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Post by jmei on Apr 9, 2017 10:45:29 GMT -5
Burkhead is 5'10", 214, which is not materially different than Ridley (5'11", 220) or Curtis Martin (5'11", 210). He's not some Dion Lewis-esque scat back.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 9, 2017 14:02:39 GMT -5
Burkhead is 5'10", 214, which is not materially different than Ridley (5'11", 220) or Curtis Martin (5'11", 210). He's not some Dion Lewis-esque scat back. Burkhead is 210 according to NFL.com, Patriots.com and Yahoo.com. Ridley is the smallest of those RBs, with the next one being 226. You can't argue that our current coach doesn't like big physical runners to be his early downs backs. While Burkhead isn't a third down only RB, he's like 15-20 pounds lighter than our average early down runners for the past ten plus years. Curtis Martin wasn't drafted by our current coach and wasn't even here when he took over. I love him as a player and wouldn't mind getting RBs like him. Thing is our coach likes bigger RBs to carry the load. It's the exact reason why I'm looking at only RBs that are 220 plus pounds in the draft. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 10, 2017 6:59:56 GMT -5
The Patriots theoretically need to draft the next James White this year to carry the tradition of Vareen and Faulk before him... I do hope they are able to extend White and keep him around like they could keep around Faulk. Vareen was more injury prone it seemed and he's been injured with the Giants so maybe that played a role in them not trying to really keep him around. One more contract for White would be nice.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 10, 2017 7:32:32 GMT -5
Since I'm tired of the running back talk I am going to attempt to switch gears a bit. What do people think are the Patriots top 5 draft needs or targets? I'll start:
1. Edge rusher - Nink is at his end and they need either a young compliment to Flowers or a third rotational guy to replace Nink. This is even with Ealy.
2. Offensive tackle depth - Solder is a FA and has had injury issues. They have no young prospects here capable of replacing or filling in during the year. This might be 1b.
3. Linebacker - I like the starters as a unit and I like Roberts, but it gets thin real quick and even when Hightower is out the Van Noys and McClellens are not as good anymore.
4. DB - I'm leaving this open to safety or corner. I lean safety as a bigger need as 3 safety sets are a big part of this team and Chung took a major step back last year. Harmon has added weight and I think that may be to help take on the Chung role and help his tackling but they could really use a young guy who projects to step into the defense. They struck out with Richards and Wilson in this regard.
5. RB - I know this is lower on my list than it will be on others. And I do think it's one of if not the weakest position groups on the team if all are health. Plus, they are almost all free agents, but it's also the easiest one for the Patriots to fill in so while it will be a priority and a focus, I just don't think it's as important as the others above, both short and long term.
Im sure they are going to look all over the place and I can see arguments for different orders and positions... what do u all think?
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Post by digit on Apr 10, 2017 9:38:07 GMT -5
I think the way the Patriots draft they tend to rely on free agent to fill this year's holes and draft picks to fill -next- year's holes.
They also tend to double up on positions, don't they?
So if we look at it that way...
1) Tackles. Someone to train behind Solder this year, and then maybe move Solder to RT if they resign him or let him go. Also another RT if needed.
2) Defensive back. I know, I know, they do this every year, but the current starting safeties are 30. They have to look at someone. A hybrid DB (either CB/S or S/LB). Maybe a straightup CB pick to replace a Rowe or a Butler if needed.
3) DL. Don't think it'll be edge rusher exactly as much as someone who can swing between DT and DE... Edge Rushers tend to be overpaid, and I feel like Belichick has a system going where he'll grab edge rushers off free agency or trades cheaply, then let them go for compensation picks and pick up more. Either way, someone who can put pressure up the middle and let the LBers clean up the edges for containment seems more likely.
4) LB. Needs more depth and youth here. With the shift towards the passing game, probably more coverage LBers and use Chung/Safeties for run support.
5) Running backs. I expect two RBs out of this draft, whether as a free agent or a late pick. Dalton Crossan as a UDFA seems like a good shot here. Brian Hill of Wyoming?
