Well, he’s not “ just a pass rusher,” and he is an exceptional prospect, and it’s starting to look more and more like he’s not going to make to #15.Similar to WRs there is a love affair in this forum with pass rushers that exceeds the Patriots' value propositions in regards to single skill to draft capital to cap room.
There is particularly not high value placed on single skill players on the defensive side of the ball when the Pats have had a high pick in the first round. Now if this kid is a true five tool player, plays the run as well as rushes the passer as well as has a high football IQ - THEN the possibility rises immensely of selection. But if he's just a pass rusher - what evidence is there of the Patriots historically selecting a single high skill guy in the early first round (especially defensively)?
Right now the Patriots have to be looking at how to win without the best QB, and a great defense and a strong run game are keys to achieving that. And the Patriots will now have 3 top ten draft choice QB’s in their division. What’s the best way to make their lives miserable, a dominant pass rush. Combine this with a dominant run game and you can chew up the clock and get opposing offenses of the field quickly, and they will almost always give you a good shot at winning that game.