Talking Team Needs 2019

[manxman2601]

I'm going to try and get more involved in the draft this year than I have the previous years and I think thinking about needs is a good place to start. So just looking through potential/likely free agents, I see needs as the following:

1. QB - I see this as a priority for obvious reasons. The Brady replacement would be nice but at the very least, let's get Hoyer off that no2 spot.

2. RB - Minor need probably filled through FA rather than the draft. Obviously with White, Burkhead and Michel here through 2020, there's no real need for a premier draft pick (injuries allowing)

3. WR - Hogan will be a FA, Patterson too and he'll likely not be a proper WR but more of a gadget type. Which really leaves an ageing Edelman who is only signed through 2019. The cupboard is pretty bare long term. Whether it's filled via the draft is another matter.

4. TE - Hollister is promising but he's only really a move TE and Gronk's future is up in the air. a future no1/inline TE is probably a need next year and could do with some investment.

5. OT - Needs here too. Trent Brown, Shaq Mason and Waddle are all free agents. The OT position worries me more than RG. As future starters we're down to Wynn and Cannon who's injury issues are a concern. Interior OL is interesting too with BB showing interest in Ragnow and Dan Feeney in recent years.

6. DL - DT certainly looks to be a need with both Brown and Shelton free agents next year. It's early yet but I feel a little better about Flowers being a potential FA if Rivers and Wise live up to pre-season form.

7. LB - Could always do with a quality coverage linebacker. But if Bentley lives up to the justifiable hype he's been getting, not a major need.

8. CB - One can never have enough of these, particularly with Rowe and J McCourty free agents at the end of the year. We seem to be well catered for in the nickel so an outside CB is the need. Might be filled via late draft/UDFA or veteran acquisition though.

9. S - Harmon, McCourty and Chung are signed through 2020 but some youth would certainly be useful.

10. Other - Ghost, Ryan Allen and Develin are all free agents. Develin is likely a Patriot as long as he wants to be but the two kicker positions need to be solved.

So, as I see the top 5 needs currently (subject to change obviously with a whole season to play)

1. WR - I don't know if the draft is the way to solve the not too distant holes at this position, but for now, the future is bleak. Still, there is some unproven, as yet, youth there.

2. QB - Brady's likely playing through 2019 but what is the answer beyond that? If we find our WRs outside the draft (likely), this is our priority next year. We need a post-Brady plan.

3. DT - Hopefully Shelton shows enough for BB to re-sign him and whilst I'm not a huge fan of Brown (he's ok to good but not much better), I think this position needs to be thought about looking forward.

4. TE - All depends on Gronk really. We're either comfortable at the position or in desperate need for the future.

5= OT - If Cannon stays fit then Wynn and Cannon is a nice combo as starters. But if they don't see Wynn as a future LT or if Cannon's injury woes continue, then this is very much a need.

5= CB - A little less concerned about our future at CB than I am at OT but one can never have enough CBs (aside from 2016 when we had to cut Roberts and LeBlanc). A quality partner for Gilmore would be nice.

So, what are your priorities looking ahead to 2019?

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Honestly this team desperately needs some young talent to build around. You can almost throw a rock at any position & make a case.

A lot will depend on the years Flowers & Mason have.

Almost certainly the one you listed though.

J/c do u have any grades from previous years?

 

[manxman2601]

Honestly this team desperately needs some young talent to build around. You can almost throw a rock at any position & make a case.

A lot will depend on the years Flowers & Mason have.

Almost certainly the one you listed though.

J/c do u have any grades from previous years?

No, I never actually grade prospects. I tend to just have a bunch of binky, usually later rounders that
I like. I have tried to grade but it’s not something I can get my head around. How to decide whether a mid 1st round CB is worth a higher grade than a mid 1st round RB or WR has never really made sense to me. So at best, I work with tiers rather than number grades. Whenever I see someone with a 6.17 grade and another with a 6.19 grade I just think huh? That’s far too much work for me. Each to their own though. I’m certainly full of admiration for those who do take the time to grade properly.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

No, I never actually grade prospects. I tend to just have a bunch of binky, usually later rounders that
I like. I have tried to grade but it’s not something I can get my head around. How to decide whether a mid 1st round CB is worth a higher grade than a mid 1st round RB or WR has never really made sense to me. So at best, I work with tiers rather than number grades. Whenever I see someone with a 6.17 grade and another with a 6.19 grade I just think huh? That’s far too much work for me. Each to their own though. I’m certainly full of admiration for those who do take the time to grade properly.

Yea if ur grading prospects against each other ur def doing it wrong.

I just think it's good for perspective. Looking back & going forward.

