Ok…go on record with your draft grade.

[Boomer B]

d%#*!@t! I intentionally rolled that option into F thinking no one would pick it because I secretly hate that tradition of ours.

Give the user the ability to pick 2. You get the real choice and the mandatory RLKAGM2

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I hated that Polk was drafted instead of McConkey.....

FTFY

 

[Real fan 02]

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

Wrong guy!

 

[Huckleberry1]

Have to wonder if this draft adds fire to the AJ Brown coming to the Pats in June?
Aside from Raridon there was no emphasis to add to the receiving corps.
If that was the plan, can stretch my grade to an A as what the Pats did was part of their draft strategy.

And the Eagles traded up to get Lemon.

 

[Huckleberry1]

How much were you drinking while posting this?

Sam wasn't drinking, he just never got enough love.

 

[JayNM]

What is your basis for this??

His playoff games. Yes he was reportedly hurt, but that was an abysmal showing.

It would be downright negligent to not have a plan B for LT now that Lowe left.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Testing the limits of free expression on this website

Live free or die

You’re welcome

Poor baby, it's everyone else's fault that you are a miserable human being.

P.S.Sam: no one made you bet with Andy, and no one made you break that bet. No one threw you off this site, and no one made you change your username and pretend to be someone else. For some reason you think that you can be as miserable as a person can possibly be and people should have to like that. Tough ****, life doesn't work that way. If no one wants to be around you because you are always miserable to be around that's your fault, not the rest of humanity.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Testing the limits of free expression on this website

Live free or die

You’re welcome

Really? When did Ian ban you? When did anyone limit what you can say here?

 

[Real fan 02]

Looks like we are getting AJ brown .

So with that and free agency we are looking pretty decent .

We will have a down year this year. If we get to playoffs again that's a win.

I don't believe we will have a down year.. yes many of us didn't think we'd have the record we had last year let alone make it to the superbowl.. however what we have back in Foxborough is what any contender needs.

Coaching and QB. Those are essential. Look around the division.. look at what the Jets and dolphins had to do in the offseason.. thier QBs situations are unsettled and other teams around the league. Some look at the schedule and see the teams by name recognition and think it's a loss.. meanwhile teams like the Ravens, Bengals and chiefs didn't even make the playoffs last season.

This team is a force in the AFC and they strengthened the roster and depth through the draft. You also have to account for the players last year to all be better simply by having gained experience.

 

[goheels22002]

A - no nonsense in the early rounds. I've said this before and will say it again, "Ask me in 2028." Fundamentally every off season is a effort unto itself and includes who they let go as free agents, who they re-signed, who they picked up as free agents, who they traded for and the always wonderful UDFA or two that made the team. It's a package. Belichick's drafts were always a wild ride but where he truly excelled was in free agency and trades.

The Wolfe - Vrabel team are geniuses - one year, one Super Bowl appearance with a team lacking depth at many positions. Year Two is starting out really well with their veteran moves and a draft built on kids at positions of need and genuine commitment to protecting Drake Maye. If Maye can play behind a good to excellent offensive line during his time with the Patriots, this team will be in contention.

The complaint about too many OTs is total nonsense. By my count they have four guys who can start at OT in the NFL and two youngsters who can be swing tackles. How many teams can say that?

If they snag AJ Brown at WR, keep Boutte, and the rookie TE can play, the offense will be scary. The defense is solid at all three levels, especially with the core talent at CB and safety to keep passing offenses in front of them. We need to see growth among the young guys on the DL and at LB to be a great defense, especially against the run. But overall, this team, with a rugged offensive line will be competitive with a very tough schedule and may beat some people we don't expect them to beat, especially teams with older veteran QBs.

It feels good to write a positive screed about the Patriots in April again. It's been a few years.

 

[goheels22002]

Grade based on needs: C.

Pats biggest weakness was the the entire OL, but only took one significant OL in the first round. Edge was another need which they addressed early. They needed better blocking at the TE position and they took one in a reasonable round I. Not taking a WR at all could signal they plan on trading for Brown. If I were the Eagles, I wouldn't trade Brown.

The 3 players that have the best chance to play are their top 3 picks in Lomu, Jacas and Raridon.

Draft will be graded after year 1.

