I mean, where were they going to find an impact, off-the-ball outside linebacker with superior coverage skills in free agency? How about a developmental quarterback who is closer to leading a team than not? How about an offensive tackle ready to take over and protect quarterback Tom Brady's old back side?
Hell, there wasn't even a young developmental cornerback to be had.
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| NC State's Jaylen Samuels |
The truth of the matter is that after the first frenzied wave of free agency, there wasn't much to be had except for overpriced, overly-tenured veterans who offered a season or two of service, but not anything a coaching staff could hang their collective hats on.
The market was so bad this league year that the Patriots couldn't upgrade on, or even properly replace the players they lost in free agency - simply because the players they lost were listed among the best free agents at their positions, and were scooped up by teams with plenty of cap space who issued odious amounts of cash to them.
In fact, the players that are no longer on the team due to trade or free agency made serious bank with other teams. Jimmy Garoppolo, the top free agent quarterback on the market according to Rotoworld, signed a contract with San Francisco that made him the richest quarterback in the NFL, depositing an obscene $35 million into his bank accounts all at once, in the form of a $7 million signing bonus and a ridiculous $28 million roster bonus.
Running back Dion Lewis was the second rated free agent running back available, left tackle Nate Solder topped the list of the big uglies, and Malcolm Butler cashed in as the fifth-rated cornerback on the market - hell, even wide receiver Danny Amendola struck paydirt on a clearly over-the-top contract with the Dolphins, even though he was listed as the 17th best receiver in free agency.
Belichick did the best he could with the cap space he had, replacing Amendola with Jordan Matthews, Lewis with Jeremy Hill and Butler with Jason McCourty, and has 2017 draft pick Tony Garcia in line to take over for Solder, and re-signed the versatile LaAdrian Waddle just in case Garcia experiences growing pains.
But other than Matthews, potentially, none of these players are upgrades over the one's the Patriots' lost, but they are all serviceable - and bringing in nose tackle Danny Shelton to plug the gaping middle of the Patriots' defensive line, as well as Adrian Clayborn as a rotational pass rusher added quality where it was desperately needed.
That doesn't mean that those positions are settled, however, as an infusion of youth through the draft is desperately needed for a team that is aging gracefully, but aging nevertheless - a task made easier when Belichick dealt off speed merchant Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the number twenty-three pick in the draft...
...which opens up a whole word of possibilities that were not present just a couple of days ago. Some feel that Belichick should send both of his first round draft picks to New York to entice the Giants to unload Odell Beckham, or package a first and another pick to move up in the first round to select their quarterback of the future.
But those people are wrong.
Belichick does his best work when wheeling and dealing, that much is assured, but he tends to get the best value out of a draft when he trades down to acquire multiple mid-round picks, and in a draft class loaded in positions of need for the Patriots, trading down is just what the doctor ordered:
1st round (23rd/23rd overall)
Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State (6' 4", 255)
A do-it all interior linebacker, Vander Esch is as athletically gifted as any interior linebacker playing today, but with the length and instincts to become an every down force. In the running game, his core strength belies his size and length and in the passing game is a condor in the middle zone, forcing quarterbacks eyes to the perimeter.
His presence in the middle would allow for Belichick to vary his schemes from game-to-game and even play-to-play, and would also allow for Hightower to play more weak side in traditional sets and would take a lot of heat off of Van Noy, and allow him to concentrate on being the strong side force he was in college.
If Vander Esch is plucked off the board before the Patriots select, there is always Alabama's Rashaan Evans or they can dip into the late second round for Indiana's Tegray Scales - but make no mistake, Vander Esch is the complete package.
2nd round (9th/41st overall) - from Oakland
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado (6' 0", 190)
In this scenario, the Patriots trade their 31st overall pick to the Oakland Raiders, who have needs for an impact linebacker, cornerback and offensive guard.
A developmental corner that possesses a first round grade on many experts' draft boards due to enormous potential as a bump-and-run, lockdown corner. Excellent size and elite speed matched with an Albatross-like wingspan. There are holes in his game and could use a year behind Stephon Gilmore to learn the nuances of the pro game, but the sky is the limit.
If New England does not trade down out of the end of the first round, it will be because cornerback Josh Jackson has fallen to them at #31.
2nd round (11th/43rd overall)
Luke Falk, QB, Washington State (6' 4", 225)
A Brady disciple, Falk is the prototypical Patriots' pocket passer with the size to see over the big uglies up front and excellent lateral mobility and pocket awareness to slide out of danger.
