Monday, May 12, 2014

Patriots Draft Grades and Thoughts


2014 Patriots Draft

 

Selections:

1st Round:

·         #29: Dominque Easley, DT, Florida 6’2 288.

2nd Round:

·         #62: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, E. Illinois 6’2 226

3rd Round:

·         #93: Trade to Jacksonville for a 4th and 6th

4th Round:

·         #105: Bryan Stork, C, FSU 6’4 315

·         #130: James White, RB, Wisconsin 5’10 204

·         #140: Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford 6’5 325

6th Round:

·         #179: Jon Halapio, OG, Florida 6’3 323

·         #198: Zach Moore, DE, Concordia 6’5 270

·         #206: Jemea Thomas, DB, Georgia Tech 5’9 192

7th Round:

·         #244: Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan 5’7 185

                       
Pick Grades:


 
Easley
Garappolo
Stork
White
Fleming
Halapio
Thomas
Moore 
Gallon
Value
B+
B
D+
C+
B+
B-
B
D+
B+
Need
A
C-
B+
B
B-
B+
B+
B+
B-
Potential
A
A-
B
B
B
B
C+
C+
C+
Overall
A
C+
C
B-
B
B
B-
C
B

 

Total: Value: C+ Need: B+ Potential: B+

Overall Draft: B-

 
Thoughts:
There was absolutely no part of this draft for the Patriots that were ‘sexy’. Everyone loves the sexy picks and that includes me as well. But, the Patriots did a great job assessing what they saw as the biggest need: interior OL. Belichick took three huge interior linemen to beef up a position that is quickly aging and left major question marks at the end of the year.

The biggest question mark in the draft is the selection of QB Jimmy Garoppolo in the 2nd round while many other prospects were available. While the pick of Garoppolo doesn’t fit the ‘win now’ strategy, QB is still the most important position in football and Ryan Mallet’s future with the team past 2014 isn’t certain so the pick of QB isn’t a popular one, but it was needed eventually. This kid may or may not be Brady’s successor, but it is better to be early than sorry is what I think about this.

Many think that the Patriots should’ve drafted one of the top 5 TEs in this draft, but obviously BB did not see those TEs as anything he liked so he passed on them. Others also wanted to see some pass rush help added to the line, but BB passed on that option as well (besides drafting small school DE, White) showing that he believes in Will Smith and Michael Buchanan to contribute this season.

BB also filled a very big need by taking Dominque Easley, who is a guy with immense upside. Scouts consider him a top 10 talent, but two ACL injuries on both legs ruined his draft stock. This defensive tackle is different than the other one’s BB normally drafts though. He normally takes the fatties and big boys that are run stuffers, but this kid is a penetrator and excels in interior pass rush, something the Patriots have been lacking for years now. If he can stay healthy (and there isn’t any reason not to think he can’t. Everyone seems to come back from ACLs now), then he could play a huge role opening up Chandler Jones and other DE on the outside to get at the QB.

Looking at the skill position picks, I really like Jeremy Gallon. He was a very productive player in college and could fit in well with the Pats offense where smaller WRs thrive. Many think that he may be cut, but with slot WRs like Amendola and Edelman, who have horrible injury histories, then he may play a role for this team. Jemea Thomas is a versatile DB who is known to be somewhat of a hitter and probably will be a special teamer. BB has drafted many DB’s in the last few seasons (Ebner, Wilson, & Harmon) and none have produced huge so I don’t except too much from this kid either, but I am fine with that. James White reminds me a little bit of Ridley. He isn’t impressive at any one category, but he is a solid productive RB. The pick of White shows me that BB is ready to hand the keys of the lead back role back to Ridley this season, which excites me since I love Rid.

Overall, many people will be upset with this Patriots draft (surprise), because they took five linemen (O & D), a quarterback and another slot receiver. Many people saw TE and DE as huge needs and BB did not address these problems. I am perfectly fine with this though because I think beefing up the DL and interior OL were huge things needed to help improve the team. The QB pick obviously is a little bit of a head scratcher, but that is what BB does on Day 2 of the draft every season. This draft wasn’t a sexy draft, but it filled needs and looked into the future, which is never a bad thing to do. Can’t wait until training camp to see the team’s progression.

6 comments:

  1. Your blogs are great. Keep em coming man. I'm from NH but live in Philly. Keep up the good work.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, go like the page on facebook (link at the top of the page) and you'll see em right when they are posted.

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  2. Stork was THE BEST pick in the Patriots draft... Center was by far the highest "need" for the team, and they took the top player at that position available in the draft... IN THE FOURTH!!! You are nuts giving that pick a D+

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    1. I gave the pick a 'C'. I gave the value a D+ because we could have landed this guy in Round 6 no doubt. I graded the pick a B+ for need, so I agree that center was a need. And also, I loved the pick of Stork but I grade by value and need combined and his value where he was drafted was low.
      Grades don't mean crap anyway, Stork could be an A+ or F in three years. These are just my first reactions

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  3. Easley is the best pick by far and I honestly think this kid is going to play DT an DE BB was noted saying when a reporter ask... "Isn't Easley a little undersized" and BB responded by saying... "Depends on where on the line u put him" hinting at DE but I think BB will play him inside and outside but he will bring much needed pass rush especially up the middle which him and Kelly provide that which is very important going against pocket passers like Peyton, now we have a D line that can stuff the run and pass rush..... Nink,Kelly,Wilfork,Jones or Nink,Kelly,Easley,Jones or Nink,Wilfork,Easley,Jones then having Chris Jones the rookie DT who got us 5 sacks up the middle last year provides great young depth and Will Smith will provide decent depth he will get u 5 to 6 sacks a year and Easley provides depth to both DT and DE and Chandallor Jones can do both too! DE, an DT Then having Revis,Browner,Dennard,Ryan,
    Arrington,McCourty in r secondary is going to be big for each other and I love r first 3 LBs but need 2 more 1 thats good at coverage and 1 that's good at stuffing the run... Almost a superbowl defense like in 01,03,04

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  4. Love the Easley pick....as long as he can get healthy and keeps his quickness he'll be a dominating beast and a true disruptive force on the D line for the Pats. His effective presence alone will tie up 2 blockers and allow some one else to have one on one blocks to beat. Also absolutely love the three picks on the O line. Again, I look for these guys to all make the 53 man roster, with Stork to start by mid season. Kudos on the blog...keep up the good work!

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