Patriots Draft Discussion

Shelterdog

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What's your vision for what they would look for in a draft DB? Looking at the roster, they've got Butler and Ryan as starters, and second-year guys Justin Coleman and Darryl Roberts for the nickel role. They just signed E.J. Biggers, as well. That seems fine to me. So would a draftee be pure depth, a special teamer / developmental fifth or sixth corner, or someone who provides a different skill set than the top three or four guys? For instance, at 6'2" Deiondre' Hall of Northern Iowa would bring size they don't have with their other DBs. My other thought is someone like Jalen Mills, Sean Davis, or DeAndre Houston-Carson, all of whom have experience at both corner and safety, could provide depth in multiple roles. But I'm not sure they need to add anyone back there.
Unless you're a huge Roberts believer (I haven't seen enough to be one) you want more in the pipeline for outside corner to replace Ryan in 2017. I think a bigger corner--like Hall or Canady--makes some sense even if they're more of a pure corner than a hybrid.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Unless you're a huge Roberts believer (I haven't seen enough to be one) you want more in the pipeline for outside corner to replace Ryan in 2017. I think a bigger corner--like Hall or Canady--makes some sense even if they're more of a pure corner than a hybrid.
There was enough buzz about Roberts to tell me that he could be more than a mirage.

Now if someone like Will Redmond (5-11, coming off an injury after a good 2014 season) drops, he could be someone that can be developed as a physical slot corner to complement Butler, Ryan, Roberts, etc.

Although this would be adding a cherry on top, I'm still a big Karl Joseph fan. If Chung wasn't extended, I'd be even more excited about getting him in as a Patriot. With Jordan Richards as last year's 2nd round pick, I think chances are slim that BB would spend another second rounder on a safety.
 

Eck'sSneakyCheese

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Russell is 6'4" 206 and North is 6'2" 223. Both were considered intriguing talents coming out of high school but neither really lived up to the hype. Norths measurables are impressive for his size. 4.48 40, 6.90 3 Cone, 123" broad jump with 10.25" hands. I like where they're going with this.
 

Eck'sSneakyCheese

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Definitely raw, later round/bargain bin types. The WR pool is pretty deep this year so it would make sense to focus on other positions like tackle or LB in the beginning. I'd love to see them get someone like Leonte Carroo or Rasahrd Higgins early but I don't see it happening. I LOVE Sterling Shepard too and even though his skillset is similar to Edelmans, I think he'd be huge in this style offense.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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How do people feel about Kenyan Drake, perhaps the most talented backup RB in the nation.

I'd prefer him over Henry. Sure you can't ignore the injury history, but check out the sideline route he ran at the 2:12 mark (he ran 4:45 in the 40 yards):


He runs much lower to the pads than Henry, cuts better, returns kicks (ala 95 yards return TD vs Clemson) and more importantly, isn't burdened by the whopping 400 carry 2015 season. I think He'd be a very exciting pick as the first pick in day 2.
 

NickEsasky

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SeoulSoxFan

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Navy, versatile, draft, Belichick. So obvious that if Keenan Reynolds not drafted by NE it may only be because some other team decided to screw with our man.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4791946/bill-belichick-visits-naval-academy-for-keenan-reynolds-workout
Whenever Bill Belichick visits the Naval Academy, it creates a buzz on campus because of his long connection there dating back to his late father Steve. Belichick was back on campus Thursday, dressed in a business suit as he took a closer look at quarterback/running back/receiver Keenan Reynolds as Reynolds was put through a private workout with New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
 
Navy, versatile, draft, Belichick. So obvious that if Keenan Reynolds not drafted by NE it may only be because some other team decided to screw with our man.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4791946/bill-belichick-visits-naval-academy-for-keenan-reynolds-workout
Another interesting Patriots - Reynolds tidbit involves the East West Shrine game. Reynolds practiced all week at RB but couldn't play come gameday due to back spasms. The East head coach who put Reynolds through drills that week was Charlie Weis. And one of the assistants was Troy Brown, who worked with Reynolds during punt return drills.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Daniel Braverman - WR - Western Michigan - (Pro Day) 5'9 7/8" 177 lbs, 4.47 40, 28 1/2" vertical, 112" Broad, 6.86 3 cone, 4.20 shuttle
Looks familiar. Marginal measured athleticism. Very productive in college, but didn't face the best competition. 7th round/UDFA
I'm pretty stoked (Stokley'd?) about Braverman. The super slot prospect has been incredibly productive (1,367 yards & 13 TDs) and is said to run quick, crisp routes. His 108 receptions are also tied for 2nd best in the country in 2015.

