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Here's the PTP (Patriot-Type Player) Board. I'll add to it including prospect notes, horizontal / vertical board. Just the hori board is up now but you get the idea. This will be my 12th year grading prospects so I just use my experience for their value.
I'll change it from time to time based on info we get. The combine & athletic testing helps a lot. That really sorts things out. I use that, past trends. Player tendencies & my experience to come up with the list. This isn't just a list of guys I like or w/e. Or rank how I feel. Like grading all prospects, I take most of my opinion out of it.
I'll update it a few times before the draft. It's been said the NEP draft board is small. Around 50-125 prospects. Most boards are smaller believe it or not. Mine is about 110-111 as of right now. I always try to get it around 100 to get it as close to lifelike as possible. Recently I've hit (a hit btw, imo, is just being right on the prospect selected, drafted or udfa. Not what happens after = how good they end up being. I'm just predicting & playing scout not a coach) on Dugger, Wynn, Crossen, Sony, Duke Dawson, Froholdt, Stidham, Keene, Wino, Uche, Asiasi, Onwenu, Lewerke, Bryant, Mac, Mcgrone, Sherman, Harris, Sam, Rivers & Berrios.
6 in 2018, 4 in 2019, 7 in 2020 & 3 last year. Although my dumbasss took Barmore & Perk off my board a few weeks before last year's draft even though wondering out loud "would Barmore be the missing piece on this DL" Safe to say we need more help.
Please if you think someone should be on or off just make a case for them. This is a fluid process up until the draft so very little is set in stone.
How the positions stack up ...
Top Heavy with good depth - CB, Edge/Rush, WR
Really good but little depth - OT, Saf
Solid all around - LB, TE, RB
Good very little depth - IOL, IDL
Hit or Miss - QB
Team needs ...
High Priority
CB1 or 2
DL (idl - edge)
Priority
X or Slot WR
LB (coverage or physical)
Tackle
Value Groupings from @rookBoston. Outstanding post that really captures how we go about things at times. This was a home run post.
"Here’s how it works:
BB, SP and the scouting team identify a group of players who would provide roughly the same value for the team. It is absolutely critical that the staff “believes†in all the players in the value group, without exception. All of them have to be guys that the staff would feel good about drafting and would want to have on the team.
Once a player makes it into a value group, that means he is being targeted for the draft. Before the draft, the staff identify what their key needs are, and decide how they plan on filling those needs, using the value groupings they’ve defined. Generally speaking, it is possible to say, “this group of players should go in the early 1st round, this group of players should go in the late 2nd, early 3rd.â€
On draft day, as the players in a targeted value group start coming off the board, the Pats lie in wait, patiently. The first players coming off the board for a given value group set the baseline value for that group. Once a value group is down to one or two players remaining, they trade into position to take the last guy in that group.
The downside is that by definition, you are taking the guy in each Value Group which the other teams think is the worst of the bunch. But if you’ve setup the board correctly, it shouldn’t matter. It is your own evaluation that counts, not the rest of the teams.
The upside is, you get good players for rock bottom prices. Most important, you eliminate (or at least dramatically reduce) the risk that you come away with absolutely nothing."
...
