Instant Reaction: Your Patriots 2023 Draft Grade

[upstater1]

117. Patriots: Sidy Sow, OG, Eastern Michigan​

Popovitch (former Pats Asst) had him last year. He's making the roster, and has a very good shot at being the starting RG in '24 if Owenu is gone.

Popovich had Andrews, not Sow

 

[upstater1]

I posted this in another thread but it applies here:

Groh spoke to Reiss yesterday and told him that they were trying to trade out of the 3rd round.

This tells me they DO believe they took Mapu a round too early. He also said they were unsuccessful in trading up, no one wanted more picks, and that teams were looking to trade picks into next year.

This was a weak draft where the Patriots, like many teams, were stuck in no man's land.

I believe the Patriots had several guys they knew they absolutely wanted, but they also knew that they had no 5th rounder, & that they had to gamble on using the picks they had to take the guys they wanted because they wouldn't last until the middle of the 6th round.

Mafi is the only guy that strikes me as a player taken as best available.

They wanted Mapu, Andrews, Ryland and Sow. None of these 4 guys would be available in the 6th round. They had 5 picks to take these 4 guys.

This is why they reached for Mapu.

As I said, if it were me, I would've taken Henley who will play the same position as Mapu, but do it better.

But I totally understand the Patriots' reasoning. It's strategic and logical.

 

[Steve102]

I think Mafi and Douglas were the Shrine Bowl guys. Looks like Bill’s motivation tactic paid dividends, and he was able to judge some of their mental toughness…..

"After the practice sessions, I was speaking with Scott Matlock, an IDL (interior defensive lineman) for Boise State," Froton recalled. "He told me a story about how before Day 3, they're in the locker room -- the Patriots-coached team -- and Bill comes in right before they're about to walk out and just sort of calls a huddle and steps in. And these were all kids that are going to try to be NFL players.

He steps in and says, 'I just want to let you all know before we step out on that field, I haven't seen one single player here that could beat out the worst player on our team. You're terrible, you don't belong here, and you better get out there and show us something or you're never gonna make the NFL.' And he walked right out the door and went to practice. Classic Bill right there.”

Belichick gave legendary speech to players at Shrine Bowl

Scott Matlock himself was drafted by the Chargers in the 6th round.

That's some Johnny Foxboro chit right there. Thanks for digging that up.

 

[PatsFan2]

The draft was not what I expected, but as time passes I like it more and more.
With the advent of Rodgers, the emergence of Tua/Hill/Waddle + Josh the pats need a kick ass defense in those 6 games alone.
There are some developmental players here, and possibly a couple of guys who will make it to the 53..
New punter, new kicker if they develop with make ST's better..
Surprised we used as many picks as we did..

This^...that's my take on this Defensive loaded Draft.

 

[n1997y]

You are correct - that might well be the starting tackle combination this year. They can save $10m+ cutting/trading Trent Brown. He had better come to camp ready to win his job.

I think the biggest thing is Brown needs to come to camp completely healthy.

 

[n1997y]

I think Mafi and Douglas were the Shrine Bowl guys. Looks like Bill’s motivation tactic paid dividends, and he was able to judge some of their mental toughness…..

"After the practice sessions, I was speaking with Scott Matlock, an IDL (interior defensive lineman) for Boise State," Froton recalled. "He told me a story about how before Day 3, they're in the locker room -- the Patriots-coached team -- and Bill comes in right before they're about to walk out and just sort of calls a huddle and steps in. And these were all kids that are going to try to be NFL players.

He steps in and says, 'I just want to let you all know before we step out on that field, I haven't seen one single player here that could beat out the worst player on our team. You're terrible, you don't belong here, and you better get out there and show us something or you're never gonna make the NFL.' And he walked right out the door and went to practice. Classic Bill right there.”

Belichick gave legendary speech to players at Shrine Bowl

Scott Matlock himself was drafted by the Chargers in the 6th round.

And then he goes and drafts a couple of them. Classic.

 

[borisman]

Here is where Dough Kyed stands. Surprisinly, he gave the worst grade to the (Edit: My bad. He gave Mafi the worst grade at C-) Boutte pick. Overall, looks like a B/B+ in his view. About the same as the boards' poll.

