MORSE: Patriots Mock Draft #2, Morse’s Morsels
(PHOTO: USA Today - USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 7 minutes
Posted Under: Patriots Mock Drafts
(PHOTO: USA Today - USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 7 minutes
New England Patriots > Patriots Blog
(PHOTO: USA Today - USA TODAY Sports) Mock Draft #2
This Mock Draft is after the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine games have been completed. The fact that the Patriots coaching staff spent the week coaching the West Shrine Stars gives them terrific insight into who these players are, their work habits, and preparedness and just get to know them more personally.
I am again using the PFF Mock Simulator because I think their rankings are better and the ability to make trades is more realistic. Here goes!
Pick 14 – TRADE to PIT for #17 and 2nd rd #49
Pick 17 – Zay Flowers WR Boston College – The coaching staff was enamored with Flowers. He only practiced one day and showed so much in that limited time. Flower’s character showed up tremendously. He committed to the East–West Shrine game and he followed through with attending all the practices, interviews, and other events. The East-West Shrine game doesn’t attract 1st round talent. Those players selected usually hear their names called on Day Three of the Draft. Flowers had nothing to prove. He was a potential 1st round pick and his performance in that one day of practice showed everyone. His quickness off the line, in and out of his breaks, left the poor DBs trying to cover him in the dust. I’ll admit that I skewered this Mock Draft to see what would happen if I drafted the dynamic Zay Flowers in the first round.
PIck 23 – TRADE Picks #49 and #76 to MIN for Pick #23
Pick 23 – TRADE #23 to ATL for Picks #44, #75, #110 and #113
The player I wanted at Pick #23 was taken so I flipped it and ended up getting my draft picks back, and improving my draft positions (49 to 44 and 76 to 75) along with picking up two extra picks in #110 and #113. MIN wanted that pick badly.
Pick # 44 – Sydney Brown S Illinois – PFF didn’t like this pick but acquiring a true FS was a higher priority for me than getting OTs. Brown is a ball hawk as he was tied for the lead nationally with 6 INTs. He was also 2nd in tackles for the Illini D. I don’t think there is a better open-field tackler than Brown. He is 5’10”, 208 lbs, and runs 4.49 40. He has the versatility to play the Strong Safety position too.
Pick #46 – Matthew Bergeron OT Syracuse – PFF didn’t like this pick either. Bergeron is a strong LT. Most of the LTs I wanted were gone by this time so I took the Best LT available. He stands 6’5” and 323 lbs. Some think he needs to move into the OG position. Bergeron was a Captain and 4-year starter for the Orangemen.
Pick #75 – Dawand Jones RT Ohio State – Doubling down on OTs The massive RT stands 6’8”, 375 lbs, and runs an estimated 5.5 40. His weight is reportedly down to 350 lbs. We will know for sure when the official heights and weights are performed at the Scouting Combine. This is a hedge bet against Bergeron being ready to start Day one. The Pats could keep Trent Brown at LT and install Dawand Jones at RT. Can you imagine the beef on the Patriots’ right side of the O-line?
Pick # 107 – Zacch Pickens DL South Carolina – according to several sources, Picckens had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl this week. The 6’4” 300 lbs Defensive Tackle from South Carolina has incredible talent. However, he has been a bit of an enigma. He has trouble with double teams and doesn’t have a secondary move if his initial pass rush fails. His estimated 40 time is 4.91. He can play anywhere on the DL from 0-3 technique. He received no post-season awards from the SEC coaches despite starting some 32 games in the SEC over his career.
Pick #110 Andrei Losivas WR Princeton – I am intrigued by Losivas’ athletic ability. He stands 6’3” 212 lbs and runs an estimated 4.29 40. If you throw him the ball he will catch it. In the three seasons at Princeton, he had a Reception Rating of 117. 6, 118.5, and 118.0. As a route runner, he is smooth getting in and out of breaks effortlessly. He finished 4th in the NCAA Heptathlon and his 60-yard dash time of 6.71 is a Heptathlon record. According to NFL Draft Buzz, his position coach Brian Flinn predicts ” when Losivas goes through the draft process and performs those tests he will destroy them all.” A smooth runner he is willing to go across the middle. Getting off the line of scrimmage hasn’t been a problem, but you must discount that by stating no one tried to press him at the Ivy School level.
#113 Tyjae Spears RB Tulane – Nearly every reporter that attended the East-West Shrine game practices mentioned Spears play. As a receiver out of the backfield, none were better. What stood out though was his pass-blocking and blitz pickup. He is Pro-ready as a third-down back right now. He has size 10 hands which don’t hurt. Patriot coaches were well aware of Spears as one of the team needs is a pass-catching back, especially if they lose Damian Harris as I predict.
#117 Jose Ramirez EDGE Eastern Michigan – Ramirez was one of the best pass rushers at the East–West Shrine game. His measurable is 6’2” 249 lbs and runs an estimated 4.78. His 12 sacks led the nation. He was the Mid-America Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Another E/W Shrine game player.
#135 Trey Dean III FS Florida – Dean is a big Safety at 6’3” and 211 lbs and runs a 4.5 40. A 4-year starter at Florida was a 1st team all-freshman team for SEC. Led Florida in tackles with 91 as a junior. Finished with 178 career tackles. Named Defensive MVP of E/W Shrine game.
