Patriots/NFL NFL Patriots Off Season - The Draft

[GatorMike]

I keep going through the consensus top guys, and there are questions about each of them:

Jeanty - positional value, offensive line dependent
Graham - size, too much positional spending on DT
Campbell - length, ability to stay at OT
Membou - switch from RT to LT
Warren - positional value, 1-year of production as 5th yr SR
McMillan - athleticism
Walker - size

Some of those concerns are bigger than others, but I think when you look at the options and don't love any of them, the best thing is to go for the player who you have the highest degree of confidence in filling your biggest need. Their biggest need is LT, so that leaves Campbell vs. Membou.

Do I feel better about taking the length outlier or the player who'd need to switch sides? It's tough. I've seen the length comparables for Campbell, and they're not even guards, they're centers. That scares the hell out of me. Tristan Wirfs is always the name brought up when talking about RT who switched to LT. It is possible, but I think they want the "safer" pick, and they probably view that as Campbell. Every interview Campbell gives, he just has an attitude that I imagine Vrabel loves, but I'll tell you now, if it's like Skoronski and Campbell's playing LG when training camp starts, I'm going to be pissed.

Exactly.

Once Hunter and Carter come off the board, there's no one left who provides elite qualities and positional value. So, fill your biggest need.

In his final Mock Draft, Greg Bedard actually picked Campbell, and then doubled up with Ersery at #38. I don't hate it.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

This coming draft will be like picking the prettiest Pointer Sister.

 

[CDJ]

There are 3 blue chip guys (if you count Ward) then a bunch of guys who could go anywhere between 4 and like 25 and I wouldn’t bat an eye

 

[EverettMike]

Conveniently the rules cut out Barkley's 2000 yard Superbowl season.

It makes sense as a cutoff since the team that drafts a good player is the only one who also gets the benefit of the rookie contract.

 

[Troublesome 85]

I feel like all the headlines I see about the Giants and Sanders are smoke and he will fall in the draft.

Campbell isnt sexy but is needed and this draft has some good WRs late.

 

[wintersej]

I’m I crazy for hoping they take the TE out of Penn State and address O Line later in the draft?

 

[wintersej]

It makes sense as a cutoff since the team that drafts a good player is the only one who also gets the benefit of the rookie contract.

But is the rookie contract even a benefit for a top 5 drafted RB? Wouldn’t he immediately become one of the highest paid backs in football?

 

[DKH]

Idk how recent it was but seems like Boutte and Maye have some chemistry.

Boutte talks to much however if he’s here he would be advised to STFU

 

[DKH]

If I spent as much time studying in school as time I spent on this draft I’d be the valedictorian and the two behind that whatever they are called

 

[Nothingbutglass]

But is the rookie contract even a benefit for a top 5 drafted RB? Wouldn’t he immediately become one of the highest paid backs in football?

Good point. The position is so devalued now, you almost can't take him high.

 

[Nothingbutglass]

If I spent as much time studying in school as time I spent on this draft I’d be the valedictorian and the two behind that whatever they are called

Class clown and most likely to succeed at my school.

 

[Smitty93]

I’m I crazy for hoping they take the TE out of Penn State and address O Line later in the draft?

I think #4 depends a lot on who they think will be available at #38, or their ability to trade up into the back of the 1st, assuming there's no interest from anyone to trade up to #4.

How do they feel about Simmons, Conerly, and Ersery, or even Jackson, if they think he can play OT? If they like them and think it's realistic they're available with their 2nd pick, that lessens the need to take Campbell or Membou at #4 and opens up a Walker, Warren, Jeanty, or McMillan, etc as an option. I think after waiting last year and missing out, there's a lot of pressure to get a LT in the first two rounds this year, so the draft plan is built around ensuring they leave the weekend with someone they're comfortable starting Game 1.

 

[DKH]

I think #4 depends a lot on who they think will be available at #38, or their ability to trade up into the back of the 1st, assuming there's no interest from anyone to trade up to #4.

