Instant Reaction: Your Patriots 2023 Draft Grade

[duc359]

We have so many OG's & OT's now, I'm not sure how this logjam will play out. There's 5 OT's: Brown, Rieff, Anderson, Cajuste, Steuber. There's 4 guards: Strange, Onwenu, Sow, Mafi. There's also 3 centers: D Andrews, Russey, and J Andrews. Ferentz will be gone, and I guess Russey will be gone, and probably Cajuste will be gone, but that still leaves 10 OL.

We have two good starting guards in Strange and Onwenu. BB is on record as saying that Onwenu is more suited to G than T, and I haven't heard any serious conversation about moving Strange to OT. Now we draft both Sow and Mafi in the 4th & 5th rounds.

It's starting to look like they're going to trade Onwenu this summer, replace him with Mafi, and move Sow to OT. In that case they'd cut or trade Anderson, and Steuber goes back to the practice squad, to get us down to 8.

Ummm... camp will reveal a lot, injuries, age, lack of commitment. Trading Owenu is possible, but they'd geta comp pick if he leaves, and his contract is chump change, so probably not. Maybe more than one for PS and/or IR? Anderson I think is going to be no lower than 3rd in snaps at OT. Plus more than usual salary dumps this year, might score a good T that way.

 

[mrscruff]

Sidy Sow looks intriguing. Got some things to improve on but could be a future fan favourite.
In these highlights, he is the LG for eastern Michigan no. 62.

Pitt vs Easter Michigan Highlights | 2019 Quick Lane Bowl Highlights (featuring Chad Ryland for Eastern Michigan)
Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan Football Game Highlights 11 27 2020 (also featuring Chad Ryland for Eastern Michigan)
Eastern Michigan vs Liberty | 2021 LendingTree Bowl (Demario Douglas no. 3 for Liberty)
Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | 2022
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
Eastern Michigan vs Akron | 2022

 

[Real fan 02]

Montgomery competes for the 5th utility position, which we often have.

He was a replacement for Bolden and is a kick returner, backup RB, STer, and a #5 WR.

Ty is on the 2nd year of his 2 yr deal.. he got hurt the 1st game of the season and was on IR the rest of year..

 

[Rob0729]

Sporting News not impressed, ranking us 29th. The good news is the JETE ranked 32nd.

29. New England Patriots

• Grade: C-

Draft picks: CB Christian Gonzalez, DT Keion White, S Marte Mapu, C Jake Andrews, K Chad Ryland, G Sidy Sow, G Atonio Mafi, WR Kayshon Boutte, P Bryce Baringer, WR Demario Douglas, CB Ameer Speed, CB Isaiah Bolden
Analysis: The Patriots hit Gonzalez out of the park and also got their ideal defensive lineman in White. But then it was the typical "why?" and "who?" that's been the case of late under Bill Belichick, including too many offensive linemen, a kicker and a punter. At least Boutte keeps Day 3 from being a total repeat flameout.

MSN

I don't really get logic like this. If Gonzalez turns into a top CB and White is a solid starter, that should automatically give the Pats a B. You get a blue chip player and a solid starter, you have at least a good draft even if all the other players bust out. Another player or two turns into starters and it is an A range draft.

And your day one and day two picks should be weighted more than day three picks. Late fifth round picks and lower are all crapshoots.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Ty is on the 2nd year of his 2 yr deal.. he got hurt the 1st game of the season and was on IR the rest of year..

I think he's got a solid shot at being our 3rd down back - so Rham & Robinson are the workhorses and Ty is 3rd down. Not sure where that leaves Strong or Harris. Harris would probably be out, keep Strong cause of his speed.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

so, i thought I'd do a draft write up, give a grade, all that instant analysis fun stuff that we all expect and read after each round, and after the draft is complete... Started the process... looking up all those nifty highlight videos... making comments about each guy... made it to about the middle of the fourth round and realized what I had written was basically ********...

