Claim your alternative pick

[Wozzy]

Would have taken CJ West the DT who went to the 49ers instead of Craig Woodson in the 4th.

There was some consolation with the next pick when they took Josh Farmer, but I think West will be more of an impact player and I would have prioritized a DT over a safety.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I know you said 1 but based on how this draft went combined with who we took my biggest thing to keep an eye on is how Ashton Jeanty and Aireontae Ersery perform. I'd even throw Simmons in too since pick 25 was traded it's feasible we could have jumped KC for him.

Basically our top 2 picks were RB and LT so it will be interesting to see how the scenario could have been different if we went RB first and LT second.

I was also in the trade down faction once Hunter/Carter was gone. My preference still wouldn't have been to take a RB in round 1.

But I do understand the scenario of getting Jeanty + Simmons vs Campbell + Henderson.

Do keep in mind that prices to trade back into the 1st were a lot steeper than expected. For example, Atlanta gave up it's 2nd rounder, 7th rounder, and its 2026 1st to trade up to pick #26 to get James Pearce Jr. That's NOT a trade I'm willing to make!

I still feel satisfied with the draft for the most part.

I'm really glad that we got Kyle Williams in round 3 because that's who I would have taken in round 2. So we got our cake and ate it too. If we hadn't gotten a good WR, the Henderson pick would have ended up more questionable in my eyes. But since we got both, there's nothing to complain about.

 

[borisman]

I’ll go (buck) Eye for an (buck) Eye
Henderson for JT Tuimoloau.
That is who I wanted on that day. Henderson was a little surprising at the time.

 

[patchick]

Here’s the thing. Membou is with Campbell in the top 1% of all RAS scores for left tackles, and he just turned 21 a week or two ago. And the reason he didn’t play LT at Missouri is because Marcus Bryant ( a Patriot) couldn’t play RT, and they used Membou as a TE on the left side for certain sets they ran. I like Campbell but I would have taken Membou and thought him to play left tackle. I think it’s an almost uniquely patriots fan point of view that anyone who has ever played right tackle can never be a left tackle. Whereas I think that most of these kids come out of high school as left tackles, then play guard or right tackle their first year or two in college, before taking over at left tackle and getting drafted. But since Wolf drafted Carden Wallace to play left tackle and it didn’t work out his first year there are a number of Patriot fans who think that no one can ever make that switch again. And that’s not an indictment, as I have the same issue when it comes to receivers, as after N’Jeal Garry I never want another big wide receiver who can’t get open, like Teteroia MacMillen, who I’m thrilled they didn’t draft.

Hmm...you argue that switching sides and even positions along the line is a commonplace part of player development, and that "it’s an almost uniquely patriots fan point of view" that tackles can't switch sides. And that the reason Missouri kept Membou on the right side and resorted to the portal to fill their LT need was because Bryant could only play LT and couldn't switch sides? Not sure that quite adds up.

But honestly, I don't really disagree with you. It's very possible that Membou could develop into an excellent LT. I'm not convinced that he CAN'T play on the left, just that he HASN'T -- and that the position switch would likely slow/complicate his transition to the NFL. Given that the Patriots needed a day 1 plug-and-play answer at LT, I understand why they chose a 4-year SEC starter at that exact position.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Donovan Ezeiruaku instead of Henderson, because imo good running backs were available later and in terms of roster management and salary cap allocation can be signed cheap in FA.

CJ West instead of the S in rd. 4

 

[manxman2601]

Hmm...you argue that switching sides and even positions along the line is a commonplace part of player development, and that "it’s an almost uniquely patriots fan point of view" that tackles can't switch sides. And that the reason Missouri kept Membou on the right side and resorted to the portal to fill their LT need was because Bryant could only play LT and couldn't switch sides? Not sure that quite adds up.

But honestly, I don't really disagree with you. It's very possible that Membou could develop into an excellent LT. I'm not convinced that he CAN'T play on the left, just that he HASN'T -- and that the position switch would likely slow/complicate his transition to the NFL. Given that the Patriots needed a day 1 plug-and-play answer at LT, I understand why they chose a 4-year SEC starter at that exact position.

