My Only WTF Moment

[Uptown]

Yeah, the draft confused me. It was so un-Patriot like. Good players who filled a lot of holes. Best Patriot’s draft in quite a while. I wasn’t watching the draft, but each notification I got on my phone I kept thinking, holy cow that’s a great pick. I’ve been a Pat’s fan since 1975, and have seen some great Pat’s drafts, but the majority of the drafts I’ve witnessed, especially the last 10 years of Belichick’s drafts were bad.

If I were to play devil’s advocate, I didn’t like the safety Woodson pick, there were so many better players available that the Pat’s could’ve taken. Even at safety, 4 players were rated ahead of him, then add in the players at other positions who were rated higher. And add in the long snapper pick (can’t complain, 7th round pick), there was still talent left on the board (a Belichickian pick).

And the Henderson pick, which I LOVED, I love his explosiveness and all around ability. That being said, if Jayden Higgins was the object of their desire, which is the rumor, picked a few picks before Henderson, trade up ! Try to land him, trade up to the 1st round. They weren’t aggressive enough to try to land him. They don’t have a big, outside receiver. Could’ve gotten a RB in the 3rd round.

But overall, truly a stellar draft, loved 8 of their picks:

Campbell
Henderson
Williams
Wilson
Farmer
Swinson
Borregales
Bryant

Yeah, the Woodson pick was the only one I (& most here I assume) were skeptical about initially. However, after learning more about the kid; his intelligence, athleticism, toughness & communication/leadership skills, I’ve coming around to the player selection. Also, the safety (particularly FS) position was a need; maybe not as urgent a need as other positions, but a need nonetheless. Maybe Vrabel, Wolf & Cowden had Woodson ranked higher than other players & others at the position. I would’ve also loved a young TE prospect like Taylor, Arroyo, Ferguson, Hawes or Evans, but we should be fine for now especially considering Maye’s chemistry with both Henry & Hooper. Regarding, pick #38, I’m ecstatic we got Henderson. Super dynamic/ perfect player for JMD to play with that has legit home run ability. Initially, I also thought they had their sights on Higgins (maybe they truly did), but I’ve recently been hearing that it actually may have allegedly been Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea.

 

[TommyD4207]

Yeah, the Woodson pick was the only one I (& most here I assume) were skeptical about initially. However, after learning more about the kid; his intelligence, athleticism, toughness & communication/leadership skills, I’ve coming around to the player selection. Also, the safety (particularly FS) position was a need; maybe not as urgent a need as other positions, but a need nonetheless. Maybe Vrabel, Wolf & Cowden had Woodson ranked higher than other players & others at the position. I would’ve also loved a young TE prospect like Taylor, Arroyo Ferguson or Evans, but we should be fine for now especially considering Maye’s chemistry with both Henry & Hooper.

In Arroyo's case anyway, the Seahawks traded up to get him all the way at 55.
I'm a big Arroyo fan and think he'll be a star in the league - this boards' collective heads would have exploded had the Patriots done that.

 

[manxman2601]

In Arroyo's case anyway, the Seahawks traded up to get him all the way at 55.
I'm a big Arroyo fan and think he'll be a star in the league - this boards' collective heads would have exploded had the Patriots done that.

I think TE is right at the top of the needs list next year, alongside RT and a 6'4" WR.

 

[mgteich]

I was high on him precisely because I thought he was a very good Vrabel fit.

My point is that greatly preferred Farmer (or Swinson) at that point. Do you disagree?

I am 100% happy about getting Woodson AND Farmer AND Swinson.

77 Farmer (137!)
87 Swinson (146!)
90 Woodson (166!)
WOW!)

 

[manxman2601]

My point is that greatly preferred Farmer (or Swinson) at that point. Do you disagree?

I am 100% happy about getting Woodson AND Farmer AND Swinson.

Based upon tape alone, certainly Swinson. But we're not privy to accurate information about culture fit, character and football intelligence in the same way the teams are.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I was a little disappointed too, just because i thought edge was a far greater need for us. But when we landed farmer and swinson anyways it was a win win!

 

[BTTA]

My only complaint, and that's a too strong of a word, is the long snapper pick. I get they control where he goes and they don't have to outbid... ya ok. How much more would it have cost to get him as an UDFA? $25k? $50? Meh. I am not that upset about a 7th rounder. Freaking love the draft, love the FAs. Let's play some football!

I suspect that part of it is that they know the odds of players making regular contributions, picked from the 5th round on are very low. The long snapper and kicker have a much higher chance of actually sticking (although it is still 50/50 at best). If there's a chance that those two players will be 10% better than the ones they can get is FA, it is a reasonable calculation.

