This years draft haul

[TomPatriot]

The Strange pick was and will always be awful, it was a huge reach and only a position of need, because BB traded away Mason for a bag of magic beans. I don't care if he turns out to be the next John Hannah, he is NOT going to make an impact in the outcome of games (unless he really stinks).

Patriot gamechangers draft at #21 overall:

Chandler Jones
Vince Wilfork
Randy Moss
Lawrence Maroney (OK, I'll give you that one)
Daniel Graham

The 8 guys drafted last year from 21-28 almost all of them are already making significant plays with their new teams. Walker, Ilam, Johnson and Lloyd would all be starting for the Pats defense right now. Lloyd has 20 tackles and 2 INTs in 4 games!! The Pats had a chance to get an impact player at 21, instead they got role players.

Then to pass on George Pickens in round 2! Shmmesh

Right now Jack Jones looks like he could be something, the rest, meh.

The Pats are 1-3 in last place and some of you think this was a good draft????

Cole Strange has been pretty good overall so far. He’s already very good at getting to the second level and can play all three interior OL positions. There’s a lot of value in that. Mankins was a first round pick and he was an anchor on the OL for years.

The 2022 draft has little to do with the Pats record. I‘m told it takes at least one full season to evaluate a draft anyway.

Shaq Masón was a good player who declined but is now serviceable and overpaid. That trade is not the reason the Pats are 1-3.

 

[borg]

The Strange pick was and will always be awful, it was a huge reach and only a position of need, because BB traded away Mason for a bag of magic beans. I don't care if he turns out to be the next John Hannah, he is NOT going to make an impact in the outcome of games (unless he really stinks).

Strange's impact is TBD

What we know or think we know:
1) BB values LG above the other interior linemen positions
Two #1 draft picks -Mankins '05, Strange '22
Note: BB drafts...#1 picks.....2 LG, 1 RG, 2 LT, 2 TE
Top of the market salaries at LG-Mankins, Thune (1 yr $14.7 mill)

BB's LG must work in tandem with the LT to minimize the impact of the opposition's blind side/best pass rusher = handle interior bulls.
BB's LG must be mobile/athletic/quick/smart enough to be the primary pulling guard and catalyst for the run game

2) Strange IMO is the most mobile G I've seen in a Patriots uniform in 2 decades
And given the team's reported desire to transition towards a zone blocking scheme, I fully expect more mobile OL to arrive in the years to come, starting with Tackle next draft when BB will be using a premium draft pick to upgrade a major area of concern

Keep in mind what is being asked of Strange four games into his pro career coming from a D1 subdivision program.
Verses Green Bay, Strange's mobility was emphasized in the run game and I envision his role expanding exponentially as the team transitions toward their preferred blocking scheme in the coming years.
Much will be asked of this guy.
Patience

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

On paper this does look like it has the potential to be a solid class but we have seen a couple guys start off hot and fizzle out like Winovich and Sony. Even still I like the promise that this group shows. Although I am still not thrilled with a guard in the first round at least Strange looks to be a good one. Tyquan flashed in camp and preseason and hopefully can stay healthy. Marcus Jones looks like he could add a spark as a returner and Jack looks to be a corner who can develop if he starts to tackle better. If Zappe ends up as a capable backup that would round out a really good class if the guys I mentioned all progress.

Why didn't you mention Schooler, Roberts, Hines, Russey, Mitchell, or Ray? All were solid for their first camp. Roberts, and Hines were 6th and 7th round picks that made the 53 - not bad for a low round rookie. Mitchell made the 53 as a UDFA. Schooler plays all the time on STs and beat out Bethel.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

So other teams can say (with dismay):

View attachment 45970

 

[PatsFanInVa]

 

[gitgronked82]

Utter nonsense, except for those that think that we should get 3 or 4 quality starters out of every draft.

We will likely go into next week with 4 rookies starting: LG, CB, QB and PR.

And the others are all potential contributors.

Ok, eh I don’t think we can really count zappe there. He earned this start by our first 2 qb getting injured. It isn’t a reflection of the draft success.

The Pats are 1-3 in last place and some of you think this was a good draft????

Ah yes, always important to evaluate a draft class based off the team’s record in the first 4 games after that draft. Especially when some of the picks haven’t even started playing yet.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

We started with the 21st pick and traded it. The total comp for moving down from 21 to 29 was picks 121 & 137 in the 4th round, plus Carolina's 3rd rounder next year (probably around pick #75). That's a helluva haul. We turned 1 pick into 4 players: Strange, Jack Jones, Zappe, and a 2023 mid to high 3rd.

It's obvious already that Strange is a very high quality player, worthy of the 29th pick. Jack Jones also looks like a starter if he can keep his head on straight, he looks as talented as the departed JC Jackson. Zappe is a poised kid who can be a good backup QB. And next year we likely get no worse than the 75th pick (in the top 11 of round 3) - the Panthers currently have the 8th worst record.

Additionally. the 2022 draft included Marcus Jones and Tyquan Thornton. Jones is a premier kick and punt returner, and will probably also push out Myles Bryant from slot corner soon. Tyquan Thornton looks extremely promising.