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Post by texs31 on Apr 10, 2017 10:04:36 GMT -5
Edge Rushers do get overpaid but the draft is the one place to get them on the cheap. I also think they've looked at a TON of them during the pre-draft process.
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Post by texs31 on Apr 10, 2017 10:47:49 GMT -5
I guess NE DOES have an offer out for Blount but they aren't budging from the initial offer.
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Post by digit on Apr 10, 2017 13:15:46 GMT -5
Edge Rushers do get overpaid but the draft is the one place to get them on the cheap. I also think they've looked at a TON of them during the pre-draft process. Understood, but it feels like in recent years, he's been more about 'containing the edge', it feels like, than using them as edge rushers, so he may not be exactly looking for an edge rusher as much as someone who basically collapses the pocket from the inside. I think 'edge player' is probably a better phrase for what I think they'd end up looking at, than edge rusher? |
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Post by texs31 on Apr 10, 2017 13:51:50 GMT -5
Fair point. I was definitely thinking Edge Rusher as a position more than the skill and what they'd do when on the edge.
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Post by digit on Apr 10, 2017 14:08:56 GMT -5
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 10, 2017 14:26:25 GMT -5
Belichick had always been about containing the run first, hence the settting the edge. He's also about lane discipline while rushing, especially against mobile QBs.... getting up the field when playing man defense is a recipe for a QB, even a slow one running for 7-20 yards at a clip.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 10, 2017 15:07:27 GMT -5
The Patriots are so hard to predict. I remember last year RB and tackle depth were two big needs and they didn't pick a single player. I also thought G wasn't a big need after taking Mason and Jackson the year before, but they drafted two more guards.
1A. RB- Wouldn't be surprised to see them pick two players. They will most likely bring in a couple of undrafted guys also. Huge need, but with depth in draft it doesn't have to be one of first picks.
1B. DE- Another position that wouldn't shock me if they drafted two players. They really need a ton of depth for this year and next year. Need to go after one early.
3. LB- We can really use another high end LB. I might have it third, but I would like to see them go after one early if the right guys fall.
4. Center- We can use an upgrade, but it's a poor draft for centers. If the right guy falls I can see them taking one. How much do they like Ted Karras as a center?
5. OT- We need depth, but if they plan on resigning Solder we are set for years with two good starters. It's also a very poor draft for tackles. We should have taken one last year, it was a deep draft for tackles.
6. S- We could use another SS, really depends what they think of Richards. He's hardly played and when he has it hasn't been good. Thing is I would have said the same thing of Cannon last year and we see how that turned out. Maybe they plan on playing Harmon there more, so we need some FS depth.
Unless Butler gone CB isn't a need. We still have young guys in Rowe and both of the Jones. I could see them taking a CB, DTor TE as a value pick, because the position is so deep in the draft.
WR isn't a need but I wouldn't mind a developmental slot guy for the practice squad either.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 10, 2017 17:34:52 GMT -5
I think the way the Patriots draft they tend to rely on free agent to fill this year's holes and draft picks to fill -next- year's holes. They also tend to double up on positions, don't they? So if we look at it that way... 1) Tackles. Someone to train behind Solder this year, and then maybe move Solder to RT if they resign him or let him go. Also another RT if needed. 2) Defensive back. I know, I know, they do this every year, but the current starting safeties are 30. They have to look at someone. A hybrid DB (either CB/S or S/LB). Maybe a straightup CB pick to replace a Rowe or a Butler if needed. 3) DL. Don't think it'll be edge rusher exactly as much as someone who can swing between DT and DE... Edge Rushers tend to be overpaid, and I feel like Belichick has a system going where he'll grab edge rushers off free agency or trades cheaply, then let them go for compensation picks and pick up more. Either way, someone who can put pressure up the middle and let the LBers clean up the edges for containment seems more likely. 4) LB. Needs more depth and youth here. With the shift towards the passing game, probably more coverage LBers and use Chung/Safeties for run support. 5) Running backs. I expect two RBs out of this draft, whether as a free agent or a late pick. Dalton Crossan as a UDFA seems like a good shot here. Brian Hill of Wyoming? So what do you think they do with Cannon? They just gave him a big extension. Also you don't think Solder is a good LT? Just wondering why you would move him to RT if they re-sign him. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 12, 2017 8:11:10 GMT -5
