Mitchell,McConkey and Coleman-the BPA thread

[NextBigThing8184]

So here is to an extent my concern about WR.... a lot of the best guys left are slots... McConkey is a slot, I think Coleman (despite his size) is a slot OR they have significant concerns/similarities to guys they have... Mitchell has effort, attitude, production and medical concerns, Troy Franklin is built like Tyquan Thornton and has iffy hands.
The Patriots need a #1 WR, and X WR... they actually have quite a few of these slot/Z guys (Bourne, Osborn, Douglas,Juju). I think OT is a bigger need, and one that you could reasonably fill in the 2nd (Suamataia is reasonable at 34.. mocked anywhere from the 20s to the 40s most places), and guys like Paul, maybe even Fisher are 2/3 round guys.
Then at 68 (or trading into the late 2nd) you start to have some guys like Javon Baker, Johny Wilson who also have concerns, but are X type WRs.

TL: DR- the Patriots don't need "a WR" they need particular types of WRs, and they might be able to get a similar risk/reward profile for that type of WR in the 3rd where other positions like OT, the risk/reward calculus in the 2nd may well be better.

agreed about the X and the complete lack of that skill set but the presence of JuJu (washed up), Bourne (coming off injury and mediocre) and Osborn (not good and one year deal) shouldn’t preclude them from adding someone if that someone had high end skills. I wouldn’t bet on any of those 3 guys being with the team in 2026, and a good chance 2 of them aren’t around in 2025.

I’d prioritize a different skill set simply because a good big body guy is harder (or more expensive) to find in the veteran market but if their grades have a non-traditional X as the best WR available, it’s worth considering. They just need talent wherever they can get it. They probably won’t be competitive in 2024 so if they have to wait until 2025 to take an earlier round shot at an X, that seems fine.

barring a crazy season from Maye, they’ll have a top 10/top 5 pick next year to address one of their OT/WR needs (or front 7 if Barmore/Judon need replacing)

 

[SoxVindaloo]

My ultimate preference would be trading back a few spots and snagging Suamataia.
I don't really like Mitchell (production and work ethic concerns), and I don't know that I want to spend 34 on a slot (Coleman, McConkey)... Troy Franklin would probably be my WR pick early 2nd.
going away from those positions... Newton, DeJean and JPJ are probably BPA to me.

+1, If you could drop down a bit and get Kingsley or at least Paul, then maybe you take 68 and move up a bit if needed and grab McMillan in the 60s somewhere. Barring a trade I am also firmly on the double dip at WR plan. Maybe Rice or Mcaffrey in round 5.

 

[SMU_Sox]

I agree with your assessment of Ladd, @j44thor. He is a very good player. I still don't love the fit compared to other WRs but Ladd is fantastic.

I think Coleman is an X or a big slot and he can play either position. I saw him as more of an X initially too.

 

[SMU_Sox]

The thing with Coleman is he gives you windows of separation but not for terribly long. Drake Maye right now is more of a see-it throw-it guy vs a true anticipator. Does that pairing make the most sense right now? Not sure. I think Coleman should be a Bengal.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

Well if Sum is really an arguable first round talent, I guess you don’t screw around and maybe just take him. We have receivers — such as they are — and with cap space can probably find someone somehow when the dust settles. LTs don’t grow on trees and we can’t start the year with what we have.

This is pretty much where I'm at. Suamataia or Paul in R2, WR in R3 with the ability to move back into R2 if there's a WR you really like.

If you can come out of R2/3 with something like Suamataia and Roman Wilson, that's a pretty nice core 3 to build around. Maybe take a shot at an X receiver in R3/4, keep adding offense through the draft.

Suamataia likely won't start in year 1, but Maye might be on a similar timeline. If they think he (or Paul) can be a long-term answer at LT, I'm not concerned about plug & play. They can always draft an X early next year if they can't find one before then.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

If he's sitting there when we draft in the 4th, I want Devontez Walker.

I have developed an irrational love for pairing a young QB with a former college teammate, because of the existing chemistry/friendship. See Hurts/Smith, Burrow/Chase, Tua/Waddle.

And in the 8 games that Walker/Maye played together in college, that chemistry was pretty quick to develop. 8 games, 41 catches, 699 yards and 7tds.

 

[nolasoxfan]

If I had to guess I think they go Suamataia and Baker.

I would go Franklin at 34, Paul at 68, and Baker in round 4 if he is there. That would be a ridiculously good draft.
(I debated saying Coleman there - I might go Coleman vs Franklin).

I'd be very happy with either of these.

Suamataia at 34, trade 68 to SF for Samuel and 94.

I'd be equally happy with this

edit: admittedly, a bit of concern w/ Samuel's mileage

 

[Kull]

Not the least bit scientific, but personally I'm completely disgusted with the inability of Pats WRs to get open or stretch the field. Please, do something about that.

 

[Cellar-Door]

So a JPJ note, Brugler mentioned that some of the character reviews were.... not favorable and that was part of him falling.


Edit- Brugler put up a rd 2/3 mock this morning. Has Patriots taking Ladd at 34 and Rosengarten at 68. A no trades mock though

 

[tims4wins]

If he's sitting there when we draft in the 4th, I want Devontez Walker.

I have developed an irrational love for pairing a young QB with a former college teammate, because of the existing chemistry/friendship. See Hurts/Smith, Burrow/Chase, Tua/Waddle.

And in the 8 games that Walker/Maye played together in college, that chemistry was pretty quick to develop. 8 games, 41 catches, 699 yards and 7tds.

