So how do you grade this year’s draft?

[PatsFan2]

he would allow 1 vs1 for barmore judon and the other edge guy more often than our other DT imo. also with better early down defense our third down defense using rushing LB will be more succesfull. It's one of the most crucial positions and getting a guy like him in the third seems like a no brainer imo

Why would we need him we have the over-paid GodSmack!

 

[PatsFan2]

Just a reminder of whom Bill has drafted since 2012:

Chandler Jones, Hightower, Ebner, Collins, Ryan, Harmon, White, Fleming, Garappolo, Mason, Flowers, Thuney, Wise, Michel, Harris, Mac Jones, Barmore, and Stevenson.

Collectlively, Bill has gotten a lot of good players.

BTW, here is round 2 of Strange vs. Jones, which Peter King didn't bother to look at.

And if we play that video in slow motion Hannah better watch out Strange will be wearing his 73.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Why would we need him we have the over-paid GodSmack!

god-jones-barmore, wise-jones-god could be a nice line on early downs imo. Move God to 3T to play the role Guy used to play here

 

[PatsFan2]

god-jones-barmore, wise-jones-god could be a nice line on early downs imo. Move God to 3T to play the role Guy used to play here

Is Guy still around??

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Is Guy still around??

yup but idk how long. If we don't add another d linemen, i think he makes the team. But more competition could beat him out , i don't think he is on the same level he used to be and i was a big fan of his play.

 

[Guts]

On paper a C+ I don't have any issues with most of the players, but felt like we reached on the order drafted on a few of them. But we can't really know until 3 years down the road. Here's hoping they pan out

 

[crawhammer]

A decent or better grade was off the table after their second pick...

Rd 1: Cole Strange OL = D+ (68)
Didn't like trading down and don't like the eventual pick. Consensus reporting is Strange would have still been there Rd 2 or 3. There were some really good players still on the board at #21 & 29. Bad pick.

Rd 2: Tyquan Thornton WR = C- (70)
Reportedly a day 3 draft prospect who was gaining some momentum as the draft approached which may have put him in the conversation for day 2 but still trading up to select him seemed entirely unnecessary. Fast outside receiver who runs a lot of straight verticals. Not known for YAC either... not sure he'll fit our offense. They had better options at the WR position. Not a good pick.

Rd 3: Marcus Jones CB/ST = B- (82)
His size is concerning (5'8", 175). Seems like mostly a slot corner guy. I generally don't overvalue special teams, and players don't get nearly as many return opportunities anymore, but Jones was the top-rated kick returner in the country. Overall a decent pick.

Rd 4: Jack Jones CB = B- (82)
He seems to be another player the Patriots took too early. Questionable character being one of the reasons why he slid down the draft board. But he reportedly has the skills to be an NFL starter.

Rd 4: Bailey Zappe QB = F (60)
This reminds me of the Kevin O'Connell and Ryan Mallett picks... DUMB! I would have much preferred another WR here as there were still several decent players available or maybe an LB. Instead a backup QB that does nothing to make the team any better. Whether he's actually any good or not is meaningless... even worse pick than Strangle in the 1st.

Rd 4 & 6 RBs: Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris = C- (72/70)
Did we really need two more RBs? It's our deepest position already. Damien Harris and Stevenson are your solidified #1 & 2. What either can't handle on 3rd downs will be taken by White and Taylor. Again, these picks aren't making the team better right now. I would have much preferred filling one of several needs elsewhere.

The last three picks... C- (70).

Overall draft grade = C- (71)

If you ranked the drafts of all 32 teams then the Patriots would be near the bottom for sure.

 

[PatsFan2]

A decent or better grade was off the table after their second pick...

Rd 1: Cole Strange OL = D+ (68)
Didn't like trading down and don't like the eventual pick. Consensus reporting is Strange would have still been there Rd 2 or 3. There were some really good players still on the board at #21 & 29. Bad pick.

Rd 2: Tyquan Thornton WR = C- (70)
Reportedly a day 3 draft prospect who was gaining some momentum as the draft approached which may have put him in the conversation for day 2 but still trading up to select him seemed entirely unnecessary. Fast outside receiver who runs a lot of straight verticals. Not known for YAC either... not sure he'll fit our offense. They had better options at the WR position. Not a good pick.