#184 Darius Rush DB South Carolina – Another big corner at 6’2” 195 lbs 4.56 40. Rush had a very strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl. So much so that scouts are going back and re-evaluating him. He switched from WR to DB as a freshman so he doesn’t have a lot of experience. Special teams contributor at South Carolina. CBS Sports and 247 Sports have declared Rush as the fastest riser as a result of his Senior Bowl performance. CBS Sports stated he could rise as far as a 2nd-day selection
#187 Luke Schoonmaker TE Michigan – The Patriots have been linked to him for a long time now. He stands 6’5” 249 lbs and runs a 4.78 40. He was 2nd on the team in receptions in 2022 with 35 for 418 yards and 3 TDs. H was 3rd team Big 10. Some projections have him going as high as the 2nd round. It is a good draft for TEs.
#192 Tyler Steen OT Alabama – Steen transferred to Alabama from Vanderbilt where he was a 3 years starter. Immediately he transitioned into the starting Left Tackle for the Crimson Tide. The 6’5” 325 lb Tackle started 34 games at LT and 12 at RT for a total career of 46 career starts in the SEC. He was the 2nd team All-SEC in 2022. On the minus side, he did give up 2 sacks and 16 QB hurries in 2022. Strictly a developmental type of player that could have a high ceiling.
#210 Mohamoud Diabate LB Utah – Another player the Patriots have been linked to from the E/W Shrine game. Diabate had an excellent game and a week of practice. The 6’3” 229 lb, 4.56 40 was a transfer from Florida. The Patriots coaches spent a good amount of time with him and he took well to their coaching. May only be Special Teams players, but we need those types of players too.
#258 Jake Moody K Michigan – The Offensive MVP from the E/W Shrine game kicked 4 FGs, with two of them from 51 yards. We need both a K and P and would look at Michael Turk P Oklahoma as an alternative to this player. Turk was the holder for Moody in the game.
Morse’s Morsels
League Calendar
Now that the Super Bowl has concluded here are some of the key dates as we approach the start of the new NFL season.
Feb 21 – Mar 7 Teams can apply the Franchise tag to players in order to retain their services and prevent them from reaching Free Agency
Fen 28- Mar 6 NFL Scouting Combine
March 7th– 1st Day of College Pro Days and prospect visits to NFL facilities
March 13 – Legal tampering starts with Free Agents
March 15 – Start of the new league year – Free Agents can officially sign.
April 27-29 – NFL Draft
Super Bowl recap Hats off to the Kansas City Chiefs and their incredible comeback in Superbowl LVII. As a fan rooting for the Eagles, it was a terrific game to watch. Plenty of entertainment and offense all over the field. We have a traditional family gathering to watch the game which enhances the experience. This year I also enjoyed mobile sports betting and had the best day ever. I took the “house” to the cleaners. Most of those bets were won or nearly won in the 1st half of the game.
Controversial Holding call late in the game
I am of the belief that if it’s a holding call in the 1st quarter then it’s holding in the 4th Quarter. Referees shouldn’t put away their whistles because it’s a close game in the 4th Quarter. My problem with the call is that the officials hadn’t made a similar call all game. I don’t think there was one offensive holding by a lineman. Was it holding, absolutely was, and the Eagles’ Defensive Back James Bradberry admitted it after the game, stating that he didn’t think the officials would make that call.
Arrow Routes
The Chiefs beat the Eagles on one simple play. They put their WR in motion and cut right back to where they came from in an arrow route. This takes incredible quickness to accomplish. Edelman, Welker, and Amendola regularly ran these routes and left DBs in the dust. KC ran this 3 times inside the Red Zone. Interesting that the two arrow routes resulting in TDs were the only catches by Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney.
Pat Mahomes Performance
Truly remarkable what Pat Mahomes did on Sunday. He ended with a 131.8 rating (nearly perfect). When he re-injured his high ankle sprain late in the 2nd quarter I thought he was done. Mahomes continued to scramble and run in the 2nd half leading KC to 4 straight scoring drives. His overall numbers were not spectacular 21 of 27 for 182 yards and a 6.7 YPC. He had 3 TDs and no INT. The fact he ran for 44 yards was incredible. What KC did was run the ball well for a total of 158 yards. Jalen Hurts had an MVP-like performance as well with 27 of 38 for 302 yards, 8.0 YPC 1 TD passing, and 3 TDs rushing. The fumble and scoop and score were huge plays for KC that kept them in the game. Philadelphia stayed in a zone defense (except for the play with Defensive Holding) throughout the game. Mahomes took what they were given.
Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy Likely to Leave
Bieniemy has been interviewed many times for the head coaching position and will likely be moving this year. That will be a tremendous loss to the Chiefs. Andy Reid has stated that he will take over the Offensive Playcalling.
Eagles Offensive Coordinator headed to Indianapolis
Shane Steichen is likely to be headed for Indianapolis as their new head coach. Steichen was formerly the Offensive Coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers and has been the Offensive Coordinator in Philly under Nick Sirianni for the last two seasons.
Derek Carr status
Carr is due a $40.5 option of his contract by 4:00 Tuesday. Don’t be surprised if he is released. The NY Jets are salivating that Carr will be released.
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I think the value you received on the trades is not even close to realistic. A major problem using these draft sites. The unrealistic values makes it a very unrealistic mock draft. As to the holding call. On almost every play there is an element of holding, illegal contact and illegal use of the hands. of course not everyone of those “penalties” actually are called. Judgment comes into play. As does the “advantage/disadvantage” rule. As does consistency. The call was inconsistent within the game. The call was inconsistent within all games. the call was inconsistent because no advantage was gained.… Read more »