 

[Steve102]

Here is where Dough Kyed stands. He gave the worst grade to the Boutte pick. Overall, looks like a B/B+ in his view. About the same as the boards' poll.

I think you're reading it wrong, brother.

Round 6, No. 187 overall: WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU

Boutte was being talked about as a top 10 pick just one year ago. Then he got injured and questions about his effort and off-field character surfaced. He had an unimpressive NFL Scouting Combine and fell to the sixth round. We love these fliers. If it works out, it’s huge and if it doesn’t, then who cares? The Patriots had four sixth-round picks anyway.

Grade: A+

If you look at the fact that they wanted to trade back in the fourth and there were no buyers, it makes sense where they took some of these guys. I feel a little better about it.

 

[duc359]

I think the biggest thing is Brown needs to come to camp completely healthy.

and gets paid for making his weight targets each and every time.

 

[Real fan 02]

I love the Gonzalez pick, and I knew they were not going to pick a WR in the 2nd or 3rd. This was very typical of a Bill type draft, impact players 1-2, swing for the fences late on a boom or bust pick like Boutte late. I would like to feel better about the middle rounds, but we will have to wait and see. They certainly put a lot of stock in the Shrine Bowl guys.

@Steve102

We lacked a game changer on both sides of the ball.. Myers was masquerading as a # 1 WR.. as Jon Jones was doing the same as a #1 corner.. they both worked hard and made plays for the team.

Now with the potential of having Gonzalez I just can't say enough about the excitement and potential of this kid.. the defense will be able to do so much more with his presence. The Keon white pick is another impressive pick up.. athletic freak at DE who can rush inside and out.. we needed speed on defense and we got it.

 

[mgteich]

If Robinson can return to form, he's a better back than Strong. Is Ty Montgomery still on the roster?

Montgomery competes for the 5th utility position, which we often have.

He was a replacement for Bolden and is a kick returner, backup RB, STer, and a #5 WR.

 

[Steve102]

@Steve102

The Keon white pick is another impressive pick up.. athletic freak at DE who can rush inside and out.. we needed speed on defense and we got it.

and he probably comes in with a chip on his shoulder.

 

[PatsFan2]

I give the Draft a B our First Two picks should be Starters. That Third Round pick was ridiculous Jordan Richards vibes.

@Steve102

We lacked a game changer on both sides of the ball.. Myers was masquerading as a # 1 WR.. as Jon Jones was doing the same as a #1 corner.. they both worked hard and made plays for the team.

Now with the potential of having Gonzalez I just can't say enough about the excitement and potential of this kid.. the defense will be able to do so much more with his presence. The Keon white pick is another impressive pick up.. athletic freak at DE who can rush inside and out.. we needed speed on defense and we got it.

DE Keion White feels like he should have been a First Rounder sorry for the Teams that passed on him. White will be playing with a chip on his shoulders love the pick.

 

[n1997y]

Montgomery competes for the 5th utility position, which we often have.

He was a replacement for Bolden and is a kick returner, backup RB, STer, and a #5 WR.

After this draft we need to add a qualifier. Maybe “Bolden the First” and “Bolden the Younger”?

 

[Steve102]

I give the Draft a B our First Two picks should be Starters. That Third Round pick was ridiculous Jordan Richards vibes.

DE Keion White feels like he should have been a First Rounder sorry for the Teams that passed on him. White will be playing with a chip on his shoulders love the pick.

Marte Marpu is probably a 4th rounder, but they had no dance partners on a trade. I guess I am not going to burn them down when the 1st two picks look like huge wins. I like the Baringer pick and the flyers on Boutte and Douglas. I don't love the Speed pick, but 6th round? Meh. If the guy ends up a full time STer, that's a win. The reviews on Sidy Sow are good. I like the kicker, but not the draft slot, but as I said earlier, if he's booming 50+ FGs, none of us will care where the pick slot was. I guess we will see.

 

[PatsFan2]

Marte Marpu is probably a 4th rounder, but they had no dance partners on a trade. I guess I am not going to burn them down when the 1st two picks look like huge wins. I like the Baringer pick and the flyers on Boutte and Douglas. I don't love the Speed pick, but 6th round? Meh. If the guy ends up a full time STer, that's a win. The reviews on Sidy Sow are good. I like the kicker, but not the draft slot, but as I said earlier, if he's booming 50+ FGs, none of us will care where the pick slot was. I guess we will see.