How do they feel about Simmons, Conerly, and Ersery, or even Jackson, if they think he can play OT? If they like them and think it's realistic they're available with their 2nd pick, that lessens the need to take Campbell or Membou at #4 and opens up a Walker, Warren, Jeanty, or McMillan, etc as an option. I think after waiting last year and missing out, there's a lot of pressure to get a LT in the first two rounds this year, so the draft plan is built around ensuring they leave the weekend with someone they're comfortable starting Game 1.

Simmons per Lance Zierlein is the most impressive LT on tape. Teams will weigh that against season ending knee injury and maturity issues

Even if Campbell a G he will protect the interior with Onwenu

Mankins & Hannah were guards it’s a very important position

 

[Bocephus86]

Offensive line all day please. Take them every round for all I care. We need a strong O line, our D line looks like it'll be legit. See how that all meshes and go from there next off season.

Who ever posted that 'You gotta not lose before you can win' quote (sorry, I read it last time, didn't post, and just came back) hit the nail for me.

 

[EverettMike]

But is the rookie contract even a benefit for a top 5 drafted RB? Wouldn’t he immediately become one of the highest paid backs in football?

Any really good player on a rookie deal is amazing, but especially a running back because they're at their best (generally) at the start of their careers.

 

[BradPark22]

Any really good player on a rookie deal is amazing, but especially a running back because they're at their best (generally) at the start of their careers.

The position is devalued, look at RB salaries 20 years ago in relation to the league compared to now.

Most RBs never see a second contract, fact not opinion.

 

[GatorMike]

Any really good player on a rookie deal is amazing, but especially a running back because they're at their best (generally) at the start of their careers.

Yet another reason teams generally shy away from taking RBs high in the draft.

 

[CDJ]

I think the worm is starting to turn (is that an expression? Who is to say?) on RB valuation and the scale is starting to move back in the other direction

 

[GatorMike]

I think the worm is starting to turn (is that an expression? Who is to say?) on RB valuation and the scale is starting to move back in the other direction

The best RB on the free agent market this year got a 1-year, $5.25 million contract.

 

[EverettMike]

Anyone else want to argue against points I haven't made?

I DO NOT support drafting running backs in the first round. I simply commented on the standards someone used to evaluate WHY YOU DIDN'T DRAFT RUNNING BACKS because it made sense to me.

 

[DKH]

Anyone else want to argue against points I haven't made?

I DO NOT support drafting running backs in the first round. I simply commented on the standards someone used to evaluate WHY YOU DIDN'T DRAFT RUNNING BACKS because it made sense to me.

I don’t support it but I’d never say never

The Patriots need 5 dudes that can block

The new trendy thing coming is defensive tackles that can get pressure like Milton Williams and what the Giants Justin Tuck etc did to Brady in 2007 SB

Campbell regardless what you think T or G is one of those dudes

Patriots need to be bullies so Campdell in round 1 and Tyleik Williams DT Ohio State in 2 would be great to moi

 

[KOZ37]

Jeanty now favored to be drafted 5th to the Jags. Wonder if the Pats now find a trade partner at 4. Maybe the Bears or Cowboys or Raiders want him enough to move up.

 

[DKH]

Jeanty now favored to be drafted 5th to the Jags. Wonder if the Pats now find a trade partner at 4. Maybe the Bears or Cowboys or Raiders want him enough to move up.

We are thinking same but as Pats know they need 5 good OL and Campbell is their dream guy
They would go to Raiders but doubt 10 or 12

 

[KOZ37]

We are thinking same but as Pats know they need 5 good OL and Campbell is their dream guy
They would go to Raiders but doubt 10 or 12

The good news is we will know early tomorrow night.

 

[sarge88]

If I spent as much time studying in school as time I spent on this draft I’d be the valedictorian and the two behind that whatever they are called

Potstirrerutorian?