Pick 28: Caleb Lomu (OT) - I was on record predicting that none of the OT prospects with 1st round grades would be available at pick #31. If that had been the case, I was hoping to trade down and land more picks. If the consensus opinion is correct and gap between the first seven and the next tier is extremely large, I think moving up to #28 and landing Lomu was a tremendous pick. I also like the fact that his natural position is LT. In addition to Moses being 35 years old, we lost our backup LT (Lowe) in free agency and didn't have solid depth in the event that Campbell gets injured. Lomu, at worst, should be a solid swing tackle capable of providing depth at both tackle positions during his rookie year. However, like most of this draft class, he is a developmental guy. He's extremely young and needs time in our strength program to unlock his potential. Its not the sexiest pick for some b/c he's not expected to be an immediate contributor. On the other hand, he's just one injury away from having the opportunity to save our season. He also has the potential to become our best LT option at some point down the line. Based on the need and importance of the position, as well as the league wide shortage of quality depth and options, I think this pick had to be made and I credit the front office for making it. GRADE: A
Pick 55: Gabe Jacas (Edge) - I'm a big fan of the Jacas pick and did not expect him to be available at pick #55. Once again the Patriots front office made an aggressive move to move up and grab the player they wanted. Many of the highly touted Edge players were speedy types with small builds. Those are role players in my eyes, not Day 1 or Day 2 prospects. Jaccas is a 3 down player who offers the ability to defend the run and rush the passer. He's just a solid good player. GRADE: A
Pick 95: Eli Raridon (TE) - Raridon was one of my favorite TE prospects. I had him as TE2 in this draft. I don't like calling Big receivers who cannot block a TE. Raridon checks all the boxes. He's still a developmental guy just like all the TE's in this draft but the potential is there. Size, speed, athleticism, hands, blocking ability. He very well might grow to become the most balanced TE in this draft. If it wasn't for the injuries early in his career, he very well could have been regarded as a 1st or 2nd rounder. Raridon tore his ACL playing basketball during his senior year of high school (he was a great basketball prospect as well) and then got injured again playing football during his Freshman year at Notre Dame. If the medicals checked out and he can stay healthy, Raridon could very well become one of Maye's favorite targets. GRADE: A
Pick 171: Karon Prunty (CB) - Like everyone else, my first reaction was "Karon Who?" It didn't seem like anyone had him on the radar but he was a Top 30 viisit guy. He was 3rd team All ACC last season with solid testing numbers but I don't feel I can evaluate the pick at this time. At least 3 other teams also had him in for Top 30 visits so maybe the Patriots weren't his only suitor. Only time can tell if the Patriots scouts nailed it with Prunty or if this was a swing and miss. Its only a 5th rounder so not the end of the world if it doesn't pan out. I do like the idea of going with a CB here though. We do need depth there. GRADE: Incomplete; Initial impression based on who was still on the board: F
Pick 196: Dametrious Crownover (OT) - I love the idea of drafting two OT's, especially since one has always played LT and the other RT. One of the draft sites I relied on, was very high on Crownover so my initial opinion was very positive for this pick. Since then, however, I've realized there is no consensus for this player. There are many who believe he is terrible and one of the worst OT prospects in the entire draft class. Once again, we're going to need to hope that the Patriots scouts know what they're doing. In any event, it was pick #196. If he pans out, its a huge score. If he doesn't, no big deal. GRADE: Incomplete; Initial Impression: A
Pick 212: Namdi Obiazor (LB) - Another guy who, like Prunty, wasn't on my radar but in retrospect appears to be a solid prospect. The issue here are all the draft boards we all pay attention to. Most had Deontae Dawson as a sold late 3rd or early 4th round prospect but all 32 NFL front offices failed to draft him. The truth about consensus rankings is that for many players, there is no consensus. GRADE: Incomplete; Initial Impression: C
Pick 234: Behren Morton (QB) - I was not impressed by Morton at all and did not expect him to even get drafted. Since the draft ended, I've learned that he may have played a good portion of the season injured. That speaks of his toughness. Perhaps he's better when not banged up. Time will tell. GRADE: Incomplete; Initial Impression: F
Pick 245: Jam Miller (RB) - Solid athlete for the position but seems to lack the requisite skill, ie vision and instincts. I feel like Henderson and Stevenson are also lacking in those departments. I was really hoping we'd get someone like Kaytron Allen earlier in the draft instead but I fear our scouting department might not be very good at identifying RB talent. GRADE: D
Pick 247: Quintayvious Hutchins (Edge) - I like the idea of a smallish 3rd down pass rush specialist with speed and quickness to supplement our Jacas pick in round 2. Hutchins sounds like exactly the type of player we would like to land at this spot in the draft. GRADE: B+
OVERALL:
This was obviously a top heavy draft for us with a lot of question marks on Day 3 but all drafts should be weighted accordingly. If Lomu, Jacas, and Raridon each meet expectations and develop into good football players, this draft can be graded no worse than a solid B or even a B+ draft. If any of the Day 3 picks additionally pan out then we're looking at an A grade draft class.
Of course there's also the chance that draft classes get remembered for the picks that were not made as well. If players like Kevin Coleman Jr or Kaytron Allen (whom I both loved) become superstars while Prunty becomes a nothing-burger, those missed opportunities can define the draft class as well.
For now, and playing the role of the optimist that I wish to be, I'm giving the Patriots a GRADE of B+
