Patriots/NFL 2024 Regular Season: Part II - If the NFL season ended today, the Patriots would have the No. 2 pick in the draft

[DKH]

Campbell will be a guard. Maye needs a left tackle

What about Banks

 

[BradPark22]

oh yeh he sat in the corner listening to Fleetwood Mac I forgot while Steve Belichick did it all

Silly me


I go OT

Rumors is a helluva album. Maybe that's where he got the Thunder nickname for Kraft.

 

[DKH]

Rumors is a helluva album. Maybe that's where he got the Thunder nickname for Kraft.

Or Mayo actually was significantly involved in entire defensive game plan

I like Steve a lot

It’s a shame Bill didn’t learn anything from his own 2 kids

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Darnold would net them a comp 3rd assuming they don't do anything to negate that. JJ, the benefit is the rookie deal, but you also don't want to take a step back.

If McCarthy is available via trade, I think teams would likely go get him. Add in other clubs like Jets, Saints, Seahawks as well to that mix.

I can’t see the Vikings moving on from McCarthy after one year. They used a Top 10 pick on him for a reason. Plus, if they were right, he’s cost controlled for another 4 years.

At the same time, are teams giving up a 1st for a QB that they haven’t seen for a year due to injury and who was a polarizing figure coming out of the draft to begin with? Doubtful.

A lot is going to depend on how Darnold looks in the playoffs. If he plays well, they have a decision to make. If he plays poorly, he’s probably out. There is also the Daniel Jones factor. If KOC revived Darnold, he may believe he can do the same thing with Jones, and he can compete with McCarthy for the job.

 

[Oates2Neely]

What about Banks

He’s okay. Probably top 15 pick. There isn’t a Joe Alt in this draft unfortunately. I’d rather take the BPA at 2 over trading back to draft a Banks.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I’m torn on what I want the Pats to do with the pick. Obviously, a lot depends on what happens the next two weeks, where they are picking, and also what needs they can fill in free agency before the draft. If they were to sign a WR like Higgins, that would likely change their draft strategy.

For me, the most pressing need is tackle, particularly the left side. Maybe I was ruined by Brady, but I believe that a great QB can win with good (not great) WR’s, provided he has a good O-Line as well. KC has had success since Hill moved on because of Mahomes and a really solid line (both of those QB’s did have great TE’s).

The problem for NE is that this is not a great tackle class, so if you are picking in the Top 5, do you reach for one. Over his college career, Will Campbell has been the man at LT, but a lot of analysts are saying he could move to guard in the NFL. A lot of them said the same thing about Darrisaw (34” arms) and more so Rashawn Slater (33” arms). Both have been excellent at LT.

The next guy up is probably Banks, but he supposedly is not flexible at all and draft people are saying he will have an issue with speed rushers in the NFL. Are you spending a Top 5 pick on guys with warts?

I have been lukewarm about Travis Hunter, but if he is there when the Patriots pick, he will be the best player available. I’m not a huge Deion guy, but all reports indicate that Hunter is smart and loves football. The primary question is what is his best position and where are you playing him in the pros.

Is he a full time WR, full time CB, or a CB that lines up at WR 5-10 times a game. I tend to think that it will be impossible for him to play both ways in the NFL and will also make it less likely that he reaches his full potential at either position. The flip side of that is that if he concentrates on one position, he’s likely to improve and be elite at whichever one that is. A lot will come down to whether a team sees him as a CB or WR and which position he wants to play.

I think my preference would be having the 2nd pick, trading back with someone like the Raiders, adding a 2nd this year and a 2026 1st and taking the best player available at OT, WR, or Edge.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Oates2Neely]

I’m torn on what I want the Pats to do with the pick. Obviously, a lot depends on what happens the next two weeks, where they are picking, and also what needs they can fill in free agency before the draft. If they were to sign a WR like Higgins, that would likely change their draft strategy.

