Ok…go on record with your draft grade.

[Bill Lee]

Gave them a B, like most here, and it's a solid B. I like that they traded up to get the guys they wanted - I read somewhere that Jacas was the highest guy on their board. Watching his tape, I see why some are excited about him.

I really didn't know the draft class this year. When I heard it was sucky, and given our draft position, I hardly paid attention. to be honest. I love that they added two tackles - one needs to bulk up, the other needs polish. Good potential there to strengthen the OL.

I like the two Ts and Jacas...waiting to hear on my ND-stan buddy to give me the scoop on Raridon (sounds like a nearly extinct dinosaur, eh? So with Campbell, they have two dinosaurs on the team.).

I look at the Off-season this way thus far:
Lost Bradbury, gained Vera Tucker. Big Win, both because of AVT and Wilson waiting to take over Center. 2 upgrades, IMO.

Lost Chaisson and his backup Jennings, added Dre'mont Jones and now Jacas. Win. Jones is the best of these four (don't think it's close) and Jacas is a rookie with a high ceiling.

Lost Hawkins, added Byard. I liked Hawkins, but that's a big Win.

Lost Diggs, added Doubs. Wash. I think Diggs is the better player, but I like the younger guy and don't want the drama.

Lost Hooper, gained Rariden. I like that they are getting younger here and hope this kid can at least replace Hooper's production, which wasn't much anyway. And gained Hill, who should help with the running game, at least (and the blitzes).

Lost Mapu, Gibbens, Tonga, and Austin (I liked Austin)...only big minus there is Tonga, and I worry about the LB corps. Really wish they had grabbed one of the LB FAs. Vildur should replace Austin.

Lost Gipson, but he was gone last year anyway (really liked him), added Gilliam. They Win here because Gipson wasn't really on the team last year anyway, and I like the FB add.

It's a very good off-season so far, and much better than I had hoped, given their overachievement and thus, lack of draft capital, this year.. Adding Brown, if it happens, and the second year jump from their good rookies makes them better on paper by a lot, I think.

I'm excited for camp.

I like your rundown. Share the concern about LB. Have a concern about DBs. Davis was on the field a LOT last season. We seemed to be dodging bullets both in terms of injury risk and giving up big plays/penalties. Also, he's not young. Gonzalez also has injury risk.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'm not smart enough to grade any draft process that lets a Ryan Leaf go at number two and a Tom Brady at 199.
I wish this year's class nothing but success and great careers.

 

[Triumph]

I think that was a miss in this draft.
Lots of good WRs throughout the draft available in every rd and we choose none.
Our WR room with AJ is fine for 2026, but I think it's a big miss not adding a guy for 2027 and beyond.

The Pats have a lot of WRs who are all the same and more lunch pail guys like in the BB Dynasty years. That worked back then and it fortunately worked last season. But, NE had Lady Luck in its corner for 2025 facing subpar QBs who failed to put up points. Douglas, Hollins, and Boutte are serviceable, but they are not irreplaceable. Thus far, Williams is basically a deep target WR. I still contend that even with AB Jr here, the Pats need another dominating WR. Maye needs a WR who can get open quick with great hands in times of trouble.

The UDFA and walk on WR ship has sailed for me. Chism was all the rage last season and it all amounted to is a pile of horse5hit.

 

[Triumph]

@TheRainMaker Hmmm.. I wonder wich restaurant I'll eat at first near Gillette on June 2nd...

Is that Joint where Diggs had his baby oil party at still open?

 

[DaBruinz]

If we drafted Vandenberg instead of Prunty, I would give the draft an A or A-.

I'd have preferred to take van der Berg over Obiazor.

 

[VrabelJr]

B- because it's high risk high reward. If the top 3 pan out it could be a great draft. It's possible every pick after at the first 3 is cut in their first year and some before the regular season starts.

 

[lancerman]

People grading lower because the Pats had the next to last pick in each round is….dumb. That’s not how grading works. It’s based on value of the player taken where they were drafted and what they can provide to the team…not because the team went to the Super Bowl.

I do think a big thing is that people got used a 5 year run where we picked within the top half of the draft roughly 4 times and yielded sexy picks like Campbell, Maye, Gonzalez (17th overall) and Mac Jones. All of those were super hyped picks.

We weren't going to have that this year. People forget how much the draft really falls off after the first half of the first round. Even the Gonzo pick was a result of a stacked draft. Traditionally, the first and second half of the first round have very big value differences. Like it basically becomes it's own round

 

[DaBruinz]

B- because it's high risk high reward. If the top 3 pan out it could be a great draft. It's possible every pick after at the first 3 is cut in their first year and some before the regular season starts.

