2018 BackDraft!!

[Off The Grid]

Projected Cuts

25 ~ PE Dwayne Allen. Power End. I like Allen more than most, but it's either him or Jenkins, and that's an easy call.

26 ~ SB Michael Gillislee. SpeedBack. I like Gillislee, too, though he disappointed, but that'll teach me to sign off on signing restricted Free Agents and coughing up Draft Picks for'm!! Never liked that kind've move, in the first place.

27 ~ SE Kenny Britt. Split End. Blech. Never liked the guy.

28 ~ FB Phillip Dorsett. Flanker. A Zoomer who can't run routes. No thanks.

29 ~ CB Eric Rowe. Not a bad Player. Just a victim of numbers.

30 ~ RB Jordan Richards. RoverBack. Oy.

All of this comes in right at the Salary Cap, by the way, including trades, below: I kept track on a Spread Sheet!!

That doesn't include the signings of Gallette, Bowman, or Joeckel, but it also doesn't mention the dozen or so additional cuts to fringe guys that I didn't want to bother any reader with ~ necessitated by my signings against the 90 man limit ~ and which'd obviously clearly up offsetting cap space, though further adjustments and cuts might have to be made.

And in the real world, it is very possible that I'd let Lewis go, just to keep a few bucks in reserve, and also with a mind towards the big contracts coming due, next year, with Trey Flowers, Shaq Mason, and Malcom Brown.

But this is all just a fun exercise for a Fantasy General Manager ~ though one who actually does aspire to amass a fortune, buy the Patriots, and implement these kinds of schemes in about 20 years!! ~ so Lewis stays!!

Trades

Mad Bill did brilliantly, again, so mostly I'm just signing off on all'f'm except the Shelton and Patterson trades.

And I am adding one, as well, outbidding the Cardinals for a young CornerBack that I like:

31 ~ CB Jamar Taylor. I thought that he was a Blue Chip Bargain in 2013 who nevertheless flamed out in Miami, but who recovered remarkably well in CleveLand...before being inexplicably dumped on the Cardinals for a 2020 6th Rounder!! A 2019 6th Rounder ought to outbid the Cardinals. He's due $4,250,000 in 2018, but even though I'm only getting a 4th CornerBack for my money, I believe that the 4th Corner is a crucial component of Roster Depth. Perhaps even more importantly, Taylor has emerged as a very good and improving Corner, and is entering his prime.

32 ~ CB Jason McCourty. How in the name of Jesus Jason McCourty is only pulling down $3 Million a year is beyond me to understand. He's still a good CornerBack!! He's probably passing his prime or about to, but going on 31 isn't exactly doddering his way to retirement!! Trading back from the 6th Round to the 7th for'm was a brilliant move.

33 ~ OT Trent Brown. Excellent, excellent move. Brown did not meet my threshold of Scouting Reports in 2015, which is to say that neither was he drafted in the first 5 Rounds, nor did I perceive his Value as justifying a 5th Round Pick...But my judgement was based on enormous questions about his Intangibles, not on his natural talent, which, including his extraordinary WingSpan, is arguably 1st Round quality...And he has proven himself, while not exactly Tom Brady, you understand, greatly improved in terms of Conditioning and Motor, though with plenty of remaining upside. With Coach Scarnecchia around to guide'm, Brown could develop into a premier Left Tackle, entering his prime.

34 ~ XB Brandin Cooks. Wonderful, wonderful move. As much as I hated and detested our having surrendered a 1st Rounder for Cooks, last year, I applaud our getting rid'f'm for a 1st Rounder this year. He's an elite Talent, as I wrote in 2013, but precisely the kind of "flash" player who helps get you into the PlayOffs, but doesn't help you win them...as he proved, incontestably, with that pansy-ass jump, inside the 10, which cost us a 1st Down, and, arguably, the Super Bowl.

 

[Off The Grid]

The Draft

So after all those nutty, cap-draining and rosters-stuffing moves, we've pretty much got the entire roster covered, which means that we can draft whoever we want!! These are the Picks we're staring off with, if I've kept track correctly:

23
31
43
63
143
198
219

So here we go...

* Please note: All Trades are based on Trades that actually happened. They are either perfect replicas of actual Trades, or I traded more value than was traded in the actual Trades, as our trading partners obviously wouldn't mind.

* For the sake of easier reading, I'll list all the Trades at once, and then the Picks.

43 ~ #23 + #63 ~ SeaHawks ~ #18 + #248.

Those with whom I've been bandying about Draft Talk for the last several years know that I've Traded Up in the 1st Round only twice: For Justin Watt in 2011 and for Aaron Donald in 2014. I don't really like the idea of trading up, generally, preferring to amass all the Picks!! But every once in a while, I'm willing to pay a very steep price.

44 ~ #31 ~ Titans ~ #57 + #89.

Most would scream in horror and disgust at this Trade, because it discounts #31 dramatically, giving about a 20% Discount to Book Value. So what the Hell am I thinking? I'm thinking that ~ as is often the case ~ there is a gigantic air pocket, running from about #20 or so to about #60 or so, meaning that for the Picks that got drafted along that stretch, I perceive little measurable difference in value from one end to the other. Therefore, if I can Trade Back and rack up extra picks, any acquired Picks are pure gravy, regardless of what Book Value says about it. This Trade, by the way is predicated on the actual Trade of #41 for #57 and #89. I also note that a far better value for #31 would've been #52 and the 2019 Ravens Second Rounder that the Eagles got for #32, but my focus is entirely on 2018, so this was more to that purpose.

All the rest of these Trades were based on real Trades, where we are trading a Pick ~ or Picks ~ either identical to (replicating the trade that actually happened) or superior in value to that which was actually traded, the supposition being that of course our theoretical trading partners would have no problem having us outbid somebody else to give them better value.

45 ~ #43 + #143 ~ Miners ~ #59 + #74.
46 ~ #59 ~ Raiders ~ #75 + #152 + #212.
47 ~ #74 ~ Chiefs ~ #86 + #122.
48 ~ #86 ~ Packers ~ #101 + #147.
49 ~ #101 ~ Browns ~ #114 + #178.
50 ~ #147 ~ SeaHawks ~ #156 + #226.
51 ~ #152 ~ Titans ~ #162 + #215.
52 ~ #156 ~ Vikings ~ #167 + #225.
53 ~ #198 ~ Chiefs ~ #233 + #243.