And we also drafted 5 others in the lower rounds that we don't know much about yet, but could all be potential contributors by next year if not sooner: RB Strong, RB Harris, DT Roberts, OG Hines, and OT Steuben.

Not to mention undrafted free agents like Schooler.

Anyone not pleased with this draft is delirious.

 

[crawhammer]

It's too early to conclude anything either way regarding the draft however this is how I would grade the picks to date...

Cole Strange C-
Inconsistent at best. At times looks like a rookie who's not quite ready to be a starter.

Tyquan Thornton Inc.
Given his skinny frame it's a really bad sign that he got injured on the very first hard tackle he took. But hopefully soon we'll be able to see what he can contribute. I'm not sure who he's taking snaps from but they already have a receiver (Bourne) not getting enough game reps.

Marcus Jones B-
He looked great in the return game on Sunday but he's not getting any defensive snaps and I'm not sure I'm putting a 3rd round value on a return specialist. However, a few more games like Sunday and I'll be convinced.

Jack Jones B
Significant jump in playing time against the Packers, seeing 99% of defensive snaps. I don't understand what the hell he was doing on the Packers final possession in OT but it's hard to argue with a pick six against Rodgers in Lambeau.

Pierre Strong D
Not playing. Don't need him. Poor choice here.

Bailey Zappe C
A lot of people raving about his poise after being thrust into action on Sunday, and it's a fair complement overall, however he panicked a bit on his final pass of the game. That said, the play calling on that final brief possession didn't help either.

Kevin Harris F
Again, no need for a running back here. Waste of a pick.

Sam Roberts C
He's on the roster but mostly inactive. Had 1 ST snap on Sunday.

Chasen Hines C
OL depth player who hopefully won't be needed.

Andrew Stueber Inc.
Non-football injury list.

 

[ashley]

Good article by Zack Cox on this year's draft and how their performing so far, it's looking very promising:

Patriots Rookie Check-In: How First-Year Players Are Faring So Far

The New England Patriots' future looks bright after their narrow loss to the heavily favored Green Bay Packers.

nesn.com

 

[ashley]

It's too early to conclude anything either way regarding the draft however this is how I would grade the picks to date...

Cole Strange C-
Inconsistent at best. At times looks like a rookie who's not quite ready to be a starter.

Tyquan Thornton Inc.
Given his skinny frame it's a really bad sign that he got injured on the very first hard tackle he took. But hopefully soon we'll be able to see what he can contribute. I'm not sure who he's taking snaps from but they already have a receiver (Bourne) not getting enough game reps.

Marcus Jones B-
He looked great in the return game on Sunday but he's not getting any defensive snaps and I'm not sure I'm putting a 3rd round value on a return specialist. However, a few more games like Sunday and I'll be convinced.

Jack Jones B
Significant jump in playing time against the Packers, seeing 99% of defensive snaps. I don't understand what the hell he was doing on the Packers final possession in OT but it's hard to argue with a pick six against Rodgers in Lambeau.

Pierre Strong D
Not playing. Don't need him. Poor choice here.

Bailey Zappe C
A lot of people raving about his poise after being thrust into action on Sunday, and it's a fair complement overall, however he panicked a bit on his final pass of the game. That said, the play calling on that final brief possession didn't help either.

Kevin Harris F
Again, no need for a running back here. Waste of a pick.

Sam Roberts C
He's on the roster but mostly inactive. Had 1 ST snap on Sunday.

Chasen Hines C
OL depth player who hopefully won't be needed.

Andrew Stueber Inc.
Non-football injury list.

please see good article below from my friend Zack Cox.....good info there.....looks to be a very promising class!!!

 

[crawhammer]

please see good article below from my friend Zack Cox.....good info there.....looks to be a very promising class!!!

Yes, it's a good read. Here are a few comments...

Strange has been locked in as the Patriots’ starting left guard since Day 1 of spring practice, and he’s looking more and more comfortable in that role as the season progresses.

He's probably getting "more comfortable" which is only natural however I think his play has been really inconsistent including against the Packers. The draft selection is grading higher than originally, so that's good, but we'll see if he becomes more dependable over the course of the season.

It took a few weeks, but (Marcus) Jones — a record-setting return man in college — finally earned the Patriots’ top kick and punt returner jobs.

Why did it take a few weeks? (I'm asking Bill.) Jones is clearly ready as a return specialist. Overall my feeling is he'll eventually need to find a role with the defense to be a worthy 3rd round selection.

The Patriots look like they’ve found a future star in (Jack) Jones, who forced and recovered a fumble and snagged an athletic pick-six off Aaron Rodgers last week in his first NFL start.

I think "future star" is a bit premature but he did make a complete fool of Aaron Rodgers. Again, not sure why he was playing so soft in the OT... maybe that came from the sideline, or he was being too cautious, either way it didn't work.

Zappe acquitted himself well in a near-impossible situation last week, stepping in for an injured Brian Hoyer late in the first quarter and nearly piloting the Patriots to what would have been a monumental upset.

