New England Patriots Mock Draft 3.0, Building Depth on Defense

[PatsFans.com Article]

New England Patriots Mock Draft 3.0, Building Depth on Defense

Steve Balestrieri

After investing in Tony Garcia last year and bringing back LaAdrian Waddle, our take is that they may draft one, but more for depth. Now with the news that Garcia is fully ready to go, we’ll double down with that.

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[scott99]

I like this draft, checks off all of the boxes. Though not the biggest Rudolph fan, he’s growing on me.

 

[50-yard-line]

I'm with you on this, though I agree with the above. Whenever I read that a QB "tends to stare down receivers," my "run away" lights start flashing.

I do like a top-tier, ready-to-go LB with the first pick, and a good developmental DB (I'd prefer a safety, but B - DB-PA) with the second.

The RB I like is Sony Michel, but that would take the third pick, at least. I think he might be worth drafting.

 

[maineman209]

I doubt that BB would spend anything higher than a 5th-round pick on a TE who hasn't demonstrated competence at inline run-blocking and pass-blocking.

I cringe when I read that an LB is unlikely to be successful playing every down. With today's up-tempo/no-huddle offenses, a team can't afford to get stuck with that guy on the field in a situation where they can't sub him out.

I'm not real keen on the whole "coverage LB" concept. I'd rather run the 3-safety "Big Nickel" as the default package, with 2-3 solid, run-stopping LBs who aren't a total liability in coverage, and add a solid 4th safety to the roster who can cover and tackle well.

 

[maineman209]

Armstrong, OTOH, has possibilities - especially if he's had any experience 2-gapping and playing stand-up OLB. He's good size for that role already (6035/257) with really long arms (34.75"), very good combo of 10yd split (1.70-1.73), shuttle (4.23) and 3-cone (7.12).

 

[DarrylS]

Think there is a need to invest in an athletic tackle with Pick #2..

 

[maineman209]

Think there is a need to invest in an athletic tackle with Pick #2..

If athleticism is what's required, there are at least five OT prospects who should be available from the #63 through the #198 who are significantly more athletic than Garcia, Waddle and Cannon, at least based on their testing numbers.

 

[Nunchucks]

I doubt that BB would spend anything higher than a 5th-round pick on a TE who hasn't demonstrated competence at inline run-blocking and pass-blocking.

I cringe when I read that an LB is unlikely to be successful playing every down. With today's up-tempo/no-huddle offenses, a team can't afford to get stuck with that guy on the field in a situation where they can't sub him out.

I'm not real keen on the whole "coverage LB" concept. I'd rather run the 3-safety "Big Nickel" as the default package, with 2-3 solid, run-stopping LBs who aren't a total liability in coverage, and add a solid 4th safety to the roster who can cover and tackle well.

Patriots got run on last year because the 3 safety concept just doesn't have enough physicality. A LB that can run and cover is really a major piece of the defense that is lacking.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Patriots got run on last year because the 3 safety concept just doesn't have enough physicality. A LB that can run and cover is really a major piece of the defense that is lacking.

They were run on because they couldn't set the edge, Branch sucked and they lost Hightower.

If you have players who can swarm the LoS and consume blockers , big nickel is fine.

 

[maineman209]

Patriots got run on last year because the 3 safety concept just doesn't have enough physicality. A LB that can run and cover is really a major piece of the defense that is lacking.

I strongly disagree.

The Pats got run on because (1) the DL primarily consisted of ..
- two rookies (Wise and Butler)
- a virtual rookie playing the first defensive snaps of his career in wk-12 (Lee)
- an over-the-hill NT who couldn't ever get into playing shape (Branch)
- one experienced and stalwart undertackle DT (Brown)
- one experienced 3-4 DE/interior rusher (Guy)
- one experiened 4-3 DE (T. Flowers)
... with late-season, low snap-count contributions from Harrison and RJF.

and because (2), the LBs who played the vast majority of the snaps ...

Van Noy
Roberts
M. Flowers
(and Lee at OLB, part time)

entered the 2017 season having played a combined total number of NFL defensive snaps roughly equal to one average season's worth of D-snaps from Hightower.

The 3-safety concept didn't fail. It simply wasn't enough to overcome the extreme lack of healthy, experienced bodies in front of it.

Furthermore, if you're going to have the defense rely on a "coverage LB" role for its success, you'd better get two, since you're screwed if the only one you have gets hurt. And both of them better be able to play very solid run defense, as well as cover - IOW all three downs.

 

[mgteich]

And, we will add a lot this year

The DL will be greatly improved with Shelton and Valentine added.

We have last year's prospects who could develop: Rivers, Wise, Lee and Butler.

Hightower is back, along with another prospect (Langi).
===========
MORE TO COME
Even ONE top front seven player would make a huge difference. A linebacker would allow Hightower to play outside more. An EDGE rusher would make the linebackers much better, since they wouldn't need to do the work of the DE's.

Obviously, a lot depends on who is available. However, a DE has the advantage of preparing for the departure of Flowers.

Curiously, I'm OK with Roberts, Hightower and Van Noy against the run.

I strongly disagree.

