If patriots lose out, Travis Hunter could be theirs

[Huckleberry1]

I don't want a mediocre OT and a couple of picks that will add up to a top of the 2nd DE.

I'd much rather take the BPA with our first pick.

I want to sign our starting LT in free agency. Personally, I would also like his backup signed there also.
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We have plenty of cap money to go into the draft being able to pick the BPA almost always, understanding that it is sometimes advantageous to trade up or down. And, yes, considering the VALUE at the OT position, I could see us wanting to make sure that we get an OT or even 2 in the top 3 rounds. I expect that we now have ONE OT that should b=make the 2025 team: Wallace.

They should be focused on putting the best team together long term and this is the best way to do it. Keep need in mind, but get the best football players where you can, don’t let need dominate decisions to the point where you are putting together a team of lesser players just to fill those needs. In this draft that means taking BPA with your first pick, and then addressing need after that, when talent level is more equal. There is no reason to pass on Hunter, Graham, or Carter to take Campbell orvBanks, when they can take one of the 3 best player’s in this draft, then trade up for the Tackles.

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Sometimes I am not very nice Ivan.
I hear SO MANY RIDICULOUS THINGS every day, that once in awhile I snap.

Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings.

The only ridiculous thing is your obsession with lineman and personal disdain for skilled position players

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Outside of hitting on a generational QB for the Chiefs, BB’s approach to the draft was the best. Yea his recent picks were not good, but it needed time.
What has the teams who have taken the BPA ever won? It is nice seeing highlights of nice plays, see teams win some games etc, but if you don’t build from the trenches but rather focus on picking the Julio Jones, the Jeffesons when you can’t protect the QB, can stop the run, then you will get the wow plays and be like everyone else.

Archaic mindset here.

Minnesota is 14-2 because of the Jefferson and Addisons.

Meanwhile we’re sitting at 3-13 with Douglas and Bourne as are top 2.

 

[festy1986]

Just lose the damn game and figure it out later

 

[WhatJustHappened]

The only ridiculous thing is your obsession with lineman and personal disdain for skilled position players

You are mistaken Ray, although I understand why, and I apologize for that.
We have a difference of opinion.
That's fine.
We'll just Agree that We Disagree HOW a team should be built.

Thanks

 

[Ray Ray 717]

You are mistaken Ray, although I understand why, and I apologize for that.
We have a difference of opinion.
That's fine.
We'll just Agree that We Disagree HOW a team should be built.

Thanks

Fair enough, happy new year.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

Historically the #1 non-QB drafted lives up to the hype 80% of the time. Also, nobody pays much for non-QB's.

I might be the only person here not too upset if the Pats win, and one of the Giants or Titans win against their resting team and we get the #3 pick and have no trade options and must take Hunter.

I almost feel like the Drake Maye pick; Wolf had no choice, so he got it right. I have little faith he'll make the right trade and ends up with the right draft pick/position in 2025. Almost feel safer if he has to take Hunter. Though I'd feel that with almost every GM out there.

Of course, winning and going to 4 would not be good. I also assume Titans, Browns, Giants are going QB. Browns and Giants are 100%, Titans might want to pair Levis with Hunter but doubt they don't go QB.

i remember it a little differently. some people here and in the boston/national media were advocating for alt some for mhj jr some for maye/daniels and some for a trade back for picks. so i don't think it was a slam dunk no brainer decision to take maye but wolf, at least in my opinion, did make the right decision.

 

[Zuma]

IMO if the pats get Hunter or Tet, expect only one top WR signed in FA. Depending how Hunter is used…it’s possible Boutte will be WR2 some or all games. He’ll end up with 500 yards in 15 games this season and he’s only 22 yo. Regardless what happens next season I expect Boutte to have 800ish yards at WR2.

 

[Patriot Missile]

IMO if the pats get Hunter or Tet, expect only one top WR signed in FA. Depending how Hunter is used…it’s possible Boutte will be WR2 some or all games. He’ll end up with 500 yards in 15 games this season and he’s only 22 yo. Regardless what happens next season I expect Boutte to have 800ish yards at WR2.

You willing to bet your house on your Boutte expectation?

 

[Zuma]

You willing to bet your house on your Boutte expectation?

Yeah. If the only people in front of him are Hunter and Higgins/Deebo/whoever. A) he didn’t play in 2 games B) he’s essentially a rookie this year C) Brisket won’t be throwing to him.