Outside of Gonzales I didn't know one person we selected in the draft... Now If I had spent time watching college football or way before the draft started doing a deep dive into the college ranks, looking up games, videos, etc on players I noticed, I might have heard a few names, but tbh I don't watch college football and i didn't do anything remotely resembling draft prep except for reading a few top player at positions of need...

So, with that in mind, here's my overall draft grade, based not so much on particular players, but the roles they will fill... and that Grade is a: C+

so here is a wee bit of a break down...
The Christian Gonzales pick... He's one of the guys I did read about... I honestly didn't think he'd fall to 17... so thats an A from me...

Quite frankly I thought we were going in a different direction in the draft... I thought it was going to be offense heavy in the early rounds... I thought 1 overall was going to be a tackle... Nah, we didn't even bother with one, lol... Thought there was an outside shot at an early WR... lol, didn't bother until the, what, 5th round? So thats basically a F...

Then I looked at what they did do... A couple defensive edge / lb type guys... White & Mapu ... now these picks surprised me... I didn't think we'd be going after guys like these... I had said prior to the draft I wanted to trade down and grab a guy to pair with Judon and Barmore... edge preferably, but a 1T wide body would have works as well... So I liked this move... These picks I rate a solid B...

Then we get to the mid rounds... Center, 2 Guards and a Kicker... Okay, right away, using a 4th on a kicker is an automatic F from me... what it would normally say to me was that the guy they wanted was taken... but they traded up... ugh... F from me... But the other guys are needed depth, and we desperately need someone besides James Ferentz to back up David Andrews... so that brings the bulk of the mid round draft selections to the C level

The ass end of the draft... two WRs, a punter and a few DBs... well we need a punter... so im not going to drag that pick... the two WRs? I am imagining that they are practice squad fodder, so meh... the DBs are bigger than average though, both over 6 feet, both over 200 pounds... makes me wonder if they are LB conversion projects... bult them up a bit... keep their speed... Overall, a C+ for the tail end of the draft, just based on potential...

that averages out to a C+

What really hurt us this year (in my opinion, ymmv) was not getting an offensive lineman or a weapon, to help Mac Jones... among other guys, Notre Dames TE Mayer was there for the taking... Josh jumped up and grabbed him... we jumped up for a kicker :/

It was a good draft that could have been slightly better...

Oh and one last thing, Screw Albert Breer for ruining the entire draft by tipping every selection minutes before they were announced... maybe you all didn't mind, but it bothered me... complete little **** energy vibes from that guy... **** move Albert, **** move...
.

As far as Breer: I would have agreed with you in the past, but this year I just couldn't take the delays with TV announcing the picks. It was already bad in previous years, and seemed much worse this year. So I was glad that in the early rounds Breer was putting the picks out there as they were turned in. All the teams must see them when "Pick is in", and he must have a source on a team that was telling him.

NFLN is now just like ESPN with the way they do the draft, and if I were them I would change and announce the pick as soon as it is turned in - not 5 min later.

 

[50-yard-line]

I don't really get logic like this. If Gonzalez turns into a top CB and White is a solid starter, that should automatically give the Pats a B. You get a blue chip player and a solid starter, you have at least a good draft even if all the other players bust out. Another player or two turns into starters and it is an A range draft.

And your day one and day two picks should be weighted more than day three picks. Late fifth round picks and lower are all crapshoots.

It's not logic, it's old-school bias...like an English teacher telling you not to use attribution in dialogue. Kickers/punters in days of yore were not valued by most, until people like Guy came along and started flipping field position. But the old, "Don't draft a kicker!" mentality has stuck (in fairness, in part because Kickers fluctuate from year to year.

They were apoplectic that the Pats traded up for a kicker, like some here (if that's the site I'm thinking about).

They never mention that the Pats got an extra 4th by pausing on Gonzo. Nor that the only other top-rated kicker was nabbed by SF in the 3rd. And they, like some here, think Folk was great last year. He was good enough UNTIL the season drew on and the weather turned. They NEEDED a kicker and a punter, full stop.