AJ Brown wants out of Philadelphia for very good reason with that s-l-o-w offense and a QB that does not see the field on passing downs the way Drake Maye and other elite passers see the field and read defenses. The Eagles are quick to dump players who don't want to be there and pick up guys who do, which is why they stay consistently tough to play AJ Brown will command a lot in the trade. Fortunately, the Patriots have the cap space to do this deal, and Bob Kraft has given the green light to spend the money. If Brown does not come to New England, I bet they have a plan B for another veteran WR who may be on the market.

 

[Schmo]

Everyone (6 of you) understands that:

F-Awful draft I hate it *and* also RLKAG​

... Means that both must be true? We all know RLKAG.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I think that there were some reaches, but overall they killed it. Unlike 2024 when Bob Kraft made the picks (I suspect), the professionals made the picks this year.

 

[Real fan 02]

AJ Brown wants out of Philadelphia for very good reason with that s-l-o-w offense and a QB that does not see the field on passing downs the way Drake Maye and other elite passers see the field and read defenses. The Eagles are quick to dump players who don't want to be there and pick up guys who do, which is why they stay consistently tough to play AJ Brown will command a lot in the trade. Fortunately, the Patriots have the cap space to do this deal, and Bob Kraft has given the green light to spend the money. If Brown does not come to New England, I bet they have a plan B for another veteran WR who may be on the market.

Shcefter is the cream of the crop for reporting at ESPN he broke the Mayo firing news the morning of the day he was fired. In saying this.. AJ is basically a patriot and there is likely an agreement in principle to make it official June 1.

The moves the organization made in the draft are all intentional. No WRs taken! Additional wr was so far down on the list of needs like OT& edge.

We will have continued development from K. Williams. We also have Doubs one of the best man coverage beaters in the NFL. So potentially having a starting wr Set of AJ, Doubs, Boutte and then mixing in the smashing run game with Williams and Hollins will be enough to stress a defense. Boutte was top 5 last season in YPC. And he's hungry for a contract. So much to look forward to.

 

[Huckleberry1]

A-/B+ If you get 3 starters out of a draft it's considered a good draft. I think all 3 of the picks on the first 2 days end up being starters,

A - no nonsense in the early rounds. I've said this before and will say it again, "Ask me in 2028." Fundamentally every off season is a effort unto itself and includes who they let go as free agents, who they re-signed, who they picked up as free agents, who they traded for and the always wonderful UDFA or two that made the team. It's a package. Belichick's drafts were always a wild ride but where he truly excelled was in free agency and trades.

The Wolfe - Vrabel team are geniuses - one year, one Super Bowl appearance with a team lacking depth at many positions. Year Two is starting out really well with their veteran moves and a draft built on kids at positions of need and genuine commitment to protecting Drake Maye. If Maye can play behind a good to excellent offensive line during his time with the Patriots, this team will be in contention.

The complaint about too many OTs is total nonsense. By my count they have four guys who can start at OT in the NFL and two youngsters who can be swing tackles. How many teams can say that?

If they snag AJ Brown at WR, keep Boutte, and the rookie TE can play, the offense will be scary. The defense is solid at all three levels, especially with the core talent at CB and safety to keep passing offenses in front of them. We need to see growth among the young guys on the DL and at LB to be a great defense, especially against the run. But overall, this team, with a rugged offensive line will be competitive with a very tough schedule and may beat some people we don't expect them to beat, especially teams with older veteran QBs.

It feels good to write a positive screed about the Patriots in April again. It's been a few years.

Right on the money. Although not as flashy of an offseason they accomplished what they set out to do, they made both the offense and defense tougher. They have rebuilt the worst offensive line in football in two offseasons, and have made the front seven on defense tougher to run on while adding pass rush talent. And where safety was a hole when they took over it now has Woodson and a 2025 All Pro on Byard. The reconstruction of this roster in just 2 offseasons has been exceptional. Next season brings a much tougher schedule, and the work they have done puts them in the position to handle it, challenge for another division title, and what should be a very tough team to beat when the playoffs roll around.

 

[everlong]

In aggregate B-/C+

Lomu: A+ watch his footwork. Better lateral movement than Freeling, Miller and Iheanichor.

Jacas + Raridon A, I put them together because I would have preferred trading up for Stowers and then taking Crawford but it's a close thing and I can't fault anyone who thinks the opposite.

Prunty B, I watched him again this morning and there's a lot to like. I wonder if they are thinking of him with his size and speed at FD.

Ctowever B, great size, decent footwork, needs to have better pad level and not get turned.

Obiazor D, I don't think he has the short area speed to play at the next level.

