DRAFT 2022 PTP Draft Board / Pats Draft Talk

[upstater1]

McGinn

Travis Jones

Reported as a freshman weighing a roly-poly 350 before remaking his body at one of America’s most downtrodden programs. “I was going to write him off easy,” one scout said. “Big ol’ guy from UConn, this will be quick. But he’s got something to him. He grew on me. He’s active, tough, knows how to play. He’s got some jolt in his hands. Won’t be a pass rusher but he’s got some walk-back power and effort. But first round would be rich for me.” Voted team captain. Didn’t like school but was passionate about football. “He has increased his value immensely,” said another scout. “He can’t go in the first but he’s going in the second. Underachieved at UConn but he’s pretty talented. He came (to the Senior Bowl) with a purpose.” After a strong week in Mobile, he performed well at the combine with a 4.92 40, terrific agility runs and solid jumps. “He’s not a great 4-3 fit but a 3-4 team could take him,” a third scout said. “This is a strong man. He is impossible to move. He bent people over backwards at the Senior Bowl. For a 330-pound guy his feet are better than you want to give him credit for. He can be a decent first- and second-down pass rusher but he’s not going to play in sub.” Arms were 34 ¼.

For as bad a football program as UConn is, a program without a home, they have churned out a lot of NFL players for a non-Power 5 program.

I know we've had a few of them with the Patriots in Donald Thomas (who had a great year for us) and Darius Butler ( who did better in Indy than with the Pats).

Here are the current UConn guys

	Stephen, Shamar	DT	DE - 2nd	Active	14 07 220
	Fatukasi, Folorunso	DT	NT - 1st	Active	18 06 180
	Jones, Byron	CB	RCB - 1st	Active	15 01 027
	Peart, Matt	OT	LT - 2nd, RT - 2nd	Active	20 03 099
	Griffin, Ryan	TE	TE - 3rd	Active	13 06 201
	Adams, Andrew	SS	FS - 2nd	Active	16 CFA

 

[upstater1]

Honestly I've been saying he'll be there or within a small trade up for us and still believe it.

You need to be different for me to like you being that big. He's a game changer on 1st & 2nd down. Exactly what we need to play our style. Great kid. You just don't see the athleticism, size and character come along often.

I still don't understand this contention that he's only a 2 down player.

That's 70% of the game!

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I still don't understand this contention that he's only a 2 down player.

That's 70% of the game!

If he’s as athletic as he showed, he might be able to be coached to grow into it.

I remember at one point during the middle of the 2009 season, a reporter asked Vince Wilfork about certain things the defense needed to do to improve. There were lots of issues at the time, but Vince specifically responded how they were getting gashed on 3rd down draw plays and that needed to stop. Caught me off guard because it only happened a few times compared to other issues they had, and also because Wilfork wasn’t out there on 3rd down at that point so it seemed like he was throwing his teammates under the bus a bit.

Anyway, the issue continued, and in 2010 they came up with a solution — basically have Wilfork be a 3 down player. And it worked until he started to have ankle problems in 2013 camp that culminated in his torn Achilles a month later. But the big surprise in this was that Wilfork actually brought something as a pass rusher — he would never be mistaken for Aaron Donald, but he wasn’t useless and certainly not a liability. I wonder if Davis could grow in a similar manner over time?

 

[upstater1]

If he’s as athletic as he showed, he might be able to be coached to grow into it.

I remember at one point during the middle of the 2009 season, a reporter asked Vince Wilfork about certain things the defense needed to do to improve. There were lots of issues at the time, but Vince specifically responded how they were getting gashed on 3rd down draw plays and that needed to stop. Caught me off guard because it only happened a few times compared to other issues they had, and also because Wilfork wasn’t out there on 3rd down at that point so it seemed like he was throwing his teammates under the bus a bit.

Anyway, the issue continued, and in 2010 they came up with a solution — basically have Wilfork be a 3 down player. And it worked until he started to have ankle problems in 2013 camp that culminated in his torn Achilles a month later. But the big surprise in this was that Wilfork actually brought something as a pass rusher — he would never be mistaken for Aaron Donald, but he wasn’t useless and certainly not a liability. I wonder if Davis could grow in a similar manner over time?

And there are all sorts of variables.