54 ~ #233 ~ Colts ~ LE Henry Anderson. Lion End. I'm not sure that I like Lion Ends very much, schematically, and I know for a fact that I didn't appreciate Henry Anderson when he went in the 3rd Round in 2013, but I believe that he's a tremendous Run Defender, an impressive and underrated Pass Rusher, poised for several years of excellence, perhaps greatness, if he can get healthy and stay there, just entering his prime at going on 27, and...dirt cheap!!

The Picks

18 ~ BX Leighton Vander Esch

Leighton Vander Esch ~ Bandit ~ is nothing less than a flat out SuperFreak whose like we'ave never before seen.

He's got the frame of a Lineman but the athletic agility of a Defensive Back.

He's raw in Power and Combat Skills, but he improved at supersonic speed in just one year.

He is outrageously athletically gifted...and his Drive and Intelligence are cosmic.

You can build a Defense around this guy.

You can build a Locker Room around this guy.

Hell, you can build a City around this guy.

Pay the man.

57 ~ WT Patrick Hall

A powerful, explosive, and penetrating Wolf Tackle who'd've gone Top 10 if the league wasn't run by such a bunch of pansies who've evidently never heard of Aaron Donald and therefore don't understand that a Tackle doesn't have to weigh 320 pounds to be Strong. I'm not putting Hall on the Donald's level, mind you, but he has the potential to be one of the most devastating interior Pass Rushers in the league, and he is stout in Run Defense at The Point of Attack!!

75 ~ DE Samuel Hubbard

He's got far more Agility than Power, but improving rapidly each year. Hubbard is my favorite Dragon End in this Draft. He is absolutely relentless on the Field of Battle, incredibly diagnostically acute, and clearly driven to be great. He's virtually guaranteed to exceed expectations and inspire others to do the same ~ a natural-born Leader.

89 ~ YT Harrison Phillips

Absolutely love this kid. Yeti Tackle. Power but dubious Agility. Awesome Combat Skills, Field Vision, and Processing Speed, though, and a magnificent Motor. Phillips is the kind of Trench Gorilla who sets a furious tone and gets the entire Defense playing at a higher level, all day, every day. Phillips is the kind of guy who changes a locker room's culture.

114 ~ WT Maurice Hurst

1st Round Talent whose stock plummeted because of health concerns!!

122 ~ GB Shaquem Griffin

1st Round Talent whose stock plummeted because of health concerns!! Griffin, amusingly to me, is probably considered a bit of a charity case and one of Coach Carroll's ~ Seattle took'm at #141 ~ eccentric Picks. Maybe a Special Teamer, if he's lucky...Not by me, he isn't. I see Griffin as a savage, an inspirational Leader, a Starter, and a Play Maker.

162 ~ BT Timothy Settle

Bear Tackle. A very stout Run Defender and highly underrated Pass Rusher who should've gone way earlier!!

167 ~ QB Michael White

I have a far higher grade on this guy than the Market does. Raw in many ways, and would have to learn how to play as actual QuarterBack, after years in Spread Offenses, but exhibits a startling propensity to work progressions, check down when needed, and spread the ball around, all'f which speaks to Processing Speed. And, unlike the vast majority of my beloved Processing Speed Binkies with noodle arms, White can actually sling it!! There is serious potential, here.

178 ~ YT Foley Fatukasi

Raw, but with top shelf Power, some Agility, an absolutely awesome Frame, and a tremendous Motor.

212 ~ Binkie To Be Named Later


215 ~ Binkie To Be Named Later


219 ~ Binkie To Be Named Later


225 ~ Binkie To Be Named Later


226 ~ Binkie To Be Named Later


243 ~ Binkie To Be Named Later


248 ~ Binkie To Be Named Later

Assorted Potential Binkies

QB Luis Perez

OT Desmond Harrison ~ he's a definite. Supremely talented, potential All Pro Left Tackle. Oh...There may be some concerns.

MF Tegray Scales
GB Asantay Brown
CB Keion Crossen
CB Grant Haley
XB Riley McCarron
XB Braxton Berrios

 

[Off The Grid]

Analysis

Obviously, my intention to focus fanatically on not only strengthening the Defense but transforming it.

And I wasn't aiming for 2004 levels of Patriots Defenses.

I was aiming far higher.

How's The Team Look??

QuarterBacks

Tom Brady ~ Greatest Of All Time. That fanatically focused QuarterBack, improving every Year, a dedicated and appreciative teammate, and one who torches about $15,000,000 or so a Year ~ what do you think that Brady would haul in, if he were a Free Agent?? ~ just to create Cap Space and give his team a better chance to win the Super Bowl. He'll do.

Michael White ~ Raw, but with All Pro Potential.

Luis Perez ~ Raw, unknown Potential.

Brian Hoyer ~ Solid Auxiliary.

Center

David Andrews ~ Solid Starter.

Offensive Guards

Right Guard ~ Shaq Mason ~ Young, Impressive, and improving as he approaches his prime.

Left Guard ~ Joseph Tuney ~ Young, Effective, and improving.

Guard ~ Xavier SauFilo ~ Young, with a lousy resume as a Starter, but highly talented. Dante.

Guard ~ Kevin Pamphile ~ Young and raw, but highly talented. Dante.

Tremendous Depth of Talent.

Offensive Tackles

Left Tackle ~ Trent Brown ~ Young, decent skills, phenomenal WingSpan, solid Starter, approaching his Prime.

Right Tackle ~ Marcus Cannon ~ Young, Impressive, and in his Prime.

Tackle ~ Desmond Harrison ~ Haven't written'm up, yet, but supremely talented despite his long list of Red Flags. By drafting him rather'n bidding against 31 team in UFA Land, we get First Dibs. If he's an irretrievable Ass, then by all means: Let's cut'm loose with no material cost...But if he's salvageable, he could become one'f the all-time Draft Steals.

Tackle ~ Luke Joeckel ~ Young, with a lousy resume as a Starter, but highly talented. Dante.

Tackle ~ Ulrick John ~ Young and raw, but highly talented. Dante.

Offensive Line

With a very young Line getting better as they develop, despite the loss of Solder, for whom Brown should be a very sufficient replacement, and with vastly improved Depth of Talent, this could become an enormous Asset.