For me, the most pressing need is tackle, particularly the left side. Maybe I was ruined by Brady, but I believe that a great QB can win with good (not great) WR’s, provided he has a good O-Line as well. KC has had success since Hill moved on because of Mahomes and a really solid line (both of those QB’s did have great TE’s).

The problem for NE is that this is not a great tackle class, so if you are picking in the Top 5, do you reach for one. Over his college career, Will Campbell has been the man at LT, but a lot of analysts are saying he could move to guard in the NFL. A lot of them said the same thing about Darrisaw (34” arms) and more so Rashawn Slater (33” arms). Both have been excellent at LT.

The next guy up is probably Banks, but he supposedly is not flexible at all and draft people are saying he will have an issue with speed rushers in the NFL. Are you spending a Top 5 pick on guys with warts?

I have been lukewarm about Travis Hunter, but if he is there when the Patriots pick, he will be the best player available. I’m not a huge Deion guy, but all reports indicate that Hunter is smart and loves football. The primary question is what is his best position and where are you playing him in the pros.

Is he a full time WR, full time CB, or a CB that lines up at WR 5-10 times a game. I tend to think that it will be impossible for him to play both ways in the NFL and will also make it less likely that he reaches his full potential at either position. The flip side of that is that if he concentrates on one position, he’s likely to improve and be elite at whichever one that is. A lot will come down to whether a team sees him as a CB or WR and which position he wants to play.

I think my preference would be having the 2nd pick, trading back with someone like the Raiders, adding a 2nd this year and a 2026 1st and taking the best player available at OT, WR, or Edge.

Decisions, decisions.

Great post. Regarding Hunter, most of what I’ve read suggests he’ll be a better corner than a WR. And that’s not taking into account his slender build. He’s also a very good kick returner.

Tet McMillan is an interesting kid. Big boy. He could be a solid pick at 5 or 6

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I hope Hunter dumps his trashy GF.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

I'm not on the Hunter hype train at all.

He is a weapon in college but the dual position gimmick won't work in the NFL. And he is very good to great at each individual spot, nowhere near a #1 talent as purely a WR or CB

 

[StreetHawk]

I can’t see the Vikings moving on from McCarthy after one year. They used a Top 10 pick on him for a reason. Plus, if they were right, he’s cost controlled for another 4 years.

At the same time, are teams giving up a 1st for a QB that they haven’t seen for a year due to injury and who was a polarizing figure coming out of the draft to begin with? Doubtful.

A lot is going to depend on how Darnold looks in the playoffs. If he plays well, they have a decision to make. If he plays poorly, he’s probably out. There is also the Daniel Jones factor. If KOC revived Darnold, he may believe he can do the same thing with Jones, and he can compete with McCarthy for the job.

Will come down to KOC. But, I would think he'd have the confidence to coach up JJ McCarthy. Think he now has the job security to hand the keys over to him.
Darnold, I'd be very careful both from other team and his POV. Do you have the coaching to get this type of production out of him? And for Darnold, if he is playing the long game, better to find the right match than the most money. As a #3 OA pick who had the 5th year option picked up, he made like $50 mill over his first 5 years. Add in SF and Min salaries, he's somewhere in the $65 mill range, which is way more than any other position player with his production level relative to the league.
So, he's better off finding the right fit which will keep in playing well into his 30's in the NFL.

 

[ON3M4N]

There are so many holes on this team. In the offensive positions for this draft, WR maybe the deepest, but not as "star studded" as other years. OL is good but nothing to the level of Alt. I'd try & trade back then take OL. Go WR in R2 or maybe even grab Michigan TE Colston Loveland.

 

[PeanutButter37]

There are so many holes on this team. In the offensive positions for this draft, WR maybe the deepest, but not as "star studded" as other years. OL is good but nothing to the level of Alt. I'd try & trade back then take OL. Go WR in R2 or maybe even grab Michigan TE Colston Loveland.