Morton F, Bailey Zappe as his ceiling. There were better options on the board.

Miller F, no speed no vision.

Hutchins B, could develop into a rotational piece.

I went back and watched a bunch of Jam Miller. He's better than I had given him credit for when you watch his work in a sequence. Lots of things that dont make a highlight reel like his blocking ability, sneaking out on screens, etc. I think he can fill the role Gibson had last year before he got hurt.

 

[Bill Lee]

Everyone (6 of you) understands that:

F-Awful draft I hate it *and* also RLKAG​

... Means that both must be true? We all know RLKAG.

It's a matter of policy. The RLKAG option must be there, and if so, I will choose it, because RLKAGM2.

 

[rkarp1]

I would offer a B to B- grade
my grade was an A after the first 3 rounds, but fell off on day 3.
day 3 for me, saw ST needs addressed. developmental player on the OL. camp QB arm.
I expect the day 3 guys to either be cut, or carve out a niche on ST (Miller at KR) Obiator and Prunty on kick coverage units. Crownover I assume they try to keep for development.
I loved the aggressiveness in moving around the board. I loved the use of middle round picks to make moves. I love the fact that this personnel department trusts their evaluations to go after a player, rather than hoard picks to hope one of them pans out.

 

[Bill Lee]

A - no nonsense in the early rounds. I've said this before and will say it again, "Ask me in 2028." Fundamentally every off season is a effort unto itself and includes who they let go as free agents, who they re-signed, who they picked up as free agents, who they traded for and the always wonderful UDFA or two that made the team. It's a package. Belichick's drafts were always a wild ride but where he truly excelled was in free agency and trades.

The Wolfe - Vrabel team are geniuses - one year, one Super Bowl appearance with a team lacking depth at many positions. Year Two is starting out really well with their veteran moves and a draft built on kids at positions of need and genuine commitment to protecting Drake Maye. If Maye can play behind a good to excellent offensive line during his time with the Patriots, this team will be in contention.

The complaint about too many OTs is total nonsense. By my count they have four guys who can start at OT in the NFL and two youngsters who can be swing tackles. How many teams can say that?

If they snag AJ Brown at WR, keep Boutte, and the rookie TE can play, the offense will be scary. The defense is solid at all three levels, especially with the core talent at CB and safety to keep passing offenses in front of them. We need to see growth among the young guys on the DL and at LB to be a great defense, especially against the run. But overall, this team, with a rugged offensive line will be competitive with a very tough schedule and may beat some people we don't expect them to beat, especially teams with older veteran QBs.

It feels good to write a positive screed about the Patriots in April again. It's been a few years.

Hard to improve upon your post.

Bill would swing for the fences. When he connected, it was awesome. When he missed, it was like "why did he swing at that pitch?".

This GM and front office team are just more disciplined hitters. They pick better pitches to swing at. They are also good in the clutch. They have a good sense for the pace of the game and when to step up. Only thing I didn't like was not playing through the whistle i.e. the goofy late round picks. Do better!

There is a lot of "we need to see how things develop" to this team. How do the young LBs, OLs and RBs develop? How good are our backup CBs if/when Davis and/or Gonzalez miss time?

But overall you gotta like our chances. Even with a tougher schedule, AFCE is within our grasp, and if we miss that, almost certainly a wild card. And if everything connects, especially if Maye and Brown click right from the start and Brown has a career year, then the sky's the limit.

 

[borisman]

Ok, I'll go on record calling this the "A Tale of Two Cities Draft".
The Vrabel draft (It was the best of times)
The Wolf draft (It was the worst of times)
I loved the first 3 picks. I gave them a solid A.
I didn't love the day 3 picks, except for Crownover. I gave it a C-minus.
I hope I am wrong about the day 3 picks but I already had a feeling this draft was very weak after round 3. But I thought we had a chance to get some better players. Of course we shall see but overall this was a little disappointing in the 5-7 range. Moving up for Charles Demmings would have made a difference in my opinion.
My preferences would have been:
5th Round: Domani Jackson or Cyrus Allen (or Kaytron Allen). I only mentioned Jackson since we are in desperate need of CB4 (not sure about Vildor as a UFA signing). It's why I wanted Demmings.
6th Round: Crownover was great
6th Round: Harold Perkins or VJ Payne
7th Round: Nussmeier over Morton
So like I said I thought the draft was weak after the 3rd so I'm not overly disappointed as I figured we'd get players who will be only depth pieces.