If you have Davis and Barmore in on 3rd downs, then good luck double teaming Barmore while Davis physically overpower the one guard on him. It all depends on the combination of players. If two interior guys can generate a rush on 3 OL, that frees you up to go light.

 

[p8ryts]

Man, from their mouths to God's ears, brother. I think he's more Ted Washington than John Henderson, and I think that's a compliment. He actually might just be there or at least within striking distance of 21 in today's meme schemes. Would be the heist of the decade. Let Barmore move out to the 5, bring in say a Flowers to play the other 5 and you've got the best line they have had in a very long time.

That would be wonderful, because a Ted Washington is exactly what that front needs. I don't care if he only plays first down as long as he clogs that middle. Ted is still my favorite Pats NY (sorry Vince).

 

[p8ryts]

Agreed; and in a normal year most of us would be drooling for him… But we really, Really, REALLY need CBs, and Lots of them.

Bill has won with mediocre CB's in the past. Not advocating it, but he can work it (if someone up front can get the scrambling QB).

 

[State]

Reposting from Jordan Reid’s Twitter page:

DT Devonte Wyatt (6-3, 315) really flashes on tape. He’s a true up-the-field penetrator as a 3-tech. Disruptive, discipline vs. the run, and contains upside as a pass rusher. Saved his best for last against Alabama in the title game.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I still don't understand this contention that he's only a 2 down player.

That's 70% of the game!

Honestly I think the hesitation there is overall snaps as opposed to being a 3 down player. He can play 3rd down in different roles. It's more a stamina issue but as I've said before you live with certain things with all players.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Isn’t he the dude who covers the Packers?

He used to honestly not sure now. I just pay attention to him for 2 months lol. I know he did though.

Re: the third scout here, I don’t know why Travis Jones would be that much worse a fit for the 4-3/2-4 Umbrella front that I would prefer to see than he would as a 3-4 NT… Besides, running a 3-4 front today is soooo pre-2012…

Down to down I think he's more suited for 0 tech. Not the most versatile prospect, just think it's a better home.

Idk 3 DL and 2hi shells are all the rage nowadays. We were in an odd front with c1 like half the time last year. Had a feeling we'd be seeing more 2hi stuff coming back a few years ago tbh.

 

[upstater1]

Honestly I think the hesitation there is overall snaps as opposed to being a 3 down player. He can play 3rd down in different roles. It's more a stamina issue but as I've said before you live with certain things with all players.

Another factor in all this, getting Davis would certainly allow them to unload Godchaux's contract. There is no such savings if we look at CB however, as everyone is playing on a below market deal back there, as of now.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

 

[PatsFan2]

Give me George Pickens or give me death he's the WR I'm leaning toward I think he'll be ready from Day 1.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Give me George Pickens or give me death he's the WR I leaning toward I think he'll be ready from Day 1.

But he might be BB doghouse from Day 1. But maybe BB needs to loosen up a bit as far as high-spirited WRs

 

[PatsFan2]

But he might be BB doghouse from Day 1. But maybe BB needs to loosen up a bit as far as high-spirited WRs

Yep but high-spirited WRs are Impact receivers no choir boy wr's please.

 

[Uptown]

That would be wonderful, because a Ted Washington is exactly what that front needs. I don't care if he only plays first down as long as he clogs that middle. Ted is still my favorite Pats NY (sorry Vince).

 

[DaBruinz]

Yep but high-spirited WRs are Impact receivers no choir boy wr's please.

HUH.. I didn't realize that the best WR in the league (Cooper Kupp) wasn't a "choir boy". Sorry, but these sorts of assertions are just ridiculous.

Give me the Cooper Kupp's over Terrell Owens/Antonio Brown/Chad Johnsons any day.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

That would be wonderful, because a Ted Washington is exactly what that front needs. I don't care if he only plays first down as long as he clogs that middle. Ted is still my favorite Pats NY (sorry Vince).

I agree 100%. That was a Defense for the ages; teams could not run against the Patriots, and they could not pass (against Ty Law, etc.).

Washington was a mountain of man. Ted Johnson said that his butt was so big you could project a movie on it.

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

 

[Username]

Ruptured his Achilles tendon.

Absolutely disastrous for the kid.