Patriots free agents after this coming season:  That image is from Miguel at Patscap.com Follow him on twitter and read his website... he's the best... reminds me of Mike from this site. Started as a fan and amateur but had such great passion for what he does and did such a great job he got local then some national attention. Now he is a legitimate go to for reporters to get information and he's gained sources so he even gets inside info in some cases now. On top of it he comes across as a genuine and honest guy. He does not spew information that's not corroborated and he's clear when something is his speculation. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 12, 2017 17:15:42 GMT -5
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 13, 2017 6:28:29 GMT -5
Lots of chatter about the Patriots and Mike Gilislee from Buffalo... they gave him a 5th rd tender but he's a guy people speculated to the Pats before the Bills tendered him... he's played well against us and that seems to be something Belichick notices. He's 5'11 219... if they signed him and Buffalo didn't match (unlikely imo) then we could say bye to Blount.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 13, 2017 6:30:42 GMT -5
He looks interesting. I also find it interesting that the Patriots have put so much time into Teez Tabor from Florida... he's likely to be a high pick... maybe with the corner depth they are hoping he falls and want to be ready should he. |
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Post by texs31 on Apr 13, 2017 8:13:28 GMT -5
Tabor started off projected as a high pick but, more recently, CBS and ESPN (McShay) have him in the 50s and Bleacher has him in the 80s.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 13, 2017 10:50:27 GMT -5
I like Mike Gilisee but I would hate to lose another pick in this draft. I would rather use that pick on a guy like James Conner from Pitt.
Tabor is rated as a 1st rounder in 2 of my draft magazines and as a 1/2 rounder by the other. So if he falls to our first pick in third round it would be a steal.
The depth in this draft is unreal, there are going to be some great players there in the third round. The more I study the draft, the more impressed I am.
Some reports from Cleveland beat writers that the Browns talking about taking a QB #1 is a power play to get Patriots to agree to Garrapolo deal. I tend to agree because no QB in this class is even close to being worth the #1 pick. If teams were smart they wouldn't take any QB from this class till late first/early second round.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 13, 2017 10:58:05 GMT -5
The depth in this draft coincides with it being somewhat shallow on "first round grades".... it's kind of why trading a late first for Cooks was not much different than trading a late second early third.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 13, 2017 11:56:34 GMT -5
I wouldn't go that far. If I remember right it was like 19 first round grades, 41 second round grades and a massive amount of third round grades. So there aren't even enough first and second round graded players for the first 64 picks. So for me it was more like an early to mid second round pick. Thing is you get your pick of those players and get them for 5 years if you want. Also that was only one guys take and as we know opinions on draft rankings differ greatly. Some people have guys rated as 1/2 rounders and others have them as 5/6 rounders.
So while I agree that the 32 pick might have had less value this year than in past years. It was still a big cost, but well worth it for a young stud like Cooks. The way I look at it, they could have traded down picking up more picks in the sweet spots of the draft. Also giving them more picks to move up in certain rounds if they really wanted a certain player.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 13, 2017 12:04:22 GMT -5
The thing that still bugs me is why trade our third round pick for the Saints high 4th round pick knowing we were going to have to lose it? I know we know get to keep our own 4th round pick, but that is just a weird move.
People have speculated that we can try and trade it for a pick closer to our 4th round pick and pick up a another pick. Maybe that's the plan, it's just a weird move if they made a trade to ends up costing them a higher 4th round pick than they had to give up.
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Post by texs31 on Apr 13, 2017 15:05:42 GMT -5
Jason McCourty released by Tennessee. Hmmmm . . .
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 13, 2017 16:05:29 GMT -5
Kind of weird that they do it now. They have plenty of cap space. You can never have enough corners if he wants a one year deal.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 13, 2017 19:40:47 GMT -5
How is he? Was very good a couple years ago but is he still any good? Number 1 or 2 corner good? If he's released by a team with corner needs it's a flag but if he is cheap enough...
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