ESPN First Take grades Patriots 1st round draft

[KDPPatsfan85]

Eric Mangina gave the Patriots an A+
This other guy, I forgot his name gave the Patriots an A+
Skip Gayless gave the Patriots a B-. Skip thought that Upshaw was the better pick. Mangina said that Hightower was the better fit because he has a higher football IQ and versatile!

 

[ensoul]

You know it has to be good Mangina gave us an A+. Skip Bayless on the other hand is the biggest troll known to mankind.

 

[PATSNUTme]

ProFootballWeekly.com - Ask the experts: Favorite first-round pick

Adam Anshell, senior producer
Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower | Patriots | No. 25
What better person than Bill Belichick to pick one of the most versatile defenders in the draft? Hightower fits perfectly into the middle of the Patriots' 4-3 looks, plus he can line up outside and rush the passer. The Patriots love to throw different looks at offenses and Hightower can stay on the field and thrive in whatever formations that Belichick draws up. He can step in and play immediately and upgrade a LB corps that already has plenty of talent. He's one more toy for the Patriots to play with.

 

[TyronePoole]

I can't think of a single media member whose opinion on draft picks means less to me than Skip Bayless. Maybe Joan Rivers.

 

[SONS_OF_BELICHICK]

BTW the other guy is....christian fauria...a former patriot TE

 

[letekro]

Eric Mangina gave the Patriots an A+
This other guy, I forgot his name gave the Patriots an A+
Skip Gayless gave the Patriots a B-. Skip thought that Upshaw was the better pick. Mangina said that Hightower was the better fit because he has a higher football IQ and versatile!

Hightower is also clearly a better athlete than Upshaw. Jones and Hightower both have serious versatility.

 

[SONS_OF_BELICHICK]

Skip moron bayless ...is there to create controversy.....its not like he is an expert in anything specific ...but talking trash.....

 

[Gronkandez]

Wait, we're now rejoicing because BSPN is lauding our draft? I thought we didn't care what they said.

Mangina is auditioning for another head coaching position somewhere down the road. If he criticizes BB or the Pats he'll come off as holding a grudge and it will make him look even more like a weasel.

 

[Rob0729]

To be perfectly honest, I like that most of the analysts loves the Pats' first round, but judging draft picks the day after they are drafted is an exercise in futility.

 

[PATSNUTme]

NFL.com news: Mike Mayock tips NFL draft cap to four movers, shakers

"Bill Belichick's M.O. is to trade down," Mayock said. "However, I believe Bill knows a thoroughbred when he sees one. He knows that defense is what they lacked in last year. So all of a sudden, they get one of the best linebackers in this draft to go with one of the best pass rushers."

 

[Deus Irae]

To be perfectly honest, I like that most of the analysts loves the Pats' first round, but judging draft picks the day after they are drafted is an exercise in futility.

Given that teams are judging draft picks even before they are drafted, I fail to see the logic in your post.

 

[TyronePoole]

Given that teams are judging draft picks even before they are drafted, I fail to see the logic in your post.

I agree to an extent but there's probably only 3-4 media guys that put in even a tenth of the work or have half the information to make their "analysis" that any of the teams drafting do. I'd be willing to bet that if you did a study of which guys bust and which don't compared to 99% of these draft grades the results would be the same as if you randomly assigned grades.

 

[Deus Irae]

I agree to an extent but there's probably only 3-4 media guys that put in even a tenth of the work or have half the information to make their "analysis" that any of the teams drafting do. I'd be willing to bet that if you did a study of which guys bust and which don't compared to 99% of these draft grades the results would be the same as if you randomly assigned grades.

Historically, 1/3 of first round picks are busts, 1/3 are mediocrities and 1/3 are quality players. It's not as if the people picking the groceries are worlds ahead of the average fan on this.

 

[Rob0729]

Given that teams are judging draft picks even before they are drafted, I fail to see the logic in your post.

And how many times are teams wrong? So if Mangini gives the Pats an A+ for drafting Jones and Hightower and they are busts, what good is that A+ a few years from now?

Yes, teams do grade draft prospects, but teams are wrong all the time with these grades. That is why there are so many first round busts every year. Teams grade players on their potential. They do not have a crystal ball and judge them on what player they will definitely turn out to be.

When you were back in school did you want to your teachers to grade your entire mid term or final exam based on how well you did on the first two answers on the test? That basically what draft analysts are doing today. There will be picks that analysts think are can't miss players who will turn into busts and others that they think that are dogs that will turn into Pro Bowl type of players. Happens every year.

 

[TyronePoole]

Historically, 1/3 of first round picks are busts, 1/3 are mediocrities and 1/3 are quality players. It's not as if the people picking the groceries are worlds ahead of the average fan on this.

If the public as a whole hits on 15% or something of course they are.

 

[Hebeill]

Skip moron bayless ...is there to create controversy.....its not like he is an expert in anything specific ...but talking trash.....

Bayless proves even the village idiot can be a sports analyst.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Skip moron bayless ...is there to create controversy.....its not like he is an expert in anything specific ...but talking trash.....

Very true. I think he might be a regular poster on this board in disguise.

 

[Deus Irae]

And how many times are teams wrong? So if Mangini gives the Pats an A+ for drafting Jones and Hightower and they are busts, what good is that A+ a few years from now?

Yes, teams do grade draft prospects, but teams are wrong all the time with these grades. That is why there are so many first round busts every year. Teams grade players on their potential. They do not have a crystal ball and judge them on what player they will definitely turn out to be.

When you were back in school did you want to your teachers to grade your entire mid term or final exam based on how well you did on the first two answers on the test? That basically what draft analysts are doing today. There will be picks that analysts think are can't miss players who will turn into busts and others that they think that are dogs that will turn into Pro Bowl type of players. Happens every year.

Unless you're saying that they might as well just do away with the draft and randomly assign players to teams, there's a perfectly valid reason to be judging the picks.

You seem to be confusing an initial judgment with a final assessment.

 

[crew1954]

Skip moron bayless ...is there to create controversy.....its not like he is an expert in anything specific ...but talking trash.....

I've heard he can yodel with 2 scrotums in his mouth.

 

[patchick]

Given that teams are judging draft picks even before they are drafted, I fail to see the logic in your post.

I'm with you 100%. We all know perfectly well that it will take years to know the ultimate results of any draft. What analysts (and fans) are passing judgment on is teams' DECISION MAKING, given the info and options available right now.

IMO it's perfectly legitimate to say, e.g., "I don't think Whitney Mercilus is nearly the best choice to improve the Texans as a team." That's an opinion of their draft decision, based on what's knowable right now.