The 4th annual Dr. Nut's Patriots draft grades

[PATSNUTme]

I started this 4 years ago as a satire of the late Paul Zimmerman AKA Dr. Z (RIP) and others who come out with draft grades 5 minutes after the draft is over.

Every year I give the Patriots and A or A+ mostly in jest. But this year I can do that without the humor as I think that this draft class is the best since the 2003 class. I was away from early Friday morning until late last night but gettting reports over the phone. I did not learn of the injury situation to Kindle until I check here last night. So my disappointment in the Patriots not taking him has now changed to joy.

Here are the players and next to their names will be the final overall ranking by Pro Football Weekly and NFLDraftScout.

Devin McCourty CB Rutgers PFW #34 NFLDS #30

I like this player a lot. In March I had him as a Patriots 2nd round pick. But he was moving up the boards since then and I was looking more at OLB/DE's in the 1st round. I am very happy with this pick although I had targeted Kindle (pre-injury news). I think he will give us a solid CB for years to come.

Rob Gronkowski TE AZ, PFW #30 NFLDS #46

Again I had targeted him as a 2nd rounder in March. However the back injury situation cause me concern. Many had him ranked as the #1 TE in the draft and a 1st round pick. I assume that the Patriots had his back situation checked out in detail and are satisfied that it is not an issue going forward. If healthy he could be a stud TE for us.

Jermaine Cunningham OLB Fla, PFW #146 NFLDS #107

Another player that I had targeted but not until the 3 rd round. He may be called a reach by some but we don't know how the Patriots or the other NFL teams graded him. Lindy's Draft guide said of him "he should be the player that ends the disappointing Fla DE to OLB conversions that have taken place over the past few years". Another pick that I am happy with.

Brandon Spikes ILB Fla PFW #49 NFLDS #99

Bingo! I love this pick! He could give us the Ted Johnson type ILB that we have been missing for a while. He should help Mayo be able to run free a little more. Some are concerned about his 40 time, I'm not. This guy is a football player and will take on blockers and run though double cement walls. PFW called him a Bryan Cox type player. He is very emotional and that will have to harnessed a little. But if he is a Bryan Cox type player we should all be happy.

Taylor Price, WR Ohio PFW#81 NFLDS #82

Another good pick. Lindsy's calls him a Greg Jenning type receiver that you have to know where his is at all times.

Aaron Hernandez. TE Fla PFW #63 NFLDS #114

Good receiving TE who needs to improve his blocking. But always seem to find a way to get open.

to be continued.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

I wasn't at all disappointed in this year's draft. The team finally decided to do something about its lack of LB depth, took no chances in getting a TE of the future (basically drafting what most would agree were two out of at least the top five prospects at TE), got some OL projects and finally stopped screwing around with other team's castoffs at punter.

This is the most satisfied with a Patriots draft that I have been in years. I doubt anyone would disagree.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

i can't believe Mel Kiper gave us a B- and the Jets a B. The jets draft one player that can maybe be an impact player, Kyle Wilson. Their other picks are essentially projects. The pats I believe drafted 5 potential starters - Spikes, Cunningham, Gronk, Zoltan and McCourty. 4 of these players I predict will start by opening day. McCourty will start by the end of the year.

On the plus side, Gosselin seems to recognize our strong draft.

 

[efin98]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

i can't believe Mel Kiper gave us a B- and the Jets a B. The jets draft one player that can maybe be an impact player, Kyle Wilson. Their other picks are essentially projects. The pats I believe drafted 5 potential starters - Spikes, Cunningham, Gronk, Zoltan and McCourty. 4 of these players I predict will start by opening day. McCourty will start by the end of the year.

On the plus side, Gosselin seems to recognize our strong draft.

It's Mel Kiper...unless you draft a bunch of guys he loves at positions he thinks you need you aren't getting the grade you deserve.