Power Ends

Rob Gronkowski ~ The Best Ever, and now that he's all pliable and stuff, he might be around in January!!

Austin Sefarian Jenkins ~ Actually the most potentially dynamic #2 Power End we've had.

Troy Niklas ~ A moderately talented, young Reserve.

Will Tye ~ Ditto. He's seasoned, as well.

This should be a seismic Asset. Being able to send both'f'm out there on any Snap would give us unprecedented Hybrid Possibilities ~ Run/Pass Options ~ where we can dominate in Blocking or be unmatchable as Receivers.

WingBack

Matthew Jones ~ A very variable X Factor who can Run Block, Run, or Receive effectively.

Split Ends

Jordan Matthews ~ Good, young, smart, and talented.

Cody Latimer ~ Raw, but with top shelf Talent.

Flankers

Julian Edelman ~ The best in the business, but he shouldn't really be 100% until 2019.

Christopher Hogan ~ Ascending Warrior, approaching his Prime.

Malcolm Mitchell ~ Young, effective, and improving.

Kenny Bell ~ Young, talented, and unproven.

SlotBacks

Bruce Ellington ~ Young, talented, and unproven.

WideOuts

With Power End fielding 2 Starters, WideOuts needs only 2, as well.

That being the case, we have terrific Depth of Talent.

PowerBacks

Cortrelle Anderson ~ An excellent PowerBack, in his Prime, with 3 or 4 strong Years left in'm at a minimum, as he's seen a minimum of wear and tear. He Runs, Blocks, and Receives well. An outstanding weapon to have.

Brandon Bolden ~ Allegedly the most average PowerBack in all the land...but scrappy and reliable at all times.

SpeedBacks

Dion Lewis ~ Short, but powerful. Explosive outside, strong inside, a solid Blocker and exceptional Receiver. One of the best.

Rex Burkhead ~ Dangerous in all 4 aspects of the Game, young, improving, and approaching his Prime!!

James White ~ An impressive Runner and an awesome Receiver. Sensational in The Clutch.

Benny Cunningham ~ Young, runs well, catches well, blocks OK. Talented & versatile.

BackField

Awesome Depth of Talent at this crucial position.

Core Defensive Line ~ Bears, Wolves, Lions, and Yetti

YT ~ Dontari Poe ~ SuperBeast, in his Prime.

BT ~ Malcom Brown ~ Warrior, approaching his Prime.

WT ~ Patrick Hall ~ Rookie. Potential SuperBeast.

YT ~ Harrison Phillips ~ Rookie. Potential Beast.

WT ~ Maurice Hurst ~ Rookie. Potential SuperBeast.

YT ~ Foley Fatukasi ~ Rookie. Potential Beast.

BT ~ Timothy Settle ~ Rookie. Potential Beast.

LE ~ Henry Anderson ~ Ascending Warrior.

Options!! I want...options.

Needless to say, this is where the focus of my Master Plan is: Overload the defensive Front Lines with an overwhelming level of talent ~ with an searing emphasis on Prospects who are absolutely loaded with Intelligence and Drive ~ hire all the best Defensive Coaches in all the land who don't mind getting paid exorbitantly bloated salaries in return for their considerable expertise and hard work, and develop 2, 3, and 4 man Fronts of various configurations to terrify and annihilate our Foes.

The idea would be that Poe, Brown, and Anderson get most of the Snaps at the beginning of the Year, but that the others are expected to develop...and that by December, we would expect to have 8 Warrior Savages rotating in and out, playing at increasingly effective and disruptive levels, and mauling their way to Glory as the rest of the Defense benefits!!

Hybrids ~ Dragons

Trey Flowers ~ Ascending Star.

Deatrich Wise ~ Young, Effective, and rapidly improving.

Jovais Gallette ~ X Factor who could certainly flame right out, but poised for a potentially extraordinary 2 or 3 Years.

Samuel Hubbard ~ Rookie, but with tremendous Potential as a Player and as a Leader.

Bandits & MidFielders

BX ~ Donta HighTower ~ Brittle but brilliant, a Beast in'is Prime.

BX ~ Leighton Vander Esch ~ Rookie, but with the Potential for historic Greatness.

BX ~ Kyle Van Noy ~ Young, Effective, and improving.

BX ~ Marquis Flowers ~ Young, raw, but with Potential.

MF ~ Navarro Bowman ~ SuperStar, recovered from injuries, possibly past his peak...but possibly not.

Gryphons & RoverBacks

GB ~ Shaquem Griffin ~ Rookie, but with exceptional Potential.

RB ~ Patrick Chung ~ Impressive and still in his Prime, though poised to pass it.

CenterFielders

Devin McCourty ~ Warrior in his Prime.

Duron Harmon ~ Solid Starter in his Prime.

CornerBacks

Stephon Gilmore ~ Beast in his Prime.

Aaron Colvin ~ Ascending Warrior with Beast Potential, approaching his Prime.

Jamar Taylor ~ Effective Starter. Warrior Potential. Young and improving.

Jason McCourty ~ Effective Veteran, still near his Prime.

Devlin Breax ~ Beast level talent. Is he healthy?


Offense

Strong Depth of Talent at every position, Greatness at QuarterBack, Power End, and HalfBack, plenty of Talent and Depth at WideOut, and despite one question ~ Left Tackle ~ on the Offensive Line, an ascending Line.

All in all: Poised, once again, to terrorize. If Left Tackle is good, we're virtually unstoppable.

Defense

The Plan is simple: Develop the best Coaching Staff, by far, that anyone's ever seen, by getting all the best coaching talent in the world who value being part of something extraordinary, paying them what they're actually worth ~ that is: far more than Coaches tend to get paid ~ and set them to work in developing this historically deep and talented crew.

Between Talent, Intelligence, Drive, incredible Depth of Talent, and historically unprecedented Depth of Coaching, develop not the best Defense of the Salary Cap Era, but of any Era: A Front 6 ~ or 5, or 7, or 4, depending on things!! ~ of such unprecedented Depth of Talent and Depth of Coaching as to wreak Havoc at an historic level.

A Secondary locked and loaded to take full advantage and shut all Offenses down.

The Idea would be to take the World by storm in 2018, finishing in a frenetic frenzy that annihilates all Offenses.

The Defense thence to develop further, to an unprecedented level of Mayhem in 2019, while the world shakes and quakes.