They call Mapu a tweener, but make no mention that the Eagles pick at the end of Round 1 is a 237-pound DE...
They want a narrative and will stick with it. I didn't chide SF for grabbing their kicker in the late 3rd of a draft that I thought (and apparently, so did the pros) was very very weak.

 

[upstater1]

I don't really get logic like this. If Gonzalez turns into a top CB and White is a solid starter, that should automatically give the Pats a B. You get a blue chip player and a solid starter, you have at least a good draft even if all the other players bust out. Another player or two turns into starters and it is an A range draft.

And your day one and day two picks should be weighted more than day three picks. Late fifth round picks and lower are all crapshoots.

Some of these teams were using the PFT mock draft machine app to select players. Look at this:

Draft picks: DT Jalen Carter, EDGE Nolan Smith, OT Tyler Steen, S Sydney Brown. CB Kelee Ringo, QB Tanner McKee, DT Moro Ojomo

Draft picks: QB Anthony Richardson, CB Julius Brents, WR Josh Downs, OT Blake Freeland, DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, CB Darius Rush, S Daniel Scott, TE Will Mallory, RB Evan Hull, LB Titus Leo, CB Jaylon Jones, OT Jake Witt

Draft picks: OT Broderick Jones, CB Joey Porter Jr., DT Keeanu Benton,TE Darnell Washington, LB Nick Herbig, CB Cory Trice, G/OT Spencer Anderson

These drafts are straight down the line PFT ranked best player available at the pick.

I'm not saying the drafts are bad or mistakes, but I am saying they impress the basement-mock-in-your-underwear "analysts."

 

[Real fan 02]

I think he's got a solid shot at being our 3rd down back - so Rham & Robinson are the workhorses and Ty is 3rd down. Not sure where that leaves Strong or Harris. Harris would probably be out, keep Strong cause of his speed.

I believe due to Harris and strong being 2nd year players thier spots are safe.. in a dysfunctional offense they showed glimpses of thier abilities.. so ty is on a short deal he's been injured the last few seasons If he isn't healthy enough or shows enough to hold a roster spot I can see the team trading him or coming to an injury settlement instead of the PUP

 

[Real fan 02]

Ummm... camp will reveal a lot, injuries, age, lack of commitment. Trading Owenu is possible, but they'd geta comp pick if he leaves, and his contract is chump change, so probably not. Maybe more than one for PS and/or IR? Anderson I think is going to be no lower than 3rd in snaps at OT. Plus more than usual salary dumps this year, might score a good T that way.

I'd say trading ownenu would be a mistake while he's probably outside of andrews the best O lineman.. he'll likely get the tag from the team if they can't work out a contract next off season. Nevertheless Interesting to see how the o line pans out.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think the last two picks are Broad copies for STs.

I'd agree.. looking at the moves made in FA and draft it's clear the team felt it needed to upgrade STs. As long as Marcus is returning kicks STs will create an advantage so all the pressure doesn't have to be on the other units

 

[duc359]

I think he's got a solid shot at being our 3rd down back - so Rham & Robinson are the workhorses and Ty is 3rd down. Not sure where that leaves Strong or Harris. Harris would probably be out, keep Strong cause of his speed.

Maybe. But a 30 yr old guy with 4 IR visits, 3.3 ypc on the ground career, with all the KR, PR guys BB has grabbed up, his only role would be 3rd down back. Taylor I don't believe in. Camp cuts/salary dumps/Strong/and heck maybe Douglas get a shot.

 

[Hyped]

B overall for me. Gonzalez was an A+ for me….White seems pretty tough to block…unsure about the hybrid LB/S in round 3 or the 3 interior linemen in the 4th/5th rounds. Liked the specialists taken and the rolls of dice on two WR’s late.

