1st round WRs?

[SBLIII]

My only issue with taking Brown in the 1st is that this class is so deep at WR. We could use the 1st on a TE/OT/DE and then come back and take two very good WRs on the 2nd day. I could reel off a list of 10 WRs who intrigue me in the 2-4th round: Samuel, Campbell, Ridley, Arcega-Whiteside, Harry, Butler, Isabella, Hardman, McLaurin, Diontae Johnson.

Will depend on how the board shakes out. I would hate to pass up Dexter or Tillery if they are there. After that I have little problem taking Brown. I think he is the best WR in the draft, can play outside and inside and is a difference maker day 1.

 

[manxman2601]

Just saw on Twitter that Matt Waldman, he of The Scouting Portfolio, says he’s given Hakeem Butler the highest grade he’s ever given a WR. Interesting. Butler really is divisive.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Just saw on Twitter that Matt Waldman, he of The Scouting Portfolio, says he’s given Hakeem Butler the highest grade he’s ever given a WR. Interesting. Butler really is divisive.

Routes need fine tuning. Has some drops.

Ignore all that and he's a Moss/Mike Evans/Plaxico/Megatron hybrid. I totally get the appeal.

 

[manxman2601]

Routes need fine tuning. Has some drops.

Ignore all that and he's a Moss/Mike Evans/Plaxico/Megatron hybrid. I totally get the appeal.

Yup, the flaws are concerning but the mismatch promise is enticing. Just notable that Walkman has him as his highest graded ever.

 

[patfanken]

My only issue with taking Brown in the 1st is that this class is so deep at WR. We could use the 1st on a TE/OT/DE and then come back and take two very good WRs on the 2nd day. I could reel off a list of 10 WRs who intrigue me in the 2-4th round: Samuel, Campbell, Ridley, Arcega-Whiteside, Harry, Butler, Isabella, Hardman, McLaurin, Diontae Johnson.

THIS should be the post of record to the never ending (20 yrs worth) cry from the WR harridans for us to pick a WR in the first.

I'm sure Brown is going to be a fine pro, but so will several of the players you mentioned that with be there in the 2nd to 4th rounds. Proving once again that good WR's can be had THROUGHOUT the draft. There are simply just more 200lb great athletes than there are 300lb ones. DO the math.

 

[gobesmug]

THIS should be the post of record to the never ending (20 yrs worth) cry from the WR harridans for us to pick a WR in the first.

I'm sure Brown is going to be a fine pro, but so will several of the players you mentioned that with be there in the 2nd to 4th rounds. Proving once again that good WR's can be had THROUGHOUT the draft. There are simply just more 200lb great athletes than there are 300lb ones. DO the math.

It's not about drafting a WR in the first. It's about drafting the best players to fill a need. Right now WR is by far the biggest need and AJ Brown looks like a stud that could contribute right away at a position of need so a 1st would be warranted.

You hated the drafting of Sony Michel but it could be strongly argued that without Michel the pats never make the Superbowl let alone win it.

Clearly BB values the position as he tried getting every big name available and just had Demarious Thomas in for a visit. WR is needed this draft not a luxury.

 

[SBLIII]

It's not about drafting a WR in the first. It's about drafting the best players to fill a need. Right now WR is by far the biggest need and AJ Brown looks like a stud that could contribute right away at a position of need so a 1st would be warranted.

You hated the drafting of Sony Michel but it could be strongly argued that without Michel the pats never make the Superbowl let alone win it.

Clearly BB values the position as he tried getting every big name available and just had Demarious Thomas in for a visit. WR is needed this draft not a luxury.

Agreed. I expect a WR in round 1 or 2.

 

[patchick]

I'm sure Brown is going to be a fine pro, but so will several of the players you mentioned that with be there in the 2nd to 4th rounds. Proving once again that good WR's can be had THROUGHOUT the draft.

And yet, the Patriots have somehow failed to find a single WR in the 2nd-4th rounds in the past 16 drafts. It's a tough position to draft.

I've never been an advocate for WR early, but after BB & co. dangled after every significant FA and trade target at the position this off-season regardless of price, it's clear they consider the position a huge priority. Depending on how the board falls, a first rounder wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

[manxman2601]

With the exception of Hollywood, There’s only one WR I’d take in the first round and that’s AJ Brown. Big Dex, Ferrell, Wilkins and the two Iowa DTs would be ahead of AJ on my board. But if they’re gone, I’m not going to take someone ahead of AJ just because they’re not a WR. AJ is a quality prospect and is certainly not a reach at 32.

 

[Gator Mike]

Another Terry from Ohio State? Remind me how that worked out.

Only if AJ Brown’s unavailable.

Drive the McLaurin, Baby!

Could this be the year we go WR in the first round? Sounds sacrilegious.

The more I research McLaurin, the more I wonder if we're sleeping on the kind of guy the Patriots might really, really like.

• Look at the combine comparables.
• The advanced stats say he's one of the best WRs in the draft.
• Team Captain at Ohio State.
• Special Teams demon.
• Plus route runner.
• Kiper has him going in the first round to the Colts.

 

[manxman2601]

The more I research McLaurin, the more I wonder if we're sleeping on the kind of guy the Patriots might really, really like.