Ascending towards its peak in 2020, the D would lead the way to the world's first Super Bowl 3 Peat.

And then...it would hit its prime.


Big Picture ~ Long Term Plan


Meanwhile, we've got Tom Brady...and if he ever ages?

I'm sure we'll come up with something.

 

[Off The Grid]

Heh. And that's the dramatically streamlined version, reduced by about 60%!!

01 ~ Obviously, I'm not done, yet, and fully intend to flesh it out over the next couple of weeks, as I roll through the rest'f my Scouting Reports. Memorial Day ~ today ~ is obviously the preferred deadline, but I figure...what the Hell??

02 ~ Any'f y'all want to throw in, this year? There is, despite my long record of biting off more than I can chew, reason to believe that I may be turning a corner in terms of actually getting all or most'f all done each year that I aspire to...which, in EarthSpeak means: Henceforth, I may very well be able to keep enough balls in the air to keep these MegaThreads going on a regular basis...And I believe that we'd all enjoy reflecting, analyzing, bragging, and commiserating, in the years to come...if we play!!

@manxman2601 @BobDigital @BaconGrundleCandy @Ochmed Jones @Snooky97 @long distance @maineman209 @bakes781 @midwestpatsfan and I could never forget @patchick ~ would love to get your OffSeasons/Drafts...at your leisure.

*And Apologies to anyone I didn't mention: I've been out'f the loop!!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I am beginning to suspect that bb is going to use all those 2019 draft picks to make several trades at the end of training camp this year to add depth.

 

[captain stone]

Excellent write-ups, as usual, and as befitting Memorial Day: Thank You, Brother Grid, for your service. Get some!

Not a fan of Johnny Ulrick, but I agree with your takes on the rest of the free agent retentions & signings, and also wish that there would've been a way to keep Dion the Cat Lewis.

Also agree with your takes on the trade-backs that happened during draft weekend, as well as the absolutely feckin ******ed, panic-stricken trade-UP for the short, over-drafted Duke (but Not of Dorchester) Dawson. Not having #117 cost us the chance to draft MA native and top-40 talent Maurice Hurst, the 3-Tech for whom we've all been looking.

I also agree with your projected cuts, though Eric Rowe probably survives this season.

And as for the draft itself, I especially like the choices of Vander Esche, Hubbard, Hurst & Griffin.

 

[captain stone]

I am beginning to suspect that bb is going to use all those 2019 draft picks to make several trades at the end of training camp this year to add depth.

That's a distinct possibility, and the likely position targets could be TE & LB. I would also include LT, but I really don't think that anybody worth seeking would be made available to us. If there are any injuries along the DL, either at DT or DE, then that group jumps immediately to the head of the line, because I'm still not a believer in the quality of depth there.

 

[Snooky97]

My god, i don't even think i can come up with it.. personally i'd of liked to have Landry here, but other than that i don't have any real issues with this draft. I think we valued certain picks to players and if it wasn't there we traded out.

I'm hoping next years draft we don't have a huge drop off in talent, as around pick 50ish there seemed to be a drop off to me personally.

 

[BobDigital]

Thanks for the shout out @Off The Grid. It was good to try not to do this right away. Better to let the smoke clear. It lets more information come out about the draft that we didn't as far as medical reports for players in the draft and Patriot players as well letting more new about players in the draft who gave team evaluators series questions on their character. With that being said here is how I would have done the Patriots draft.

Just a note. Since we know where every player was picked it be unfair to abuse that knowledge too much. With that in mind it's only fair if you change a pick for the Patriots they shouldn't get to take a player picked at say 51 at pick 50 as no one could have that exact knowledge. I think it is only fair you pick a few spots ahead of where they would have been picked at least as most teams probably had an idea about the spot guys would go but not the exact knowledge.

#23 - Isaiah Wynn - OT - This pick makes a lot of sense. They need help at OT and they probably knew for a fact Garcia wasn't coming back to help before the draft happened. Again if they move him to OG I hate the pick but if he is here to be the LT I really like it. I honestly think he is arguably the best LT in this draft and getting him at 23 is really good.

#31 - TRADE DOWN for to BALT for 52, 125 and a 2nd next year - I like Sony Michel but I just don't value RBs in the first round often. With the red flags on Guice I know the value of the other RBs went up but not enough for me to take one in the first when it was a spot they could get by in.

#43 - TRADED DOWN for 51 and 117. I would have loved a Geodert here but with the TEs already on the roster I don't see it making the most sense for this year and too much value not to trade down. With picks this high unless it is a supreme talented prospect I don't like redundancy.

#51 - Isaiah Oliver - CB - I still don't know why he fell to 58 and don't care. He was worth the pick at 43 and certainly worth it here. Future top #1 CB at 51. Easy choice.

#52 - Duke Dawson - CB - This pick has really grown on me. I do think they miss that nickle CB and I don't think the answer is on the team.

#63 Justin Reid - S - I just like the value too much here to pass on him. Chung and McCourty are getting on in years. Need a guy like him in the mix.

#95 Traded for Trent Brown and pick 143. May as well keep this the same. Could use a backup plan and frankly there was no amazing value at this pick IMO. The instant impact guys are probably all gone.

#117 - TRADE AWAY - for a future 3rd round pick from Detroit. Throw in a 2019 6th to them as well if need be to get it done. They did it at 114 so it won't take much more if anything else assuming their guy is still there. This gives some ammo to move in 2019 if you want even though they don't have a 2nd round pick anymore. If it can't be done trade it for other in 2019. The best deal you can get.

#125 - Maurice Hurst - DL - I feel you have to take a shot with him here in the 4th. He is one of my top 10 most talented prospects period.

#143 - Ogbonnia Ororonkno - EDGE

and future 5th round pick for #170

#170 - Christian Sam - LB

#198 - Luke Falk - QB - I know he was only picked 1 pick later but I think this late its fine to pull that trick and frankly he is worth a shot here.

#210 - Braxton Berrios - WR

#219 - Jullian Taylor - DL - I hate to not pick an intriguing player like Crossen but I don't see a point picking 3 rookie CBs in the draft. If he makes as an UDFA pick him up but this is better value for the pick.

So a quick rundown.

Wynn - OT
Oliver -CB
Dawson - CB
Reid - S
Hurst - DE/DT
Ororonkno - EDGE
Sam - LB
Falk - QB
Berrios - WR
Taylor - DT
A 2019 2nd, 3rd and 4th and a trade for Trent Brown - OT.