 

[Steve102]

I suspect that part of it is that they know the odds of players making regular contributions, picked from the 5th round on are very low. The long snapper and kicker have a much higher chance of actually sticking (although it is still 50/50 at best). If there's a chance that those two players will be 10% better than the ones they can get is FA, it is a reasonable calculation.

I understand all that. I don't know about the 10% better thing. someone later posted the LS is Borragaleas (sp) long snapper, so that makes more sense. Now you have a unit that is already in sync with each other.

 

[The Gr8est]

I suspect that part of it is that they know the odds of players making regular contributions, picked from the 5th round on are very low. The long snapper and kicker have a much higher chance of actually sticking (although it is still 50/50 at best). If there's a chance that those two players will be 10% better than the ones they can get is FA, it is a reasonable calculation.

I also saw that the LS and kicked know each other and have been working out together.

 

[scott99]

Yeah, the Woodson pick was the only one I (& most here I assume) were skeptical about initially. However, after learning more about the kid; his intelligence, athleticism, toughness & communication/leadership skills, I’ve coming around to the player selection. Also, the safety (particularly FS) position was a need; maybe not as urgent a need as other positions, but a need nonetheless. Maybe Vrabel, Wolf & Cowden had Woodson ranked higher than other players & others at the position. I would’ve also loved a young TE prospect like Taylor, Arroyo, Ferguson or Evans, but we should be fine for now especially considering Maye’s chemistry with both Henry & Hooper. Regarding, pick #38, I’m ecstatic we got Henderson. Super dynamic/ perfect player for JMD to play with that has legit home run ability. Initially, I also thought they had their sights on Higgins (maybe they truly did), but I’ve recently been hearing that it actually may have allegedly been Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea.

The guard Savaiinaea was who they had a disagreement about in the room about before they picked Henderson. It was between him and Henderson. Higgins was already gone. It’s also why they were scrambling a bit, they didn’t think Higgins would be gone. Then the Dolphins traded up to 37 for Savaiinaea, and made the decision for the Pats.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think TE is right at the top of the needs list next year, alongside RT and a 6'4" WR.

I agree. Can’t do everything they needed in one offseason, so next year’s offseason is going to be really important for them,

 

[dliverey44]

My only complaint, and that's a too strong of a word, is the long snapper pick. I get they control where he goes and they don't have to outbid... ya ok. How much more would it have cost to get him as an UDFA? $25k? $50? Meh. I am not that upset about a 7th rounder. Freaking love the draft, love the FAs. Let's play some football!

I read an article that claimed the long snapper was going to a priority in FA, so given that Cardona is 33 and they could grab the LS they felt was the best. I felt like it was a good use of a 7th round pick. Most 7th rounders do not make the roster/an impact. If Cardona retires or is cut the LS will probably be the starter and a & 7th round starter is a great grab, regardless of the position.

 

[manxman2601]

I agree. Can’t do everything they needed in one offseason, so next year’s offseason is going to be really important for them,

But also less desperate.

 

[Huckleberry1]

But also less desperate.

Agree completely. And the needs will be more defined, instead of just widespread. They also managed to get the stink off the franchise in a matter of weeks, which bordered on impossible. But after that free agency and Draft New England is no longer on the **** list of places players don’t want to go.

 

[dliverey44]

I guess that question mark is either Mapu or Dial but I also think I like both better than Hawkins and Epps.

Dial played in the slot corner some last year and he was also a gunner on ST. I think his ST experience gets him a roster spot.

 

[The Gr8est]

Agree completely. And the needs will be more defined, instead of just widespread. They also managed to get the stink off the franchise in a matter of weeks, which bordered on impossible. But after that free agency and Draft New England is no longer on the **** list of places players don’t want to go.

I was thinking that too.

New England may become a place that we don’t need to overpay to get players to come to.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I was thinking that too.

New England may become a place that we don’t need to overpay to get players to come to.

Yep. Usually that stink takes a few years to get it off, Vrabel and Co. did it in a couple of months, without ever playing a game.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Dial played in the slot some last year and he was also a gunner on ST. I think his ST experience gets him a roster spot.

I think the end of the roster defensive backs have a better shot at sticking because so many of the receivers don’t contribute on special teams.

 

[dliverey44]

I was a little disappointed too, just because i thought edge was a far greater need for us. But when we landed farmer and swinson anyways it was a win win!

I was happy with the Woodson pick because I think Chaisson is going to be a breakout player this year, so Edge was not as much of a need to me as most others.

I really like Swinson and Farmer and was beyond ecstatic when we still got both of them after getting Woodson.

 

[mgteich]

Dial played in the slot corner some last year and he was also a gunner on ST. I think his ST experience gets him a roster spot.

Other than Game 17, Dial got 5 defensive reps all season.

I suspect that he is competing with Mapu for a roster spot.