That G Antonio Mafi would really cover up Mac back there Siddy Sow seems very intriguing we have good Coaching along the O-Line now.

 

[Real fan 02]

I give the Draft a B our First Two picks should be Starters. That Third Round pick was ridiculous Jordan Richards vibes.

DE Keion White feels like he should have been a First Rounder sorry for the Teams that passed on him. White will be playing with a chip on his shoulders love the pick.

I heard that as well.. not sure why he dropped to the second.. however love what I've heard about him.. he and Gonzales project to be starters I'd imagine.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Don't sleep on Robinson. He was an excellent receiving back before he got hurt - and he's not old.

I’ll hope for the best, but he’s never been a back that I thought highly of. He always seemed like a 3 yards and a cloud of dust guy.

 

[duc359]

I’ll hope for the best, but he’s never been a back that I thought highly of. He always seemed like a 3 yards and a cloud of dust guy.

He averaged 4.55 yds/att his first two years. Got hurt, had a meh year, then went back to 4.2 until the Jets didn't really scheme him in. With the road grading OL we seem to be building, and that he's a rotational back, he has a chance to be a 4.5 guy, which is not bad.

 

[Pape]

so, i thought I'd do a draft write up, give a grade, all that instant analysis fun stuff that we all expect and read after each round, and after the draft is complete... Started the process... looking up all those nifty highlight videos... making comments about each guy... made it to about the middle of the fourth round and realized what I had written was basically ********...

Outside of Gonzales I didn't know one person we selected in the draft... Now If I had spent time watching college football or way before the draft started doing a deep dive into the college ranks, looking up games, videos, etc on players I noticed, I might have heard a few names, but tbh I don't watch college football and i didn't do anything remotely resembling draft prep except for reading a few top player at positions of need...

So, with that in mind, here's my overall draft grade, based not so much on particular players, but the roles they will fill... and that Grade is a: C+

so here is a wee bit of a break down...
The Christian Gonzales pick... He's one of the guys I did read about... I honestly didn't think he'd fall to 17... so thats an A from me...

Quite frankly I thought we were going in a different direction in the draft... I thought it was going to be offense heavy in the early rounds... I thought 1 overall was going to be a tackle... Nah, we didn't even bother with one, lol... Thought there was an outside shot at an early WR... lol, didn't bother until the, what, 5th round? So thats basically a F...

Then I looked at what they did do... A couple defensive edge / lb type guys... White & Mapu ... now these picks surprised me... I didn't think we'd be going after guys like these... I had said prior to the draft I wanted to trade down and grab a guy to pair with Judon and Barmore... edge preferably, but a 1T wide body would have works as well... So I liked this move... These picks I rate a solid B...

Then we get to the mid rounds... Center, 2 Guards and a Kicker... Okay, right away, using a 4th on a kicker is an automatic F from me... what it would normally say to me was that the guy they wanted was taken... but they traded up... ugh... F from me... But the other guys are needed depth, and we desperately need someone besides James Ferentz to back up David Andrews... so that brings the bulk of the mid round draft selections to the C level

The ass end of the draft... two WRs, a punter and a few DBs... well we need a punter... so im not going to drag that pick... the two WRs? I am imagining that they are practice squad fodder, so meh... the DBs are bigger than average though, both over 6 feet, both over 200 pounds... makes me wonder if they are LB conversion projects... bult them up a bit... keep their speed... Overall, a C+ for the tail end of the draft, just based on potential...

that averages out to a C+

What really hurt us this year (in my opinion, ymmv) was not getting an offensive lineman or a weapon, to help Mac Jones... among other guys, Notre Dames TE Mayer was there for the taking... Josh jumped up and grabbed him... we jumped up for a kicker :/

It was a good draft that could have been slightly better...

Oh and one last thing, Screw Albert Breer for ruining the entire draft by tipping every selection minutes before they were announced... maybe you all didn't mind, but it bothered me... complete little **** energy vibes from that guy... **** move Albert, **** move...
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