Weird day one. I feel better about the picks than I did last night. Two big picks. I'd still flip if we could get Rudolph (who was probably my #2 qb) but I doubt he falls all the way to us.
They don't have second round grade on Mason Rudolph?NFL.com's top graded prospects in order still remaining...
The Pats have the 11th pick and the 31st pick in the 2nd round.
They didn't grade by round. They just have a rolling list, with 20 guys per page. Rudolph is the 95th best prospect, according to NFL.com. That puts him in the late 3rd or early 4th round. I have NO idea how they did their grades. And I cannot see how Rudolph lasts that long. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the Pats take him in the 2nd round if he's available.They don't have second round grade on Mason Rudolph?
Apparently Brown showed up way out of shape and is due to get paid after this season. I really hope the Pats don’t trade the Jimmy pick for this guy.ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk 7m7 minutes ago
Patriots, 49ers are talking about a possible trade for San Fran OT Trent Brown, per source.
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Trent Brown is rehabbing from a torn labrum, and is unlikely to be able to participate in on-field drills at an offseason workout program. Supposedly, Brown was out of shape at mini-camp.
Brown is a free agent after this coming year.
Apparently SF is seeking a mid 2nd
If anyone cares about this, here's PFF's take on Brown in 2017:I'd trade the 3rd round pick for Brown. When healthy, he's a pro bowl caliber RT.
Thanks for posting. Yeah he is good when healthy; I was just hesitant of giving up a 2nd round pick.If anyone cares about this, here's PFF's take on Brown in 2017:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-the-49ers-place-t-trent-brown-on-injured-reserve
I don't want them to give up a second rounder for him, but when healthy, he's a pretty good player.
Yeah, a second round pick might be a stretch, but Von Miller said Brown was the toughest tackle to deal with, though that was a couple years ago. Who knows what magic Dante can work, though I would be more worried about his weight and what sort of shape he would be in. A second round pick for a gamble on a guy who wasn't in shape before having season ending surgery and is on the last year of his contract seems a bit steep. Then again, Kony Ealy happened.Thanks for posting. Yeah he is good when healthy; I was just hesitant of giving up a 2nd round pick.
Would you trade the 63rd pick for Brown plus a 4th or a 5th?ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk 7m7 minutes ago
Patriots, 49ers are talking about a possible trade for San Fran OT Trent Brown, per source.
***
Trent Brown is rehabbing from a torn labrum, and is unlikely to be able to participate in on-field drills at an offseason workout program. Supposedly, Brown was out of shape at mini-camp.
Brown is a free agent after this coming year.
Apparently SF is seeking a mid 2nd
Defense matters. Many ways to skin a cat though. Let's not forget that Philly just won the Super Bowl playing some of the worst defense ever seen in a Super Bowl. 33 points allowed (4 on easy missed kicks were left off the board). A record number of yards and passing yards allowed. They won a major shootout and made just one or two defensive plays all game long. One more than the Patriots did, really.Wings off mosquitoes; they’re getting an early start on the day. Add him, used the other second on a WR coming off microfracture surgery, and we’re good to go.
Door 1. Defense doesn’t matter anymore. Full stop.
Door 2. Everything we saw last season on D is a mirage.
Door 3. We’re already better. Organic growth. Really.
End of rant. Thanks for your patience.
That's where I am at. The Patriots defense looked bad in the Super Bowl, but so did the Eagles defense. I think the way that game was officiated was an outlier. Plus, we added two significant pieces in Shelton and Clayborn and a lesser piece in the second McCourty. Plus, we have a number of guys returning from injury. Hightower is at the top of the list but lesser players missed significant time last year and may be ready to contribute. Plus, the team still has more draft capital this year than they had for all of last year's draft. Plus, we could add to through free agency and trades once the draft is complete.Defense matters. Many ways to skin a cat though. Let's not forget that Philly just won the Super Bowl playing some of the worst defense ever seen in a Super Bowl. 33 points allowed (4 on easy missed kicks were left off the board). A record number of yards and passing yards allowed. They won a major shootout and made just one or two defensive plays all game long. One more than the Patriots did, really.
