DRAFT 2024 NEP 6th Round Pick - Joe Milton

[UGAPatsfan]

Holy crap they picked my only non-UDFA Beankie of the draft...

My original thoughts from a month ago:

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3/31
I am all aboard the double dipping on QB with Joe Milton Day 3 train. After watching a couple of his worst 2024 games (all snaps), I don't get the inaccurate label. Dude threw 66.7% against Top 25 teams his last 2 years. I just see drops by mediocre receivers and PIs. I see a lot of really good short throws down the line or across the middle. Yeah he's made mistakes (locking into first read sometimes... ok maybe more than that), but they all have. Not gonna get into footwork because I can't evaluate that.

I also rewatched the Combine, and I couldn't believe not only did he throw 70 actual air yards a couple of times*, but he hit these guys multiple times in stride - guys he wasn't familiar with.

I have a a feeling someone's gonna take him "early" - say 4th round. I'd be comfortable with a 6th.

*JAllen only got to 67yds in the Combine but did 77yds at his pro day, but didn't really have anyone catch much of his long throws. Milton supposedly got to 80yds in his pro day - didn't see it so I won't believe until I see actual tape of it. They say Penix got up to 75yds in his pro day but I just saw about 67 actual air yards.

Edit: Plus he's got a Michigan degree. Pretty sure he graduated in 3 years.

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4/2
I don't know how I got here since I completely dismissed him until a few days ago, but Michael Bishop Joe Milton is one of my draft Beankies (late round draft pick potential steal - but please NOT the only QB taken if this were to happen). I watched all of his 2023 snaps, his horrendous Senior Bowl, and some previous season snaps. What makes this irrationality worse is that the guy reminds me of a slightly better version of 2020 Cam on the Pats. He even did the darn Superman celebration once or twice after a TD run. Some notes before I take time off from football before the draft because I've totally lost it:

- I saw really good decision making overall. Surprisingly very few dumb throws. Stayed comfortable in the pocket moving around avoiding sacks and didsn't panic (this is not what happened in the Senior Bowl, though - woof). Seemed to go through his progressions - hardly saw the "locks on 1st read" issue.
- Has a lot of speed but doesn't seem to run unless he had to - reached 21.3mph on an 81yd TD run which would be faster than any NFL QB run in the NextGenStats era. Take with a grain of salt due to a different measuring system.
- I've never seen so many long throws per game. Seemed like at least five 60 air yard throws (maxed at around 72yds in game end of half heave) every game.
- His Comp % is higher than his reputation because of sooooo many WR screens / throws down the line / flat - quite accurate with those. It was VERY refreshing to see him throw this type of throw compared to how dreadfully slowly Mac would throw the same thing. Estimating a DB would be 1.5-2yd further with a Milton throw versus Mac throw based on calculations, giving the WR space to work.
- Surprising number of batted balls. Weird.
- Holy crap SO MANY DROPS WOW - even non fastball ones - just poor concentration on the receivers. That and so many uncalled blatant PIs. No wonder his 20+ air yd stat is the poop.
- Frustratingly inconsistent (well known but can confirm), capable of making incredible thread the needle intermediate throws (even with touch!) but with those came a lot of slight misfires, but he seemed to improve as the season progressed. He did get sidetracked by a very slight knee injury in Week 5 and the loss of his WR1 around that time as well. 9 starts in 5 years and then 12 last year, so he really has not had much game experience.
- Would make a great long term backup. Apparently a smart guy and a natural leader, although may be too laid back - Seems to lack a competitive fire
- That being said, he has almost all the tools, and if he ever figures it out...

EDIT: I rewatched his Senior Bowl snaps was actually encouraged by what I saw, big warts and all.

BGC 2024 QB/PTP Thread

Caleb Williams is going 1. Then JJ McCarthy is likely going 2 to the Redskins. So we’re going with the LSU QB I suspect unless we trade down. If it goes down like this, it’ll be mentioned ad nauseum that this is what BB would’ve done.

www.patsfans.com

TN WR were TRASH. I think Milton is actually going to become a trade chip eventually

 

[Jim Beankie]

Here is the post by KCSVEN that led me down the QB rabbit hole of rabbit holes - basically Milton was excellent at the stat of at-fault pressures.

Drake Maye would be the IDEAL pick for the Patriots at #3

At this point, I'd be fine with either Maye or Daniels. Either one will be a risk as all rookie QBs are. Both are going to have a steep learning curve in the NFL, but the talent (arm & legs) and processing ability is there. But, the question is - do you think they are better than Mac Jones...

www.patsfans.com

 

[Jim Beankie]

TN WR were TRASH. I think Milton is actually going to become a trade chip eventually

I liked Squirrel a lot. He had his fair share of easy drops, though. Never seen so many heart/back breaking drops as Keyton had (like the one posted by BGC earlier), which sucks because he had some fantastic catches.

 

[hornetfb85]

What if…
A) According to plan Drake Maye sits behind the starter for the year and develops and is 100% ready to go next year

2) Brissett either yanks a hammy or rolls an ankle around week 10.

