Ja'Lynn Polk versus Adonai Mitchell

[captain stone]

The Packers drafted some WRs that were nobody's and they have looked good. I believe that Wolf and Groh were in the GB front office.

Al Groh’s kid has Never held a job outside of Foxborough.

 

[Triumph]

Maybe, but I don't see that opposing defenses are scared of him. Does he get double coverage? Do the safeties hang way back? I sort of think not, but the Patriots QBs probably will not have the time to throw deep this season....but then there was that beautiful long bomb that Maye lofted to Baker....if only it was a few inches shorter

No NE QB has been able to throw the deep ball to T111. IF by some miracle the NE offense begins hitting on that play, T111 will begin to see tighter coverage.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Then they should’ve taken Atlanta’s offer instead of that from the LAC.


Agreed.



Yeah bringing up those two inexcusably, unforgivably over-drafted stiffs doesn’t really help the argument.

I am still holding out hope for Mapu; it is who they did not draft instead of Mapu that hurts. Cole Strange would have been a decent third round pick. Jordan Richards would have been a solid 7'th.

 

[Triumph]

Al Groh’s kid has Never held a job outside of Foxborough.

Yeah, Wolf was in GB a long time.

He was there for the Devante Adams pick.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

At some point, the team needs to hit some home runs. We can go position by position for needs, but the big picture reason why we suck is because we don't have any elite players. Not a single guy on this team (offense or defense at least) is in the conversation to be all pro entering the season. That's a weak roster.

If Polk ends up a Kendrick Bourne caliber receiver that will be a solid enough grade for the individual selection but just doing that over and over again isn't going to cut it. We're going to need a good number of our picks in the next few years to really hit above just solid starter level for this thing to get turned around. We need actual building blocks.

There's going to be a cloud of doubt around Polk because the measurables and projections scream hitting a single vs. a home run even if the pick does "hit". The fact that we've been so bad picking that spot adds to the doubt as well. So a guy like AD with the shiny measurables is going to be the one many pine for and want to compare to.

 

[Huckleberry1]

The Patriots admitted they took Polk too early, but that they tried to trade down and there were no takers, so they took the best remaining WR on their board.

The Colts had big success last year with Josh Downs. I watched that kid's UNC highlights and thought he had incredible body control and hands. Couldn't figure out why he went so late.

This isn't the first time the Patriots were forced to take a guy earlier than he was rated. They said the same thing about Cole Strange and Marte Mapu. You cal around and the only thing someone wants to give you for a trade down in the 2nd is a 5th or a 6th. It's not worth it. Especially in a weak draft. If there's a 10% chance that someone takes Polk in the next 10 picks, it's not worth the risk for a 5th or a 6th.

Where did the Patriots “ admit” this? Link?

 

[Huckleberry1]

You are basing this on what, exactly?

The Patriots were obviously not the only team who had reservations about him. Many NFL and player personnel peeps didn’t view Polk as only a “fine possession receiver”. there were several reports about him getting increasing amounts of love during the pre-process. If the Pat did not draft him at the top of the second, he probably was not getting past the mid-2nd.

Fans (of all teams) do this every year. Can’t we wait until at least midseason before making any judgments about rookies? Why is it necessary to start second-guessing draft choices before we have any reason to start second-guessing those choices?

It’s necessary because they didn’t get their binky.

 

[upstater1]

Where did the Patriots “ admit” this? Link?

I don't have a link. It was in news articles right after the draft.

 

[Kdo5]

I like JP so far. I think with a good QB and functional offense he can be an 800-900 yard type of receiver. When was the last time we drafted a guy who could be like that?

Branch, Edelman. Can’t think of anyone else.

 

[upstater1]

I like JP so far. I think with a good QB and functional offense he can be an 800-900 yard type of receiver. When was the last time we drafted a guy who could be like that?

Branch, Edelman. Can’t think of anyone else.

Demario Douglas, Mitchell

 

[Huckleberry1]

At some point, the team needs to hit some home runs. We can go position by position for needs, but the big picture reason why we suck is because we don't have any elite players. Not a single guy on this team (offense or defense at least) is in the conversation to be all pro entering the season. That's a weak roster.

If Polk ends up a Kendrick Bourne caliber receiver that will be a solid enough grade for the individual selection but just doing that over and over again isn't going to cut it. We're going to need a good number of our picks in the next few years to really hit above just solid starter level for this thing to get turned around. We need actual building blocks.

There's going to be a cloud of doubt around Polk because the measurables and projections scream hitting a single vs. a home run even if the pick does "hit". The fact that we've been so bad picking that spot adds to the doubt as well. So a guy like AD with the shiny measurables is going to be the one many pine for and want to compare to.