But then again, Denver won a SB recently with basically nothing but defense. So it CAN matter. Who knows how much it matters. All depends on how the games go I guess. Still, I'd rather have a good defense than a bad one.
I don't think everything we saw last season on D was a mirage. They did play well for a good chunk of the year. But they had some significant problems. I also think the matchup was problematic. They struggled with Reid-style offenses, as has been well-documented in this forum. And Foles had the game of his life. And one of the touchdowns shouldn't have counted. But still. And maybe we're all feeling differently had Butler played.
And yes they should be better simply by adding Hightower, Clayborn, Shelton, McCourty, and Rivers. But I still want them to add more pieces yet.
Can we get this straight? Patriots dropped down 8 spots (64 to 72) in the draft for Ealy. The equivalent to a 5th round pick. Why do people keep acting like they traded a 2nd straight up for him? It is not that difficult.Then again, Kony Ealy happened.
My take on Landry is that he is a speed rusher with very little strength and very little ability to help in the run defense. I don't think he's a fit. I like Hubbard though.Thanks for your patience, really.
What’s wrong with Harold Landry at 43 — and if he’s taken before then, then a comp, or maybe you move up?
Is he going to move to the left side? Is Cannon going to the bench? If he's that good, why did SF just use a premium pick to upgrade him?I'd trade the 3rd round pick for Brown. When healthy, he's a pro bowl caliber RT.
Speed is still a major problem. Shelton is maybe the slowest front seven player in the league, so he's no help there. Corey Clement eviscerated them in the Super Bowl and they still have no answer for a guy like that (and Clement is hardly a first-tier receiving back).That's where I am at. The Patriots defense looked bad in the Super Bowl, but so did the Eagles defense. I think the way that game was officiated was an outlier. Plus, we added two significant pieces in Shelton and Clayborn and a lesser piece in the second McCourty. Plus, we have a number of guys returning from injury. Hightower is at the top of the list but lesser players missed significant time last year and may be ready to contribute.
I agree with this. Get a Lorenzo Carter or Justin Reid or someone at 43, maybe another defender on day two (I love Nathan Shepherd), make a key trade in camp, and then make another trade or two in-season. The D still looks like a big problem but the playoffs don't start for a while.Plus, the team still has more draft capital this year than they had for all of last year's draft. Plus, we could add to through free agency and trades once the draft is complete.
Definitely want to add to the defense but there is time still.
Still hopeful with Langi, Cyrus and Jonathan Jones.They need to devote draft resources to the defense because it's essential to putting together a good defense. You can't do it through FA alone.
Of course, they could spend every pick this year on defenders and still not see big results in 2018 because most players don't hit the ground running in the NFL and even more never hit the ground at all. For 2018, my expectations are one instant starter and a few role players. We're better off hopping that Rivers contributes in Y2, Wise gets better, amd Hightower is healthy for the stretch run if you're looking for defensive strides.
He’s not going to be a complete DE that Belichick likes but his pass rushing skills are elite. He was literally the focal point of the OL of every snap the last 2 years and still was able to create a ton of pressure/sacks.My take on Landry is that he is a speed rusher with very little strength and very little ability to help in the run defense. I don't think he's a fit. I like Hubbard though.
I think this is why Bill essentially went for instant Solder / Lewis replacements in round 1. he thinks the odds are better for the defense to improve via internal improvement than high-end drafting, at least within Brady's window.We're better off hopping that Rivers contributes in Y2, Wise gets better, amd Hightower is healthy for the stretch run if you're looking for defensive strides.
I really like Ronnie Harrison if Reid is off the board. I think he can do that. Reid struggled with some of the quicker guys anyway. Any day 3 LBs you like?Is he going to move to the left side? Is Cannon going to the bench? If he's that good, why did SF just use a premium pick to upgrade him?
