Macro Approach to the 2025 Draft

[State]

Listen, Drake, we only were able to draft a WR in the seventh round because we built up both sides of the trenches—two OTs and two DTs—got an impact player, a safety, RB, a boundary CB. We had only so much draft capital.

But, hey, look at that rookie TE! Looks promising.

And speaking of promising, don’t overlook the WR we did draft in the seventh round.

You and Issac TeSlaa are really going to hit it off. Maybe you can go on a double date with your fiancée’s best friend.

It’d be cute to see the goofy-looking white kid dancing with her to Neil Diamond’s “Heartlight.”

Good times are ahead of us, Drake. Trust the PROcess.

 

[bakes781]

Or you could get the TE he's most familiar with also in the late rounds.

 

[manxman2601]

Can't fix the roster in one off-season. If they can fix the trenches, that will be a win.

 

[bakes781]

Can't say it was for lack of trying...

2024 - Polk & Baker
2023 - Boutee & Pop
2022 - Tyquan

 

[manxman2601]

Speaking of macro views of the draft, it will be interesting to get a first look at Vrabel's draft philosophy. How he values positions, his size/athleticism yardsticks etc and whether the draft history at the Titans was driven by him or his GMs. Hopefully the latter because it wasn't an especially auspicious track record.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Can't fix the roster in one off-season. If they can fix the trenches, that will be a win.

That seems to be the basic disconnect at Patsfans.Com, between those who see this as a multi season effort to create a long term contender, and those who want them to win NOW, and make every decision based upon what they think can win them the most games this season. IMO the latter is the best way to ensure long term failure.

The most important things to address this offseason are the offensive line and defensive front 7. Most of their $$$ and efforts should be directed at those areas. However, you have to build up the roster according to what is actually available, and adapt to those realities. So, for example, if you can’t address linebacker in free agency or the draft, but you can add a high quality safety to the defensive backfield, then make that move, patch LB together to the best of your ability, and make that area more of a priority next offseason. The same goes for wide receiver. Everyone would love to add a high quality wide receiver to this roster, unfortunately neither free agency or the draft is offering much hope of that this offseason. Free agency is devoid of high quality WR’s, and loaded with guys who are either jags, or over 30 and breaking down. And the draft is setting up so that there is no sense in taking WR at #4, and the best option for the 2nd round has now risen into the top 20. They can try to add on day 2 or 3, but those tend to be more developmental prospects. So imo their best bet, if they can’t draft Travis Hunter as a WR, is to trade up into the 20’s, draft Omarion Hampton, and make the Patriots into a run first team for next season, then try to add WR weapons next offseason.

Overall they should be taking the best talent where they can find it. This is a great offseason to add talent on the defensive line, both in free agency and the draft, so they should load up there and try to creat a great defensive line for the long term. And if they can really improve both the OL and the DL it will be a great offseason.

 

[manxman2601]

That seems to be the basic disconnect at Patsfans.Com, between those who see this as a multi season effort to create a long term contender, and those who want them to win NOW, and make every decision based upon what they think can win them the most games this season. IMO the latter is the best way to ensure long term failure.

The most important things to address this offseason are the offensive line and defensive front 7. Most of their $$$ and efforts should be directed at those areas. However, you have to build up the roster according to what is actually available, and adapt to those realities. So, for example, if you can’t address linebacker in free agency or the draft, but you can add a high quality safety to the defensive backfield, then make that move, patch LB together to the best of your ability, and make that area more of a priority next offseason. The same goes for wide receiver. Everyone would love to add a high quality wide receiver to this roster, unfortunately neither free agency or the draft is offering much hope of that this offseason. Free agency is devoid of high quality WR’s, and loaded with guys who are either jags, or over 30 and breaking down. And the draft is setting up so that there is no sense in taking WR at #4, and the best option for the 2nd round has now risen into the top 20. They can try to add on day 2 or 3, but those tend to be more developmental prospects. So imo their best bet, if they can’t draft Travis Hunter as a WR, is to trade up into the 20’s, draft Omarion Hampton, and make the Patriots into a run first team for next season, then try to add WR weapons next offseason.

Overall they should be taking the best talent where they can find it. This is a great offseason to add talent on the defensive line, both in free agency and the draft, so they should load up there and try to creat a great defensive line for the long term. And if they can really improve both the OL and the DL it will be a great offseason.

Agree with all of this. I'm a build through the draft guy and I'm not all that keen on trading for the shiny object, although not wholly opposed. I see a three year project ahead of us getting Drake to his first humongous contract. So long as we make significant improvements year on year, we could be a contender by year 3 in an ideal world. Of course, nothing ever goes that swimmingly.

 

[State]

it will be interesting to get a first look at Vrabel's draft philosophy

He must listen to scouts rather than follow his own inclination like a predecessor.

 

[manxman2601]

He must listen to scouts rather than follow his own inclination like a predecessor.

Please God no shock 2nd round secondary picks.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Please God no shock 2nd round secondary picks.

It’s strange, after so many years of having no idea what Belichick was going to do, but I have this really strong feeling that Vrabel wants Omarion Hampton, and they will trade up to get him if he makes it into the mid 20’s. He’s a 225 lb 3 down back who they could use to pound on teams, especially when paired with Stevenson.