I don't think Crownover will be cut. Though, going into the season with a pair of Rookie swing tackles would be challenging.

 

[mgteich]

I do think a big thing is that people got used a 5 year run where we picked within the top half of the draft roughly 4 times and yielded sexy picks like Campbell, Maye, Gonzalez (17th overall) and Mac Jones. All of those were super hyped picks.

We weren't going to have that this year. People forget how much the draft really falls off after the first half of the first round. Even the Gonzo pick was a result of a stacked draft. Traditionally, the first and second half of the first round have very big value differences. Like it basically becomes it's own round

I suspect that most boards didn't have 1st round ratings for many, if any, after 16.

I think there is always a break within the first somewhere between say 12 and 20.

The "second" round seems to be from that break for about 32 picks, so 17-48 this year. Jacas was a bargain who had this 2nd round quality as did Lomu.

 

[sieglo]

I know my kids can’t wait to buy Jacas jerseys. I wonder why. Normally as a fan when your team drafts a Jacas in the second round you’re disappointed, but I’m happy with the pick.

 

[Vindicate]

B- because it's high risk high reward. If the top 3 pan out it could be a great draft. It's possible every pick after at the first 3 is cut in their first year and some before the regular season starts.

I know it was a mediocre class but I feel like this is quite the stretch. It doesn't make financial or strategic sense.

 

[Gumby]

Overall I gave them/us a solid B.
…… Grading against the curve ( fact we were drafting 31), gets an upgrade to B+.


Like @Pape said rounds 1-3 was an A. They filled spots of need with quality guys (1-rounders ( or possible 1s in 1-2; & 2-rounder in 3d). I think all 3 get good numbers of game reps this year even if they don’t beat out enough to be called starters.
Overall, my main disappointments is we didn’t find a big-fatty to clog the middle (NT type) or a green-dot kind of middle LB prospect anywhere in the later rounds. But I think they just didnt have enough early picks in each round to be able to move around & get them.
Also, I do think they read the board well and had good intel-feelings on other teams needs, so while some may ***** about giving up the 4ths…. It was better than the C they would have got grasping at straws as other teams got THEIR guy.


Round 1 • Pick 28 (28) • OT Caleb Lomu
Liked his film. Love that his college played all the OL in braces. All his film was LT, but both he and Pats say he can play RT. So OK, but let’s see how it plays out & if the transition pain ( LT to RT) delays him displacing old man Moses til 27.

Round 2 • Pick 23 (55) • EDGE Gabe Jacas
Seems exciting and glad that we got someone who dropped for whatever reason.

Round 3 • Pick 31 (95) • TE Eli Raridon
Looks to me like most likely of the trio to possibly be a starter from week 1.

Round 5 • Pick 31 (171) • CB Karon Prunty
As many were, I was a little confused here. Seems he got a bump from measurables, a relationship with one of the coaches, and a solid 30-visit. I didn’t see much on the film snip I viewed that made me say anything but,…NEXT. But I’m no film guy and it’s all selective, but his self-promotion video included a DPI play,…?…, who does that? It seems he is an outside only corner who IMO will likely land on PS, but he is a 5 rounder so ok take the crap-shoot & who knows.

Round 6 • Pick 15 (196) • OT Dametrious Crownover
Can’t teach size. lol. Another one who looks like talent or at least measurable are rounds above draft round.

Round 6 • Pick 31 (212) • LB Namdi Obiazor
Kinda meh. He reads like a real solid run-stopper heavy MLB. But he does have that position ( knowledge) versatility of being a former DB & S. But then why did he have such bad pass defense stats??

Round 7 • Pick 18 (234) • QB Behren Morton
Lots of folks posted they are down on him ( or at least preferred others), but we needed a QB3 from somewhere and I really liked his quick release and decision making. Most of negative postings seemed to be focused on a bad performance in college postseason that naturally wasn’t in his personal tape. Suppos3dly he was hurt. ??? Whatever….he and the Italian stallion can duke it out for bragging rights or who gets to bring Drake his Starbucks in the morning.
Note: I’m not a big college film guy, but I got my first ever college Binky for 2027 draft by watching Behren’s. tape. ….. Terrance Carter Jr. TE, Red Raiders. … awesome prospect IMO.