• Look at the combine comparables.
• The advanced stats say he's one of the best WRs in the draft.
  
• Team Captain at Ohio State.
• Special Teams demon.
• Plus route runner.
• Kiper has him going in the first round to the Colts.

He’s one of my favourites and I’d be happy to take him in the 2nd. Not many have had a better pre-draft process.

 

[captain stone]

My only issue with taking Brown in the 1st is that this class is so deep at WR. We could use the 1st on a TE/OT/DE and then come back and take two very good WRs on the 2nd day...

I get where you're coming from, because I'm really high on this WR class. But WR is the position where the Patriots need the most immediate help--and the one where they've had the hardest time integrating rookies. If a guy like Brown is significantly more ready day 1, it could make sense to pull the trigger.

And not only is AJ Brown worthy of being #32 overall, if not sooner, but there also very likely might not be a TE/OT/DE available at 32 who is actually worthy of being drafted there. As an example, if my choice becomes one of AJ Brown, Irv Smith, Kaleb McGary or Jay Ferguson, then I'm choosing AJ Brown; if however either DT Dexter Lawrence or DT Jerry Tillery is also available at 32, then I'll probably choose one of them ahead of Brown, and that might be the only exception realistically available to us.

 

[mgteich]

I suspect that AJ Brown would be the choice over Lawrence or Tillery. But that matters little; Brown will be long gone.

And not only is AJ Brown worthy of being #32 overall, if not sooner, but there also very likely might not be a TE/OT/DE available at 32 who is actually worthy of being drafted there. As an example, if my choice becomes one of AJ Brown, Irv Smith, Kaleb McGary or Jay Ferguson, then I'm choosing AJ Brown; if however either DT Dexter Lawrence or DT Jerry Tillery is also available at 32, then I'll probably choose one of them ahead of Brown, and that might be the only exception realistically available to us.

 

[manxman2601]

Greg Cosell really likes Hakeem Butler

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Greg Cosell really likes Hakeem Butler

Burris/Green is a great comp. Love it.

Edit: tried a mock a couple days ago with Butler as the target at 32 to see how the board might shake out. I was pretty happy with the top 7.

• 32. Hakeem Butler WR

• 56. Greg Little OT

• 64. Juan Thornhill S

• 73. Khalen Saunders IDL

• 97. Josh Oliver TE

• 101. Miles Boykin WR

• 134. Nate Davis IOL

 

[mgteich]

I think that we would need another TE at 64 or 73. There should be value there.

Burris/Green is a great comp. Love it.

Edit: tried a mock a couple days ago with Butler as the target at 32 to see how the board might shake out. I was pretty happy with the top 7.

• 32. Hakeem Butler WR

• 56. Greg Little OT

• 64. Juan Thornhill S

• 73. Khalen Saunders IDL

• 97. Josh Oliver TE

• 101. Miles Boykin WR

• 134. Nate Davis IOL

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I think that we would need another TE at 64 or 73. There should be value there.

Who would you take? I prefer Oliver to Sternberger or Knox, although Knox may have more upside.

 

[mgteich]

I don't know. I'm not very knowledgeable about the difference between players.

What I know is that we need 2 TE's, at least one of which will contribute in 2019.

From what I've read, a combination of a safe pick (Smith) plus one with a higher upside (Knox) makes the most sense.

Who would you take? I prefer Oliver to Sternberger or Knox, although Knox may have more upside.

 

[BelichickFan]

What I know is that we need 2 TE's, at least one of which will contribute in 2019.

I'm not sure about that. I guess it depends on how they like the ones we have but we already have 4, two holdovers from last year and two FA signees. All 4 were low level picks/signees so you may be right but they kept Hollister/Izzo around for and signed LaCosse in FA. Obviously ASJ was later and just one year. I actually like ASJ but with one Draftee/LaCosse/Izzo you still have Hollister/ASJ battling for a 4th TE spot (which may not exist) and I forgot about Stephen Anderson, another longshot who has stuck around.

Bottom line, we may well draft 2 TE but I can't say that I feel confident that I know that.

 

[mgteich]

fair enough

However, I would be extremely disappointed if we drafted only one TE and counted on him in 2019 and also on the likes of LeCosse, Izzo, Hollister, and Anderson.

For me, we start with ASJ and a draftee.

The draft prepares us for the future. For me, a 2nd draftee would compete with LeCosse., Izzo, Hollister and Anderson for a spot on the 53 or on the Practice Squad. One of our draftees could even be on the 53 as the 4th TE, always inactive. We always have room on the 53 for a couple developmental players.

As an aside, we also need to consider that ASJ may not be available all year. That gives us even more reason to draft another TE. I would draft two TE's in the top 100.

I'm not sure about that. I guess it depends on how they like the ones we have but we already have 4, two holdovers from last year and two FA signees. All 4 were low level picks/signees so you may be right but they kept Hollister/Izzo around for and signed LaCosse in FA. Obviously ASJ was later and just one year. I actually like ASJ but with one Draftee/LaCosse/Izzo you still have Hollister/ASJ battling for a 4th TE spot (which may not exist) and I forgot about Stephen Anderson, another longshot who has stuck around.

Bottom line, we may well draft 2 TE but I can't say that I feel confident that I know that.