Mock Draft 1.0 – Post Early Free Agency Edition

[PatsFans.com Article]

Mock Draft 1.0 - Post Early Free Agency Edition

Steve Balestrieri

Right now, the Patriots don’t pick until Round 3, #72 due to some of the trades that they’ve swung for Brandin Cooks and Kony Ealy.

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[borisman]

If we don't trade either MB of JG for additional picks and stand Pat then I would kill a man (hey, Ray Lewis did it) if this draft actually happened. It has amazing potential!

 

[PatsGuy]

If this were to happen, I'd b a very happy man!

 

[maineman209]

#72 - ANDERSON...
I like Anderson a lot for the Pats, but I don't see him being "an Edge Player" who would fit as a primarily on-the-line guy in the same mold as Flowers, Sheard or Nink. I think he's more OLB than DE in the Pats' scheme.
Maybe he's an upgrade to McClellin, or maybe he allows Hightower to drop down to on-the-line DE more often. But with Sheard gone and Nink likely in his last season, the Pats would still seem to need to backfill some young talent at DE, even with Anderson. OTOH, with Van Noy's contract up at the end of the season, another solid LB is definitely an impending need.

IF Anderson is still on the board at #72 (not particularly high odds, I don't think), that's when the Pats would need to take him since it seems a bit doubtful he lasts until #96.

#96 - JONES
Another prospect I liked a lot - before he tore his Achilles. If Butler signs his tender before the draft, them maybe I'd be okay with the Pats taking a flyer, although the "normal" risk/reward calculation isn't quite the same as it would've been if the Pats still had 1st and 2nd round picks ahead of this. If the Butler situation isn't resolved by then, I'd say "no way." There are too many other healthy and ready-to-contribute DBs who'll be available at #96 - not to mention that there are several other positions/roles that will need backfilling by the end of 2017 as contracts expire (DE, RB, OT, slot WR).

#131 - BUTT
Basically the same situation as Jones, above. With limited picks in this draft and no 1st and 2nd, it doesn't seem like the time to take the risk of selecting a recently-injured prospect for a redshirt year - especially when very good, healthy TEs will likely still be available later (e.g., George Kittle, late-5th/early-6th).

#163 - WILLIAMS
Aside from somewhat shaky ball-security, he seems okay. OTOH, guys with much better ball-security who are roughly William's equivalent should also be available here, if not even much later. Bigger guys like Conner and De'Veon Smith, as well as roughly-Williams-sized Elijah McGuire.

#183, #200 & #239 are all kind of up for grabs with huge list of potential candidates at nearly every position. However, I'm kinda doubtful that Delano Hill lasts to the mid-7th.

 

[hornetfb85]

 

[long distance]

#72 - ANDERSON...
I like Anderson a lot for the Pats, but I don't see him being "an Edge Player" who would fit as a primarily on-the-line guy in the same mold as Flowers, Sheard or Nink. I think he's more OLB than DE in the Pats' scheme.
Maybe he's an upgrade to McClellin, or maybe he allows Hightower to drop down to on-the-line DE more often. But with Sheard gone and Nink likely in his last season, the Pats would still seem to need to backfill some young talent at DE, even with Anderson. OTOH, with Van Noy's contract up at the end of the season, another solid LB is definitely an impending need.

IF Anderson is still on the board at #72 (not particularly high odds, I don't think), that's when the Pats would need to take him since it seems a bit doubtful he lasts until #96.

#96 - JONES
Another prospect I liked a lot - before he tore his Achilles. If Butler signs his tender before the draft, them maybe I'd be okay with the Pats taking a flyer, although the "normal" risk/reward calculation isn't quite the same as it would've been if the Pats still had 1st and 2nd round picks ahead of this. If the Butler situation isn't resolved by then, I'd say "no way." There are too many other healthy and ready-to-contribute DBs who'll be available at #96 - not to mention that there are several other positions/roles that will need backfilling by the end of 2017 as contracts expire (DE, RB, OT, slot WR).

#131 - BUTT
Basically the same situation as Jones, above. With limited picks in this draft and no 1st and 2nd, it doesn't seem like the time to take the risk of selecting a recently-injured prospect for a redshirt year - especially when very good, healthy TEs will likely still be available later (e.g., George Kittle, late-5th/early-6th).

#163 - WILLIAMS
Aside from somewhat shaky ball-security, he seems okay. OTOH, guys with much better ball-security who are roughly William's equivalent should also be available here, if not even much later. Bigger guys like Conner and De'Veon Smith, as well as roughly-Williams-sized Elijah McGuire.

#183, #200 & #239 are all kind of up for grabs with huge list of potential candidates at nearly every position. However, I'm kinda doubtful that Delano Hill lasts to the mid-7th.

#72 is between Anderson, Basham, DeMarcus Walker for me at the moment.

The Q is:
- do you want very good Ninko/McClellin “replacement“ that is versatile and probably ready to take on some DE rotation in 2017 and then start in OLB capacity from 2018
- or Sheard “replacement“ and hope he can contribute in 2017 (while having lots of upside further on)
- or “another“ Flowers with possibly even higher ceiling that seems ready to back-up or even rotate this year

BTW - Walker is available also a bit later on most boards so you could consider some great versatile DB options (at least one of Awuzie, Maye, J Jones, Melifonwu should still be there) - w Chung's backup/later replacement in mind.

Taking Sydney Jones at #72 would also be a good option “replacing“ Butler in 2018 (since I doubt he falls much lower and probably not even this low - Pats are not the only team that can wait a year for top CB player)

 

[Peachhead]

I'd be very surprised if Anderson made it to #72. Very! And thrilled. Before we traded #32 for Cooks I was considering Anderson @ #32 or maybe after a small trade down to the early 2nd round. I think he's rated (among teams) higher than many people think.

After that, I think this mock falls apart for a couple rounds. Before his injury Sidney Jones was a surefire 1st rounder. After it, I'd rather not take a chance on him - at all. Achilles injuries worry me that much.

Then Jake Butt. An injury case at a position we don't particularly need. No thanks.

I don't know much about Jamaal Williams. But he seems not fast or quick enough to be a factor on STs or as a 3rd down back (which we don't need anyways) or big enough to be an every down back.

I really like Erik Magnuson and I'd be very happy and a little surprised if he was at this spot for us. I also like that you're considering OTs.

I don't know anything about Matt Milano but I love that you took another LB. I think we can use at least two new guys here.

I like Delano Hill and this pick would make me smile.