long distance
Pro Bowl Player
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Some thoughts upon tiresome re-watch:
Last night game was almost exclusively about depth. Those who like to worry were given some reasons.
On the bright side - positions that kept most people up during long offseason - DL, LB, DB - actually look decent in depth which is hardly a surprise.
The question still might be the quality at the top - something next game will be about.
Safety - is by far the best and deepest position on D, maybe on the entire roster. If your #5 & #6 players on the depth chart look like legit NFL players thats luxury right there. Unfortunately this luxury is not too significant from the positional/trade value stand point. It was still nice to see Bledsoe and surprisingly Elliott (MVP in my book that is hardly mentioned) ball. Does it make sense to keep 6 safeties on 53 (considering you also have some CBs and STs that can jump in)? Can you get some trade value? Can Dugger be the surprise trade? I doubt there is much value or sense there.
CB - runs quite deep with at least 7 players on the solid side (Wade looked ok as decent backup out and in, Jack Jones already has JC flashes, Mitchell proved offseason reports of solid play although playing with his back turned all the time brings risks and limitations). The question is is there enough quality at the top?
Since all DBs were on the field except Mills, J.Jones and M.Jones one can already get a picture - and the picture is a bit problematic - plenty of players you'd like to keep around but not enough quality at the top to be a position of strength Pats fans got used to.
WR - gave some positive vibes as well but falls in similar category - plenty of guys you'd like to keep but starting quality is tbd. Normally decent depth should offer some trade value at this position but circumstances are not favourable. Agholor should be a prime candidate for a nice trade (2nd rounder like Sanu etc.) but combination of his contract and last yr production could significantly lower it. Pats could/should eat some of the cap to facilitate a decent trade anyway.
Jakobi and Bourne maybe have some trade value but they might have more value to Mac atp.
DL - The depth is def. there at IDL - Davis can back up & jump in at NT, Ekuale looks further improved, Roberts confirmed offseason promise and Ray (once considered clear 1st rounder) would be a prime candidate to keep the UDFA>53 streak going but the depth in front of him might push him to “hope he clears the waivers“ category. Ekuale suspension gives another initial roster spot but might not go to DL. Again unfortunately there's not much to gain from this depth since there is not much trade value: God is fixed, i doubt Guy has any trade value and the rest are backups, maybe Ekuale if he continues to flash but he's one id like to keep.
edge - it was nice to see Anderson in better shape than last yr but one would prefer if youngsters would beat him out. Jennings looked legit backup/rotational edge and could even be un upgrade to KVN from last yr, Ray could develop into decent NE DE, Uche seems where he was, situational asset at best and Perkins looked small and lost. If Judon goes down there will be hard to find some spark from the edge and with iffy CB atm that is not the best recipe. I hope Flowers is still an option.
LB - McMillan was decent but is it good enough since he is projected starter? Wilson looked good so that levels the situation and offers good complementary rotation. The problem is there is no real depth after that. Assuming nickel & dime takes north of 70% & Phillips, Peppers, Dugger are LBs in disguise anyway it should still be ok. Unfortunately McGrone didn't look ready yet, hopefully he stays healthy and grows during the season on the scout team.
OL is a mess & a whole other chapter ... tbc
Last night game was almost exclusively about depth. Those who like to worry were given some reasons.
On the bright side - positions that kept most people up during long offseason - DL, LB, DB - actually look decent in depth which is hardly a surprise.
The question still might be the quality at the top - something next game will be about.
Safety - is by far the best and deepest position on D, maybe on the entire roster. If your #5 & #6 players on the depth chart look like legit NFL players thats luxury right there. Unfortunately this luxury is not too significant from the positional/trade value stand point. It was still nice to see Bledsoe and surprisingly Elliott (MVP in my book that is hardly mentioned) ball. Does it make sense to keep 6 safeties on 53 (considering you also have some CBs and STs that can jump in)? Can you get some trade value? Can Dugger be the surprise trade? I doubt there is much value or sense there.
CB - runs quite deep with at least 7 players on the solid side (Wade looked ok as decent backup out and in, Jack Jones already has JC flashes, Mitchell proved offseason reports of solid play although playing with his back turned all the time brings risks and limitations). The question is is there enough quality at the top?
Since all DBs were on the field except Mills, J.Jones and M.Jones one can already get a picture - and the picture is a bit problematic - plenty of players you'd like to keep around but not enough quality at the top to be a position of strength Pats fans got used to.
WR - gave some positive vibes as well but falls in similar category - plenty of guys you'd like to keep but starting quality is tbd. Normally decent depth should offer some trade value at this position but circumstances are not favourable. Agholor should be a prime candidate for a nice trade (2nd rounder like Sanu etc.) but combination of his contract and last yr production could significantly lower it. Pats could/should eat some of the cap to facilitate a decent trade anyway.
Jakobi and Bourne maybe have some trade value but they might have more value to Mac atp.
DL - The depth is def. there at IDL - Davis can back up & jump in at NT, Ekuale looks further improved, Roberts confirmed offseason promise and Ray (once considered clear 1st rounder) would be a prime candidate to keep the UDFA>53 streak going but the depth in front of him might push him to “hope he clears the waivers“ category. Ekuale suspension gives another initial roster spot but might not go to DL. Again unfortunately there's not much to gain from this depth since there is not much trade value: God is fixed, i doubt Guy has any trade value and the rest are backups, maybe Ekuale if he continues to flash but he's one id like to keep.
edge - it was nice to see Anderson in better shape than last yr but one would prefer if youngsters would beat him out. Jennings looked legit backup/rotational edge and could even be un upgrade to KVN from last yr, Ray could develop into decent NE DE, Uche seems where he was, situational asset at best and Perkins looked small and lost. If Judon goes down there will be hard to find some spark from the edge and with iffy CB atm that is not the best recipe. I hope Flowers is still an option.
LB - McMillan was decent but is it good enough since he is projected starter? Wilson looked good so that levels the situation and offers good complementary rotation. The problem is there is no real depth after that. Assuming nickel & dime takes north of 70% & Phillips, Peppers, Dugger are LBs in disguise anyway it should still be ok. Unfortunately McGrone didn't look ready yet, hopefully he stays healthy and grows during the season on the scout team.
OL is a mess & a whole other chapter ... tbc