Rd 3: Marcus Jones CB/ST = B- (82)
His size is concerning (5'8", 175). Seems like mostly a slot corner guy. I generally don't overvalue special teams, and players don't get nearly as many return opportunities anymore, but Jones was the top-rated kick returner in the country. Overall a decent pick.

Rd 4: Jack Jones CB = B- (82)
He seems to be another player the Patriots took too early. Questionable character being one of the reasons why he slid down the draft board. But he reportedly has the skills to be an NFL starter.

Rd 4: Bailey Zappe QB = F (60)
This reminds me of the Kevin O'Connell and Ryan Mallett picks... DUMB! I would have much preferred another WR here as there were still several decent players available or maybe an LB. Instead a backup QB that does nothing to make the team any better. Whether he's actually any good or not is meaningless... even worse pick than Strangle in the 1st.

Rd 4 & 6 RBs: Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris = C- (72/70)
Did we really need two more RBs? It's our deepest position already. Damien Harris and Stevenson are your solidified #1 & 2. What either can't handle on 3rd downs will be taken by White and Taylor. Again, these picks aren't making the team better right now. I would have much preferred filling one of several needs elsewhere.

The last three picks... C- (70).

Overall draft grade = C- (71)

If you ranked the drafts of all 32 teams then the Patriots would be near the bottom for sure.

Don't sleep on Round 6 Selection OG/C Chasen Hines might be better than Dr. Strange.

 

[Hyped]

I'll give them a C+, my reasons:

- Drafting a QB in the 4th? I'd like to see us address other needs before QB. Drafting a QB to develop is always good business, but I'd like to have seen a front 7 player pick in the 4th.

- Drafting 2 extra RB's...I know White may not be ready to play and Harris is in a contract year...BUT I'd have rolled the dice with JJ Taylor and some UDFA RB's or something...and drafted a front 7 player instead.

- I like Cole Strange, but thought we could have traded back to round 2...maybe even 10 slots down...and picked up another pick while still getting Strange.

- Only one DE drafted...for the entire front 7. No LB'ers...no stout nose guy.....we added some UDFA's here...like that injured guy from Bama...but I was hoping for more meat up front and/or coverage LB'ers....

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

D

They’re not a better team today than they were Wednesday. I’m not sure anybody starts week 1

 

[DW Toys]

D

They’re not a better team today than they were Wednesday. I’m not sure anybody starts week 1

Good retort Cousin.
DW Toys

 

[JarOfMayo51]

This doesnt cover everyone obviously, but just wanted to compile a quick list of DBs that are under 6 feet tall to show how ridiculous this idea is that if you aren't 6' + that you're a small midget that cant play football


Tre'Davious White 5 foot 11
Chris Harris Jr 5 foot 10
Earl Thomas 5 foot 10
Ed Reed 5 foot 11
Darrel Revis 5 foot 11
Patrick Surtain 5 foot 11
Ty Law 5 foot 11
Troy Polamalu 5 foot 10
Casey Hayward 5 foot 11
Sam Madison 5 foot 11
Bob Sanders 5 foot 8
Jack Tatum 5 foot 10
Antoine Winfield 5 foot 9
Tyrann Mathieu 5 foot 9
Jaire Alexander 5 foot 9
Malcolm Butler 5 foot 11
Jonathan Jones 5 foot 10
Kenny Moore 5 foot 9
Trent McDuffie 5 foot 11
Devin McCourty 5 foot 10
Aeneas Williams 5 foot 11
Jabril Peppers 5 foot 11
Adrian Phillips 5 foot 11
Jalen Pitre 5 foot 11
Logan Ryan 5 foot 11
Rhonde Barber 5 foot 10
Asante Samuel 5 foot 10
Antoine Winfield Jr 5 foot 9
Dezel Ward 5 foot 11
Tavon Young 5 foot 9
Mark McMillan 5 foot 7 (played 8 years in league when rules were still brutal)

(non DBs just to give another perspective in terms of competiveness and productivity from "undersized" players, as well as the types of players DBs have to cover/tackle)
Antonio Brown 5 foot 10
Jaylen Waddle 5 foot 10
TY Hilton 5 foot 10
Wes Welker 5 foot 9
Russel Wilson 5 foot 11
Odell Beckham 5 foot 11
Tyreek Hill 5 foot 10
Steve Smith Jr 5 foot 9
Barry Sanders 5 foot 8
Ladanian Tomlinson 5 foot 10

 

[rochrist]

If You have to wonder if the first rd pick can even make team? Then it’s an awful pick.