Speed is still a major problem. Shelton is maybe the slowest front seven player in the league, so he's no help there. Corey Clement eviscerated them in the Super Bowl and they still have no answer for a guy like that (and Clement is hardly a first-tier receiving back).
I agree with this. Get a Lorenzo Carter or Justin Reid or someone at 43, maybe another defender on day two (I love Nathan Shepherd), make a key trade in camp, and then make another trade or two in-season. The D still looks like a big problem but the playoffs don't start for a while.
There is 11 off that list (which we know BB and co will rate differently). I would be happy with any of those guys. Good chance a 2nd one of that list makes it to the 63rd.NFL.com's top graded prospects in order still remaining...
DE Landry, BC
CB Jackson, Iowa
TE Gesicki, Penn State
WR Sutton, SMU
TE Goedert, S. Dakota State
DT Settle, Virginia Tech
DE Carter, Georgia
WR Chark, LSU
S Bates, Wake Forest
WR Kirk, Texas A&M
DE Hubbard, Ohio State
The Pats have the 11th pick and the 31st pick in the 2nd round.
Thanks for your great posts before and during the draft.I really like Ronnie Harrison if Reid is off the board. I think he can do that. Reid struggled with some of the quicker guys anyway.
Well, they had a sixth-round grade on TB12 ... so who knowsThey don't have second round grade on Mason Rudolph?
I was close in concept.Would you trade the 63rd pick for Brown plus a 4th or a 5th?
Patriots trade pick 95 and get Brown and pick 143 in return
49ers are trading OT Trent Brown and pick number 143 overall to the New England Patriots in exchange for pick number 95 overall, per @FieldYates and me. The deal is pending a physical.
No way to know this barring some sort of BB explanation (haha), but I think they might have been looking at Evans at LB, but when he got picked right in front of them, they went to plan B.Kyle Lauletta is just still someone I keep coming back to, great write-up in the Players Tribune.
I think we end up with 2 of the best available DL, LB and CB. My gut is BB spent the short off-season rewatching the super-bowl tape and determined that the defensive issues were coachable but the lack of replacement talent in the offensive line was clearly more pressing. Next step is to get some pressure on the QB(it's been a good number of years), get Hightower back and snag a CB. If they are not confident in Hightower I see a LB before the other two slots.
Which to me means today I won't be surprised when we draft a TE and a WR.
Casserly just called the former to the Pats, but he’s worse than the weatherman, right?Rudolph > Lauletta
Baring a trade up, the only teams I think may draft a QB before 43 are Giants at 34, Broncos at 40, or Dolphins at 42. Me, I want a difference maker on defense before we draft another player on offense. I don't care if it's a DT, CB, LB, DE, etc. Just give me someone so I can convince myself that Belichick is actively working to improve the defense.Casserly just called the former to the Pats, but he’s worse than the weatherman, right?
Seriously, does Rudolph last until 43?
I agree with this. A lot has been made of this QB draft class but there are a lot of analysts that don't really like it. Maybe they wait until 2019.Not sure there's any reason to think that they HAVE to pick a QB. It makes sense to get a guy for when Brady retires, but with the top 5 gone, they might not see a future NFL starter left. Injury insurance is Hoyer and its unlikely any rookie left would beat him out for the backup spot. Could be a case of not liking the value in the draft this year. Could easily go 2 QBs, maybe bring in a couple undrafted kids like Pujals, Shimonek, woodside ferguson etc. For pre-season
+1.Baring a trade up, the only teams I think may draft a QB before 43 are Giants at 34, Broncos at 40, or Dolphins at 42. Me, I want a difference maker on defense before we draft another player on offense. I don't care if it's a DT, CB, LB, DE, etc. Just give me someone so I can convince myself that Belichick is actively working to improve the defense.