EDIT: I went back and forth on if i should trade back into the 2nd to get Lorenzo Carter LB using the 2019 Baltimore pick but i didn't do it cause i believe Sam can be that 3rd LB and i don't love Carter THAT much.

 

[captain stone]

Thanks for the shout out @Off The Grid. It was good to try not to do this right away. Better to let the smoke clear. It lets more information come out about the draft that we didn't as far as medical reports for players in the draft and Patriot players as well letting more new about players in the draft who gave team evaluators series questions on their character. With that being said here is how I would have done the Patriots draft.

Just a note. Since we know where every player was picked it be unfair to abuse that knowledge too much. With that in mind it's only fair if you change a pick for the Patriots they shouldn't get to take a player picked at say 51 at pick 50 as no one could have that exact knowledge. I think it is only fair you pick a few spots ahead of where they would have been picked at least as most teams probably had an idea about the spot guys would go but not the exact knowledge.

#23 - Isaiah Wynn - OT - This pick makes a lot of sense. They need help at OT and they probably knew for a fact Garcia wasn't coming back to help before the draft happened. Again if they move him to OG I hate the pick but if he is here to be the LT I really like it. I honestly think he is arguably the best LT in this draft and getting him at 23 is really good.

#31 - TRADE DOWN for to BALT for 52, 125 and a 2nd next year - I like Sony Michel but I just don't value RBs in the first round often. With the red flags on Guice I know the value of the other RBs went up but not enough for me to take one in the first when it was a spot they could get by in.

#43 - TRADED DOWN for 51 and 117. I would have loved a Geodert here but with the TEs already on the roster I don't see it making the most sense for this year and too much value not to trade down. With picks this high unless it is a supreme talented prospect I don't like redundancy.

#51 - Isaiah Oliver - CB - I still don't know why he fell to 58 and don't care. He was worth the pick at 43 and certainly worth it here. Future top #1 CB at 51. Easy choice.

#52 - Duke Dawson - CB - This pick has really grown on me. I do think they miss that nickle CB and I don't think the answer is on the team.

#63 Justin Reid - S - I just like the value too much here to pass on him. Chung and McCourty are getting on in years. Need a guy like him in the mix.

#95 Traded for Trent Brown and pick 143. May as well keep this the same. Could use a backup plan and franking no amazing value at this pick. The instant impact guys are probably all gone.

#117 - TRADE AWAY - for a future 3rd round pick from Detroit. Throw in a 2019 6th to them as well if need be to get it done. They did it at 114 so it won't take much more if anything else assuming their guy is still there. This gives some ammo to move in 2019 if you want even though they don't have a 2nd round pick anymore. If it can't be done trade it for other in 2019. The best deal you can get.

#125 - Maurice Hurst - DL - I feel you have to take a shot with him here in the 4th. He is one of my top 10 most talented prospects period.

#143 - Ogbonnia Ororonkno - EDGE

and future 5th round pick for #170

#170 - Christian Sam - LB

#198 - Luke Falk - QB - I know he was only picked 1 pick later but I think this late its fine to pull that trick and frankly heis worth a shot here.

#210 - Braxton Berrios - WR

#219 - Jullian Taylor - DL - I hate to not pick an intriguing player like Crossen but I don't see a point picking 3 rookie CBs in the draft. If he makes as an UDFA pick him up but this is better value for the pick.

So a quick rundown.

Wynn - OT
Oliver -CB
Dawson - CB
Reid - S
Hurst - DE/DT
Ororonkno - EDGE
Sam - LB
Falk - QB
Berrios - WR
Taylor - DT
A 2019 2nd, 3rd and 4th and a trade for Trent Brown - OT.

EDIT: I went back and forth on if i should trade back into the 2nd to get Lorenzo Carter LB using the 2019 Baltimore pick but i didn't do it cause i believe Sam can be that 3rd LB and i don't love Carter THAT much.

Like your re-draft, especially the picks of Isaiah Oliver, Justin Reid, Maurice Hurst & Justin Falk...Do you see Okoronkwo as a poorer man's Yanni Ngakoue? And I wonder, what would Bill do if at 143 he had to choose between the more explosive Oko or the stouter Duke Ejiofor?

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

These are my grades going back to 2011 (only 70-75 players) before the draft. Few people pm me & asked a while back when I mentioned it. This is the best way to see where someone stands imo.

2011 - 2011 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2012 - 2012 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2013 - 2013 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2014 - 2014 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2015 - 2015 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2016 - 2016 NFL DRAFT GRADES (1).xlsx

2017 - 2017 NFL DRAFT GRADES (1).xlsx

2018 - 2018 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

 

[BobDigital]

These are my grades going back to 2011 (only 70-75 players) before the draft. Few people pm me & asked a while back when I mentioned it. This is the best way to see where someone stands imo.

2011 - 2011 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2012 - 2012 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2013 - 2013 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2014 - 2014 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2015 - 2015 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2016 - 2016 NFL DRAFT GRADES (1).xlsx

2017 - 2017 NFL DRAFT GRADES (1).xlsx

2018 - 2018 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

Crap. This is the first time I saw you had 2011 grades. lol I may need to update my write up to include those figures too.

Also @captain stone sorry i missed your post earlier. Yes I do see him like that kind of player. I don't know if he can be a 3 down guy or not but you don't worry about it at that spot. I would be happy with either Duke or Oko but this late i prefer to go towards talent rather than a jack of all trades player. I think it is more likely a player who has a solid but narrow skill set can build skills around it to be a better player than a player who is okay at everything raise all those skills enough to be a dependable player.

 

[captain stone]

These are my grades going back to 2011 (only 70-75 players) before the draft. Few people pm me & asked a while back when I mentioned it. This is the best way to see where someone stands imo.

2011 - 2011 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2012 - 2012 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2013 - 2013 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2014 - 2014 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2015 - 2015 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2016 - 2016 NFL DRAFT GRADES (1).xlsx

2017 - 2017 NFL DRAFT GRADES (1).xlsx

2018 - 2018 NFL DRAFT GRADES.xlsx

2011 - Surprised to see Ridley this high, and ahead of Vereen; I had him pegged as just a 4th/5th-round talent.

