2018 Patriots/NFL offseason thread

Looks like Pats did a lot of homework on this kid... officially intrigued... still don’t expect anything

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 I think it is obvious that the Pats where not too impressed by the talent in this years draft so they parlayed that into better picks next year along with trading for Brown. That is about the only thing that the Pats have done consistently in the past, few coaches have the luxury of doing that knowing they need to win now. 

 If they added  3/4 starters and a role player or 2 that contribute this year that is a lot for a Super Bowl team. Bill just doing what Bill does, sometimes it doesn't work but usually it does. Overall I like it, give it a B+ with the chance of being an A.

The Patriots used picks from this draft to trade for players like Eric Rowe, Jason McCourty, Danny Shelton, Trent Brown, Cassius Marsh, Cordarelle Patterson, and Marquis Flowers in addition to their draft class. Marsh already busted here and it's not a lock all those players contribute, but it's impressive to see Bill use the draft to add so many options. I'm sure he'll use some of these extra 2019 picks to trade during the remainder of the offseason and in-season too, and since he can't trade projected comp picks until they are awarded it was big to acquire some tradeable draft capital. Remember last offseason when the Patriots "loaded up", supposedly for a last run or two with Brady and Belichick? It sure seems like Bill is still invested in the Patriots long term future.

It felt like Sony Michel was a bit of an overdraft at the time of the pick (strictly due to the depth of this RB class) but the quick run on RB's made me reconsider, along with seeing how good Michel is in pass protection. Dion Lewis was extremely productive last season, but Michel should give this offense even more versatility.

 IMO the Pats decided to believe Brady when he says he is going to play for a few more years so it makes it a little early to draft his replacement. They already did that with JG and it didn't pan out so I don't think they feel the need yet. Obviously there is a need but the Pats must not feel it's not dire. They loaded up on picks for next year so maybe they like someone, who knows. IMO they should be thinking 2 more years of TB and then they need to be ready. 

 I initially agreed with your thoughts on Wynn being a guard that they hope can play tackle. Then I find that he was the highest ranked LT in the SEC last year and only gave up 5 QB pressures all season against some really good talent. I trust they know what they are doing with him as their track record with OL is very good.

 Not sure where drafting a safety they hope can play cb comes from but either way BB likes versatile players.
  
 In regards to the RB with bad knees, that is an over statement IMO. Frank Gore tore his ACL twice in college and just became the first player in history to have 12 consecutive seasons of 1200 yards from scrimmage. 

 Maybe you end up being right because the draft can be a crapshoot but I think you are looking for reasons to hate it while I tend to be optimistic. Only time will tell.
 

In a way I'm upset about the QB spot, I wanted more, but Nick Caserio after day one made comments you guys can ask us about not taking QBs again after day 2. Then he's like, if we don't take one. Etling was there guy all along it seems. Just glad they picked him in the 7th and not higher. If they didn't like anyone more than him after the top 4, no reason to waste a high pick on Jackson and Randolph. Those guys did have big question marks and it made no sense to trade everything to move up, while you still have Brady. As much as Jacksons physical tools interested me, he wasn't an accurate passer, scored very low on the wonderlic test and frankly just listening to him I really question his intelligence. He was the anti Brady and Jimmy. Chances you got a rookie QB that could save your season if Brady goes down next year is slim. I would have liked a second QB just to increase the Odds, but they must really like Etling, because it seems he was the pick all along.

Wynn played more LT than guard in College, even if he can't play LT, he's seen as having all pro upside at guard. Think Mankins, not sure how you hate that pick. Michel was most peoples #2 RB and a new age type RB. I question it from a value standpoint because my boy Josh Adams didn't even get drafted this RB class was soo deep. He's just a different type of RB though, he's more of an old school back, not the new age type RB. That new age RB that can run and pass catch, were all taken very high in this draft. As Brady gets older you need to take pressure off him and the first two picks do just that. Nevermind our next QB will have a good line and running attack, which is huge.

Not sure where you heard Dawson is a safety, he's a CB. Everyone loves him, some comparing him to Logan Ryan. Kiper called him the best slot corner in the draft. He can play outside, just not against huge WRs. We have Gilmore for that. He has a compact build, he's very well built for a smaller guy. Thing is that's a huge plus, because he has very good speed and change of direction skills. It will allow him to play physical with WRs and RBs. Given how the league is changing that is huge. Also by all account just like with Wynn and Michel he's a very low risk player. All three are ready to play next year.

One thing about studying LSU is they don't seem very good at developing QBs. They get a ton of high recruits that keep not doing well. I'll keep trying to talk myself into liking him more. Etling did have very good yard per attempt numbers and threw very few interceptions. So there's that at least. He did play against very good defenses in the SEC. I'm warming up to him after the shock of the pick wears off.

The one thing I'd say against drafting a QB high in the draft is that it's not maximizing the assets to win now while Brady is still playing. If you draft Jackson, you don't have Sony Michel, who will contribute way more than the clipboard carrying that Jackson would contribute.

The Patriots window to win is now though, not next year. Who knows what will happen with Brady and Gronk next year. We barely knew what they were going to do this year. Couldn't get answers out of neither until recently.

I would love the 2001 version of Belichick right now. He lost us the Super Bowl.

And yes, I know our window is now but those Lions and Bears picks they grabbed are higher picks and always be traded. 2019 is not 2022.

They turned the 43rd pick into a future 2nd and 3rd, plus a pick used to move up to get Dawson. In the NFL there are no guarantees those picks are higher. Detriot has talent, they have a good QB and now a good coach. That 2nd could easily be lower next year, they didn't get a future first for example. We'll see how it plays out, but it wasn't a slam dunk type trade. Frankly it seemed like they just wanted to spread the Jimmy pick around so the return wasn't one player.

The 2019 draft is supposed to have a lot more talent than 2018 from top to bottom.