Meet Derek Rivers!

I’ve seen several mock drafts that had Rivers going in the late first round/early second round...Not that I’m complaining, but why did he drop so far?

I'm very happy with this selection. Pats filled two of their biggest needs - depth for rushing the passer and depth on the offensive line.

Derek Rivers is a sleeper pick who could turn out huge for us. Understudy for Flowers or will he compete on the opposite edge? Either way he sounds very intelligent with his game prep. A film room student who then uses his knowledge to win on the field.

Loving the pick so far! Welcome to New England, Derek Rivers!!

This Rivers kid is Shawn crable 2.0! He sucks! Bill the GM is killing Bill the coach!

Two guys that know football and pass rushers. Top 5 RUSH/EDGE for me.

VOODOOZF said:

I’ve seen several mock drafts that had Rivers going in the late first round/early second round...Not that I’m complaining, but why did he drop so far?

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Small school player. Extremely deep edge class.

Love this breakdown by Matt Waldman and Justus about Rivers being a Force Player

Andre blew it with the pick though. Come on rub it in a little the WORLD CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS select. Come on Andre don't be so nice.

Not a bad comparison to Von Miller in size and athleticism.

Derek Rivers Von Miller
Height 6'4" 6'3"
Weight 248 246
Arm length 32.5 33.25
40 4.61 4.53
Bench 30 21
Vert 35 37
Broad 123 126
3 cone 6.94 6.7
20 shutt 4.40 4.06
60 shutt 12.43 11.15

2017 NFL Draft Profile: Derek Rivers
NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Von Miller

yopats said:

Love this breakdown by Matt Waldman and Justus about Rivers being a Force Player

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Willis ran a 4.53 40 and 6.85 3-cone this year at 255, so he should be in that list. But, yes, Rivers is in elite company, and it shows on tape. Super excited by this pick up!

Back in 2012 I came up with these elite measurables criteria to predict successful edge rushers:

Length (6'4"+) /Strength (20+ reps)/Explosiveness (VJ 35"+, BJ 09'06"+, 10-yd split 1.65-)/Quickness (3-cone 7.25-). A modest miss on one subscore was ok IF the player significantly overperformed on most others.

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FWIW, Rivers fills the bill 100%:

6'4 1/8"
30 reps
35" vertical
10' 03" broad jump
1.61 split
6.94 cone

VOODOOZF said:

I’ve seen several mock drafts that had Rivers going in the late first round/early second round...Not that I’m complaining, but why did he drop so far?

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This was a deep draft. Some really good DE was going to drop that shouldn't. Pats got a very good one.

Somehow Lawson is still on the board? Do they know something I don't?

Called this one before the draft started. As I said in the other thread - Flowers & Rivers baby! Nature is coming for you!!

VOODOOZF said:

I’ve seen several mock drafts that had Rivers going in the late first round/early second round...Not that I’m complaining, but why did he drop so far?

Click to expand...

BobDigital said:

This was a deep draft. Some really good DE was going to drop that shouldn't. Pats got a very good one.

Somehow Lawson is still on the board? Do they know something I don't?

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After BB dropped back, THREE DEs came off the board before he took Rivers. Rivers just SOUNDS like a pats kind of guy when he talks about film study etc.

so HOW the heck with 9 picks and 3/9 taking DEs in between did BB know his guy was safe OR do you think he would have been happy with any of Willis, Hall, Basham, or Rivers? Would be interesting to know, but bb'll never tell.

Ross12 said:

Called this one before the draft started. As I said in the other thread - Flowers & Rivers baby! Nature is coming for you!!

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Someone needs to photoshop this and put Flowers/Rivers faces on it. Also we need to get someone named Woods to complete the trifecta

Gumby said:

After BB dropped back, THREE DEs came off the board before he took Rivers. Rivers just SOUNDS like a pats kind of guy when he talks about film study etc.

so HOW the heck with 9 picks and 3/9 taking DEs in between did BB know his guy was safe OR do you think he would have been happy with any of Willis, Hall, Basham, or Rivers? Would be interesting to know, but bb'll never tell.

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I think he probably wanted Rivers cause he might fit more with what BB likes on the mental end of things but I doubt he would be unhappy with any of those players.

IMO there were 4 guys I had in mind. Rivers was not on my radar but that is cause i barely studied him. I guess I should have more and if i did he would have been.

BaconGrundleCandy said:

These two picks are unbelievable. Literally exactly what we needed.

He's a perfect complement to Flowers.

I couldn't be happier

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You've got to tone down your enthusiasm man. I've still got to wait four months before the season starts. I can't walk around pumped up for four months.

yopats said:

Love this breakdown by Matt Waldman and Justus about Rivers being a Force Player

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Unfortunately this Justus guy loses me when he says "I'm not joking I think Rivers has more sacks for y'all than anyone since Seymour?" I'm not sure if I should watch this 40 minute video or not. Somebody convince me to watch it.

Tony2046 said:

You've got to tone down your enthusiasm man. I've still got to wait four months before the season starts. I can't walk around pumped up for four months.

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you're supposed to seek medical attention after 4 hours

Wheelman said:

Unfortunately this Justus guy loses me when he says "I'm not joking I think Rivers has more sacks for y'all than anyone since Seymour?" I'm not sure if I should watch this 40 minute video or not. Somebody convince me to watch it.

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I just did it's a fantastic breakdown of how he wins, why he wins, and what he needs to do at the next level. It goes down to a what arm gets used when deep level you don't see from most breakdowns. I can summarize it for you.

Right now he is so damn fast and freakishly bendy (I'm nicknaming him gumby cuz no one should be able to bend like that) that even though he does things the wrong way he still wins with OT's unable to get a hand on him until it's too late. He always goes outside even when a counter inside move is the "right" thing to do and once he learns that he will be a 10-15 sack monster. There were 3 or 4 clips where the guard was looking to help so the tackle did a giant drop step knowing he couldn't go back inside and Rivers STILL beat him to the edge. Ran upfield so fast there was a 5 yard gap between the tackle and guard if he wanted he could have ripped inside. Just a total freak of an athlete.

Despite being only 250 lbs he put up 30 reps at the combine and plays with fantastic technique routinely pushing his guy back 3 yards so crazy strong for his size. Another teaching point he does not disengage from blocks well or maintain the edge. They showed two clips where the exact same thing happened. OT gets pushed back 3 yards looks like it's gonna be a huge TFL then the RB runs into the OT's ass bounces outside and Rivers is still engaged pushing his man backwards. At the next level that won't fly but it can be coached up.

So basically give this guy a year, maybe two and he checks every last box you could possibly want for freak pass rusher who also does well against the run. Excuse me I think I need a cigarette after that