Phil Perry and PFF guys have been very high on him after watching last year's tapes. They discussed the "perfect" Patriot at this year's draft and his name came up. PFF, FWIW, also gave him a 2nd/3rd round grade. There's a buzz building and it's easy to label him the "next" Edelman or Welker.

For the Pats, he could be the ideal slot WR to groom. I think he's well past the 6th/7th/UDFA projection after the scouts have seen him. Either NE can trade up or down (using the second 2nd round pick) to grab the Western Michigan Junior in round 4/5.

Here's a video of CBS Sports interviewing Braverman: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl/655228995881/0/meet-the-nfl-draft-prospect-daniel-braverman

He's solidly in my binky tent.

Edit: I've watched way too many Braverman videos now. One thing for sure -- the dude's got quick feet and really good hands.
 
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SeoulSoxFan

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A quick interview with Braverman. An excerpt:
Did you play any other positions in football?
Safety and running back

At your position, what separates you from others?
The craft, vision and quickness with the ball

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?
What the Safeties and linebackers do to show a coverage. Any weaknesses in a DB’s game.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?
Eli Apple

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?
Antonio Brown, because we run similar routes
Watch this tape against #1 Ohio State. He still shows plenty of speed, good run after the catch, and a surprisingly big catch radius. Like this kid the more I watch him play:

 
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Apr 7, 2006
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PFF Guy said on Curran's podcast that he is always loathe to do the "next Wes Welker" thing, and even with that in mind cannot help but love Braverman as exactly that. "Wes Welker at 21." I'm definitely intrigued. It feels like there are a lot of late round (i.e., get-able) slot guys in this draft. Would love to see this guy with one of our 6ths.
 

E5 Yaz

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Reiss details McShay's three-round mock picks:

The chance to come out of the first 96 picks with a projected top-four corner who contributes on special teams (Alabama's Cyrus Jones), a developmental receiver who is known as a good route runner to feed the pipeline at a position where the team trends older (Pittsburgh's Tyler Boyd), another penetrating defensive tackle (South Carolina State's Javon Hargrave) to layer the depth chart for the future with Alan Branch and Terrance Knighton having contracts that expire after the season, and a potential three-down running back (Notre Dame's C.J. Prosise) would make the Patriots that much stronger.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4791991/hitting-four-of-top-five-need-areas-in-todd-mcshay-mock-patriots-would-be-pleased
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Looking at DTs, how about Clemson's D.J. Reader as a mid-round pick?

He's got good size at 6-3 and 340 lb. Watching his few tapes, I saw a surprisingly athletic space eater with terrific hands and balance. Did I say athletic? Yup. On several plays, he pursued laterally to pull down a runner kicking outside. He also hand-fought well to shed his blocker and stuff the inside runs.

With the undersized Chris Jones out of the picture (could be another re-sign at a cheaper rate), having another big body in the middle would be terrific. As Knighton is on a 1-year deal and Branch hits 32 in December, a young DT like Reader pairs up nicely with Brown -- especially if BB plans to play more 3-4 than 4-3.
 

pappymojo

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Does the Easley draft experience impact the Patriots in regards to drafting someone like Jaylon Smith?
 