D) Sticking to the plan and letting Maye sit, the 24 year old more physically ready to take a pounding Joe Milton steps in and plays fairly well the last 7 -8 weeks and we trade him for a 3rd rounder…

 

[Jim Beankie]

Phil Simms made me feel like I was not going crazy during this process. In another video, he said, "If he's available in the 5th, my a$s is taking him!"

 

[TommyD4207]

What if…
A) According to plan Drake Maye sits behind the starter for the year and develops and is 100% ready to go next year

2) Brissett either yanks a hammy or rolls an ankle around week 10.

D) Sticking to the plan and letting Maye sit, the 24 year old more physically ready to take a pounding Joe Milton steps in and plays fairly well the last 7 -8 weeks and we trade him for a 3rd rounder…

If he steps in as, presumably, the 3rd stringer, and plays 'fairly well' the last 7 weeks - he's not the one I'm trading.

 

[PatsfanTN]

TN WR were TRASH. I think Milton is actually going to become a trade chip eventually

Now now, they were not trash.

 

[hornetfb85]

If he steps in as, presumably, the 3rd stringer, and plays 'fairly well' the last 7 weeks - he's not the one I'm trading.

Im not saying better than Maye, but at 6’5 250 he is a little more stout behind our LTless OL

 

[hornetfb85]

Nm

 

[raduray]

Bryson DeChambeau was 2nd at the Long Drive World Champs and also won the US Open. 8 wins on the PGA tour. .

So then, there's hope for Joe Milton

 

[Brick27]

Like the pick if for nothing else to hopefully light a fire under Maye’s ass and have him not be content with expectations

 

[TommyD4207]

Like the pick if for nothing else to hopefully light a fire under Maye’s ass and have him not be content with expectations

Watch their tapes back to back, and tell me there's really a 190 spot difference between them.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Macadoo gets his project.

Patriots are set on a path to have one of the best QB rooms in a few seasons.

Hoping the staff can get these guys to play to their potential.

 

[Jim Beankie]

Too bad they didn't trade down 6 spots to get him.... for the LOLs.

 

[The Gr8est]

Definitely think we'll see what he can do in terms of different packages and looks. Possible hybrid but in terms of raw talent he's a nice piece of clay to work with.

Him and Maye are a definite reflection of what you look for in a "new" QB. Again I think Zappe is done and I was a fan.

@VJCPatriot you keep beating me by a minute I like the quicks

I remember a nickname a former NFL QB had. I don’t remember the QB but I remember the nickname “scud”.

If you recall a scud missile is powerful, but JUST a bit inaccurate.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I like the pick but I could not care less about running skills for a QB. Wild that people highlight it so much over actual QB skills.

Mahomes is elite because of his decision making, accuracy and cluthness. Not because he runs.

I don't think anyone thinks running is more important than quick processing, manipulating a pocket, layering passes etc but the position has changed/evolved. And rushing absolutely matters. I mean look at the QBs we just draft. Downplaying is ignoring the obvious.

You won't be a good qb bc you're a great rushing/scrambling threat but it's bc the norm for the new generation. So not wanting one on your team is only hurting your chances. There's definitely room for "traditional" types but they're few and far between. Again just look at this class. Williams, Daniels, Maye - all big time rushing/ scrambling threats. Huge parts of their game. Again it's a different position. Have to change with the times or you'll become irrelevant.

 

[The Gr8est]

Yeah that is also a good point. You have to guess neither of Maye or Milton are ready to be QB2 in week 1… maybe Maye will be. Probably better to have a guy with some experience as the backup but then they’re carrying 4 QBs. Not sure. Maye might have to be QB2. Hopefully he will have proven himself.

I like the idea of Milton being on the active roster for a gimmick play or two each game.

It could be as a passer or a runner,

But you MUST account for him.

 

[The Gr8est]

I don’t think people understand, Mallett had a great arm, but Milton’s is a bazooka. I saw one guy say it’s the strongest arm he’s ever seen.

Mallett wasn’t the athlete that Milton is either.

 

[The Gr8est]

What if…
A) According to plan Drake Maye sits behind the starter for the year and develops and is 100% ready to go next year

2) Brissett either yanks a hammy or rolls an ankle around week 10.

D) Sticking to the plan and letting Maye sit, the 24 year old more physically ready to take a pounding Joe Milton steps in and plays fairly well the last 7 -8 weeks and we trade him for a 3rd rounder…

If your scenario happens and Milton plays well enough to fetch a 3rd round pick, then I’m keeping him.

 

[mgteich]

If your scenario happens and Milton plays well enough to fetch a 3rd round pick, then I’m keeping him.

If our #3 looks good, he will be the #2 in 2025. If he doesn't look good, we will need to extend Brissette or to sign someone else as a backup.

In theory that could be Milton, Rourke or Zappe. Of course, I do agree with others that the drafting of Milton should mean the Zappe will be gone soon (hopefully in the next month).