 

[Pape]

so, i thought I'd do a draft write up, give a grade, all that instant analysis fun stuff that we all expect and read after each round, and after the draft is complete... Started the process... looking up all those nifty highlight videos... making comments about each guy... made it to about the middle of the fourth round and realized what I had written was basically ********...

Outside of Gonzales I didn't know one person we selected in the draft... Now If I had spent time watching college football or way before the draft started doing a deep dive into the college ranks, looking up games, videos, etc on players I noticed, I might have heard a few names, but tbh I don't watch college football and i didn't do anything remotely resembling draft prep except for reading a few top player at positions of need...

So, with that in mind, here's my overall draft grade, based not so much on particular players, but the roles they will fill... and that Grade is a: C+

so here is a wee bit of a break down...
The Christian Gonzales pick... He's one of the guys I did read about... I honestly didn't think he'd fall to 17... so thats an A from me...

Quite frankly I thought we were going in a different direction in the draft... I thought it was going to be offense heavy in the early rounds... I thought 1 overall was going to be a tackle... Nah, we didn't even bother with one, lol... Thought there was an outside shot at an early WR... lol, didn't bother until the, what, 5th round? So thats basically a F...

Then I looked at what they did do... A couple defensive edge / lb type guys... White & Mapu ... now these picks surprised me... I didn't think we'd be going after guys like these... I had said prior to the draft I wanted to trade down and grab a guy to pair with Judon and Barmore... edge preferably, but a 1T wide body would have works as well... So I liked this move... These picks I rate a solid B...

Then we get to the mid rounds... Center, 2 Guards and a Kicker... Okay, right away, using a 4th on a kicker is an automatic F from me... what it would normally say to me was that the guy they wanted was taken... but they traded up... ugh... F from me... But the other guys are needed depth, and we desperately need someone besides James Ferentz to back up David Andrews... so that brings the bulk of the mid round draft selections to the C level

The ass end of the draft... two WRs, a punter and a few DBs... well we need a punter... so im not going to drag that pick... the two WRs? I am imagining that they are practice squad fodder, so meh... the DBs are bigger than average though, both over 6 feet, both over 200 pounds... makes me wonder if they are LB conversion projects... bult them up a bit... keep their speed... Overall, a C+ for the tail end of the draft, just based on potential...

that averages out to a C+

What really hurt us this year (in my opinion, ymmv) was not getting an offensive lineman or a weapon, to help Mac Jones... among other guys, Notre Dames TE Mayer was there for the taking... Josh jumped up and grabbed him... we jumped up for a kicker :/

It was a good draft that could have been slightly better...

Oh and one last thing, Screw Albert Breer for ruining the entire draft by tipping every selection minutes before they were announced... maybe you all didn't mind, but it bothered me... complete little **** energy vibes from that guy... **** move Albert, **** move...
.

@rochrist
you don't agree ... Okay ... Why don't you agree?

 

[BTTA]

I don't really get logic like this. If Gonzalez turns into a top CB and White is a solid starter, that should automatically give the Pats a B. You get a blue chip player and a solid starter, you have at least a good draft even if all the other players bust out. Another player or two turns into starters and it is an A range draft.

And your day one and day two picks should be weighted more than day three picks. Late fifth round picks and lower are all crapshoots.

By any measure other than FOTM*, that's an outstanding draft.

*Followship of The Miserable

 

[Real fan 02]

@rochrist
you don't agree ... Okay ... Why don't you agree?

All that's matter is I agree... lol

 

[mgteich]

I believe due to Harris and strong being 2nd year players thier spots are safe.. in a dysfunctional offense they showed glimpses of thier abilities.. so ty is on a short deal he's been injured the last few seasons If he isn't healthy enough or shows enough to hold a roster spot I can see the team trading him or coming to an injury settlement instead of the PUP

???
So, a 4th rounder and 6th rounder who showed almost nothing are somehow ENTITLED to a roster spot? Why? They had a RB coach. They were evaluated.