This whole draft and especially this pick is indefensible.

Its obviously time to move on from BB.

You know, sometimes I almost wish you idiots would get your way and Bill would leave and we'd be consigned to 20 years of irrelevance.

 

[rochrist]

A decent or better grade was off the table after their second pick...

Rd 1: Cole Strange OL = D+ (68)
Didn't like trading down and don't like the eventual pick. Consensus reporting is Strange would have still been there Rd 2 or 3. There were some really good players still on the board at #21 & 29. Bad pick.

Fills a need. We had no starting quality LG. And your 'consensus' is for idiots. BTW Kyle Shanahan on Strange:

"Everyone understands, everyone ranks guys and there’s a perception of when everyone is going to go, but the reality of when someone is going to go is when someone picks them and you don’t know that until it happens. You see it all over when people freak out and stuff, but a lot of these guys are really good players. I saw that with New England in the first round. Those guys don’t surprise me at all or us. Everyone in the world was saying there was no way, but everyone who watched that tape, they’re like, but he looks like a first rounder’."

Rd 2: Tyquan Thornton WR = C- (70)
Reportedly a day 3 draft prospect who was gaining some momentum as the draft approached which may have put him in the conversation for day 2 but still trading up to select him seemed entirely unnecessary. Fast outside receiver who runs a lot of straight verticals. Not known for YAC either... not sure he'll fit our offense. They had better options at the WR position. Not a good pick.

Have you watched even a second of this guy's tape? He most certainly runs routes other than vertical and he absolutely gets YAC.

Rd 3: Marcus Jones CB/ST = B- (82)
His size is concerning (5'8", 175). Seems like mostly a slot corner guy. I generally don't overvalue special teams, and players don't get nearly as many return opportunities anymore, but Jones was the top-rated kick returner in the country. Overall a decent pick.

The perfect guy to shadow Tyreek Hill et al.

Rd 4: Jack Jones CB = B- (82)
He seems to be another player the Patriots took too early. Questionable character being one of the reasons why he slid down the draft board. But he reportedly has the skills to be an NFL starter.

Rd 4: Bailey Zappe QB = F (60)
This reminds me of the Kevin O'Connell and Ryan Mallett picks... DUMB! I would have much preferred another WR here as there were still several decent players available or maybe an LB. Instead a backup QB that does nothing to make the team any better. Whether he's actually any good or not is meaningless... even worse pick than Strangle in the 1st.

A guy who threw 62 TDs last season reminds you of Ryan Mallet and O'Connel. In his best college season, Mallet barely managed HALF as many TDs as Zappe had this year, and O'Connell never even managed 20 in a season.

Rd 4 & 6 RBs: Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris = C- (72/70)
Did we really need two more RBs? It's our deepest position already. Damien Harris and Stevenson are your solidified #1 & 2. What either can't handle on 3rd downs will be taken by White and Taylor. Again, these picks aren't making the team better right now. I would have much preferred filling one of several needs elsewhere.

Strong looks REALLY good with explosive speed and a knack for making people miss. Plus he's insurance for White who still can't engage in any football activity and may never be able to play effectively again.

A 6th rounder is a 6th rounder. If he makes the team it's probably as ST.

The last three picks... C- (70).

Overall draft grade = C- (71)

If you ranked the drafts of all 32 teams then the Patriots would be near the bottom for sure.

 

[rochrist]

Fast doesn't mean good. Bethel Johnson was lightning fast...but...

I'll take that as a no.

 

[archstanton543]

You know, sometimes I almost wish you idiots would get your way and Bill would leave and we'd be consigned to 20 years of irrelevance.

Teams that have won 6 Super Bowls are never irrelevant.

 

[rochrist]

Teams that have won 6 Super Bowls are never irrelevant.

Tell yourself that when Bill is gone and the team is in year 18 without sniffing the big game.

 

[archstanton543]

I'll take that as a no.

I stand by my statement.

 

[rochrist]

I stand by my statement.

I didn't ask you that, I asked you if you'd watch the tape of the guy. Have you? Yes, or no. It's a simple question.

 

[archstanton543]

I didn't ask you that, I asked you if you'd watch the tape of the guy. Have you? Yes, or no. It's a simple question.

Don't need to. All I need to see is how he performed in the combine. Speed was elite. Everything else...not so much.