Like the recently departed Jimmy Garoppolo, Falk's eyes are tied to his feet, which is evident in film study as he goes through his entire progression, moving his feet and keeping his arm cocked and ready to fire. Though some question his arm strength, his skill set allows him to throw against man coverage outside the numbers with plenty of zip.
He does have a bit of Jacoby Brissett in him as well, as he tends to throw off his back foot to try to avoid the sack - sometimes into tight coverage, but overall he is a solid prospect, and the fact that he tries to emulate Brady in his game doesn't hurt.
2nd round (31st/63rd overall)
Fred Warner, LB/SS, Brigham Young (6' 3", 235)
Warner is a tweener - a coverage linebacker in college but perhaps a big-time strong safety in the pros, and in New England's Big Nickel alignment. In Foxborough, there isn't any difference between the two. Drafting Warner would pay dividends in two ways. First, he is a big, fast sideline-to-sideline entity who is fast enough to stick with backs in the pattern and big enough to avoid being punked by tight ends...
...while at the same time developing under the tutelage of Patrick Chung, who is aging and comes out of the game with injury more than he used to, but still has some pop to his game.
3rd round (31st/95th overall)
Jaylen Samuels, H-Back, North Carolina State (5' 11", 235)
A "utility player" who can do it all on offense. He is listed as a tight end in your NC State programs, but he is really a running back with elite receiving skill. The Wolfpack used him out of the backfield, as an off-the-line tight end and a slot receiver.
So good is he in the pattern that he broke Jerricho Cotchery's school record for receptions and yardage and took over goal line back duties as a senior - a touchdown machine, "JaySam" scored 28 rushing touchdowns and 19 receiving touchdowns in his career, and also served as a kick returner as a senior.
4th round (10th/110th overall) - from Oakland
Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon (6' 6", 325)
With Antonio Garcia waiting in the wings with a health status that needs continuous monitoring, the Patriots aren't likely to spend top draft capital on a blindside tackle - and why should they when Crosby is projected to be available in the fourth round?
Elected to stay in school rather than enter the draft in 2017 since his 2016 season was a washout due to injury, and moved from right tackle to the left, where he earned the Morris Trophy for being named the Pac-12 Lineman of the Year as voted on by opposing defensive linemen, allowing just three quarterback hurries and yielding no sacks for the entire season.
There are those who still feel that Crosby should anchor the right side - and would be excellent insurance in the event Marcus Cannon doesn't respond coming off of the IR - but he is athletic enough to play either tackle position.
6th round (24th/198th overall)
Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan (6' 4", 240)
Conklin had a down year in 2017, statistically, due to a fracture in his foot in camp, but at 6' 3" tall and 245 pounds and with vice-like hands, he should be in the mix as a "move" tight end despite running poorly at the combine. He caught 35 balls for 504 yards in eight games and scored five times as a senior. Central Michigan had all kinds of quarterbacking problems in the past couple of seasons, but a look at his 2016 tape shows his potential.
A decent trap blocker on the edge in the running game makes him more draftable than some of the higher rated prospects, but he needs to learn how to use his body to shield defenders from the ball as a receiver, as he will allow linebackers and safeties to get inside to get a hand on the ball - which is all coaching - but once he gets his hands on a ball, chances are very good that he will haul it in.
Because of his broken foot last season, teams will be pressed to evaluate his durability.
6th round (36th/210th overall)
Braden Smith, G, Auburn (6' 6", 305)
Built like a Mack Truck and knows how to use his frame. If selected, could push Joe Thuney for playing time coming out of camp. Nasty mauler in the running game who has spot duty potential at either tackle position, and potential as a sixth offensive lineman to knock would-be tacklers off their pegs on perimeter runs. A one-man street fight in pass pro, which makes up for some of his lack of reactive athleticism.
7th round (1st/219th overall)
Braxton Berrios, WR, Miami (5' 9", 186)
A Danny Amendola clone with requisite toughness and punt return ability makes him well worth the draft capital, and could surprise with a roster spot, usurping a veteran.
N.E. is looking for the QB to fit the offensive system in place. Not the super hero that might be out of the league quickly. They also can be out of the race for the top 5 QB's and fill more needs on defense. Linebacker and safety are big needs which can be filled in the later 1st and early 2nd round. No worries, let the master go to work, building a champion again. Go Pat's!
ReplyDeleteExactly as my own thinking, Brother! Thanks for the comment!
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