Few names from each position & how they might fit to our system. There's a word limited (1500 I believe?) to each post so I'll keep it short & have break these up into a few different post. I'll start with DL. Btw first time I used the save button. Huge help @Ian ! I had most of these ready by Tues but keep falling asleep & being lazy after work. I would have lost them so appreciate that. I think @patfanken had an issue with that. Too busy & can't get away from the table for his boys over PF
Defensive Line
0/1 tech - every year I feel like there's a .. "the curious case of _______" and this year I think you could insert Jordan Davis in there. What are teams going to do with the big man? He's a prototype Pat on and off the field. Great person along with a really good prospect. You'll never have to worry about him off the field. He'll be involved in your community day one. That stuff, behind the scenes stuff, matters. And if Bill wants to keep running an old school okie front or at times tite or w/e version of "three inside the tackle" front. A good share of the time we need a force up front. A tone setter. Someone who clog, collapse, re-set, control the los over the ball. Davis can do that has plus heavy heavy hands that shock you, a large tackling radius & silly movements for his size but played less than half the snaps at UG. In part bc of a very talented DL but he's also a burger away from 400 & would be gassed at times (with the limited snap count about 30% this year I believe). Inconsistent jump off the ball but when its right, it's right & he gets all off 380 coming at you at once. Dominant play strength, hands & ability to shed / get off blocks. He'll have trouble on occasions like anyone else but he's monster over the ball & can move laterally quite well for almoat 400lbs. He'll collapse a pocket win a few rushes but also offers very little in terms of rushing the passing if we're being real. That's secondary at the position & in terms of our need but it's still 2022. You're paying a premium for him at 21 though & he's definitely the first off thw board for a NT.
Look at the extension. Davis always does a fantastic job at locking out & getting as long as possible. Consistently does a great job at using his length & he has long arms. You see this quite often him just benching dudes backwards
Other names to know ...
Travis Jones (330 +) eats doubles, can utilize his length to make it very hard to move him & decent range. Inconsistent first step and movements. He'll fight & give you a ton of effort. Good hand location & decent grip strength. Not much pass rush. Can disengage work off blocks decent range.
John Ridgeway (325) Upper half is developed. Can utilize his length, has plus hand usage & grip strength. Effort player, fighter with a big motor. Will draw doubles but lower half and footwork are up to speed to handle 2 gapping or that type of work. Tons of effort, really good quickness & movements for 320 flys around out there fun watch.
Neil Farrell - above average run defender that plays with plus gap discipline and eyes in the backfield. Plays with good leverage and knows how to wrestle around with bigger bodies but not sure he's a consistent 2 gapper & doesn't have the pass rushing skill set to really make it work in an aggressive system. Knows his role. Movements are inconsistent. 50/50 on keeping him & Ridgeway on the board?
Marquan McCall (370+) Big boy that's a pure clogger. Not much finish. At times has a hard time disengaging. Movements are decent for his size. Inconsistent ability to stack & shed. Hands are average at best. He can handle duties at 0/1 but isn't overwhelming anyone.
Noah Elliss (350) big fan of this big boy & rooting for him. Adopted by his uncle Luther who played a decade in league. 4 or 5 other close relatives that played in the league or college ball. He plays with great leverage, good footwork and lower half strength really like his movements vertically and laterally. Can't help but notice his big bubble in air pre-snap. Love a big bubble butt. Thick legs. Plus motor really moves well for his size. Natural & functionally strong. Good burst & quicks. Very athletic for 350. Active hands that could improve but shows good techniques.
More names ...
DJ Davidson, Jayden Peevey
DT / UT - Base End - I'm a big fan of Leal but he's not a 2 gapper rn. Not exactly pats prototype but his talent and skill set would be much welcomed here. We need the finish, pass rush, athleticism & we know how good is Bill at putting players in the right position to win. That's what Leal needs, what all prospects need. He needs to add weight & strength but his upside is real imo. I wouldn't say freaky movements but his agility & fluidity are pretty sweet for 290 +. Great snatch technique to catch tackles over-setting / over-extending - he caught Neal a few times like that with his hands too wide, along with using a swim move to blow past OL'm. Can squeeze down the line & keep his outside shoulder clean to cut off the sideline. Inconsistent handling power. Big time versatility that's effective not just a selling point. More effective inside imo taking advantage of less athletic guards but he can work from just about anywhere. Really impressive laterally movements ability. Isn't a master of a trade yet but isn't out in the wilderness in terms of alignment & home. If he needs help being integrated in a scheme I trust Bill to do that. Arrested for having pot on him not too long ago.
Other names to know ...