2012 - Marvin Jones at WR?...I also liked Antonio Allen at Safety, and still think that he would've been a more versatile pick at that spot instead of Nate Ebner, who could've been signed as a UDFA...and Fonzie Dennard might still be Bill's best value pick, considering where he was expected to go. Too bad he couldn't keep up the momentum he seemed to have built after his first 2 seasons.

2013 - Logan Ryan?...Agree with your grade of Keenan Allen vs Aaron Dropson.

2014 - You were in on Garoppolo early, nice job...I like your grade of Telvin Smith, Bill really missed the boat with him...Agree with your grades of Joel Bitonio vs Dom Easily, who never, Ever, EVER should've been our first-round pick ahead of Bitonio aka the Next Logan Mankins...also agree with your grades of Russell Jethro Bodine vs Bryan Stork...And what grade would you have given Laurent Duvernay Tardif?

2015 - Daryl Roberts?...Like your grade of WR Tyler Lockett, whom I wanted Billy to draft with our 2nd-rounder...also like your grade of La'el Collins, who should've been the pick at 111 instead of another Florida St IR-body, Tre Jackson...Noticed that you listed Shaq Mason as a Center, I still believe he could've been an All-Pro there.

2016 - Agree with your grades of Dak Prescott vs Jacoby Brissett...What grades would you have given DTs Andrew Billings & Hassan Ridgeway, either of whom I would've chosen ahead of Vinnie Damaged Goods Valentine?...I like your grades of Jonathan Jones vs Cyrus the Virus...also agree with your grades of Joe Dahl vs Joe Thuney, who should've been drafted no earlier than the pick used for Malcolm Damaged Goods Mitchell...And Damn Stokoe to Hell for stealing from us the opportunity to take Myles Jack with our stolen 1st-rounder.

2017 - I still would've kept #72 and taken the stouter Jordan Willis instead of the slighter Derek Rivers at #83...All that trading, both before and during the draft, did Billy absolutely no good whatsoever...such as trading #137 for Dwayne Allen instead of simply keeping it and choosing George Kittle (or DB Desmond King)...I am SHOCKED that you have Boney Tony Garcia ranked ahead of Ryan Ramczyk, who should've been OUR 1st-round pick and would've been our starting LT now...and Conor McDermott ahead of Dion Dawkins?...Without question, this is the Emperor Without Clothes' worst draft ever, and that's saying something...maybe the worst draft ever by Any team.

2018 - Agree with your grades of Harold Landry vs Sony the Shiny Toy, and of Justin Reid vs the Duke (But Not of Dorchester) Dawson...Not a fan of JC Jackson?...Surprised to see Ryan Izzo up there with Dalton Schultz, Tyler Conklin & Jaylen Samuels...Billy's panic-stricken trade-up just to over-draft the Duke cost us the opportunity to draft homeboy Maurice Hurst Jr, aka the 3-Tech for whom we've been searching...What, no Ja'Whaun Bentley? Just kidding of course, Genard Avery should've been the beyond obvious choice here if Billy were looking for LBs, in addition to nearly a dozen players at other positions...Another crap-fest of a draft by the DPS Little Billy, the Emperor Without Clothes.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

2011 - Surprised to see Ridley this high, and ahead of Vereen; I had him pegged as just a 4th/5th-round talent.

2012 - Marvin Jones at WR?...I also liked Antonio Allen at Safety, and still think that he would've been a more versatile pick at that spot instead of Nate Ebner, who could've been signed as a UDFA...and Fonzie Dennard might still be Bill's best value pick, considering where he was expected to go. Too bad he couldn't keep up the momentum he seemed to have built after his first 2 seasons.

2013 - Logan Ryan?...Agree with your grade of Keenan Allen vs Aaron Dropson.

2014 - You were in on Garoppolo early, nice job...I like your grade of Telvin Smith, Bill really missed the boat with him...Agree with your grades of Joel Bitonio vs Dom Easily, who never, Ever, EVER should've been our first-round pick ahead of Bitonio aka the Next Logan Mankins...also agree with your grades of Russell Jethro Bodine vs Bryan Stork...And what grade would you have given Laurent Duvernay Tardif?

2015 - Daryl Roberts?...Like your grade of WR Tyler Lockett, whom I wanted Billy to draft with our 2nd-rounder...also like your grade of La'el Collins, who should've been the pick at 111 instead of another Florida St IR-body, Tre Jackson...Noticed that you listed Shaq Mason as a Center, I still believe he could've been an All-Pro there.

2016 - Agree with your grades of Dak Prescott vs Jacoby Brissett...What grades would you have given DTs Andrew Billings & Hassan Ridgeway, either of whom I would've chosen ahead of Vinnie Damaged Goods Valentine?...I like your grades of Jonathan Jones vs Cyrus the Virus...also agree with your grades of Joe Dahl vs Joe Thuney, who should've been drafted no earlier than the pick used for Malcolm Damaged Goods Mitchell...And Damn Stokoe to Hell for stealing from us the opportunity to take Myles Jack with our stolen 1st-rounder.

2017 - I still would've kept #72 and taken the stouter Jordan Willis instead of the slighter Derek Rivers at #83...All that trading, both before and during the draft, did Billy absolutely no good whatsoever...such as trading #137 for Dwayne Allen instead of simply keeping it and choosing George Kittle (or DB Desmond King)...I am SHOCKED that you have Boney Tony Garcia ranked ahead of Ryan Ramczyk, who should've been OUR 1st-round pick and would've been our starting LT now...and Conor McDermott ahead of Dion Dawkins?...Without question, this is the Emperor Without Clothes' worst draft ever, and that's saying something...maybe the worst draft ever by Any team.

2018 - Agree with your grades of Harold Landry vs Sony the Shiny Toy, and of Justin Reid vs the Duke (But Not of Dorchester) Dawson...Not a fan of JC Jackson?...Surprised to see Ryan Izzo up there with Dalton Schultz, Tyler Conklin & Jaylen Samuels...Billy's panic-stricken trade-up just to over-draft the Duke cost us the opportunity to draft homeboy Maurice Hurst Jr, aka the 3-Tech for whom we've been searching...What, no Ja'Whaun Bentley? Just kidding of course, Genard Avery should've been the beyond obvious choice here if Billy were looking for LBs, in addition to nearly a dozen players at other positions...Another crap-fest of a draft by the DPS Little Billy, the Emperor Without Clothes.

