Patriots 2025 UDFA list

[WaterfallJumper]

None of Welker, Edelman, or Amendola were ready to do what you describe in the their second years in the league either. In fact, Pop’s production far exceeds all of them in their first two years.

Why would we expect Pop to have shown something in his second year that it took those guys 5 years in the league to show?

I like Pop. I didn't say anything about his production, however. He's used almost exclusively on screens, in motion, over routes, slants, and comebacks. He doesn't have a complex route tree. He doesn't always sit in zone when he could present a more helpful target to his QB. I hope he keeps growing and is part of the offense. I was only positing a potential way for Chism to make the roster, since this is the UDFA thread.

 

[n1997y]

Pop said himself Josh told him that expect to see more work from in the slot this year.. Pop looks bigger and added more muscle.. his speed, quickness and agility is a match up problem for DBs out the slot.. he and diggs will be the chain movers..

In 2024 Mack Hollins had 31 catches, 25 first downs and 5 TDs.

He might be one of the chain movers.

Mack Hollins Career Stats | NFL.com

 

[n1997y]

Stevenson is a better running back, period. Gibson is redundant if they keep Larison, and he doesn’t contribute on special teams. They may well get rid of Stevenson after 2025, but he’s here for this season

Gibson is also a good running back. I live near DC and he played well when he was down here. I think he was underutilized and under appreciated last season, in his first year in Foxboro. I think Mayo and AVP saw Rham as the established local favorite and had Gibson playing second fiddle from the git go. I don’t think Stevenson is significantly better.

Stevenson is overpaid though.

Wonder if Vrabel will be looking purge the overpaid guys like Stevenson, Owenu, and Dugger?

Are overpaid guys going to be hungry enough to earn it, or do they feel entitled?

Stevenson is more expensive, and he’s shown us what he is: a fair to middling NFL RB. And one that has sometimes put the ball on the ground. He’s my present candidate for surprise cut at the end of camp, if he’s not traded first.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I would think that McD could teach Pop about route precision. As far as durability, the game plan of opposing defenses last year was to injure Douglas since he was the only threat (of course they would never admit that and just say they wanted to hit him). They were gunning for him. It should be different this year since he will no longer be the primary WR.

It would be nutz to get rid of Douglas. Dump Slo-Poke

Believe me, I’m as down on Polk as anyone…BUT…

If we assume the reason Pop can’t run routes is because he had historically incompetent coaching last year, shouldn’t we assume the same about Polk who was highly regarded universally coming out of college?

Now Baker…that’s another story entirely. He was off many teams draft boards for being a dipshit.

Cut his ass tomorrow.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Gibson is also a good running back. I live near DC and he played well when he was down here. I think he was underutilized and under appreciated last season, in his first year in Foxboro. I think Mayo and AVP saw Rham as the established local favorite and had Gibson playing second fiddle from the git go. I don’t think Stevenson is significantly better.

Stevenson is more expensive, and he’s shown us what he is: a fair to middling NFL RB. And one that has sometimes put the ball on the ground. He’s my present candidate for surprise cut at the end of camp, if he’s not traded first.

Cut would be cap prohibitive until next season. The fumbles were a serious problem. Just can’t have it.

 

[The Gr8est]

Believe me, I’m as down on Polk as anyone…BUT…

If we assume the reason Pop can’t run routes is because he had historically incompetent coaching last year, shouldn’t we assume the same about Polk who was highly regarded universally coming out of college?

Now Baker…that’s another story entirely. He was off many teams draft boards for being a dipshit.

Cut his ass tomorrow.

I am really not even considering Baker.

He needs to do a 180 and really pop in TC to have a chance.

I doubt he will and expect him to be cut.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I agree with this logic, but I am looking at it from a differing position.
You want running backs with the same tools/skills so you don’t have to adjust what the rb could be doing on each play.

A back who can run, pass protect, run routes, block and catch.
Is more valuable than a back who can run a little harder but lacks in the other areas.

Now your position is that you need to be hammer on certain run plays is valid.
But I would argue Gibson can run hard and do the other things pretty well.

Mondre had 69 catches one of his years, do folks here REALLY THINK that he can't catch the ball?
Asking for a friend....

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Mondre had 69 catches one of his years,

What's really good about this trio of RBs is that they can all catch the ball (and pass block). In the old Belichick days, defenses could pretty much tell if it was a pass or running play depending on which RB was in.

Modern football is all about optionality and matchups. Need to be able to pass when the defense goes heavy and run when they go light. The fact that Maye is a threat to run also adds a whole other dimension to McDaniel's options. It drove me crazy last year when opponents stacked the box that they somehow forgot about play action.

 

[The Gr8est]

What's really good about this trio of RBs is that they can all catch the ball (and pass block). In the old Belichick days, defenses could pretty much tell if it was a pass or running play depending on which RB was in.

Modern football is all about optionality and matchups. Need to be able to pass when the defense goes heavy and run when they go light. The fact that Maye is a threat to run also adds a whole other dimension to McDaniel's options. It drove me crazy last year when opponents stacked the box that they somehow forgot about play action.

If only we had an imaginative OC to make use of all these weapons.


Oh wait!!!

We DO!

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

If only we had an imaginative OC to make use of all these weapons.


Oh wait!!!

We DO!

And he seems delighted by being back in the saddle and having great weapons for a change. I am sure he is scheming up some Good Stuff for Henderson....

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Believe me, I’m as down on Polk as anyone…BUT…

If we assume the reason Pop can’t run routes is because he had historically incompetent coaching last year, shouldn’t we assume the same about Polk who was highly regarded universally coming out of college?

Now Baker…that’s another story entirely. He was off many teams draft boards for being a dipshit.

Cut his ass tomorrow.

I just don't know about Baker. He said some good things about how nobody was going to out work him and he has some physical tools (at least as a WR3). I don't know anymore details about what he is like, but on the dipbleep scale, I think he barely moves the needle compared to some of the super divas such a Pickens. Does Baker have a big entourage? A gun collection? Over-the-top jewelry / bling? If so, then, yeah, cut him.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Josh probably has a boner so big he can't open a door without turning sideways.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Mondre had 69 catches one of his years, do folks here REALLY THINK that he can't catch the ball?
Asking for a friend....

2022, 69 catches on 88 targets.