Devonte Wyatt - Active hands, keeps working for better placement throughout rep. Love his ability to keep working no matter what's thrown at him. Smart player that ID's what's in front of him. Uses his muscle but he's a smart player that figures it out rather than going through you. Partly by design / makeup. Love his toughness. Not a 2 gapper but everything else is there imo that'll we'll think highly of him. Knack for splitting doubles or creases through los. Ricochets off bodies, good contact balance & lateral footwork.
Phidarian Mathis - high floor player that can immediately step in as a 34 end & excel at defending the run. Big time anchor, lower half strength & drive with the ability to read blocks. Plays with discipline, savvy & always with leverage. Smart tough player that's an easy PTP. Not that quick but he's a force that requires your attention bc of strength. Has a few moves - swim, works a lot of things off his rip move. Michael Brokers type that knows his role.
Perrion Winfrey - love his ability to get vertical. Can penetrate the los & disrupt with them best of 'em in the class. Doesn't have an anchor, lower half needs to get a lot stronger. Freaky length. His foot speed & burst are legit. Project that needs nurturing & development. OK didn't do him any favors in terms of alignment. 3-4-5 tech that needs a patient coach.
More names ...
Zach Carter
Edge / Rush who you can kick inside
I suppose you could include Leal in here but we've been over him.
I love Travon Walkers upside. Was looked at in basketball & football coming out HS. I talk about movement(s) a lot bc I believe the simple things are important combined with technique & hard work. His movements are freaky for 280. He's raw but explosive AF & the traits are there in spades. Love the upside here. He can handle OL & use his length or go in a phone booth & fist fight you. Plus contact balance & overall balance. He's an absolute beast at almost 280 & it's a coordinated & control attack.
Other names to know ...
George Karlaftis - big fan. He's a power player with plus hands, motor & burst. Doesn't have prototype length but he's crafty. Twitchy with heavy hands & ability to get skinny - knows where to attack & where the weak points are. Very smart savvy prospect when it comes to knowing reading tackles. Not the most flexible rusher.
Jermaine Johnson - transfer from UG. Stand up OLB to DE. Smart crafty rusher with length. Lots of attitude & toughness. Explosive. Can move vertically & laterally. Smart player that reads & puts info in the back of his mind for later. Always has a pass run plan. Can hold his ground & reset in the run game. Solid floor with room to improve all-around.
Mafe is explosive off the line. Really good jumo off the ball. Inconsistent run defender. Proper frame & physique that could stand a few lbs. Movements are pretty sweet for his size he can move with smaller players in the flat or short areas. Doesn't know how to use his tools yet but his athleticism is crazy. Plus hands that will chop & stun you. Fast with good agility. Really coming into his own in terms of his body he's added like 50lbs since arriving so still can max out what he has in terms of strength & putting it together to work functionally.
Sam Williams - I actually think he has an outside shot as a replacement for HT, maybe OLB opposite Judon? Long shot I know but there's similarities like size, toughness, position & task. Williams is used to taking on bigger bodies in a 3 man front but isn't likely to be doing that next level. I'd love to see what Bill could do with him & his versatility. Sexual battery charge dropped nothing since & seems to know he got a 2nd chance. Tough defender who attacks straight up. Doesn't sell out & try to take the easy way out - he'll take on, fight off blocks & doesn't run around them. Shows good agility & movement around the los. Smaller for a DE or DL but he's tough with good contact balance.
Cam Thomas - is someone who should be talked about a little more imo. Former TE in HS. Former DT in college that is used to that fighting against bigger linemen. Wide nine, 3T, he can attack from anyone & can overwhelm OL'm with his combo of size, athleticism & toughness. He's a string powerful hybrid with plus hands & feet. Has that double swipe / swipe, touch & go hand tools to beat OL'm. Jumps off the screen with force. Athletic & crafty rusher. All around good run defender that isn't a killer could show more aggression but plenty to work with.