I expect Boutte to have 800ish yards in 2025 with Maye throwing to him for 17 games.

 

[Rob0729]

That's my plan and hope. Depends on what team is at 2 of course.

People Overestimate the idea you get so much back for a trade down from 1. Draft picks are way less valuable analytically and historically than people think. Top 5 or so picks in a draft are very high value.
The only real value you get back in trade is an existing player(maybe) and the next year's first which you only know the value of after the next season.

I'd rather be sure to get a very likely pro bowl player at 3 and take less than drop to 4 or lower and miss out. No way I go lower than 5 or now you get into less than 50% shot at a pro bowler.

If you look at the 49ers/Dolphins trade, the Dolphins traded away Trey Lance and got Tyreek Hill, Waddle, and Bradley Chubb. Sure Chubb hasn't been as good as he was in Denver and is on IR this year, but Hill and Waddle have been great additions. Sure two were via trade, but there would be no stopping the Pats for using draft capital from trading down to trade for established players also.

The Bears got Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Tory Taylor, and Carolina's second round pick in 2025 from draft picks for trading Carolina the #1 pick. If Williams can get consistency, the Bears made the absolute right move. He still has the potential to be either a franchise or even an elite QB (although the latter is less likely than when he was drafted). Wright is a solid LT. Stevenson is a good starting #2 CB. Taylor is a good punter. I didn't even include DJ Moore to the discussion.

I would argue those are two examples of teams trading down and addressing multiple positions on their roster with solid to elite starters.

 

[Rob0729]

i remember it a little differently. some people here and in the boston/national media were advocating for alt some for mhj jr some for maye/daniels and some for a trade back for picks. so i don't think it was a slam dunk no brainer decision to take maye but wolf, at least in my opinion, did make the right decision.

I think if Belichick was still here, there was a good chance he would have traded back. There was a lot of debate on this board and in the media on whether to trade back.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Did you guys miss the MNF game where the Lions OL was throwing the 49ers front 7 out of the club? They are a big reason why their skill players are getting their chunk plays and Goff has time to throw.

I understand if there isn't a can't miss LT, then the Pats can't overdraft. But the OL needs to get better.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I think if Belichick was still here, there was a good chance he would have traded back. There was a lot of debate on this board and in the media on whether to trade back.

There was. It was for JJ McCarthy. Was never a fan of his until his combine. We’ll never know what he could of done with Jefferson and Addison in his rookie year due to the injury. Should be an interesting camp battle next season in Minnesota. Darnold escaped the Jets and it’s sewage and came out clean on the other side like Andy Dufrane. Pretfy good story.

To be clear, Was hoping Maye would fall to us but thought Daniels was a good consolation prize. I also liked Caleb because he has a lot of natural talent but the dad, pink nails and crying on the sideline was kind of spooky.

I kind of thought Bo Nix would do well because he had the best back shoulder throw I’ve seen in a long time. Not too many new prospects can make that throw regularly right out of college. Manning did right away but It took Brady years to get it down and some never do. It’s Nix’s bread and butter if you watched any of his games this year. Good enough scrambling and pretty good iq. Didn’t expect him to do as well as he has though. They made some good strides in Denver in 24.

Anyway, enough babbling out of me.

 

[KCSVEN]

If you look at the 49ers/Dolphins trade, the Dolphins traded away Trey Lance and got Tyreek Hill, Jaden Waddle, and Bradley Chubb. Sure Chubb hasn't been as good as he was in Denver and is on IR this year, but Hill and Waddle have been great additions. Sure two were via trade, but there would be no stopping the Pats for using draft capital from trading down to trade for established players also.

The Bears got Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Tory Taylor, and Carolina's second round pick in 2025 from draft picks for trading Carolina the #1 pick. If Williams can get consistency, the Bears made the absolute right move. He still has the potential to be either a franchise or even an elite QB (although the latter is less likely than when he was drafted). Wright is a solid LT. Stevenson is a good starting #2 CB. Taylor is a good punter. I didn't even include DJ Moore to the discussion.

I would argue those are two examples of teams trading down and addressing multiple positions on their roster with solid to elite starters.

I'm not against the idea of a trade down, I just have no confidence ANY GM would then use the return properly. So maybe they should just take the sure thing instead.