Round 7 • Pick 29 (245) • RB Jam Miller
Looks like a real good 3d down back. Had a lot of catches out of backfield in his tape & I LOVE that the 3d & maybe 6th play in tape was him STONEWALLING Blitzers and not just pure tape of him running football. I also like him wearing a visor (so he doesn’t get those cheap eye pokes, …that cause fumbles ). He was very slippery breaking lots of tackles somehow miraculously. Not sure how much of that was him vsjust the level of competition. On breakaways he did seem to fall down on a lot of 1-arm lower leg tackles. So ? how that plays out at nfl level.

Round 7 • Pick 31 (247) • EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins
Didn’t see any tape of his play yet, just interviews. Apparently is an exceptional ST guy & both he & Eliot-Cowden say that is his purpose (ST) on the team. So seems like a lock for 53 just on that basis & justifies what I otherwise thought was a wasted position pick in 7th if we already got the edge in round 2.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Not against it, this goes back that I dont think Campbell's spot is guaranteed

I won't go as far as Campbell's spot is not guaranteed, but Lomu clearly was taken as Campbell insurance in addition to this being Moses' last year. They will see where Lomu fits and go from there.

The fact that many posters aren't concerned about Campbell or the O-line in general is straight up insanity. Their line wasn't very good in the regular season and atrocious in the playoffs. In fact, it made the 1996 OL in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl look competent. Campbell had questions coming out regarding his arms, but that surprisingly wasn't much of the problem. The problem was that his lacks lower body strength and was regularly overpowered and pushed back by pass rushers. Most didn't want to notice because the Pats were winning and Maye was having an All Pro/MVP like season. The worst decision the Pats made last season was bringing back Campbell prematurely from injury where they should've shut him down. An injured Campbell was exposed and I've never seen an OL play so poorly in the playoffs. The immediate questions about his future must've been tough on him.

With that said, ideally we'd like to see Campbell get stronger and become the LT of the future while Lomu doesn't have an issue playing RT.

 

[Gumby]

Continued…. UDFA thoughts…..

Wow, how many WR can you bring in as UDFAs? This is taking the squeelers approach of always drafting WR into the UDFA realm. Throw everything at the wall and find something that sticks.

I liked the Montgomery and Blain guys; and am very curious about Kwiatkowski ( because I really think we need LB help).

But all the UDFAs this year seem to be depth PS call-up dudes at best.

 

[Salsalife]

The question is how many starters are coming out of this draft? Lots of backups for players we released or let go. Just replacement, not game changers.

 

[SteveKiner]

1: Lomu - A- I didn't think he would still be there when the Pats pick came so I didn't scout him at all, but from what I hear he seems to be a little lacking in power/ meanness plus not experienced on the right side. Great athlete though and very productive. Pats pick up a great value on a slider at a need position.
2: Jacas - A+ Large, violent edge. Just what they needed.
3: Raridon - B+ Good size, Good athlete. Not as much production at ND as expected. Maybe due to injuries. I think will be good in line TE which they need.
5: Prunty: B Followed the ACC a little and he showed up. Great game against GT and played good against UNC (who didn't?). Tests well too.
6: Crownover: A- Great size/Athleticism for RT. Plays a little high for me but has the tools if he gets the coaching. Thought he'd be gone 3rd or 4th round. Great to get in the 6th.
6: Obiazor: B+ I liked other LB's better (Fischer and Murdock) but trust the Pats to know more than me. I love the way he plays. Attitude and toughness, coverage ability. Could start on special teams and maybe as a coverage LB. I was hoping they went LB with that pick
7: Morton: D Like the position (development QB), don't like the player. Much rather have Haynes King et al. Looked bad in the playoffs. Hopefully it was due to the injuries and he gets healthy.
7: Miller: A Great value where they got him. Would prefer a short yardage pounder but Miller was an all around force at an SEC school. Tough to do
7: Hutchins: C- Local prospect. Probably BOB recommended. Thought he was a little up and down. Hopefully they can harness what he brings to the table. Pretty good athlete and team captain. possible ST ace and Sub Rusher.
Total B+
I like last year better, but it was much easier picking 4th.

 

[Pape]

Overall I gave them/us a solid B.
…… Grading against the curve ( fact we were drafting 31), gets an upgrade to B+.


Like @Pape said rounds 1-3 was an A. They filled spots of need with quality guys (1-rounders ( or possible 1s in 1-2; & 2-rounder in 3d). I think all 3 get good numbers of game reps this year even if they don’t beat out enough to be called starters.
Overall, my main disappointments is we didn’t find a big-fatty to clog the middle (NT type) or a green-dot kind of middle LB prospect anywhere in the later rounds. But I think they just didnt have enough early picks in each round to be able to move around & get them.
Also, I do think they read the board well and had good intel-feelings on other teams needs, so while some may ***** about giving up the 4ths…. It was better than the C they would have got grasping at straws as other teams got THEIR guy.


