The season is officially over so its time for my first mock draft. This is the dream mock draft. I know it’s unlikely but this is what I see as the best case scenario. (Draft positions are based off Over the Cap’s compensatory pick projections)
Projecting The 2017 Compensatory Draft Picks | Over the Cap
Philosophy
In the past when looking at the draft I have been guilty of trying to find pro bowlers in every round and target the best talent. Over time and watching the way the Pats operate I have shifted my thinking into looking for players that can fill specific rolls, how they can contribute and how they fit into the current team. The Pats are the most successful team in the NFL not because they are the most talented across the board, but because they are the best and finding the best skillsets and fit for their scheme. That is what I am trying to do here. This may not be the most talent stacked mock draft but these are all guys I see as good fits and contributors to this team on and off the field.
Trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo to SF 49ers for 2017 1st (2)
The Jimmy G trade market really heats up with San Fran having to outbid Cleveland and Chicago for their guy. The #2 overall pick is a steep price to pay but not for a franchise QB. Jimmy G with Kyle Shanahan should be able to turn around that team pretty quickly, especially with potentially $100mil in cap space. This really is the ideal trade for the Pats, they determine where Jimmy G ends up and assuming Myles Garrett goes #1, they continue to control the QB market. Which leads to…
Trade 1(2) to NY Jets for 1(6) + 2(39) + 2018 1st
I know trading within the division is pretty rare, especially with a bitter rival, but I think this makes a lot of sense for both teams. Like the 49ers, the Jets are in desperate need of a QB. Todd Bowles is on the hot seat and needs to do something to give the Jets hope. Moving up and grabbing the top QB in the draft is exactly the kind of move that might buy him extra time and the Jets some hope (although it didn't help Jeff Fisher). Sitting at 6 they are risking not having a guy fall to them or being jumped by a team like the Bills or Browns, so they bite the bullet and make the move up ahead of the Bears to grab their top rated guy. The price is steep (a 2nd and a future 1) but they could also trade Sheldon Richardson to recoup some of that value. Word is the Jets really like Trubisky and even in a weak QB class teams will have to pay a premium to get a top guy.
While Jonathan Allen would be very tempting at #2, moving down just offers far too much value, especially in a strong draft. Getting a future 1st that would likely be a high first is just too good to pass up. Even though it’s a year away that is a pick would look to target a LT to replace Solder (Connor Williams from Texas?).
The question is why would the Pats help the Jets get a QB? Simply because I don’t think we should be scared of any of the QB’s in this year’s draft. If we can move down, get solid value and stick the desperate Jets with a QB we think may bust then I think it’s a perfect deal.
1(6 from NYJ)- MLB- Reuben Foster- Alabama
This is simply take the BPA and I think that will be Foster. I assume Garrett and Allen will both be gone so the only other consideration would be SS Jamal Adams from LSU (who I absolutely love), but most mocks have him going #5 to the Titans. Foster is a special talent and one I think is definitely deserving of a top 10 pick. In fact Matt Miller has said an NFC scout has given Foster a perfect grade.
On the field I think we all know enough about Rueben Foster so I won’t go into much detail breaking him down. He is a leader, a playmaker, a tone setter and will be a flat out beast in the middle of any defense in the NFL. He was the QB of one of the greatest defenses ever at Alabama and I think he could do the same in New England. I see him developing into the defensive General, organising the defense and raking up tackles in the middle, allowing Hightower to move around and be a disruptive playmaker.
1(32)- OLB- Ryan Anderson- Alabama
Jonathan Allen may be the most talented player on the Alabama defense. And Reuben Foster may be the QB of that D, but it is undoubtedly Ryan Anderson along with Eddie Jackson that are the leaders of the Alabama Crimson tide. If you like a guy that plays with an edge and some attitude, or a guy that gives 100% every single snap regardless of the situation, you are gonna love Anderson.
Anderson isn’t a Von Miller type OLB that is going to bend around the edge and get to the QB with elite speed. What he will do is play with excellent technique, good leverage, violent hands, a non-stop motor and uncompromising gap integrity. He might not be a big sack guy but his impact will be felt well beyond the box score. I think he would be a perfect long term replacement for Ninkovich as a guy that can play as a down lineman or on his feet. With Sheard and Long free agents we definitely need some depth and talent on the edge. He reminds me a bit of Terrell Suggs.
Off the field Anderson is a hard worker and a great leader. After losing a bunch of experienced players in the 2016 draft, Anderson stepped up as a vocal leader for Alabama this season. He has extremely high expectations of himself and those around him. The way he is never satisfied and is always looking to improve seems like a perfect fit for the Pats.
"You're capable of losing to anybody," Anderson said. "We're not playing just to win. Teams I've played on that practiced and did enough to win, they didn't accomplish nothing."
Where are Alabama's leaders? Look no further than Eddie Jackson and Ryan Anderson
Holly Rowe ?@sportsiren Jan 8
Interesting nugget
@AlabamaFTBL Ryan Anderson told me today. This was his 540th practice. And he has never missed one. That is impressive.
I know some analysts have him rated as a 2nd or 3rd rounder but I doubt he gets out of the first. I wouldn’t hesitate to move up to take him before 32 either, I think he is a great fit.
2(39 from NYJ)- CB- Desmond King- Iowa
I know I will be in the minority here with such depth and talent at CB in this draft but I absolutely love Desmond King for the Pats. He may not be the ‘sexiest’ CB in this draft, he’s not 6’1” and won’t run a blazing 40, but I think he is a great fit here. There are a few things the Pats require out of their corners and I think King ticks all the boxes.
We play a multiple defense which requires CB’s to be able to play both man and zone coverage. King was arguably the best zone CB in college football last season. He is also excellent in man coverage, particularly off-man where he reminds me so much of Darelle Revis with the way he moves, always keeps his eyes in the backfield, recognises plays and essentially runs routes for WR’s. I wish he were a little more physical in press-man but that is something I think he can develop, especially with his competitive nature. We also require our corners to be excellent tacklers and King was one of the highest graded tacklers in college football. He is also a playmaker with exceptional ball skills which allowed him to pull in 8 picks in 2015 and 14 for his career.
King also offers some versatility as a kick returner where he was forced to make his biggest impact in 2016 because teams simply stayed away from him in the passing game. Kick returns have been a weakness for the Pats this season so adding more options certainly can’t hurt. I also think he has the versatility to play safety if required because he is a ball hawk and such a good tackler, but I think #2 CB opposite Malcolm Butler is where he is best suited. Have Butler lock down the opposition #2 WR, King on the opposition #1 with safety help over the top and use Eric Rowe as a matchup guy against bigger WR’s.
One of the most important attributes I look for in a defensive back is competitiveness and Desmond King is definitely a competitor. At times I think that competitiveness has gotten the best of him and lead to a silly penalty or two, but I think that is just because he was pressing trying to make a play. An example of this is the Michigan game where his energy and effort helped will his team to an upset victory, but it also lead to a stupid penalty where he was just trying too hard. I don’t think that this will be a problem going forward and I think having two competitive corners with passion and energy would be a huge asset.
2
(64) – DL- Dalvin Tomlinson- Alabama
We could use some depth on the interior defensive line and I think Tomlinson would be a great fit. He has NFL size at 6’3” 310lbs and we know he is well coached in a gap control defense at Alabama. Tomlinson arguably possesses the best hand technique of any Dlineman in this draft and his teammates and coaches rave about his hand fighting. He’s not an explosive, penetrating DT in the mold of Dominique Easley but he is a versatile, big bodied run stuffer that will help control the line of scrimmage and free up our linebackers to make plays.
Cont.