Chiefs got Trent McDuffie and some other guys, and the consensus is the Hill trade goes down as a rare win-win for both teams.

The Bears lucked into the #1 overall pick in a deep draft the next year and still may not be better off down the line.
Not as clear cut the Bears are going to win that trade IMO. Jury is still out.

Bears could have Will Anderson or Devon Witherspoon to pair with JJ McCarthy and basically give up Odunze and a mediocre LT plus DJ Moore. The other 2 guys are probably off the team by second contract and 2nd round pick in 2025 is like a normal 3rd or 4th. Low chance of success.
They passed on 1 perennial pro bowl player and so far, have not gotten a pro bowl player out of the deal.

I admit I'm somewhat playing devil's advocate as I would have made that deal, but I would have drafted better than the Bears. Odunze had trouble separating in college, and I hate WR's that can't separate, AND Brock Bowers was right there!
They took Williams over Drake Maye! They just get Maye and Bowers, BOOM, great trade and great result, but they didn't.

Titans could have taken Joey Bosa instead of trading down, or Witherspoon could be on the Bears, not bad consolation prizes.

IMO GM's just don't understand the draft. History shows drafting high and taking a non-QB is closest thing to a guaranteed Pro Bowl player in the draft as you can get. After that there is a 50% chance of bust in first round, 67% chance of bust in second. Odds wise you get 2 first and 2 seconds back and most likely outcome is you passed on 1 great player for 2 good players.

I think teams underestimate the pro bowl player vs 2-3 good players.

My main point is trading down is not some franchise altering reset in most cases. It's questionable that any of the teams that did these big tops of the draft trade downs ended up better off 4-5 years later for having done the deal.
NFL GM's have not proven they can turn the return they get into clear wins.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

There was. It was for JJ McCarthy. Was never a fan of his until his combine. We’ll never know what he could of done with Jefferson and Addison in his rookie year due to the injury. Should be an interesting camp battle next season in Minnesota. Darnold escaped the Jets and it’s sewage and came out clean on the other side like Andy Dufrane. Pretfy good story.

To be clear, Was hoping Maye would fall to us but thought Daniels was a good consolation prize. I also liked Caleb because he has a lot of natural talent but the dad, pink nails and crying on the sideline was kind of spooky.

I kind of thought Bo Nix would do well because he had the best back shoulder throw I’ve seen in a long time. Not too many new prospects can make that throw regularly right out of college. Manning did right away but It took Brady years to get it down and some never do. It’s Nix’s bread and butter if you watched any of his games this year. Good enough scrambling and pretty good iq. Didn’t expect him to do as well as he has though. They made some good strides in Denver in 24.

Anyway, enough babbling out of me.

Andy Dufrane- LMFAO
Nice work sliding that in.

 

[KCSVEN]

I think if Belichick was still here, there was a good chance he would have traded back. There was a lot of debate on this board and in the media on whether to trade back.

Reports I have seen from people close to Belichick say 100% he would have traded down.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I’m starting to lean towards McMillan more and more if we grab WR high in the first (not necessarily first overall, rather trade down a few spots). Too much negative press around Hunter and his GF, could be a headcase and a massive bust.

I don't care about the press and Travis' GF.

Look at the contested catch rate and Hunter is much better than McMillan. Look at the 40 and 3cone, Hunter is much better than McMillan. The Pats should draft the Best Player Available, BPA, and Hunter is the BPA. Don't get confused or you will end up with N'Keal or Ja'Lynn. Don't get cute, draft the guy with the Biletnikoff award, best WR is college football in 2024, Travis Hunter.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Reports I have seen from people close to Belichick say 100% he would have traded down.

Yup, I am sure you are being honest.

Does "people close to Belichick" raise a red flag to you? What are the names of the "people close to Belichick"? OH, everyone is anonymous? WOW, surprising. Why are these dependable sources anonymous? How close to Belichick are these people? Are these "close people" football people or media people? Can you provide details on the "close people"? Can you fill out your insightful reporting with more details than these reports are close to Belichick?

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I'm not sure he's the best(Hunter), but TET worries me, 650ish yds and what, 6tds were against 3 teams?
It looks like he's beating up punks that will be working at Home Depot next year.
He might be a stud, but I looked at Game Logs and wasn't impressed, even though I watched videos as well...