Definitely wouldn't have been opposed to RR. Liked him alot. Obviously Garcia as well. Injuries are the big unknown unless you're looking at the papers yourself. Him, Joe Mathis and others would've had lower grades bc of obvious concerns for their health but in the the end they were good enough to earn that grade but not healthy enough to live up to it.
Another thing I learn to appreciate is the fact that I had RR that high. Not the fact that I had 1 guy ahead of him. That's the beauty, fun & sometimes tough part about this.

Also if I didnt have anyone graded it was bc of lack of film/time or didn't earn a baseline grade. I just recently started grading just on combine/pro day #'s in order to solve the no film problem if that arises,which doesn't happen that often.

 

[manxman2601]

A very late go at this.

23. Isaiah Wynn - Loved this pick. He was one of my favourite LTs in the draft and his positional flexibility makes the pick even better.

31. ***Trade*** - I'll take the trade that the Ravens had with Philly one place below us for Lamar Jackson. Trade 31 to Baltimore for Ravens for 52 and 135 and a 2019 3rd (Eagles got the Ravens 2nd rounder but gave up a 4th which we didn't have). I love the Michel pick and am excited to see what he can do here but in all honestly Burkhead, White, Hill would probably suffice as a running trifecta.

43. Anthony Miller - Was arguably my favourite player in the draft so this is a no brainer for me. Especially considering the poor future we have at this position (for now).

52 (f Bal) ***Trade*** - I'll take the Bears trade here one pick later. Trade 52 for 105 and 2019 2nd rounder

63 Justin Reid - It has to be right? Favourite of the forum last year, Reid offers the versatility and the smarts to be a definite contributor on the team from year one. Sorry Duke.

95 ***Trade*** - I'll keep the Trent Brown trade here. Maybe Harrison Phillips and Ian Thomas would be options that might have persuaded me but as Brown is going to be our starting LT this year, this is terrific value. Trade 95 for Trent Brown and 143

135 (f BAL) ***Trade*** - Copying a trade made for 136 on the day, Pats trade 135 for 147 and 197.

143 - Ja'Whuan Bentley - Knew nothing about Bentley on the day but love it now. May end up being one of the best picks of the draft. Wouldn't change it at all.

147 - Duke Ejiofor - We're probably ok on the EDGE for now but Ejiofor adds insurance if Flowers ends up leaving.

197 - Luke Falk - Meh on Etling. I think Falk has a better future as a backup. Don't know how he's got on in pre-season.

198 ***Trade*** - Keep the trade we made with the Chiefs we made on the day. Trade 198 for 233 and 243.

210 - Braxton Berrios - Throw another WR into the mix.

219 - Julian Taylor

233 - Leon Jacobs - Missed out on Sam so this is my compensation.

243 - Keion Crossen - Loved this pick at the time. I still have hope.


2019 3rd, 2019 2nd

 

[captain stone]

A very late go at this.

23. Isaiah Wynn - Loved this pick. He was one of my favourite LTs in the draft and his positional flexibility makes the pick even better.

31. ***Trade*** - I'll take the trade that the Ravens had with Philly one place below us for Lamar Jackson. Trade 31 to Baltimore for Ravens for 52 and 135 and a 2019 3rd (Eagles got the Ravens 2nd rounder but gave up a 4th which we didn't have). I love the Michel pick and am excited to see what he can do here but in all honestly Burkhead, White, Hill would probably suffice as a running trifecta.

43. Anthony Miller - Was arguably my favourite player in the draft so this is a no brainer for me. Especially considering the poor future we have at this position (for now).

52 (f Bal) ***Trade*** - I'll take the Bears trade here one pick later. Trade 52 for 105 and 2019 2nd rounder

63 Justin Reid - It has to be right? Favourite of the forum last year, Reid offers the versatility and the smarts to be a definite contributor on the team from year one. Sorry Duke.

95 ***Trade*** - I'll keep the Trent Brown trade here. Maybe Harrison Phillips and Ian Thomas would be options that might have persuaded me but as Brown is going to be our starting LT this year, this is terrific value. Trade 95 for Trent Brown and 143

135 (f BAL) ***Trade*** - Copying a trade made for 136 on the day, Pats trade 135 for 147 and 197.

143 - Ja'Whuan Bentley - Knew nothing about Bentley on the day but love it now. May end up being one of the best picks of the draft. Wouldn't change it at all.

147 - Duke Ejiofor - We're probably ok on the EDGE for now but Ejiofor adds insurance if Flowers ends up leaving.

197 - Luke Falk - Meh on Etling. I think Falk has a better future as a backup. Don't know how he's got on in pre-season.

198 ***Trade*** - Keep the trade we made with the Chiefs we made on the day. Trade 198 for 233 and 243.

210 - Braxton Berrios - Throw another WR into the mix.

219 - Julian Taylor

233 - Leon Jacobs - Missed out on Sam so this is my compensation.

243 - Keion Crossen - Loved this pick at the time. I still have hope.


2019 3rd, 2019 2nd

#23 - Same, but damn...

#43 - Miller ahead of Dante Pettis, Christian Kirk, James Washington, DJ Chark and Michael Gallup? I defer to your judgement here, because I wasn't really studying WRs this early.

#63 - Bingo. Reid >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the Duke (but Not of Dorchester).

#143 - Bentley would've been available in the 7th round, so this makes for poor value here, sorry not sorry. There were a half-dozen prospects still available whom I would've taken ahead of him, including at LB.

There is also No Way that I allow 80 picks in the draft to pass me by. Way, way too much talent in between picks 63 and 143.

#147 - and this Duke was one of those players. He kinda makes up for not taking Harold Landry at 31.

#197 - Same. Etling sucks; at least Falk has a chance.

#210 - Barrio Baretto is too short and too small. He's just not an NFL player. If I'm taking a WR here, then Marcel Ateman, Trey Quinn, Alan Lazard & Auden Tate are the better choices.

#219 - Taylor has some untapped potential as a pocket-pushing DT, but only if he can add another dozen pounds. Otherwise, he's a 3-4 DE.

#233 - Both Sam & Bentley might still be available here, though Jacobs is a more than adequate Plan C. Fact is, I would've taken him here ahead of our 2 anyway.

#243 - I would've drafted JC Jackson here then signed Crossen as a UDFA, so I guess it worked out regardless of order.