I think the late rise of Kelvin Banks on draft day - he was getting a lot of buzz - suggests to me that teams looking for a LT would have likely gone for him over Membou suggesting teams weren't as confident about the Membou making thew switch as the Campbell- concerners here were. We can't know for sure because Membou found his RT spot before the Banks v Membou thing even became an issue.

 

[manxman2601]

Donovan Ezeiruaku instead of Henderson, because imo good running backs were available later and in terms of roster management and salary cap allocation can be signed cheap in FA.

CJ West instead of the S in rd. 4

This is the only one for me, but then getting Henderson & Swinson makes it less of an issue. I was 50/50 on who to take at 38 between these two.

Another one for me, and I wouldn't have sacrificed Swinson to get him, was Tory Horton in the 5th. There were a lot of day 3 trades which I haven't kept track so it might have been possible. Horton was the one miss that disappoints me.

Last one is that I'd have made Cobee Bryant my Mr Irrelevant instead of Kobie Minor. I still think we meant too, but we drafted a Kobie and a Bryant in round 7 and everything got confused.

 

[Huckleberry1]

round 4- Deone Walker DT instead of Craig Woodson

Worst pick of the draft. Fat,slow, unathletic. Walker was getting stonewalled by 5’10 275 lb guard Willie Lampkin at the Senior Bowl, He went into the year considered to be a top 5 DT, and when they reviewed his tape at the end could barely make the top 20, and only got in because of his size.

I love the huge defensive tackles, and always want one, but Walker bombed this season, and the footage I saw of him was a guy wHo simply doesn’t move well enough to play in the NFL.

 

[Huckleberry1]

This is the only one for me, but then getting Henderson & Swinson makes it less of an issue. I was 50/50 on who to take at 38 between these two.

Another one for me, and I wouldn't have sacrificed Swinson to get him, was Tory Horton in the 5th. There were a lot of day 3 trades which I haven't kept track so it might have been possible. Horton was the one miss that disappoints me.

Last one is that I'd have made Cobee Bryant my Mr Irrelevant instead of Kobie Minor. I still think we meant too, but we drafted a Kobie and a Bryant in round 7 and everything got confused.

I was disappointed they didn’t get Horton as well, but nothing would budge me off the Henderson pick. He’s going to be a major contributor to the Patriots for years to come. And although there were good running backs later Henderson is in a class well above the “ good “ running backs, as he’s the most complete running back in this class.

 

[manxman2601]

I was disappointed they didn’t get Horton as well, but nothing would budge me off the Henderson pick. He’s going to be a major contributor to the Patriots for years to come. And although there were good running backs later Henderson is in a class well above the “ good “ running backs, as he’s the most complete running back in this class.

I 100% agree on Henderson but Ezeiruaku was pretty good too. Those were the only two I wanted at 38 other than a WR.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Hmm...you argue that switching sides and even positions along the line is a commonplace part of player development, and that "it’s an almost uniquely patriots fan point of view" that tackles can't switch sides. And that the reason Missouri kept Membou on the right side and resorted to the portal to fill their LT need was because Bryant could only play LT and couldn't switch sides? Not sure that quite adds up.

But honestly, I don't really disagree with you. It's very possible that Membou could develop into an excellent LT. I'm not convinced that he CAN'T play on the left, just that he HASN'T -- and that the position switch would likely slow/complicate his transition to the NFL. Given that the Patriots needed a day 1 plug-and-play answer at LT, I understand why they chose a 4-year SEC starter at that exact position.

Again, I really like Campbell and think he will be really good for this team, I just love Membou’s ceiling, and would have been willing to take the shot at the switch.This team needs as many great players as it can get, so I wanted as many high ceiling players as they could get, and overall they had a great draft in that regard. And I’m not saying that Patriot fans were the only ones who brought up the switch from RT to LT, more that Patriot fans are now hypersensitive to the idea of taking a RT and Moving them to LT, much as I am now completely against taking big slow receivers to throw jump balls to after the N’Keal Harry disaster.

