess is they will keep him as core ST player and vice-captain and bring in another box safety/hybrid as Chung backup and situational player.

As far as safety position goes it is still hard to guess what they have in mind for future. They re-signed Harmon last yr and extended Chung again so its clear starting positions even for dime packages are set for at least 2018. While this core group is among best in the league it is becoming quite expensive especially with D-Mac's cap rising to 13.5M next yr (thought they would extend him this yr to lower those hits esp. w S market being so low - but I guess it takes two to tango..). It was intriguing that they didn't enter the S FA market at all this year despite solid players available on the cheap (probably because they have starting jobs filled). The other Q we don't have a clue is how they saw progress of Travis and D.Jones who both had promising preseasons. Hard to do mocks when you know so little

 

[maineman209]

Im not so sure Ebner is Slater's “heir apparent“. While he would become #1 NE ST player (and arguably already is when healthy) as I saw it last season Richards took over the ST leadership on the field and is probably closest to assume it off the field as well (it is true though that Ebner was barely on the field; but even in previous seasons I didn't see much of captain, leadership behaviour from him and it was very noticeable with Richards). I understand he is the most unpopular Pats player on current roster (so I wouldn't want to beat this drum too much on the main board) but it will be interesting what they do with him (and draft) after giving him so many opportunities on D and finally benching him in SB. My guess is they will keep him as core ST player and vice-captain and bring in another box safety/hybrid as Chung backup and situational player.

As far as safety position goes it is still hard to guess what they have in mind for future. They re-signed Harmon last yr and extended Chung again so its clear starting positions even for dime packages are set for at least 2018. While this core group is among best in the league it is becoming quite expensive especially with D-Mac's cap rising to 13.5M next yr (thought they would extend him this yr to lower those hits esp. w S market being so low - but I guess it takes two to tango..). It was intriguing that they didn't enter the S FA market at all this year despite solid players available on the cheap (probably because they have starting jobs filled). The other Q we don't have a clue is how they saw progress of Travis and D.Jones who both had promising preseasons. Hard to do mocks when you know so little

Ideally, the coaches already know that one of D. Jones/Travis has already developed enough to likely take a spot on the 53-man for 2018. That wold seem to obviate selecting a safety with one of the first four picks, but it might be tough to pass on the potential of this safety class' particular prospects given the ages of D-Mac and Chung. Although I haven't looked at the potential safety draft for 2019, historically it would tend to offer 1-2 solid first rounders with the rest of the prospects being somewhere around Richards' level.

I suppose an extension for D-Mac could still be forthcoming, but also his roster spot may be more tenuous than we know (EEK! HERESY!!) - "a year too early" and all that, though maybe more likely in 2019. I suppose it's also not yet outside the realm of possibility that the Pats could sign Vaccaro or Boston (or even Reid) after the draft.

I did notice some "taking charge" from Richards in the personal protector role when he replaced Ebner after Ebner tore his ACL. I can't say that I'd previously noticed any particular lack of leadership on Ebner's part, though.

 

[captain stone]

I agree, because as Pat Kirwain on NFL Radio's Moving the Chains said this past week, the Patriots need as much good, young, healthy Talent as they can get their hands on. I no longer see any need whatsoever to lose ANY picks for a trade-up now that we have #23. If anything, this might afford Bill the opportunity for a small trade-Down to acquire a 4th-round pick.

Unless Mayfield falls to the Packers pick.

Surely you aren't serious about trading up to #14, and lose a draft pick in the process, for Baker Feckin Mayfield, are you?

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Surely you aren't serious about trading up to #14, and lose a draft pick in the process, for Baker Feckin Mayfield, are you?

Im warming up to Lamar Jackson at a trade up around 19

 

[long distance]

Ideally, the coaches already know that one of D. Jones/Travis has already developed enough to likely take a spot on the 53-man for 2018. That wold seem to obviate selecting a safety with one of the first four picks, but it might be tough to pass on the potential of this safety class' particular prospects given the ages of D-Mac and Chung. Although I haven't looked at the potential safety draft for 2019, historically it would tend to offer 1-2 solid first rounders with the rest of the prospects being somewhere around Richards' level.

