The Strength Of This Class

[manxman2601]

For starters or quality rotational prospects/backups

Tight End - 4-5 Rounds deep
Running Back - 6 or maybe even 7 rounds deep
Interior Offensive line - 7 rounds deep
Interior defensive line - potentially 7 rounds deep
EDGE defenders - 5-6 rounds deep

This draft might be relatively weak in the top 20 and weak in certain areas like offensive tackle but it is an awesome draft for depth, particularly on defensive and interior offensive lines.

I was watching a Stanford EDGE called David Bailey today which compelled me to write this post. He's undersized at 6-3, 240 lbs but he's super twitched up and yet you'd find it difficult to find anyone who has listed higher than 200 on their big boards. Reportedly, he can run close to 4.5s. He's probably never going to be a starter because he'll probably struggle to set the edge, but as a rotational pass rusher, he has real potential.

This thread isn't meant to be about David Bailey though, it's just meant to illustrate that the opportunity is there to really beef up the back of the roster in this draft.

 

[JerseyShore99]

I love the TE and DB class most, RB looks promising as well

 

[manxman2601]

I love the TE and DB class most, RB looks promising as well

I'm really confused about how to value CB in this draft. We need a no 2 but do we need a man cover or a zone CB? And other than BPA, how do you value a no 2? 2nd round? Round 3/4?

 

[VJCPatriot]

Patriots Primary needs: LT, WR, DT.

Free agency we need to address at least one or two of those needs.

That will allow us to focus the draft on filling the remaining needs.

We have a woefully untalented roster in particular on offense.

So we might need to double dip in some cases.

Not knowing what we did in free agency yet, I'd prioritize LT/WR/DT. Take the best you can. Move up in this draft from the early 2nd to back of the 1st if you need to get a guy who can potentially start.

 

[manxman2601]

Round 3 is a real sweet spot for me as things stand if you look at consensus boards and Dane Brugler's top 100. Some of these will sneak into round 2 or 4 but there's some real talent to be had:


DL

Josaiah Stewart
Darius Alexander
TJ Sanders
Jared Ivey
Bradyn Swinson
Omar Norman-Lott

WR

Jayden Higgins
Tory Horton
Jack Bech
Tez Johnson
Jalen Royals
Jaylin Noel
Savion Williams

DB

Andrew Mukuba
Kevin Winston Jr
Dorian Strong
Quincey Riley
Sebastian Castro
Zy Alexander
Darien Porter


OL

Marcus Mbow
Ozzy Trapilo
Tate Ratledge


LB

Carson Schwesinger
Barrett Carter
Chris Paul Jr

Pre-combine, it's my favourite round when I mock.

 

[bakes781]

it certainly is good that we have two selections in that round

 

[manxman2601]

Is it me or is there a lack of mid-round explosiveness or game changing ability in this draft? I was watching some Jabrill Peppers Michigan tape yesterday and there's no one like him or Tyrann Mathieu. There doesn't seem to be any punt/kick returners of note or 'take it to the house' WRs (Tez Johnson at 169lbs being an exception).

I like the depth in this draft but it does seem to be quite a boring one.

 

[bakes781]

Is it me or is there a lack of mid-round explosiveness or game changing ability in this draft? I was watching some Jabrill Peppers Michigan tape yesterday and there's no one like him or Tyrann Mathieu. There doesn't seem to be any punt/kick returners of note or 'take it to the house' WRs (Tez Johnson at 169lbs being an exception).

I like the depth in this draft but it does seem to be quite a boring one.

Big part of why I'm anxious to see how they perform at the combine. Then reevaluate their tape to see if it translates.

 

[manxman2601]

I didn’t know which thread to put this in.

 

[bakes781]

I didn’t know which thread to put this in.

A young CB would be invaluable.

 

[manxman2601]

A young CB would be invaluable.

Not unless you want him at 38 and that might even be too late.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

A young CB would be invaluable.

We have Gonzo and could sign someone like DJ Reed. That should be enough with our 2024 guys too.

Could have had Dejean last year but Wolf wanted Polk.

 

[manxman2601]

We have Gonzo and could sign someone like DJ Reed. That should be enough with our 2024 guys too.

Could have had Dejean last year but Wolf wanted Polk.

After hearing Trevor Sikkema talk about Travis Hunter as a CB, I've become really excited about that possibility.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

After hearing Trevor Sikkema talk about Travis Hunter as a CB, I've become really excited about that possibility.

Yes, Hunter is probably our pick. Sanders is not performing at the combine, only taking interviews, which usually means he has been promised a selection in the Top 5. With Cam Ward, Sanders, and Carter in the Top 3, Hunter will drop to us. Possibly it is Carter that drops but I doubt it.

I think Hunter is still a bit raw since his college experience was not at the highest level and he spent time at WR, but he has a huge ceiling, reportedly has a positive attitude, and works hard. Hopefully he clicks with McDaniel.

 

[manxman2601]

Yes, Hunter is probably our pick. Sanders is not performing at the combine, only taking interviews, which usually means he has been promised a selection in the Top 5. With Cam Ward, Sanders, and Carter in the Top 3, Hunter will drop to us. Possibly it is Carter that drops but I doubt it.

I think Hunter is still a bit raw since his college experience was not at the highest level and he spent time at WR, but he has a huge ceiling, reportedly has a positive attitude, and works hard. Hopefully he clicks with McDaniel.

I was going to a thread about "must picks". I do believe Carter/Hunter are must picks if they fall to 4.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I was going to a thread about "must picks". I do believe Carter/Hunter are must picks if they fall to 4.

I do not think Carter will be there. It will be interesting if the Vrabel goes with Graham over Hunter because he is committed to the trenches.

 

[manxman2601]

I do not think Carter will be there. It will be interesting if the Vrabel goes with Graham over Hunter because he is committed to the trenches.

In this deep DT class that would be a disappointing move. As much as I like Graham, he's not as rare a talent as Hunter.

 

[whybob]

In this deep DT class that would be a disappointing move. As much as I like Graham, he's not as rare a talent as Hunter.

Agree. I like Graham a lot, but if you can get a player who can start at CB and gives you WR looks in packages you got to take him. He makes your secondary formidable and gives you a threat albeit limited at position of need wr.

 

[bakes781]

Agree. I like Graham a lot, but if you can get a player who can start at CB and gives you WR looks in packages you got to take him. He makes your secondary formidable and gives you a threat albeit limited at position of need wr.

As long as he does his homework on the kid as a person and is sold that he's not diva.

 

[manxman2601]

As long as he does his homework on the kid as a person and is sold that he's not diva.

From what I've read, his character is excellent.