 

[manxman2601]

It’s strange, after so many years of having no idea what Belichick was going to do, but I have this really strong feeling that Vrabel wants Omarion Hampton, and they will trade up to get him if he makes it into the mid 20’s. He’s a 225 lb 3 down back who they could use to pound on teams, especially when paired with Stevenson.

I said in the Jeanty thread that one of the reasons why vrabel may be interested is to set a philosophical tone for the offense. Hampton would absolutely provide that. They would need to improve the OL significantly though because it would be unfair on him otherwise.

By the by, I was watching some Hampton this morning and was blown away by this play. 7:50 on the video.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I said in the Jeanty thread that one of the reasons why vrabel may be interested is to set a philosophical tone for the offense. Hampton would absolutely provide that. They would need to improve the OL significantly though because it would be unfair on him otherwise.

By the by, I was watching some Hampton this morning and was blown away by this play. 7:50 on the video.

Yep. He actually is a beast. And I agree that they need to really build their OL together most out of him.

 

[manxman2601]

Yep. He actually is a beast. And I agree that they need to really build their OL together most out of him.

So here's a proposal for you.

1. Trade our 4 to Seattle for 18 + DK Metcalf
2. Pick Hampton at 18
3. Add premier picks on OL in the 2nd and 3rd

You in?

I almost am but the one thing that puts me off is the risk of losing out on Hunter at 4.

Edit: Sorry I forgot but was it you I had this same discussion with yesterday? If so, I apologise.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I said in the Jeanty thread that one of the reasons why vrabel may be interested is to set a philosophical tone for the offense. Hampton would absolutely provide that. They would need to improve the OL significantly though because it would be unfair on him otherwise.

By the by, I was watching some Hampton this morning and was blown away by this play. 7:50 on the video.

I believe that Vrabel wants to build a team that other teams hate having to play. A tough nasty team that makes opponents pay physically on every play. I care more about that this coming season than I do their record. If they go basically .500, but beat the living **** out of every team they play then I will be a happy camper. Running the ball down teams throats will not only help their OL, because they will be dishing the hits out all day, but it will give them control of TOP, lower opponents drive opportunities, help their defense dramatically, and leave them the stronger team in the 4th quarter. This is what I want them to start building this offseason. I wouldn’t even care if they took Hampton with their 2nd pick, and then followed it up with Cam Scattebo in the 3rd round. Pound the **** out of every opponent, every game, all season.

 

[Huckleberry1]

So here's a proposal for you.

1. Trade our 4 to Seattle for 18 + DK Metcalf
2. Pick Hampton at 18
3. Add premier picks on OL in the 2nd and 3rd

You in?

I almost am but the one thing that puts me off is the risk of losing out on Hunter at 4.

Edit: Sorry I forgot but was it you I had this same discussion with yesterday? If so, I apologise.

I like 2&3, but I’m totally opposed to a Metcalf deal. He doesn’t want to play here, and I have never been a fan of his. I would rather see them trade for Kupp. So I would suggest:

1) Take either Travis Hunter (WR) or Membou at 4.

2) Trade their 2nd and their 3rd to move up for Hampton

3) Take either Cam Scattebo or Wyatt Milum in the 3rd round.

 

[manxman2601]

I like 2&3, but I’m totally opposed to a Metcalf deal. He doesn’t want to play here, and I have never been a fan of his. I would rather see them trade for Kupp. So I would suggest:

1) Take either Travis Hunter (WR) or Membou at 4.

2) Trade their 2nd and their 3rd to move up for Hampton

3) Take either Cam Scattebo or Wyatt Milum in the 3rd round.

That's a lot of draft capital. I think I'd sit and take Judkins in that scenario. He's not as good as Hampton but he's still a very good ground and pound RB with breakaway speed. I could get on board with Membou/Milum though. I'd add Ratledge as an alternative to Milum.

 

[Huckleberry1]

That's a lot of draft capital. I think I'd sit and take Judkins in that scenario. He's not as good as Hampton but he's still a very good ground and pound RB with breakaway speed.

It is, but it would give them a nasty run game for years to come, which would become the foundation of their offense, and would give Maye all sorts of options on 2nd and 3rd down.

Overall I’m open to a number of scenarios for free agency and the draft, just as long as they start building a really tough, physical, nasty team that opponents don’t want anything to do with. But most of the draft scenarios I have in mind do have them taking Hampton. I think there are 2 every down starting backs in this draft, Jeanty and Hampton, and I would rather not use #4 on a RB.

 

[manxman2601]

It is, but it would give them a nasty run game for years to come, which would become the foundation of their offense, and would give Maye all sorts of options on 2nd and 3rd down.

Overall I’m open to a number of scenarios for free agency and the draft, just as long as they start building a really tough, physical, nasty team that opponents don’t want anything to do with. But most of the draft scenarios I have in mind do have them taking Hampton. I think there are 2 every down starting backs in this draft, Jeanty and Hampton, and I would rather not use #4 on a RB.

I think you should take a look at Judkins. He is behind those two but he is a franchise back.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think you should take a look at Judkins. He is behind those two but he is a franchise back.

I’ll check him out.

 

[stelfans]

Can't say it was for lack of trying...

2024 - Polk & Baker
2023 - Boutee & Pop
2022 - Tyquan

if Polk shows any improvement I’d say they have been doing better the last fewer years than I ever remember, regarding drafting wr