Loveland is no Bowers, but he would be a great pick for this team. I could see him and Maye being and unreal combo for years.

 

[quietbruinfan]

I think they should take the best OL or Dl and trade back. Draft looks kind of weak, but there is always depth.

 

[GordonHowe]

Bill Belichick selected this touchdown as his favorite Tom Brady Patriots play

Speaking on the "Let's Go!" podcast, Bill Belichick gave his pick for his favorite Tom Brady play as a Patriot.

www.boston.com

 

[EverettMike]

I was there for the Urlacher scramble. Happened right in front of me, actually. Place went f***ing insane.

 

[Seidenbergy]

Loveland is no Bowers, but he would be a great pick for this team. I could see him and Maye being and unreal combo for years.

Speaking of Bowers.....if I'm the pats and have the #2 pick, I'm checking with the Raiders about bowers plus their 6 or 7 pick. He's probably as close to untouchable as it gets, but the #2 pick for a qb desperate team is about as valuable as it gets.

 

[PeanutButter37]

Speaking of Bowers.....if I'm the pats and have the #2 pick, I'm checking with the Raiders about bowers plus their 6 or 7 pick. He's probably as close to untouchable as it gets, but the #2 pick for a qb desperate team is about as valuable as it gets.

If the Patriots somehow swung a trade to get Bowers, I would give the entire organization about 5 years of leash before being critical again. And my patience level with the entire org is basically at -7 right now.

 

[ON3M4N]

Loveland is no Bowers, but he would be a great pick for this team. I could see him and Maye being and unreal combo for years.

Oh for sure, Bowers is a different animal. Nice thing is you'd get at least 1yr of Henry & Loveland. Gives Loveland a chance to learn from a very good TE and gives the Patriots two very good TE weapons for Maye

 

[BradPark22]

If the Patriots somehow swung a trade to get Bowers, I would give the entire organization about 5 years of leash before being critical again. And my patience level with the entire org is basically at -7 right now.

LV hangs up the phone immediately, they are looking to add to Bowers not trade him away.

 

[Zilo44]

There are so many holes on this team. In the offensive positions for this draft, WR maybe the deepest, but not as "star studded" as other years. OL is good but nothing to the level of Alt. I'd try & trade back then take OL. Go WR in R2 or maybe even grab Michigan TE Colston Loveland.

If you can’t get a haul for pick #2, I’m leaning Hunter and play him corner or Graham. Go BPA even though it is not a position of need.

 

[KOZ37]

After watching Caleb Williams several times this year, I consider both the Pats and Commanders both fortunate they did not have the first overall pick. God forbid either of these teams selected him over their current QB's.

 

[rfournier103]

After watching Caleb Williams several times this year, I consider both the Pats and Commanders both fortunate they did not have the first overall pick. God forbid either of these teams selected him over their current QBs.

I was never impressed with him at Southern Cal. Never understood what the hype was about.

 

[KOZ37]

I was never impressed with him at Southern Cal. Never understood what the hype was about.

I agree. Was a fan of Daniels and Nix. Didn't see as much of Maye in college.

 

[IveGotToBeMe]

With Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett injured, Eagles sign ex-Patriots QB​

I despise articles with titles like this. Ian Book was on the Patriot's practice squad for a grand total of five days in September 2023. Click bait at it's worst.

 

[RoccoF14]

After watching Caleb Williams several times this year, I consider both the Pats and Commanders both fortunate they did not have the first overall pick. God forbid either of these teams selected him over their current QB's.

I put it more on coaching than the player himself. Caleb Williams will be just fine, if the Bears ever get their heads out of their asses. You could have put Maye or Williams in that same situation with the Bears and you'd see the exact same result.

He's NOT perfect, and he needs to make quicker decisions, but that's a dumpster fire of an organization. I will laugh my ass off if they sign Pete Carroll as their new head coach. That would be such a classic "Bears" move.

Vrabel would be perfect for them, but they aren't smart enough to make that move...