Paul OT, Suamataia OT, Legette WR or McConkey WR

I was looking at one the more popular mock drafts. 8 OT's were gone in the first round, with a couple of more at the top of the 2nd (Paul at 37 and Suamataia at 41) with no more for 10 or so picks.

I really, really want us to draft an OT at 34. However, I don't think even I would pass on Legette and McConkey for Paul or Suamataia.

What would your choice be?
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For months, I have thought this could happen, forcing us to move into the 20's if we want our OT. That mock has Mims at 20, Guyton at 22 and Morgan at 30.

This is a really tough call. I don’t know who else was left but if Jackson Powers-Johnson was still available I would take him, after that I would go with Patrick Paul, then Sumamatai, then Legette. I really like McConkey but the slot is the one WR position they already have well covered.

To me Powers-Johnson is the only blue chip player left at this point ( if he is still there?) and the only reason he isn’t rated higher is because he’s a Centrr, but he could also play Guard if you wanted him to. David Andrews will need to be replaced, and I would rather have the best interior lineman in the draft than the 9th or 10th tackle.

That decision at 34 is not as big as the QB but it is a huge decision, that player should be a starter long term at a high level. I think you take the player that's the highest rated between WR and Tackle, whomever that is, but if it is close I take the Tackle because the WR depth gives you a shot at a potential starter in round 3, the Tackle depth seems to end in round 2 for that type of prospect.
If you have someone at WR rated much higher than the Tackle you can still take a developmental tackle later in the draft but likely are pushing that positions long term starter to the 2025 draft, which is fine, this is not a 1 year and fix everything type of roster.

I'd gladly give up a later pick or a pick in 2025 coupled with the 3rd round pick to get back in second round and maybe have a chance to get both positions.

I like Ricky Pearsall and Roman Wilson over either WR option you've listed, but of the two I think I'd roll the dice on Legette, even though Ladd is safer and is much more than a slot receiver

This is indeed the crux decision in the draft if they grab a QB at #3. As you've pointed out in a past post, it is as if the Pats had won the SB last year and are in their normal draft position (34 vs. 32, and so forth).

I'm old school and put the trenches first, but that may be woefully out of touch with the realities of NFL offenses these days.

And it is hard not to get caught up in the cognitive dissonance of the draft, and forget that first rounders only become good players at a 30% rate. I keep assuming that the first three picks will fill the QB/OT/WR holes but the odds are only one of them will.

I really like McConkey. He seems like he'll become the "I have about two seconds to get ride of the ball, where is Ladd" type guy. Its been a long time since the Pats had a WR who gets separation. But I understand the need for Oline, so I wouldn't be upset if they went that way. If they go Oline at 34 then I'd really like to see Ricky Pearsall at 68. But he might go in 2nd now. If Pats get Maye at #3, take Devontez Walker at #68 if Pearsall is gone. Gives him someone familiar to work with. Then double dip WR in 4th with Rice or McCaffrey.

I think if there’s a top OT at 34 you take him. I say this because I think there are so many more quality receivers in the draft and you can probably get one in the 3rd or 4th, or even trade into back end of 2nd.

Go OT. You can win with ok receivers. You can't win if your QB has no time to throw to ok receivers.

Kingsley would be the choice. I think that a guy like McMillian from Washington is underrated and will give us very good option in round 3. Might have to make a slight trade up to get him.

Best OT available at #34.

Legette,Mcconkey or worthy.
I can be talked into any of the 3.
Deontez Walker in the third maybe but only if we go with Maye.

Steve102 said:

Best OT available at #34.

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I'm also ok trading up to get the OT higher if you have to.

mike_usagisan said:

I'm also ok trading up to get the OT higher if you have to.

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I will agree, to a point. I don't want to give up #68 to do it. I think #3, #34, and #68 are very valuable.

Okay with either, get the bpa of the 2 positions and worry about the other in the mid rounds or next year

I take Guyton or Kingsley if they're available. (I wouldn't take Jones in the 2nd. ) If not, try to trade back from 34 to 40ish and get an additional early 4th. Take BPA WR at e.g. 40, then trade 68+100 to move back up in the 2nd for either OT/WR.

They should pretty much know who they want and have their prospects ranked by now.

I’m certainly not picking a projected LT purely based on need unless I have a pretty good idea he’s the guy.

Some of these prospects were 3rd, 4th and 5th rounders 2 months ago.

It’s very hard to project a left tackle past the first few blue chip prospects. Probably because of the simplistic offenses these guys were in in college. When they get to the NFL, in most cases they are asked to do so much more. For some it’s just simply too much to handle. Information overload with the blitz package pickups, stunts, spread to pro style, 20vs11. Sometimes you don’t know what you have and what he can handle until you get him in camp.

It’s not as easy as 6’5 320 this arm length anymore. 2 rookie LT’s made significant starts last season. One was pick 64 and the other was pick 186. Probably a bad year crop wise at the position but seems to be a trend non the less.

I’m not advocating throwing in the towel and not selecting one. I just really hope they did their homework. Don’t pass on a player you think is a blue chip center or wr and pick the ot when your guy isn’t there. That makes no sense.

We already passed on A.J. Brown once (who actually wanted to be drafted by the Patriots). Let's not pass on a receiver who could be a much faster version of A.J. Brown in Leggette. I like the potential of Patrick Paul (and it fills a position of need even if he needs a year to develop). But, if Leggette does become a faster A.J. Brown (and potential is all we always have to go on), we can't pass that up.

What happens if you are watching the board and there is a run on tackles , would you try and move up by using /adding one of the Pats lower picks in addition to pick 34 to ensure you get a good player ?

Username said:

I like Ricky Pearsall and Roman Wilson over either WR option you've listed, but of the two I think I'd roll the dice on Legette, even though Ladd is safer and is much more than a slot receiver

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I think Pearsall would be good for a rookie QB. He can separate, runs good routes and he reminds me of Olave.

I think we cannot pass on getting a QB in the 1st round
That could be gambling a bit. But when you are at 3 and there are high rated QB’s up there and you need one then roll the wheel.
As far as 2nd round. You then have to take BPA. Preferably OT. If a receiver is rated higher then get that position. As someone else said. If JPJ is still available then grab him