Round 1 • Pick 28 (28) • OT Caleb Lomu
Liked his film. Love that his college played all the OL in braces. All his film was LT, but both he and Pats say he can play RT. So OK, but let’s see how it plays out & if the transition pain ( LT to RT) delays him displacing old man Moses til 27.

Round 2 • Pick 23 (55) • EDGE Gabe Jacas
Seems exciting and glad that we got someone who dropped for whatever reason.

Round 3 • Pick 31 (95) • TE Eli Raridon
Looks to me like most likely of the trio to possibly be a starter from week 1.

Round 5 • Pick 31 (171) • CB Karon Prunty
As many were, I was a little confused here. Seems he got a bump from measurables, a relationship with one of the coaches, and a solid 30-visit. I didn’t see much on the film snip I viewed that made me say anything but,…NEXT. But I’m no film guy and it’s all selective, but his self-promotion video included a DPI play,…?…, who does that? It seems he is an outside only corner who IMO will likely land on PS, but he is a 5 rounder so ok take the crap-shoot & who knows.

Round 6 • Pick 15 (196) • OT Dametrious Crownover
Can’t teach size. lol. Another one who looks like talent or at least measurable are rounds above draft round.

Round 6 • Pick 31 (212) • LB Namdi Obiazor
Kinda meh. He reads like a real solid run-stopper heavy MLB. But he does have that position ( knowledge) versatility of being a former DB & S. But then why did he have such bad pass defense stats??

Round 7 • Pick 18 (234) • QB Behren Morton
Lots of folks posted they are down on him ( or at least preferred others), but we needed a QB3 from somewhere and I really liked his quick release and decision making. Most of negative postings seemed to be focused on a bad performance in college postseason that naturally wasn’t in his personal tape. Suppos3dly he was hurt. ??? Whatever….he and the Italian stallion can duke it out for bragging rights or who gets to bring Drake his Starbucks in the morning.
Note: I’m not a big college film guy, but I got my first ever college Binky for 2027 draft by watching Behren’s. tape. ….. Terrance Carter Jr. TE, Red Raiders. … awesome prospect IMO.

Round 7 • Pick 29 (245) • RB Jam Miller
Looks like a real good 3d down back. Had a lot of catches out of backfield in his tape & I LOVE that the 3d & maybe 6th play in tape was him STONEWALLING Blitzers and not just pure tape of him running football. I also like him wearing a visor (so he doesn’t get those cheap eye pokes, …that cause fumbles ). He was very slippery breaking lots of tackles somehow miraculously. Not sure how much of that was him vsjust the level of competition. On breakaways he did seem to fall down on a lot of 1-arm lower leg tackles. So ? how that plays out at nfl level.

Round 7 • Pick 31 (247) • EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins
Didn’t see any tape of his play yet, just interviews. Apparently is an exceptional ST guy & both he & Eliot-Cowden say that is his purpose (ST) on the team. So seems like a lock for 53 just on that basis & justifies what I otherwise thought was a wasted position pick in 7th if we already got the edge in round 2.

One aspect of the draft i appreciated was they didn't sit on their hands and wait for the draft to come to them... they proactively made moves, small jumps up to get guys they wanted...

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I’m convinced he is simply a troll. He knows how stupid everything he posts is and posts because of it.
He welched on a bet solely because he is addicted to being the dumbest guy in the room and watching the response.

I don’t even bother responding anymore. He has no integrity. I believe he gets a charge out of ruffling feathers.

 

[zimmy]

B+. I wonder what the plan was if Lomu had gone out of reach of a trade up? Trade down into the early 2nd and take Jacas? The 2nd round was very defense heavy. I’m not a huge Wolf fan and we shall have to wait on Lomu but at least from a strategy perspective I think he did the right thing.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'll give them a solid B+ I'm excited about our top 3 picks. They could all eventually turn out to be starter quality players.

I don't know enough about the day 3 picks to get too hyped up about them but I do believe Crownover in round 6 was an excellent value for the selection.

If we can hit on our early picks and then get a couple of roster contributors from Day 3 + UDFA class it was an excellent draft.

Drafting as late as we did at 31, I feel like our front office did a great job of smartly moving up for the talent they believed in. Was their talent evaluation correct? Too early to tell, but I like their belief in moving up for their guys and the fact they were pro active to get ahead of position runs and grabbed quality over quantity.