I suppose an extension for D-Mac could still be forthcoming, but also his roster spot may be more tenuous than we know (EEK! HERESY!!) - "a year too early" and all that, though maybe more likely in 2019. I suppose it's also not yet outside the realm of possibility that the Pats could sign Vaccaro or Boston (or even Reid) after the draft.

I did notice some "taking charge" from Richards in the personal protector role when he replaced Ebner after Ebner tore his ACL. I can't say that I'd previously noticed any particular lack of leadership on Ebner's part, though.

I was not talking about lack of leadership w Ebner. just never saw him assuming leadership on the field as I see with Slater and I saw with Richards this year calling plays, lining up people, communicating at times as ST green dot.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I've come later to the draft process than normal this year but I've started looking at the LBs. I'm not certain about Rashaan Evans. He's clearly a good player but seems better going forwards against the run and blitzing. I'm not totally sure about his speed or coverage ability (he hasn't run a 40), and I read some things about his ability to be the signal caller. It seems his skill set (solid against the run, 3rd down blitzer) already exists on our roster with Hightower, Van Noy etc. I'd consider him in the early 2nd round but 23 seems too rich for me.

I'd rather trade up for Roquan Smith if he happens to fall into the 10-15 range. Alternatively, I think you can get a solid LB in the middle rounds. Christian Sam is a favourite of mine - a real solid tackler.

I think there's a chance we take a corner in round 1 simply based on the players available. I really like Jaire Alexander and Mike Hughes. Alternatively, Maurice Hurst is a beast who shouldn't be available at 23 but for his medical. Could finally get an Aaron Donald lite player after missing on Easley.

Agree w/ a lot of this.

People run w narratives & now some have us trading up for Miller. Who is a project.

Get talent & figure it out later.

Top tier talent like Jaire, Hughes is exactly what we need.

Jaire is one of a few guys I've been watching closely & fell in love years ago (Ejiofor, A Tate, R. Smith)

Id be so pumped w/ Hughes or Alexander.

 

[charlie2]

Anyone else as high as I am on Lorenzo Carter? Feel like he's definitely going first round (and will require using 23 to ensure we get him). He had Ronnie Harrison are my binkies and 23 and 31, respectively, much needed speed and athletism with both.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Anyone else as high as I am on Lorenzo Carter? Feel like he's definitely going first round (and will require using 23 to ensure we get him). He had Ronnie Harrison are my binkies and 23 and 31, respectively, much needed speed and athletism with both.

Most mock drafts have Carter falling to the second and yes really high on him.

 

[manxman2601]

Anyone else as high as I am on Lorenzo Carter? Feel like he's definitely going first round (and will require using 23 to ensure we get him). He had Ronnie Harrison are my binkies and 23 and 31, respectively, much needed speed and athletism with both.

I’m high on his potential, largely based upon his athleticism but I think he’s far from a finished product.

 

[Snooky97]

Anyone else as high as I am on Lorenzo Carter? Feel like he's definitely going first round (and will require using 23 to ensure we get him). He had Ronnie Harrison are my binkies and 23 and 31, respectively, much needed speed and athletism with both.

@reamer can vouch for me at how high i have been on him for months.

One thing i will say is he's combine is a freak of nature and haven't seen anything like it!

I have him as a 2nd round grade, with our 43rd i'd love to see him here, depending on how the board goes and who we select in our first round picks.

He can become a 3rd down pass rusher straight away and just tell him to go get the QB. Is also good against the run as well..

He's a special teams stud as well, blocks FG and causes lots of pressure when kickers are kicking too.

 

[Snooky97]

Agree w/ a lot of this.

People run w narratives & now some have us trading up for Miller. Who is a project.

Get talent & figure it out later.

Top tier talent like Jaire, Hughes is exactly what we need.

Jaire is one of a few guys I've been watching closely & fell in love years ago (Ejiofor, A Tate, R. Smith)

Id be so pumped w/ Hughes or Alexander.

I'm not high on Miller at all, He'd need to fall for me to be interested in him, from reports Garcia seems to of packed on the weight and muscle well.

Jaire Alexander and Hughes for me are joint second for the best corners in the class.

 

[long distance]

Time to bump up this mother thread to remember our process .
with a story the draft should also be about. Id love this pick for Pats..