I'm NOT saying that neither will make the roster. However, I don't see why we need both on the 53. And, if they didn't show anything in 2022 and don't in 2023 Training camp and the preseason, I am not all worried about someone else taking them for their Practice Squad.

I have no reason to believe that they both will beat out a healthy Montgomery, who is an emergency RB. kick returner, emergency WR and a STer.
He was an almost exact replacement for Bolden in those roles.

 

[Real fan 02]

???
So, a 4th rounder and 6th rounder who showed almost nothing are somehow ENTITLED to a roster spot? Why? They had a RB coach. They were evaluated.

I'm NOT saying that neither will make the roster. However, I don't see why we need both on the 53. And, if they didn't show anything in 2022 and don't in 2023 Training camp and the preseason, I am not all worried about someone else taking them for their Practice Squad.

I have no reason to believe that they both will beat out a healthy Montgomery, who is an emergency RB. kick returner, emergency WR and a STer.
He was an almost exact replacement for Bolden in those roles.

Don't get me wrong EVERYONE will have to earn thier roster spots.. as BB always says it's now how you get here.. it's what u do when are here.

Yes I go back to the Arizona game.. Harris and strong both had games where they showed their talents and under a REAL offense this season they'd be used correctly. So of course nothing is guaranteed.. however just forward thinking I cannot see BB giving up on 2 talented backs that both bring different skill sets to the offense. Again I was high on Montgomery however he has to show he can remain healthy.. until then I have Harris and strong ahead of him on the depth charts..

 

[Sam Bam Cunningham]

117. Patriots: Sidy Sow, OG, Eastern Michigan​

CBS: Grade: A

Ultra-experienced, big, balanced, athleticism specimen at guard who's rarely out of position or off balanced. Combo-blocking machine. Hand work is good. Hard to find a flaw to his game.

PFBN: Grade: A-

One of the most talented interior linemen left on the board, Sidy Sow comes with a bevy of experience from his time at Eastern Michigan. A five-year starter for the Eagles, Sow is strong with both his hands and his lower-half footwork. He’s equally impressive in pass protection as he is on the move in the run game.

Herald: Grade B-

Sow stands at 6-foot-4 and 323 pounds. He is one of the draft's most athletic and experienced offensive lineman with 55 career starts. Sow started 44 games at left guard the last four seasons after taking 11 at left tackle in 2018.

Sow was voted to the MAC all-conference first team each of the past two seasons. He is regarded as a powerful run-blocker with strong football intelligence and versatility. He only committed one penalty last season, per The Athletic.

SI:

"On film, Sow is a big framed guard, with a strong lower half," SI Draft Bible writes. "His play strength was very solid and it was evident in the run game, where he put defenders in the dirt often. Sow is able to drive defenders backward when he plays low on man blocking concepts. An experienced player, Sow has very good football IQ. His ability to handle stunts and twists was fantastic.

NBC:

"Sow doesn't hail from a Power Five program, but he tested like an NFL-caliber athlete. He recorded excellent jumps in Indy this year, with a 32-inch vertical (91st percentile) and a 9-foot-2 broad (90th).

"He also clocked a quick 40 time with a 5.07-second run (90th). His three-cone (7.62 seconds) and short shuttle (4.69 seconds) weren't elite, but they were above average."

Summary/Prediction:

Popovitch (former Pats Asst) had him last year (oops, wrong that was Andrews as pointed out). He's making the roster, and has a very good shot at being the starting RG in '24 if Owenu is gone.

NFL.com
"Despite the starting experience, he struggles to find proper angles in the running game and respond to blitzes/twists in pass protection. While he could continue to improve and has some physical traits to work with, making a roster will be an uphill climb."

Its only one review but does this sound like a keeper to you?

 

[Kdo5]

C+ almost solely based off the Gonzalez pick. Going all defense for our first several picks doesn’t make sense given that our defense was already our strength, offense is the weakness.

The trade for the kicker is also a knock on their draft grade.