Once you come up w a formula it's easy to explain why someone has higher/lower grade than someone else.

Also it saves a lot of time when the inevitable discussions come up about who had who where.

 

[manxman2601]

Yea if ur grading prospects against each other ur def doing it wrong.

I just think it's good for perspective. Looking back & going forward.

Once you come up w a formula it's easy to explain why someone has higher/lower grade than someone else.

Also it saves a lot of time when the inevitable discussions come up about who had who where.

Absolutely, it's just not my strength and nor do I have the time. I tend to be quite good at advocating for late rounders that either end up high in the draft (Ziggy Ansah, Terron Armstead or Jimmie Ward) or prospects that might be underrated (Grady Jarrett). But I'm certainly not up to grading every player in the draft.

 

[captain stone]

#1 - WR

#2 - QB

#3 - WR

#4 - LT

#5 - WR

#6 - Coverage OLB

#7 - Safety, especially SS

#8 - TE

#9 - WR

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

 

[Ochmed Jones]

#1 - WR

#2 - QB

#3 - WR

#4 - LT

#5 - WR

#6 - Coverage OLB

#7 - Safety, especially SS

#8 - TE

#9 - WR

I think you are gold with this list.

 

[captain stone]

I think you are gold with this list.

Especially when one looks at the post from BGC above us. Bill absolutely, positively Must spend at least one top-100 pick on a WR (a good one this time, for a change) and sign at least one UFA WR looking for a second contract and at least one UDFA WR with a legitimate chance of making the 53.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Needs more WRs. Not impressed.

 

[BobDigital]

Top needs

#1 OT - Next year Brown and Waddle walk very possible. Wynn is coming back from his injury and we don't even know if he can play tackle in the NFL yet for sure cause we never got to see it really. This spots needs to be addressed.

#2 CB - Rowe walks after this year I think. With Butler going last year this will leave a big talent hole a CB. Maybe Dawson/Jones can play the slot but I don't like either of them on the outside much. We need another outside CB

#3 WR - Yes WR matters. But as long as you have Edelman, Brady, a solid OL, good receiving backs and Gronk you can work around that. Some people have this need higher but i have seen Brady work will a lot less in the past and do very well.

#4 DL (DT particularly) - Flowers and Shelton will both hit free agency next year. Those are 2 bit hits. Add in maybe Malcolm Brown and they have some work to do here. DE will probably be okay next year even if they let Flowers go. But DT will be way too thin and light.

#5 QB - We don't know when Brady will retire. I assume he will play next year and probably the year after that. Beyond that is a total guess. You look closely at QB but you only pick a guy that makes sense. Picking the wrong guy is worse than picking no one, because at least then you aren't wasting time and resources on him.

Not really needs.

LB - I think with Bentley we may have found our 3rd LB. We will need to wait and see but i have hopes.

IOL - The Mason contract takes care of these spots. Move right along and worry about it in the 6th round.

RB - You can always find bodies here. And with the pick of Michel and the pass catching of White you need to believe you have this spot locked down.

TE - It would be nice to pair Gronk with another great TE. But you don't make yourself weak somewhere else to do it. If you find value then go ahead though.

S - We are getting older back there and it will need to be addressed soon. But you can hold off another year if you want.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Fwiw
I think this will be another year you can a really good WR in the 2nd/3rd round. I mean we have a whole season to play but it looks like a pretty deep group.

I've always been a Talent > Need/Scheme guy so I'd rather pick the from an all time great class w my first few picks.

Let's not forget we have a stockpile of picks throughout but esp early on. 6 top 100 picks. Tons of flexibility.
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7

Hopefully we add some serious young talent.

 

[captain stone]

Top needs

#1 OT - Next year Brown and Waddle walk very possible. Wynn is coming back from his injury and we don't even know if he can play tackle in the NFL yet for sure cause we never got to see it really. This spots needs to be addressed.

#2 CB - Rowe walks after this year I think. With Butler going last year this will leave a big talent hole a CB. Maybe Dawson/Jones can play the slot but I don't like either of them on the outside much. We need another outside CB

#3 WR - Yes WR matters. But as long as you have Edelman, Brady, a solid OL, good receiving backs and Gronk you can work around that. Some people have this need higher but i have seen Brady work will a lot less in the past and do very well.

#4 DL (DT particularly) - Flowers and Shelton will both hit free agency next year. Those are 2 bit hits. Add in maybe Malcolm Brown and they have some work to do here. DE will probably be okay next year even if they let Flowers go. But DT will be way too thin and light.