Belichick sucked at picking receivers, this regime has only picked 2, and at least 1 of them looks pro ready. And although there is no dominant #1 they may have the roles filled pretty well. Bourne and Douglas fill the slot, Polk and Baker can both play outside the hashes, and if they keep him and use him properly Thornton gives a deep threat, but that one’s a huge question. If not Baker looks like he can fill that role, and Maye has the arm to threaten teams deep all day long.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

I don't have a link. It was in news articles right after the draft.

I don’t recall that, but do recall them saying that their initial plan in the 3rd round had been to trade down before picking Wallace.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well the season is almost upon us, that means it is also the season for second guessing and 20/20 hindsight. Sure it is not fair and it is obnoxious, but wicked entertaining. My big question mark in the draft is why the Patriots took Polk instead of Mitchell. Mitchell appears to be the type of deep threat that the Patriots have not had in years, a player that can take the top off the defense by making the safeties hang back and open up the underneath for the slot receiver and the running game.

Supposedly Mitchell gave really bad interviews; we all know how valuable interviews are--look at what a great interviewer N'Keal Harry was . Anyway the Colts finally took a very PO'ed Mitchell late in the second. Now I don't know how well they evaluate WR talent, but they vehemently denied that there is any problem with Mitchell's attitude; they may have the steal of the draft.

We shall see. My impression is that Polk a fine possession receiver and would have been a great third or fourth round pick and Mitchell could have gone late in the first.

Here are ALL of Adonai Mitchell's preseason snaps. Keep your eyes on #10.



TBH nothing jumps out to me as special about him. He's not getting open super quick or blowing by defenders.

Admittedly the Colts offense looks like a horror show, but I doubt our offense would be any better especially with the poor OL play.

Based on this film, I just don't get the hype on Mitchell.

Obviously there will be 17 regular season games that give us a better sample size and more accurate indicators of success.

But right now I'm feeling pretty good about the Polk pick. He has looked dialed in during training camp and has legit earned his spot on the 53.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Belichick sucked at picking receivers, this regime has only picked 2, and at least 1 of them looks pro ready. And although there is no dominant #1 they may have the roles filled pretty well. Bourne and Douglas fill the slot, Polk and Baker can both play outside the hashes, and if they keep him and use him properly Thornton gives a deep threat, but that one’s a huge question. If not Baker looks like he can fill that role, and Maye has the arm to threaten teams deep all day long.

Baker is not a deep threat receiver. Baker's athleticism is not going to scare anyone.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Here are ALL of Adonai Mitchell's preseason snaps. Keep your eyes on #10.



TBH nothing jumps out to me as special about him. He's not getting open super quick or blowing by defenders.

Admittedly the Colts offense looks like a horror show, but I doubt our offense would be any better especially with the poor OL play.

Based on this film, I just don't get the hype on Mitchell.

Obviously there will be 17 regular season games that give us a better sample size and more accurate indicators of success.

But right now I'm feeling pretty good about the Polk pick. He has looked dialed in during training camp and has legit earned his spot on the 53.

Are we watching the same film? I watched the first minute and a half and he was open on almost every play. They just could not get the ball to him. And yes, with the Five Blind Mice on the Patriots O line, the Patriots would also have a problem getting him the ball. On the tape, Mitchell does look like he sucks at blocking and does not sell the route when he is the primary, but he can get open. Maybe we will see more targets during the season; stay tuned. I still think he is the deep threat the Patriots needed.

Polk is a fine possession receiver with outstanding hands, but he is not going to take the top off the D. Such WRs are a pretty easy to find; the Patriot would have been better off with the pick of an OL if they were determined not to take Mitchell.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I should note that I could well be wrong in my assessment of the AD Mitchell tape; I am no pro, just a broken down elderly fan. I hope I did not offend you VJCPatriot. My vision may be blurred by the binkiness of Mitchell, the longing for a lost opportunity. I hope that Polk works out; he does have elites hands.

 

[PatsFan2]

Baker is not a deep threat receiver. Baker's athleticism is not going to scare anyone.

Really he seems to get behind people consistently hold your tongue.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Really he seems to get behind people consistently hold your tongue.

Baker caught zero balls behind people on Go routes. Zero. You do not like to hear facts? Live in reality.

 

[PatsFan2]

Baker caught zero balls behind people on Go routes. Zero. You do not like to hear facts? Live in reality.

Wait until the real bullets fly you'll see.

 

[Zuma]

Baker ran roughly the same 40 time as Antonio Brown.