More names ...
Josh Paschal, Logan Hall, Arnold Ebiketie, Isaiah Thomas
I'll change it from time to time based on info we get. The combine & athletic testing helps a lot. That really sorts things out. I use that, past trends. Player tendencies & my experience to come up with the list. This isn't just a list of guys I like or w/e. Or rank how I feel. Like grading all prospects, I take most of my opinion out of it.
I'll update it a few times before the draft. It's been said the NEP draft board is small. Around 50-125 prospects. Most boards are smaller believe it or not. Mine is about 110-111 as of right now. I always try to get it around 100 to get it as close to lifelike as possible. Recently I've hit (a hit btw, imo, is just being right on the prospect selected, drafted or udfa. Not what happens after = how good they end up being. I'm just predicting & playing scout not a coach) on Dugger, Wynn, Crossen, Sony, Duke Dawson, Froholdt, Stidham, Keene, Wino, Uche, Asiasi, Onwenu, Lewerke, Bryant, Mac, Mcgrone, Sherman, Harris, Sam, Rivers & Berrios.
6 in 2018, 4 in 2019, 7 in 2020 & 3 last year. Although my dumbasss took Barmore & Perk off my board a few weeks before last year's draft even though wondering out loud "would Barmore be the missing piece on this DL" Safe to say we need more help.
Please if you think someone should be on or off just make a case for them. This is a fluid process up until the draft so very little is set in stone.
How the positions stack up ...
Top Heavy with good depth - CB, Edge/Rush, WR
Really good but little depth - OT, Saf
Solid all around - LB, TE, RB
Good very little depth - IOL, IDL
Hit or Miss - QB
Team needs ...
High Priority
CB1 or 2
DL (idl - edge)
Priority
X or Slot WR
LB (coverage or physical)
Tackle
Value Groupings from @rookBoston. Outstanding post that really captures how we go about things at times. This was a home run post.
"Here’s how it works:
BB, SP and the scouting team identify a group of players who would provide roughly the same value for the team. It is absolutely critical that the staff “believes†in all the players in the value group, without exception. All of them have to be guys that the staff would feel good about drafting and would want to have on the team.
Once a player makes it into a value group, that means he is being targeted for the draft. Before the draft, the staff identify what their key needs are, and decide how they plan on filling those needs, using the value groupings they’ve defined. Generally speaking, it is possible to say, “this group of players should go in the early 1st round, this group of players should go in the late 2nd, early 3rd.â€
On draft day, as the players in a targeted value group start coming off the board, the Pats lie in wait, patiently. The first players coming off the board for a given value group set the baseline value for that group. Once a value group is down to one or two players remaining, they trade into position to take the last guy in that group.
The downside is that by definition, you are taking the guy in each Value Group which the other teams think is the worst of the bunch. But if you’ve setup the board correctly, it shouldn’t matter. It is your own evaluation that counts, not the rest of the teams.
The upside is, you get good players for rock bottom prices. Most important, you eliminate (or at least dramatically reduce) the risk that you come away with absolutely nothing."
...