ScubaSteveAvery

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Does the Easley draft experience impact the Patriots in regards to drafting someone like Jaylon Smith?
I don't think so. They'll have to make the risk / reward call based on what pick they are at in the draft. With Smith the issue is if there is nerve damage or not, which is still unclear. I have a feeling that some team with excess picks in the 2nd and 3rd will take a flyer on him. The Titans are a possibility for sure. I also think the Pats have more pressing team needs than LB in the 2nd and 3rd rounds so passing on those to take a player who won't play for a year is a bigger risk.
 

dcdrew10

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I don't think so. They'll have to make the risk / reward call based on what pick they are at in the draft. With Smith the issue is if there is nerve damage or not, which is still unclear. I have a feeling that some team with excess picks in the 2nd and 3rd will take a flyer on him. The Titans are a possibility for sure. I also think the Pats have more pressing team needs than LB in the 2nd and 3rd rounds so passing on those to take a player who won't play for a year is a bigger risk.
If the Pats think that Smith's nerve damage will not be an issue in the future and are convinced that he will be as good as the hype says I could see BB pulling the trigger on him in rounds 2-3, signing him to a contract commensurate with this draft position and letting Hightower leave as a free agent, using the money for other things like extensions for Butler and Collins. That is a lot of ifs and maybes, but it would not be a stretch; they used a 2nd round pick on Garappolo when they had more pressing needs than a back-up QB. Again, it all comes down to the extent that they think Smith can play and how ready he is to go, but I definitely thought about this possibility and could see it happening. I don't necessarily want it to happen, but stranger things have happened under Belichick in the draft.
 

ElcaballitoMVP

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I could see it. If BB thinks Smith can be the top 5-10 prospect he was before injury by having to stash him for a year, the gamble wouldn't be as big as it was with Easley. It would almost be like trading a 2nd or 3rd round pick for a 1st next year, if he can return to being that impact guy.

But for me, I'm only interested if he's available in round 3 or later. The team has some pressing needs they need to address and I'd like them to start doing that in round 2. Something like OT/RB or OT/DT or RB/DT. He's likely going to miss the entire season, so I'd hate to burn one of the 2nds on a guy who can't help at all next year as the Brady window closes.
 

Super Nomario

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What do people know about Texas Tech WR Jakeem Grant? 875 of his 1200 plus yards were after the catch.
I just watched him against Jalen Mills. He's fast (sub-4.4 40 at his Pro Day) and he's shifty. He had a couple plays where he juked everyone on LSU out. Tech played him in the slot most of the time, which tells me he probably has trouble against press coverage. He had a couple drops. He's tiny (5'6" 165).
 

ZMart100

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Another undersized, fast and shifty WR is Jaydon Mickens from Washington. Video is from a sophomore game in 2013.

Ultimately, while both those players are fun to watch, I have a hard time imagining either of them in the NFL because of their size.
 

RedOctober3829

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According to a source, Boston College safety Justin Simmons visited with the Patriots earlier this week.

Simmons has seen his draft stock rise significantly over the last few months. He had an impressive combine where he placed first among defensive backs in the 3-cone drill and both shuttle drills. He also finished third in the vertical jump among defensive backs.

Although he saw some time at cornerback at BC, Simmons will in all likelihood be an NFL safety. Standing 6-foot-3, Simmons made 229 total tackles in college and recorded eight interceptions.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2016/04/20/source-boston-college-s-justin-simmons-visits-patriots/
 

RedOctober3829

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Anyone have an opinion on the fit with Colorado WR Nelson Spruce? 6'1" 205 lbs and only ran a 4.6 40 at the combine. But, I really like his toughness and route running abilities. He also returned punts and was a team captain. The more I read up about him I can sense he really loves the game and seems like a smart player. He mentions how he loves to run block. He set the Pac 12 record for career catches in a crappy offense. He'd be a Day 3 pick but is worth a gamble in the 6th round.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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I'd love some Scooby Wright on the Pats next year. Here are the easy Bruschi comparisons:
  • Plays ILB
  • Converted DL
  • Arizona product
  • Same height at 6'1"
  • Same weight (pretty much): 246 lb (vs Bruschi's 247 lb)
  • All-American
BB famously said that he didn't know where to play Bruschi after drafting him, and that could be the same with Scooby. However, his intense motor and nose for the football (freaking 153 total tackles in 2014) says this is the closest Bruschi clone we could draft.

His stock is also down after playing only 3 games in 2015, projecting to go in the 3rd or 4th round. Now the obligatory highlight video: