2022 PTP Draft Board / Pats Draft Talk

[Uptown]

Jalen Pitre is a really intriguing player. Extremely versatile/instinctive. Utilized at FS/SS, Nickel, ILB, rusher/blitzer & is not afraid to get physical. Not sure about selecting him at 21 though; although if not, we’d have no shot at him.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Less than a week to go & I'm still torn how many players realistically I would take in rd 1 before trading out of it all together. Players like Jameson Williams would be on it but anyone considered a top 15 pick I left out.

Some thoughts before draft day:

• Olave was close. I don't think I can use the 21st pick on him because I'm not sold on his upside to be a WR1. He won't be available in the late 20s.
• I defer to the board on most prospects but I don't think I can draft an OT at pick 21. It's hard to sacrifice a late 1st & 3rd (two players that can contribute early) for a swing tackle.
• Jordan Davis is the most clear cut pats consensus #1 pick on this board in awhile. A dominant run stuffer that's one of the most athletic prospects ever with a quick get off the line. He has 3 down upside & would change how this defense can utilize their front seven personnel.
• McDuffie is an elite cover corner without the prototypical size most teams covet at the position. That's obviously not been a factor here. Hill can play CB year 1 & replace McCourty down the road.
• I think in some ways Travis Jones is safer in offering 3 down potential than Davis. He's also a freak & would probably go higher if he played at a different school.
• Pickens is redundant to Parker but he's a binky of mine. Gets separation, physical vs. press & is a downfield threat. I think he has the potential to be as good as any WR in this draft & would consider him towards the end of day 1.

Should be a good one. There's some good targets on early day 2 like Booth, Dotson, etc. so I'll be surprised if the team stays put on draft day.

 

[upstater]

I agree on LB. Not a top 3 round priority for me either. We are increasingly playing only one or two linebackers. We have our thumper in Bentley and McGrone is basically our rookie pick. Add in Wilson and MacMillan, who they like, and the likelihood that Peppers and Philips play some weak side backer and there are far bigger needs. However there is a slight need for a strong side outside LB - and I like Josh Paschal for that role in the 3rd round potentially.

I want to see an offensive lineman, cornerback and wide receiver with our first three picks, although I would be intrigued by an impact pass rusher. I know receiver isn't currently a big need but I'd like to see us try and tap into this good class, especially with Agholor and Meyers maybe gone next year. Metchie and Shakir seem perfect Pats type receivers to me in the 2/3rd round.

This did not inspire any confidence in the LB corp as I’m reading this. It did quite the opposite actually.

 

[ralmat55]

I’d take Phidarian Mathis before either Davis or Jones. You know the 320 lbs DT from Alabama who is both a good run defender and pass rusher as his 12 tackles for loss and 9 sacks in 2021 would attest.

The hype here for Davis is a little overboard. I get the Pats need to improve their run D but doing so is a little more complicated than one fat guy can solve.

Right now Jalen Mills and Malcolm Butler are the Pats starting CBs. I know they’ll continue playing more zone but does anyone want those two lined up in man against Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis or with Jon Jones against Cedric Wilson, Jaylon Waddle, and Tyreek Hill?

After Stingley and Gardner who’ll be long gone by 21, there are 4 other corners thought of as potential 1st rounders in McDuffie, Booth, Elam and McCready. One of whom pretty much has to be the Pats 1st round pick. The position is just too important to leave in its current state, and, other than possibly James Bradberry, there’s no trade or free agency option to improve it.

 

[DaBruinz]

I’d take Phidarian Mathis before either Davis or Jones. You know the 320 lbs DT from Alabama who is both a good run defender and pass rusher as his 12 tackles for loss and 9 sacks in 2021 would attest.

Not sure where you got the 320lbs from but Mathis weighed 310 at the combine and 311 at his Pro-Day.

Mathis is also an "older" prospect at over 24 years old because he got his Bachelor's in 2020 and his Master's this year. He seems similarly built to Godchaux more so than a Vince Wilfork or Keith Traylor. He's more of an UT/3-4DE than a NT. And everyone is looking at Davis and Jones as Legitimate NTs to put next to Barmore.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I think @captain stone makes some excellent points about linebacker. We've got a lot of guys waiting in the wings (McGrone, Wilson, McMillan, etc). I still can't shake the thought of Chenal in the middle of this defense, though. He plays downhill better than almost anyone I've ever scouted. In the right scheme he's an All Pro. Or a guy like Tindall could add speed and coverage chops. Or Anderson, who has the best raw athletic profile at LB maybe ever. Or Smith, or Walker, or . . .

You get the idea. I think it's a fantastic class. I'd love to have some of these guys on the team. I'm less concerned about specific needs right now and more interested in the best possible players.

 

[PWRxWLF]

I think @captain stone makes some excellent points about linebacker. We've got a lot of guys waiting in the wings (McGrone, Wilson, McMillan, etc). I still can't shake the thought of Chenal in the middle of this defense, though. He plays downhill better than almost anyone I've ever scouted. In the right scheme he's an All Pro. Or a guy like Tindall could add speed and coverage chops. Or Anderson, who has the best raw athletic profile at LB maybe ever. Or Smith, or Walker, or . . .

You get the idea. I think it's a fantastic class. I'd love to have some of these guys on the team. I'm less concerned about specific needs right now and more interested in the best possible players.

One of the things working in favor of drafting a LB or 2 is the fact that they only have McGrone and Bentley under contract next year for the middle. Not sure where they plan on using Jennings anymore. That group doesn’t exactly offer a lot of confidence in the future. That could completely change by the middle of the season if things work out though.

 

[50-yard-line]

One of the things working in favor of drafting a LB or 2 is the fact that they only have McGrone and Bentley under contract next year for the middle. Not sure where they plan on using Jennings anymore. That group doesn’t exactly offer a lot of confidence in the future. That could completely change by the middle of the season if things work out though.

Two for the middle isn't thin, though.

I have no idea of what the Pats will do Thursday and Friday, but I don't see an LB coming here on Day 1 unless BB believes that Lloyd or Dean are Parson's-level players. There are lots of good LBs, IOLs, WRs. I suspect PIck 1 and 2 will be a CB/S or one of the DTs. But again, complete guess at this point.

 

[long distance]

I think @captain stone makes some excellent points about linebacker. We've got a lot of guys waiting in the wings (McGrone, Wilson, McMillan, etc). I still can't shake the thought of Chenal in the middle of this defense, though. He plays downhill better than almost anyone I've ever scouted. In the right scheme he's an All Pro. Or a guy like Tindall could add speed and coverage chops. Or Anderson, who has the best raw athletic profile at LB maybe ever. Or Smith, or Walker, or . . .

You get the idea. I think it's a fantastic class. I'd love to have some of these guys on the team. I'm less concerned about specific needs right now and more interested in the best possible players.

I hear you
BUT : )

1. Like you say - Pats have lots of young LBs that they didn't have a chance to really try out yet (add Jennings to the list who BB loves & was advertised as HT replacement). Bentley and McMillan are the oldest at 26.
2. Jennings-Bentley-McGrone are signed through 2023(24) and could turn into a nice complementary group. Nothing spectacular maybe but good enough for the moment.
3. Pats usually carry 7 LBs (not counting edge) to Training Camp. There are 8 currently on the team. 5 are locks (if healthy) for TC so they'd have to make room cutting one or two of Hall, Tavai, Langi and for one reason or another they seem to like them too.
4. There are basically only 2 starting spots available for LBs with nickel and dime north of 70% (+ add Peppers to the math)
5. LB position is one of the easiest and cheapest to upgrade in Free Agency and Pats have 5th most money to spend in 2023&2024.

Having said that i agree this is quite unique PTP LB class, a rarity in recent time, so i wouldn't mind at all if they take advantage.
Just not with the first two picks.

 

[ralmat55]

Not sure where you got the 320lbs from but Mathis weighed 310 at the combine and 311 at his Pro-Day.

Mathis is also an "older" prospect at over 24 years old because he got his Bachelor's in 2020 and his Master's this year. He seems similarly built to Godchaux more so than a Vince Wilfork or Keith Traylor. He's more of an UT/3-4DE than a NT. And everyone is looking at Davis and Jones as Legitimate NTs to put next to Barmore.

I could care less about him being 24. That’s draft chatter nonsense, and you know players often slim down during the draft process to improve their athletic numbers. Mathis was listed at 320 in two draft publications I purchased. He can play at 320, 315 or 310 and be an effective 3 down player who actually fits the Patriots defense of 2022.

“Everyone” might not be looking at Davis and Jones to be another Wilfork or Traylor. Belichick signed Godcheaux last off season. He’s still on the roster and scheduled to make $7.5 million, Do you think Belichick didn’t know what he was getting and has in Godcheaux? Maybe, Bill wants Godcheaux types rather than Traylor types? Have you considered that?

The Pats were pretty good against the run in short yardage and goal line last season which was a big improvement from 2020. Their problem is not defending the run out of their base defense or a heavy alignment. Their problem is they can’t adequately play the run in their nickel alignments which they must play a majority of the time even on early downs to defend against the pass.
Where does a NT fit in their 2-4-5 nickel?

Belichick and the defensive coaches have this covered. It’s why they changed to a primarily zone coverage team on 1st and 2nd down last season and will continue to do so this season. Playing zone allows them to bring an 8th defender closer to the LOS giving them the numbers advantage to defend the run without exposing them to a greater risk of long pass plays because one of the corners or both will fall back to a deep zone depending on whether they’re running a cover 2 or 3. It was a great idea by Belichick and it made last season interesting and resulted in a playoff berth.

Barmore, Judon, Godcheaux and, say, Trey Flowers will generate enough pass rush to make it effective. It worked last season until Barmore and Judon (probably) were injured and teams started to unmercifully exploit Hightower’s and Van Noy’s lack of speed resulting in some big plays. Now, you replace them with faster guys like McMillan, Mac Wilson and Josh Uche. Ronnie Perkins or Anfernee Jennings provides some quality depth behind Judon, and Ekuale, Cowart or a draftee can backup Barmore. The Patriots defense will be better in 2022 and a legit top 5 defense if…….

The missing piece is a corner good enough to man up against an opponent’s 2nd option allowing a double team on the 1st option when they want to or have to play man coverage.

That’s how I prefer the Patriots use their 1st rounder rather than draft an upgrade to the role Carl Davis played last season. That role can be filled later in the draft, or they could resign Davis or Danny Shelton or Eddie Goldman.

If they draft Davis or Jones high, they better be able to line up over a guard, threaten the pocket, and play 60% of the snaps. Or, you’ve wasted a lot of draft value.

 

[captain stone]

This did not inspire any confidence in the LB corp as I’m reading this. It did quite the opposite actually.

Then how much confidence can you possibly have in our CBs, OL depth, DTs, DEs & WR depth?

We need to draft AT Least One player from Each of those 5 position groups before we even think about adding Yet Another LB to the room... And in two of those cases (CB & OL) we need to actually Double-Up.

 

[jah]

Then how much confidence can you possibly have in our CBs, OL depth, DTs, DEs & WR depth?

We need to draft AT Least One player from Each of those 5 position groups before we even think about adding Yet Another LB to the room... And in two of those cases (CB & OL) we need to actually Double-Up.

All those positions are needs too, but that doesn't make LB less of a need. To me, this just makes it an easy decision to go best player available (except for QB, RB, TE) throughout the draft.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Jalen Pitre is a really intriguing player. Extremely versatile/instinctive. Utilized at FS/SS, Nickel, ILB, rusher/blitzer & is not afraid to get physical. Not sure about selecting him at 21 though; although if not, we’d have no shot at him.

Has he run the 40? He looks slow on tape.

 

[captain stone]

Has he run the 40? He looks slow on tape.

Yes he has, and not too shabby either:

2022 Draft Scout Jalen Pitre - SS - Baylor

2022 Draft Scout Jalen Pitre - SS - Baylor

draftscout.com

The thing is, and this is the same problem I have in taking Dax Hill, I am Not interested in Anybody this year who is Not projected to have an NFL career as an OUTSIDE cornerback.

Not a Big Slot/ Safety hybrid.

Not a Slot-Only.

Not a Free Safety.

Certainly NOT a Strong Safety.

I want a dam OUTSIDE CORNERBACK, Billy... And a ****ing good one this time.

 

[Uptown]

Has he run the 40? He looks slow on tape.

4.46 40
6.74 3-Cone

 

[zimmy]

I think Hill can play outside corner. He's an athletic freak - 4.38 40 time, 6.57 3 cone - and you see that on tape. 5 star recruit out of high school. Good size for a corner. - 6ft 191 (same as Stingley and Booth). Seems to process routes quickly and is incredibly versatile. I don't think we can be too short term about the draft - Hill would become a foundation piece of the backfield for the next 10 years, whether at corner or safety.

I just think Bill is going to fall in love with that. I can't see him taking a matchup specific corner in the 1st like Elam who can only really play on the outside. He's going to want someone who can play outside but can matchup with Waddle, Diggs, McKenzie, Hill etc on the crossers and quick option routes. Trent McDuffie is the other guy who stands out alongside Hill in the 1st but he's going to be gone. McCreary gives a little of it in the 2nd round, Marcus Jones and Zyon McCollum in the 3rd.

Marcus Jones is an interesting guy. His tape is fantastic - one of the best in this corner group. If he was 2 inches taller, he'd be going in the late first round probably. The height is going to limit him somewhat but he's a budget McDuffie who I would love to get at 85 if we don't take Hill.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[Peachhead]

• Pickens is redundant to Parker but he's a binky of mine. Gets separation, physical vs. press & is a downfield threat. I think he has the potential to be as good as any WR in this draft & would consider him towards the end of day 1.

Pickens has a rep of being a diva and an a-hole