Few names from each position & how they might fit to our system. There's a word limited (1500 I believe?) to each post so I'll keep it short & have break these up into a few different post. I'll start with DL. Btw first time I used the save button. Huge help @Ian ! I had most of these ready by Tues but keep falling asleep & being lazy after work. I would have lost them so appreciate that. I think @patfanken had an issue with that. Too busy & can't get away from the table for his boys over PF
Defensive Line
0/1 tech - every year I feel like there's a .. "the curious case of _______" and this year I think you could insert Jordan Davis in there. What are teams going to do with the big man? He's a prototype Pat on and off the field. Great person along with a really good prospect. You'll never have to worry about him off the field. He'll be involved in your community day one. That stuff, behind the scenes stuff, matters. And if Bill wants to keep running an old school okie front or at times tite or w/e version of "three inside the tackle" front. A good share of the time we need a force up front. A tone setter. Someone who clog, collapse, re-set, control the los over the ball. Davis can do that has plus heavy heavy hands that shock you, a large tackling radius & silly movements for his size but played less than half the snaps at UG. In part bc of a very talented DL but he's also a burger away from 400 & would be gassed at times (with the limited snap count about 30% this year I believe). Inconsistent jump off the ball but when its right, it's right & he gets all off 380 coming at you at once. Dominant play strength, hands & ability to shed / get off blocks. He'll have trouble on occasions like anyone else but he's monster over the ball & can move laterally quite well for almoat 400lbs. He'll collapse a pocket win a few rushes but also offers very little in terms of rushing the passing if we're being real. That's secondary at the position & in terms of our need but it's still 2022. You're paying a premium for him at 21 though & he's definitely the first off thw board for a NT.
Look at the extension. Davis always does a fantastic job at locking out & getting as long as possible. Consistently does a great job at using his length & he has long arms. You see this quite often him just benching dudes backwards
Other names to know ...
Travis Jones (330 +) eats doubles, can utilize his length to make it very hard to move him & decent range. Inconsistent first step and movements. He'll fight & give you a ton of effort. Good hand location & decent grip strength. Not much pass rush. Can disengage work off blocks decent range.
John Ridgeway (325) Upper half is developed. Can utilize his length, has plus hand usage & grip strength. Effort player, fighter with a big motor. Will draw doubles but lower half and footwork are up to speed to handle 2 gapping or that type of work. Tons of effort, really good quickness & movements for 320 flys around out there fun watch.
Neil Farrell - above average run defender that plays with plus gap discipline and eyes in the backfield. Plays with good leverage and knows how to wrestle around with bigger bodies but not sure he's a consistent 2 gapper & doesn't have the pass rushing skill set to really make it work in an aggressive system. Knows his role. Movements are inconsistent. 50/50 on keeping him & Ridgeway on the board?
Marquan McCall (370+) Big boy that's a pure clogger. Not much finish. At times has a hard time disengaging. Movements are decent for his size. Inconsistent ability to stack & shed. Hands are average at best. He can handle duties at 0/1 but isn't overwhelming anyone.
Noah Elliss (350) big fan of this big boy & rooting for him. Adopted by his uncle Luther who played a decade in league. 4 or 5 other close relatives that played in the league or college ball. He plays with great leverage, good footwork and lower half strength really like his movements vertically and laterally. Can't help but notice his big bubble in air pre-snap. Love a big bubble butt. Thick legs. Plus motor really moves well for his size. Natural & functionally strong. Good burst & quicks. Very athletic for 350. Active hands that could improve but shows good techniques.
More names ...
DJ Davidson, Jayden Peevey
DT / UT - Base End - I'm a big fan of Leal but he's not a 2 gapper rn. Not exactly pats prototype but his talent and skill set would be much welcomed here. We need the finish, pass rush, athleticism & we know how good is Bill at putting players in the right position to win. That's what Leal needs, what all prospects need. He needs to add weight & strength but his upside is real imo. I wouldn't say freaky movements but his agility & fluidity are pretty sweet for 290 +. Great snatch technique to catch tackles over-setting / over-extending - he caught Neal a few times like that with his hands too wide, along with using a swim move to blow past OL'm. Can squeeze down the line & keep his outside shoulder clean to cut off the sideline. Inconsistent handling power. Big time versatility that's effective not just a selling point. More effective inside imo taking advantage of less athletic guards but he can work from just about anywhere. Really impressive laterally movements ability. Isn't a master of a trade yet but isn't out in the wilderness in terms of alignment & home. If he needs help being integrated in a scheme I trust Bill to do that. Arrested for having pot on him not too long ago.
Other names to know ...
