2019 Patriots Offseason Thread

I just keep thinking about Jace Sternberger running up the seem catching passes from Brady

I had put together a board which was simply cross referencing the Miller/Scout grades, separating them using Miller's predicted roles (Starter, Rookie Impact/Future Starter, Backup, Priority FA and Camp Body) and then narrowing it down using Perry's Protypical Patriots along with BSJs and NESN best fits.

Wasnt tracking the draft live and was surprised when I heard his name. But I went back and crossed off the guys who went 1-31 and, sure enough, he was right there as one of the best available "starter right away" guys.

I will admit to over looking a guy like Harry based on fit. Bill has never drafted a WR even close to him and hasn't even brought in many Veterans like him. Was seen to have issues getting separation issues off the line and down the field. He ran an OK 40 time, yet skipped all short area drills, no 3 cone drill or short shuttle times. Which in my mind kinda reinforced the scouts worries about his ability to get open. The worry he's a Metcalf type guy.

Yet by doing that I overlooked that he's good in the open field in a way you don't see many big guys. Lots of yards after the catch with him. Which makes me wonder why he didn't do the short area drills even more now. He's not Metcalf, he can't be close to that bad and get YAC yards like that. Which is huge in our offense. The reason as much as I love Boykins I couldn't rate him higher, very similar type WR in a lot of ways, yet Boykins isn't a big YAC guy. Very pleasant surprise and I'm sure a huge reason they took him.

I will also add he lacked a lot of down field big play catches and red zone TDs that you'd expect for a guy like him. While seen as maybe a red flag, it might be more of his QBs just weren't good enough to fit the ball into tight windows which a guy like him needs. So as good as his numbers are he might have even more upside. I don't see how he isn't a beast in the Red Zone, which is something we really needed.

He ran a 6.89 3 cone at his pro-day which is pretty damn good for his size

That’s from one source, but another has him just under 7 and another just over. So let’s say 7.

Either way it’s pretty solid - not spectacular but solid especially for his size.

I also think it’s safe to assume the Pats don’t use a first on him if his 3 cone was bad - and he did run 3 of them at his pro-day

Yea it is, see I missed that. Makes a lot more sense now. That's better than a guy like Brown by a decent margin.

Just noticed that the CBSSports analyst (Prisco?) gave the Pats a C+ fro drafting Harry. Said they really needed to draft an outside speed guy. And I'm thinking that except for Moss, they never really made the most use of that type of receiver when they had them (Cooks sort of but not really) while they love tough over the middle slot type guys. It must take a LOT of hubris to give Belichick a C+ though.

There are a ton of outside speed guys left, you can get one in the third and fourth rounds in this draft. Yet your Dobson's, Johnson's, and Jackson's never did anything in our offense. You need to be more than just a big fast outside guy for us. Prisco probably wanted Metcalf and I wouldn't gamble on him to late second if at all.

I think it's more opportunity cost. WRs are risky and the value in a first round pick is that 5th year option or at least a good amount of it. Now this year there weren't a lot of you should take this guy, the true value guys were gone. Big need, so I feel they loved Harry and took the risk. Plus recent reports said the Cardinals wanted him first pick of the second round.

He fits, fills a big size issue long-term. Like they really needed a long-term red zone target and outside guy. A little surprised, but I like the pick. He is risky, all WRs are, but why not? Let's gamble on getting Brady a true #1 WR to end his career with. He might keep playing haha. I will be interested to find out if he was the target all along or a fall back guy. Almost feels like they targeted him which is good.

Interested to see where Taylor goes today. He was projected to the top 10 and now he’s in the second round. How bad is his injury? I’m tired of taking injury risks but at the same time, damn that’s some value at a position they could really use a guy long and short term.

I'd trade package picks 56 and either 97 or 101 to move up for Smith if we have to, Alabama pedigree, Ben Watson comp... I really like the sound of that. I'd like Will Grier too but I wouldn't move up for him.

Then we'd have two 3rds and a 4th to get Grier, an o-line guy and a d-line guy. Remaining picks could be used on developmental guys and special teamers.

I know the Patriots don't think of the draft this way but as a fan its fun to think of it this way. 

I think that is exactly what the Patriots are debating. Most years they have few needs, not this year. It's just really a question of if they value certain guys like we do or the media has been. I'd take Sternberger over Smith, but either player fills a big need. If not those guys, that's where things get interesting. It's Bill so there will be a few moves that make us go WTF until we research the players more or see the overall plan.