And really, when has he been right about his projections about players, especially New England? I don't believe I've heard him get one right in a while...if ever

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

I started this 4 years ago as a satire of the late Paul Zimmerman AKA Dr. Z (RIP)

FYI, Dr. Z is not dead, he had a couple of strokes and can't speak like he once did but he is alive.

I am totally fascinated by this draft, between the skill guys, the LB, CB and the late round linemen. With two 1s and two 2s next year I think we're seeing the rebuilding of the dynasty to get Tommy a few more rings before his career is over :rocker:

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

i can't believe Mel Kiper gave us a B- and the Jets a B. The jets draft one player that can maybe be an impact player, Kyle Wilson. Their other picks are essentially projects.

Not to mention that the decent McKnight pick was offset by the Washington giveaway. Compare what they got to what we did and those grades are absolutely assanine.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

Continued:

Zotan Mesko P Mich #280 NFLDS #205

Hope he's never used. The best punter in college. We needed one and now we got one. He's been on every mock that I've done.

Don't mess with teh Zotan ( bet that has not been used before)
Ted Larson OC/G NC State PFW #164 NFLDS #177

Good player that plays with a mean streak- quality back up for now.

Thomas Welch OT Vandy PFW #248 NFLDS N R

Athletic tackle who could play RT in the pros but may need a year or 2 to develop.

Brandon Deaderick DE, Ala PFW #153 NFLDS #234

I love this player. I think he will fine as a 5 technique. I was yelling for him in the 5th round and was very happy when I got the call saying the Patriots drafted him in the 7th.

Zac Robinson QB OK St. PFW #NR NFLDS#196

Why did the Patriots take a running QB? that was the question I had. But PFW said that his best chance to make it in the pros was at WR. Interesting- has that happened before?

Cade Weston DT Ga. PFW #197 #395

A player with all the physical tools but is immature. As PFW said 'he need a mentor of a vet who can help the light come on". If that happens he can be a very good player, if not his next job will be asking if you want fries with that order.

I am very happy with this draft. They are all prospects until they prove it on the field. I will give this draft a legit grade, non Homerville, of A.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

FYI, Dr. Z is not dead, he had a couple of strokes and can't speak like he once did but he is alive.

I am totally fascinated by this draft, between the skill guys, the LB, CB and the late round linemen. With two 1s and two 2s next year I think we're seeing the rebuilding of the dynasty to get Tommy a few more rings before his career is over :rocker:

so the reports of his death was premature. I certainly don't want to put him in his grave so my apology to him for stating that.Thanks for the info.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

i can't believe Mel Kiper gave us a B- and the Jets a B. The jets draft one player that can maybe be an impact player, Kyle Wilson. Their other picks are essentially projects. The pats I believe drafted 5 potential starters - Spikes, Cunningham, Gronk, Zoltan and McCourty. 4 of these players I predict will start by opening day. McCourty will start by the end of the year.

On the plus side, Gosselin seems to recognize our strong draft.

McCourty may not "start" right away, but I wouldn't be surprised if he wins a job as the nickel by opening day. That's as important a position as you can have right now without being an official "starter"

Good times, I'm excited about this class.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

I wasn't at all disappointed in this year's draft. The team finally decided to do something about its lack of LB depth, took no chances in getting a TE of the future (basically drafting what most would agree were two out of at least the top five prospects at TE), got some OL projects and finally stopped screwing around with other team's castoffs at punter.

This is the most satisfied with a Patriots draft that I have been in years. I doubt anyone would disagree.

I can't say I was surprised to see, when i got back late last night, that there were so many negative posts about the picks. That is what happens here. We always are drafting in the last 1/3 of the rounds and they expect can't miss All Pro's with every pick.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

i can't believe Mel Kiper gave us a B- and the Jets a B. The jets draft one player that can maybe be an impact player, Kyle Wilson. Their other picks are essentially projects. The pats I believe drafted 5 potential starters - Spikes, Cunningham, Gronk, Zoltan and McCourty. 4 of these players I predict will start by opening day. McCourty will start by the end of the year.

On the plus side, Gosselin seems to recognize our strong draft.