Devonte Wyatt - Active hands, keeps working for better placement throughout rep. Love his ability to keep working no matter what's thrown at him. Smart player that ID's what's in front of him. Uses his muscle but he's a smart player that figures it out rather than going through you. Partly by design / makeup. Love his toughness. Not a 2 gapper but everything else is there imo that'll we'll think highly of him. Knack for splitting doubles or creases through los. Ricochets off bodies, good contact balance & lateral footwork.
Phidarian Mathis - high floor player that can immediately step in as a 34 end & excel at defending the run. Big time anchor, lower half strength & drive with the ability to read blocks. Plays with discipline, savvy & always with leverage. Smart tough player that's an easy PTP. Not that quick but he's a force that requires your attention bc of strength. Has a few moves - swim, works a lot of things off his rip move. Michael Brokers type that knows his role.
Perrion Winfrey - love his ability to get vertical. Can penetrate the los & disrupt with them best of 'em in the class. Doesn't have an anchor, lower half needs to get a lot stronger. Freaky length. His foot speed & burst are legit. Project that needs nurturing & development. OK didn't do him any favors in terms of alignment. 3-4-5 tech that needs a patient coach.
More names ...
Zach Carter
Edge / Rush who you can kick inside
I suppose you could include Leal in here but we've been over him.
I love Travon Walkers upside. Was looked at in basketball & football coming out HS. I talk about movement(s) a lot bc I believe the simple things are important combined with technique & hard work. His movements are freaky for 280. He's raw but explosive AF & the traits are there in spades. Love the upside here. He can handle OL & use his length or go in a phone booth & fist fight you. Plus contact balance & overall balance. He's an absolute beast at almost 280 & it's a coordinated & control attack.
Other names to know ...
George Karlaftis - big fan. He's a power player with plus hands, motor & burst. Doesn't have prototype length but he's crafty. Twitchy with heavy hands & ability to get skinny - knows where to attack & where the weak points are. Very smart savvy prospect when it comes to knowing reading tackles. Not the most flexible rusher.
Jermaine Johnson - transfer from UG. Stand up OLB to DE. Smart crafty rusher with length. Lots of attitude & toughness. Explosive. Can move vertically & laterally. Smart player that reads & puts info in the back of his mind for later. Always has a pass run plan. Can hold his ground & reset in the run game. Solid floor with room to improve all-around.
Mafe is explosive off the line. Really good jumo off the ball. Inconsistent run defender. Proper frame & physique that could stand a few lbs. Movements are pretty sweet for his size he can move with smaller players in the flat or short areas. Doesn't know how to use his tools yet but his athleticism is crazy. Plus hands that will chop & stun you. Fast with good agility. Really coming into his own in terms of his body he's added like 50lbs since arriving so still can max out what he has in terms of strength & putting it together to work functionally.
Sam Williams - I actually think he has an outside shot as a replacement for HT, maybe OLB opposite Judon? Long shot I know but there's similarities like size, toughness, position & task. Williams is used to taking on bigger bodies in a 3 man front but isn't likely to be doing that next level. I'd love to see what Bill could do with him & his versatility. Sexual battery charge dropped nothing since & seems to know he got a 2nd chance. Tough defender who attacks straight up. Doesn't sell out & try to take the easy way out - he'll take on, fight off blocks & doesn't run around them. Shows good agility & movement around the los. Smaller for a DE or DL but he's tough with good contact balance.
Cam Thomas - is someone who should be talked about a little more imo. Former TE in HS. Former DT in college that is used to that fighting against bigger linemen. Wide nine, 3T, he can attack from anyone & can overwhelm OL'm with his combo of size, athleticism & toughness. He's a string powerful hybrid with plus hands & feet. Has that double swipe / swipe, touch & go hand tools to beat OL'm. Jumps off the screen with force. Athletic & crafty rusher. All around good run defender that isn't a killer could show more aggression but plenty to work with.
More names ...
Josh Paschal, Logan Hall, Arnold Ebiketie, Isaiah Thomas