The Pats got run on because (1) the DL primarily consisted of ..
- two rookies (Wise and Butler)
- a virtual rookie playing the first defensive snaps of his career in wk-12 (Lee)
- an over-the-hill NT who couldn't ever get into playing shape (Branch)
- one experienced and stalwart undertackle DT (Brown)
- one experienced 3-4 DE/interior rusher (Guy)
- one experiened 4-3 DE (T. Flowers)
... with late-season, low snap-count contributions from Harrison and RJF.

and because (2), the LBs who played the vast majority of the snaps ...

Van Noy
Roberts
M. Flowers
(and Lee at OLB, part time)

entered the 2017 season having played a combined total number of NFL defensive snaps roughly equal to one average season's worth of D-snaps from Hightower.

The 3-safety concept didn't fail. It simply wasn't enough to overcome the extreme lack of healthy, experienced bodies in front of it.

Furthermore, if you're going to have the defense rely on a "coverage LB" role for its success, you'd better get two, since you're screwed if the only one you have gets hurt. And both of them better be able to play very solid run defense, as well as cover - IOW all three downs.

 

[50-yard-line]

And, we will add a lot this year

The DL will be greatly improved with Shelton and Valentine added.

We have last year's prospects who could develop: Rivers, Wise, Lee and Butler.

Hightower is back, along with another prospect (Langi).
===========
MORE TO COME
Even ONE top front seven player would make a huge difference. A linebacker would allow Hightower to play outside more. An EDGE rusher would make the linebackers much better, since they wouldn't need to do the work of the DE's.

Obviously, a lot depends on who is available. However, a DE has the advantage of preparing for the departure of Flowers.

Curiously, I'm OK with Roberts, Hightower and Van Noy against the run.

Kind of amazing to me that Clayborn seems like the forgotten man in these discussions. He was the most expensive off-season addition and I doubt they did that with a two-year commitment if they didn't think the guy would help - a lot.

 

[maineman209]

Kind of amazing to me that Clayborn seems like the forgotten man in these discussions. He was the most expensive off-season addition and I doubt they did that with a two-year commitment if they didn't think the guy would help - a lot.

I'd guess that, at least in part, it's a 2-year deal in order to help "bridge the gap" in case Flowers walks in FA and they don't have a replacement quite ready-to-go for 2019.

 

[mgteich]

I'd guess that, at least in part, it's a 2-year deal in order to help "bridge the gap" in case Flowers walks in FA and they don't have a replacement quite ready-to-go for 2019.

$2M of dead money and and option to have an option to pay Clayborn $4M for 2019 (salary and roster bonus) is a fine deal for the patriots.

 

[TacoMonkey]

First need is an athletic linebacker then I think we need to start grooming a replacement for Devin McCourty. Not that DMac has lost a step but a safety with speed, range and leadership works well in a BB defense.

 

[mgteich]

Personally, I would worry about replacing Flowers before McCourty. I would worry about a 2019 CB starter opposite Gilmore before worrying about McCourty.

First need is an athletic linebacker then I think we need to start grooming a replacement for Devin McCourty. Not that DMac has lost a step but a safety with speed, range and leadership works well in a BB defense.

 

[oceansizer]

I strongly disagree.

The Pats got run on because (1) the DL primarily consisted of ..
- two rookies (Wise and Butler)
- a virtual rookie playing the first defensive snaps of his career in wk-12 (Lee)
- an over-the-hill NT who couldn't ever get into playing shape (Branch)
- one experienced and stalwart undertackle DT (Brown)
- one experienced 3-4 DE/interior rusher (Guy)
- one experiened 4-3 DE (T. Flowers)
... with late-season, low snap-count contributions from Harrison and RJF.

and because (2), the LBs who played the vast majority of the snaps ...

Van Noy
Roberts
M. Flowers
(and Lee at OLB, part time)

entered the 2017 season having played a combined total number of NFL defensive snaps roughly equal to one average season's worth of D-snaps from Hightower.

The 3-safety concept didn't fail. It simply wasn't enough to overcome the extreme lack of healthy, experienced bodies in front of it.

Furthermore, if you're going to have the defense rely on a "coverage LB" role for its success, you'd better get two, since you're screwed if the only one you have gets hurt. And both of them better be able to play very solid run defense, as well as cover - IOW all three downs.

That is why we strongly need someone like Reid or Harrison to add athleticism and speed especially in the box. It would be tough to watch again our players with mediocre ability in tackling.

 

[oceansizer]

Personally, I would worry about replacing Flowers before McCourty. I would worry about a 2019 CB starter opposite Gilmore before worrying about McCourty.

Like I said earlier - almost impossible to keep Flowers and Mason in next FA. Better be ready to have a replacement of Flowers.

 

[50-yard-line]

That is why we strongly need someone like Reid or Harrison to add athleticism and speed especially in the box. It would be tough to watch again our players with mediocre ability in tackling.

There's a Reid they can probably sign without using a high draft pick.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Pretty good mock draft. I'm 99% sure that the names will change but the positions addressed are positions of need for the Pats. Trader Bill will once again move up and down the draft board, most likely more down than up, but hopefully we get a couple of 'impact' contributors out of the 2018 draft. We're going to need all the help we can get to challenge to get back into the Superbowl!