Why would this be hard to believe? Mel's like every essentially other analyst. He's got a board. As a general rule, if he thinks you passed over players he's got highly rated and grabbed players he's got rated lower, he'll give you a lesser grade. Also, if he thinks you drafted players much higher, or lower, than he had projected, he'll toss that into the evaluations. That's no different than anyone else.

 

[scout]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

FYI, Dr. Z is not dead, he had a couple of strokes and can't speak like he once did but he is alive.

I am totally fascinated by this draft, between the skill guys, the LB, CB and the late round linemen. With two 1s and two 2s next year I think we're seeing the rebuilding of the dynasty to get Tommy a few more rings before his career is over :rocker:

I agree. If you look back at the Superbowl teams, those defensive backfields were not dominant or as physical as this one has the potential. I think we get the one ingredient (the dominant defensive lineman) in the next draft, and we are back.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

i can't believe Mel Kiper gave us a B- and the Jets a B. The jets draft one player that can maybe be an impact player, Kyle Wilson. Their other picks are essentially projects. The pats I believe drafted 5 potential starters - Spikes, Cunningham, Gronk, Zoltan and McCourty. 4 of these players I predict will start by opening day. McCourty will start by the end of the year.

On the plus side, Gosselin seems to recognize our strong draft.

Mel Kiper is a ******, that's why. He has his board, and whoever picks the most guys at the top of it get the best grade from him- system-specific drafting? WTF is that? Good players are good and bad players are bad, system fit has nothing to do with it! And everyone gets a B+, B, or B-...

 

[Fencer]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

I started this 4 years ago as a satire of the late Paul Zimmerman AKA Dr. Z (RIP) and others who come out with draft grades 5 minutes after the draft is over.

He's still alive, just in bad shape. Peter King keeps raising money for him.

It's OK to satire him even so. He pretty much did it to himself, in a good-natured way.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

i can't believe Mel Kiper gave us a B- and the Jets a B. The jets draft one player that can maybe be an impact player, Kyle Wilson. Their other picks are essentially projects. The pats I believe drafted 5 potential starters - Spikes, Cunningham, Gronk, Zoltan and McCourty. 4 of these players I predict will start by opening day. McCourty will start by the end of the year.

On the plus side, Gosselin seems to recognize our strong draft.

Mel Kiper's job and existence center on being right about the Draft. If you deviate from his views, he has no choice but to ding you. Did you see how he nearly bolted from his seat at the Tebow pick? He has way too much invested in teams' mimicking his rankings to be of any critical value once the Draft is over.

 

[reflexblue]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

FYI, Dr. Z is not dead, he had a couple of strokes and can't speak like he once did but he is alive.

I am totally fascinated by this draft, between the skill guys, the LB, CB and the late round linemen. With two 1s and two 2s next year I think we're seeing the rebuilding of the dynasty to get Tommy a few more rings before his career is over :rocker:

AYE, BF AYE I had the same thoughts myself.

 

[T-cat]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

Zac Robinson QB OK St. PFW #NR NFLDS#196

Why did the Patriots take a running QB? that was the question I had. But PFW said that his best chance to make it in the pros was at WR. Interesting- has that happened before?

[/B]

Ive been hearing this WR conversion thing too but i dont think he can his 40 time was a 4.71 i heard and i dont think thats good WR speed...and dont mention jerry rice haha

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

Ive been hearing this WR conversion thing too but i dont think he can his 40 time was a 4.71 i heard and i dont think thats good WR speed...and dont mention jerry rice haha

It was 4.66 at the Combine. Well maybe that was Monday and Tues it was 4.71 and Wed it was 4.55.

He could be deceptively slow which makes people miss.

 

[ausbacker]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

Combine times are overrated. I prefer football speed to any measurable.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: The 4th annual Dr.Nut's Patriots draft grades.

Combine times are overrated. I prefer football speed to any measurable.

Yes if Spikes will run though a brick wall with 5.0 speed and another guy will run around the brink wall with 4.5 speed, who gets there faster?