As it turned out it really wasn't "near-impossible" at all. They probably should have won the game with their final offensive possession in OT. Zappe benefitted greatly from a very strong running game and most of his completions were to wide open receivers. The TD pass shouldn't have happened due to the blatant delay of game and you have to wonder if that didn't throw off the Packers defense. Still, I agree there is something to be said for Zappe's poise in this game and even though they were running a vanilla offense he seemed mostly in command of it.

I think too Zappe's in a real advantageous spot against Detroit's porous defense... they should protect him with an effective running game and pick their spots for the passing game. If it turns into a shootout, which I think is unlikely, Detroit's pass defense is terrible. Zappe should walk away from this game looking pretty good. In the long term his (lack of) arm strength is really going to hold him back.

 

[ashley]

I think you make some fair points, might have been a tough grader on Strange . I think he's been improving since game 1 and has been very solid since. It's tough to grade rookies with only 4 games in, but at least we're seeing some promising signs from the Jones's boys and Strange and I think one player to keep an eye on next year is Chasen Hines.

 

[TomPatriot]

It's too early to conclude anything either way regarding the draft however this is how I would grade the picks to date...

Cole Strange C-
Inconsistent at best. At times looks like a rookie who's not quite ready to be a starter.

Huh? I give him a B- at worst and that's not accounting for his rookie status at all. He makes some mistakes but, man, he can play the position.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think you make some fair points, might have been a tough grader on Strange . I think he's been improving since game 1 and has been very solid since. It's tough to grade rookies with only 4 games in, but at least we're seeing some promising signs from the Jones's boys and Strange and I think one player to keep an eye on next year is Chasen Hines.

I think we should keep an eye on any late round pick or UDFA that makes the 53. Hines, Roberts, Mitchell, and Schooler. The Pats chose to protect those players on the 53 because they saw promise.

 

[tasmlab]

Can we agree that Zappe at least looks like a serviceable back-up QB?

How about Schooler on special teams? Seems like a good player... Although I think he was undrafted.

Schooler seems to be on-camera a lot during the games, for whatever that's worth. Which means by the ball, usually Slater's job I think.

 

[mgteich]

I think we should keep an eye on any late round pick or UDFA that makes the 53. Hines, Roberts, Mitchell, and Schooler. The Pats chose to protect those players on the 53 because they saw promise.

Schooler was NOT protected because he showed promise. He is CURRENTLY one of our top STer's and active in every game.

 

[mgteich]

Ok, eh I don’t think we can really count zappe there. He earned this start by our first 2 qb getting injured. It isn’t a reflection of the draft success.

Ah yes, always important to evaluate a draft class based off the team’s record in the first 4 games after that draft. Especially when some of the picks haven’t even started playing yet.

I count Zappe. We needed to carry a #3. If not for Zappe, we would have needed to sign a veteran and hope that he could fill in. Zappe did fine as a rookie QB at very low cost. Consider where we would be if he were awful and just not ready at all.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Schooler was NOT protected because he showed promise. He is CURRENTLY one of our top STer's and active in every game.

Semantics

 

[40yrpatsfan]

It's too early to conclude anything either way regarding the draft however this is how I would grade the picks to date...

Cole Strange C-
Inconsistent at best. At times looks like a rookie who's not quite ready to be a starter.

Tyquan Thornton Inc.
Given his skinny frame it's a really bad sign that he got injured on the very first hard tackle he took. But hopefully soon we'll be able to see what he can contribute. I'm not sure who he's taking snaps from but they already have a receiver (Bourne) not getting enough game reps.

Marcus Jones B-
He looked great in the return game on Sunday but he's not getting any defensive snaps and I'm not sure I'm putting a 3rd round value on a return specialist. However, a few more games like Sunday and I'll be convinced.

Jack Jones B
Significant jump in playing time against the Packers, seeing 99% of defensive snaps. I don't understand what the hell he was doing on the Packers final possession in OT but it's hard to argue with a pick six against Rodgers in Lambeau.

Pierre Strong D
Not playing. Don't need him. Poor choice here.

Bailey Zappe C
A lot of people raving about his poise after being thrust into action on Sunday, and it's a fair complement overall, however he panicked a bit on his final pass of the game. That said, the play calling on that final brief possession didn't help either.

Kevin Harris F
Again, no need for a running back here. Waste of a pick.

Sam Roberts C
He's on the roster but mostly inactive. Had 1 ST snap on Sunday.

Chasen Hines C
OL depth player who hopefully won't be needed.

Andrew Stueber Inc.
Non-football injury list.

C- is absurd for Strange. He belongs out there, doesn't get overpowered, extremely mobile - 4 games into his career. He plays like a rookie 1st round pick.

 

[gitgronked82]

I count Zappe. We needed to carry a #3. If not for Zappe, we would have needed to sign a veteran and hope that he could fill in. Zappe did fine as a rookie QB at very low cost. Consider where we would be if he were awful and just not ready at all.

Yeah, but I don’t think we can tally it in the column of “rookies already starting” as a reflection of early draft success.
He was nowhere close to earning a starting a job.