 

[signbabybrady]

Again, I really like Campbell and think he will be really good for this team, I just love Membou’s ceiling, and would have been willing to take the shot at the switch.This team needs as many great players as it can get, so I wanted as many high ceiling players as they could get, and overall they had a great draft in that regard. And I’m not saying that Patriot fans were the only ones who brought up the switch from RT to LT, more that Patriot fans are now hypersensitive to the idea of taking a RT and Moving them to LT, much as I am now completely against taking big slow receivers to throw jump balls to after the N’Keal Harry disaster.

Right or wrong I looked at the switch as equally concerning as the arms. And taking those 2 things out of the picture I think Campbell was easily the right choice.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I 100% agree on Henderson but Ezeiruaku was pretty good too. Those were the only two I wanted at 38 other than a WR.

I agree, I just think they needed to get Maye as much help as possible moving the chains and keeping him out of 3rd and long on every series. If they are in 2nd and 5 and 3rd and 3 instead of 2nd and 9 and 3rd and 7-8 it’s going to give them so many more options to exploit, and I believe Henderson will be the key to putting them in much better down and distance situations. Whereas even if Ezeiraku put up a sack a game it wouldn’t have the overall impact that a great running back will have. But that’s just my take on it.

I also think the Henderson pick puts Stevenson on notice that his job is in peril, and we will see him come in ready to fight for it, and that will benefit everyone.

 

[manxman2601]

I agree, I just think they needed to get Maye as much help as possible moving the chains and keeping him out of 3rd and long on every series. If they are in 2nd and 5 and 3rd and 3 instead of 2nd and 9 and 3rd and 7-8 it’s going to give them so many more options to exploit, and I believe Henderson will be the key to putting them in much better down and distance situations. Whereas even if Ezeiraku put up a sack a game it wouldn’t have the overall impact that a great running back will have. But that’s just my take on it.

I also think the Henderson pick puts Stevenson on notice that his job is in peril, and we will see him come in ready to fight for it, and that will benefit everyone.

I can't disagree but I can only tell you how I felt before the pick was made and I say that as someone who was mocking Henderson to the Pats for weeks on the draft forum. The drafting of Swinson has put to bed any concerns I had about not getting Ezeiruaku.

 

[borg]

The way the draft broke it was players just before our picks where I would have made changes had it broken differently.

This !

I wanted OG Jonah Savaiinaea in the 2nd and apparently NE did as well.....so despite the apple to orange comparison, I'll be looking at Savaiinaea vs our default 2nd rounder RB TreVeyon Henderson.

 

[Boston Boxer]

I know you said 1 but based on how this draft went combined with who we took my biggest thing to keep an eye on is how Ashton Jeanty and Aireontae Ersery perform. I'd even throw Simmons in too since pick 25 was traded it's feasible we could have jumped KC for him.

Basically our top 2 picks were RB and LT so it will be interesting to see how the scenario could have been different if we went RB first and LT second.

I think Henderson is better all around and a more complete RB than Jeanty. Time will tell but i think that pick is a home run

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

6th round, I think the Patriots should have taken LaJohntay Wester WR from Colorado instead of, gulp, who? I guess that would have to be Borregales, but what would they do for a kicker...

The evil, nasty, murderous Ravens got him instead. Watch out for the Ravens this year; they had an excellent draft, alas.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

WE had an excellent draft, hope everyone brings their big boy pants, cuz they're gonna need them.

 

[dliverey44]

This !

I wanted OG Jonah Savaiinaea in the 2nd and apparently NE did as well.....so despite the apple to orange comparison, I'll be looking at Savaiinaea vs our default 2nd rounder RB TreVeyon Henderson.

If we took Sav in the 2nd we would not have taken Wilson in the 3rd and I absolutely love that pick. I think Hendo is going to be absolutely ridiculous in the offense, and I am not sure there were many other as explosive weapons at RB. Sure there were people that can run and catch but not a homerun threat every time they touch the ball.

 

[mgteich]

If we took Sav in the 2nd we would not have taken Wilson in the 3rd and I absolutely love that pick. I think Hendo is going to be absolutely ridiculous in the offense, and I am not sure there were many other as explosive weapons at RB. Sure there were people that can run and catch but not a homerun threat every time they touch the ball.

and henderson is a top-notch blocker