Overall, a much better draft than the crap-fest Little Billy pulled off, again.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

#23 - Same, but damn...

#43 - Miller ahead of Dante Pettis, Christian Kirk, James Washington, DJ Chark and Michael Gallup? I defer to your judgement here, because I wasn't really studying WRs this early.

#63 - Bingo. Reid >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the Duke (but Not of Dorchester).

#143 - Bentley would've been available in the 7th round, so this makes for poor value here, sorry not sorry. There were a half-dozen prospects still available whom I would've taken ahead of him, including at LB.

There is also No Way that I allow 80 picks in the draft to pass me by. Way, way too much talent in between picks 63 and 143.

#147 - and this Duke was one of those players. He kinda makes up for not taking Harold Landry at 31.

#197 - Same. Etling sucks; at least Falk has a chance.

#210 - Barrio Baretto is too short and too small. He's just not an NFL player. If I'm taking a WR here, then Marcel Ateman, Trey Quinn, Alan Lazard & Auden Tate are the better choices.

#219 - Taylor has some untapped potential as a pocket-pushing DT, but only if he can add another dozen pounds. Otherwise, he's a 3-4 DE.

#233 - Both Sam & Bentley might still be available here, though Jacobs is a more than adequate Plan C. Fact is, I would've taken him here ahead of our 2 anyway.

#243 - I would've drafted JC Jackson here then signed Crossen as a UDFA, so I guess it worked out regardless of order.

Overall, a much better draft than the crap-fest Little Billy pulled off, again.

Fwiw. All 2nd rd guys.
Wish my scale had Pettis higher. I absolutely loved him & don't think there's 2-3 better r/r in this class but I loved Miller as well from a personal standpoint. Gallup too. I thought those 3, plus Moore would have been great here.
CALVIN RIDLEY - 8.48
D.J. MOORE - 8.40
ANTHONY MILLER - 8.38
CHRISTAIN KIRK - 8.35
KEKE COUTEE - 8.33
COURTLAND SUTTON - 8.29
MICHAEL GALLUP - 8.27
JAMES WASHINGTON - 8.24
AUDEN TATE - 8.20
D.J. CHARK - 8.20
DANTE PETTIS - 8.17
ANTONIO CALLAWAY - 8.10
DAESEAN HAMILTON - 8.05
EQ. ST. BROWN - 8.09

Speaking of Ateman since you brought him up I'm surprised the Raiders aren't utilizing him the right way. Wouldn't be shocked to see them f that up.

 

[captain stone]

Fwiw. All 2nd rd guys.
Wish my scale had Pettis higher. I absolutely loved him & don't think there's 2-3 better r/r in this class but I loved Miller as well from a personal standpoint. Gallup too. I thought those 3, plus Moore would have been great here.
CALVIN RIDLEY - 8.48
D.J. MOORE - 8.40
ANTHONY MILLER - 8.38
CHRISTAIN KIRK - 8.35
KEKE COUTEE - 8.33
COURTLAND SUTTON - 8.29
MICHAEL GALLUP - 8.27
JAMES WASHINGTON - 8.24
AUDEN TATE - 8.20
D.J. CHARK - 8.20
DANTE PETTIS - 8.17
ANTONIO CALLAWAY - 8.10
DAESEAN HAMILTON - 8.05
EQ. ST. BROWN - 8.09

Speaking of Ateman since you brought him up I'm surprised the Raiders aren't utilizing him the right way. Wouldn't be shocked to see them f that up.

The FO needs to look very carefully at the cut-down lists of young WRs and sign to the PS - if not claim outright - one of those that another team might try to sneak through the process in the hope that there will be too many names from which to sort. The pipeline must be re-established.

 

[cstjohn17]

Pretty fun too read, with the gift on hindsight we can start to look pretty smart.

Who knows what type of player Wynn will become, but in all honesty if they liked him as a future LT I believe them.

The pick that was crazy to me was Michel, nothing against him but RB is such a low value position. From what I have seen a RB taken in rounds 3-5 would be just as effective.

I am still shocked they didn't take an EDGE player, there is no speed on the DLine at all, or to pile on basically the whole defense is slow.

I thought a player like Harold Landry would have been great at the end of round 1. Watching this breakdown of his game makes me sad... a pass rush specialist playing 30-50% of snaps and making 1-2 impact plays per game can change a season.

Skip past the parts on Jurrell Casey and Rashaan Evans and watch the speed rush and hustle play from Landry. How would you have liked one of those speed rushes in the Superbowl last year? A single play from the edge can impact the game.

All 22 breakdown.
All-22 Review: Titans defense is on the rise behind Jurrell Casey and Harold Landry

Could have, would have, should have... Go Pats

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Pretty fun too read, with the gift on hindsight we can start to look pretty smart.

Who knows what type of player Wynn will become, but in all honesty if they liked him as a future LT I believe them.

The pick that was crazy to me was Michel, nothing against him but RB is such a low value position. From what I have seen a RB taken in rounds 3-5 would be just as effective.

I am still shocked they didn't take an EDGE player, there is no speed on the DLine at all, or to pile on basically the whole defense is slow.

I thought a player like Harold Landry would have been great at the end of round 1. Watching this breakdown of his game makes me sad... a pass rush specialist playing 30-50% of snaps and making 1-2 impact plays per game can change a season.

Skip past the parts on Jurrell Casey and Rashaan Evans and watch the speed rush and hustle play from Landry. How would you have liked one of those speed rushes in the Superbowl last year? A single play from the edge can impact the game.

All 22 breakdown.
All-22 Review: Titans defense is on the rise behind Jurrell Casey and Harold Landry

Could have, would have, should have... Go Pats

Good post. If Michel stays healthy he'll be great here but RB/RD1 is never a good idea. Great fit, vg player(had a 2nd on him myself) but you can get that production w better value later. Mostly bc of how easy the transition is.

Landry will be the big name to watch. He was available. I really liked him. Think this goes back to the type of player Bill wants at certain positions.

Perhaps not the most versatile rusher, yet, but he's a very good overall player. He's not just a pass rusher. That said there's not 3-4 players in the league that can bend/get flat like him coming at full speed. Combine that with his jump & it's instant pressure. He'll win a ton w just his speed & athletic ability.

Him & Davenport have been flashing hard the past few weeks.