Agree, take a shot at him at 103

 

[4 6 3 DP]

I'm open to Dejean or Kool-Aid, as I think CB is almost as big a need as WR for this team, and thats where the value is right now, and potentially you get 4-5 years of two elite young CB anchoring your D backfield.

None of the T or WR leap off the page at me, and I think the value is on D, and they aren't good enough to draft anything other than BPA. Honestly I'd even consider the DT from Illinois as I think he's great value, but obviously with the DL they have its probably covered enough you pick a different position similarly valued player.

 

[NextBigThing8184]

Newton or DeJean would make a lot of sense

CB is a big need with Jones getting older and no depth behind the top 2 guys other than practice squad caliber guys and Marcus Jones. With the Belichicks gone, you can’t rely on getting decent production from overlooked/scrap heap guys

DT is also a need with Barmore on an expiring contract. If he’s great in 2024 he might price himself out of New England, if he’s not great, he might not be worth market value regardless. As with CB, there’s nothing behind him on the depth chart.

As bad as OT is on the roster, I just want the best player available and Newton and DeJean are far better prospects IMO than any of the remaining tackles

 

[Jake Peavy's Demons]

In a vacuum, I'd go Ladd McConkey. Problem is, if he's not a X, and more a Z, then we have Douglas, Bourne, & Osborn all filling those roles. Of course, you should probably go BPA in the drafts, but if we went McConkey at 34, there's still X possibilities of Javon Baker, Johnny Wilson, or Devontez Walker. But then we still have the desperate need at LT (not to mention other large needs elsewhere).

I'd be pretty stoked if we managed:

34 McConkey
68 Paul
103 Walker

Not sold on Walker, but maybe familiarity with Maye (already mentioned here upthread by others) will help.

 

[Rico Guapo]

I'd be shocked if Paul isn't taken in the first half of the second round after the run on OT we saw in round one. He's raw but has size and physical gifts you can't teach. Would rather the Pats "reach" for him at 34 than get cute and hope they can get tackle help in later rounds.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I'd be shocked if Paul isn't taken in the first half of the second round after the run on OT we saw in round one. He's raw but has size and physical gifts you can't teach. Would rather the Pats "reach" for him at 34 than get cute and hope they can get tackle help in later rounds.

Yeah, with two guys on the board left that you'd be ok with (if that's the position) and a seven minute clock there really isn't room for error. I guess the good news is that we know there are at least 6 teams not in the market for an OT!

 

[Auger34]

So a JPJ note, Brugler mentioned that some of the character reviews were.... not favorable and that was part of him falling.


Edit- Brugler put up a rd 2/3 mock this morning. Has Patriots taking Ladd at 34 and Rosengarten at 68. A no trades mock though

So, I live in Tampa and I root for the Bucs. (I also root for the Pats but that’s besides the point)

Early in the process there were rumors that Tampa LOVED JPJ. Like they were going to get him no matter what.

Within the past week some Bucs insiders have brought up injuries (concussions and I believe he had a hip problem?) and today a Bucs journalist, someone thats clearly connected to Jason Licht, mentioned that he wasn’t viewed as an ideal locker room fit.

This is all a long winded way of saying I wouldn’t want the Patriots to pick him

 

[SMU_Sox]

I'd be shocked if Paul isn't taken in the first half of the second round after the run on OT we saw in round one. He's raw but has size and physical gifts you can't teach. Would rather the Pats "reach" for him at 34 than get cute and hope they can get tackle help in later rounds.

I would have no issues with Paul at 34. I don't think he is a reach at all. Consensus has him around 60. Look, he won't ever be a good run blocker but who cares. LT is about pass pro and he is good in pass pro!

 

[Jimbodandy]

I would have no issues with Paul at 34. I don't think he is a reach at all. Consensus has him around 60. Look, he won't ever be a good run blocker but who cares. LT is about pass pro and he is good in pass pro!

Word. I think that I like Paul the best. Honestly don't have an issue with Suamataia, Paul, Amegadjie, at 34. I think that's too high for Rosengarten and Fisher (love those guys too though). Even like the Pitt kid lower as a developmental guy.

Good tackle talk yay.

 

[j44thor]

NE and BUF are both rumored to be in discussions with SF but the reports are that it is Deebo that is most likely to be moved not Aiyuk. I don't want Deebo on NE for anything more than a 5th or perhaps a pick swap. He is 28 and oft-injured and don't think he is going to age well. He also isn't an X. Deebo is the guy you bring in when you are a piece or two away on a contending team. He will be just about past his prime when Maye is ready to lead the Pats. Deebo makes a lot of sense for BUF except they don't have the cap space right now to bring him in.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

NE and BUF are both rumored to be in discussions with SF but the reports are that it is Deebo that is most likely to be moved not Aiyuk. I don't want Deebo on NE for anything more than a 5th or perhaps a pick swap. He is 28 and oft-injured and don't think he is going to age well. He also isn't an X. Deebo is the guy you bring in when you are a piece or two away on a contending team. He will be just about past his prime when Maye is ready to lead the Pats. Deebo makes a lot of sense for BUF except they don't have the cap space right now to bring him in.

Yeah, when I saw the rumors that it was Deebo and not Aiyuk, my first thought was "no way I'm giving up 34 for Deebo". But, as always, it depends on the price. While he's not an X and he's not a long-term answer, the Pats do have the cap space and he'd be the Pats best offensive weapon. No way am I giving up a 2nd or 3rd, but I'd be interested if the price was less than that.