#5 QB - We don't know when Brady will retire. I assume he will play next year and probably the year after that. Beyond that is a total guess. You look closely at QB but you only pick a guy that makes sense. Picking the wrong guy is worse than picking no one, because at least then you aren't wasting time and resources on him.

Not really needs.

LB - I think with Bentley we may have found our 3rd LB. We will need to wait and see but i have hopes.

IOL - The Mason contract takes care of these spots. Move right along and worry about it in the 6th round.

RB - You can always find bodies here. And with the pick of Michel and the pass catching of White you need to believe you have this spot locked down.

TE - It would be nice to pair Gronk with another great TE. But you don't make yourself weak somewhere else to do it. If you find value then go ahead though.

S - We are getting older back there and it will need to be addressed soon. But you can hold off another year if you want.

OT - Agreed. Trent Brown at LT looks like a disaster waiting to happen. He doesn't come close to having enough athleticism to sustain pass-blocks, and because of that Brady will never have the time needed to take 7-step drops. Our deep game this year is going to be absolute shyte.

CB - I don't like anybody currently in the building for the #2 role. But at least we have bodies, so maybe one of the yutes will emerge.

WR - Worst group since 2006. One of our top-100 picks next year Must be used for a WR.

DL/DT - it wouldn't surprise if one of Shelton or Brown is re-signed, so this need might not be quite as high as it appears now.

QB - Absolutely. One of those other top-100 picks Must be used on our QB of the Future.

LB - We still need a LB with coverage skills. This should be another top-100 priority.

S - We need a Safety of the Future. This might not be a top-100 priority, but it's damn close.

 

[captain stone]

Fwiw
I think this will be another year you can a really good WR in the 2nd/3rd round. I mean we have a whole season to play but it looks like a pretty deep group.

I've always been a Talent > Need/Scheme guy so I'd rather pick the from an all time great class w my first few picks.

Let's not forget we have a stockpile of picks throughout but esp early on. 6 top 100 picks. Tons of flexibility.
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
5
6
7
7
7

Hopefully we add some serious young talent.

Next year's draft will be our last chance to re-stock the cupboard while Brady is here. I wish I had more confidence in Bill's ability to maximize all those picks.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Next year's draft will be our last chance to re-stock the cupboard while Brady is here. I wish I had more confidence in Bill's ability to maximize all those picks.

You very well could be right. Its gone be very interesting to see how we use them or how many we use.
No reason we shouldn't have a better team w all the stock we have. Draft, trade it doesn't matter. We have plenty of ammo.

 

[Jimke]

The Patriots have a good chance to really improve their team in the 2019 draft.
They are projected to have 12 draft picks including 6 in the first three rounds.
Lets hope BB doesn't squander this wealth of picks on a bunch of unknown
quantities. They need an infusion of young talent.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

The Patriots have a good chance to really improve their team in the 2019 draft.
They are projected to have 12 draft picks including 6 in the first three rounds.
Lets hope BB doesn't squander this wealth of picks on a bunch of unknown
quantities. They need an infusion of young talent.

Just curious, but which positions would you target?

 

[Jimke]

Just curious, but which positions would you target?

The Patriots are scheduled to lose a lot of players to free agency next year. The
positions of most need will be OT, WR, DT, and CB. They also need to draft Brady's
replacement, assuming Etling doesn't undergo an amazing improvement.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

The Patriots are scheduled to lose a lot of players to free agency next year. The
positions of most need will be OT, WR, DT, and CB. They also need to draft Brady's
replacement, assuming Etling doesn't undergo an amazing improvement.

Unless my memory is wrong, I think all of our specialists are up at the end of the year:

P Ryan Allen
LS Joe Cardona
K Stephen Gostkowski

Found what I was looking for, assuming this is correct. Here are the free agents going into next year (sort by EXPIRES). It looks like WR and DT are the biggest question marks, and we'll know more about some of the other ones after the season plays out. OT should be in decent shape, assuming Wynn recovers from his injury. He was exceptionally good at UGA.

New England Patriots Contracts

 

[Jimke]

Unless my memory is wrong, I think all of our specialists are up at the end of the year:

P Ryan Allen
LS Joe Cardona
K Stephen Gostkowski

Found what I was looking for, assuming this is correct. Here are the free agents going into next year (sort by EXPIRES). It looks like WR and DT are the biggest question marks, and we'll know more about some of the other ones after the season plays out. OT should be in decent shape, assuming Wynn recovers from his injury. He was exceptionally good at UGA.

New England Patriots Contracts

Cardona was re-signed thru 2022. The Patriots tried to sneak a punter on the practice
squad by not playing him in the preseason but Buffalo claimed him.