Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (4 Viewers)

[kyoun1e]

Boston I too want the Sawyer pick next. But I also like the idea of double dipping on RB and getting Scattebo or Sampson. I think both would have gone earlier many years and I like solid young RBs to help Maye

Will be interesting to see if they double-dip at RB and WR...definitely some talent still there at both positions (especially RB) and if they grab one at either position it would make for some great camp battles...from a pure marketing standpoint they should draft Skattebo as their jersey sales would go thru the roof as every kid in New England would buy one.

With Polk, Baker, and Boutte still on the roster I'd be surprised if they go WR again. Scattabo...if that's not a Vrabel type player I don't know who is. Doubt they double dip though.

Wouldn't mind seeing a young TE drafted.

Like many, Sawyer at the top of round 4 makes too much sense if he's there.

Very happy so far with this draft.

 

[Bri]

I like the Pats picks a lot.
Do you think you can tell if this is Cowden or Wolf?
When Cowden was with the Titans, we used to draft well. I got a certain amount of comfort from the draft. Since, I have to talk myself into most picks.
Do I know it's him? Nope but the feeling changing was undeniable.

 

[IHEARTFF]

That offense is looking a lot better

 

[Boston]

Boston I too want the Sawyer pick next. But I also like the idea of double dipping on RB and getting Scattebo or Sampson. I think both would have gone earlier many years and I like solid young RBs to help Maye

Will be interesting to see if they double-dip at RB and WR...definitely some talent still there at both positions (especially RB) and if they grab one at either position it would make for some great camp battles...from a pure marketing standpoint they should draft Skattebo as their jersey sales would go thru the roof as every kid in New England would buy one.

With Polk, Baker, and Boutte still on the roster I'd be surprised if they go WR again. Scattabo...if that's not a Vrabel type player I don't know who is. Doubt they double dip though.

Wouldn't mind seeing a young TE drafted.

Like many, Sawyer at the top of round 4 makes too much sense if he's there.

Very happy so far with this draft.

I think there is two ways to look at it...if they use the #4 or trade up for a WR that would be pretty telling on what they think of the current group not named Diggs...if they use it on a #7 or #5 it might simply be BPA...no matter what they do none of those WRs should be comfortable with their spot on the team.

 

[Boston]

I like the Pats picks a lot.
Do you think you can tell if this is Cowden or Wolf?
When Cowden was with the Titans, we used to draft well. I got a certain amount of comfort from the draft. Since, I have to talk myself into most picks.
Do I know it's him? Nope but the feeling changing was undeniable.

Ultimately it is Vrabel...and if I had to guess he is getting input from a few people (with Cowden probably having the most pull) but no one can convince me that anyone has the final say other than Vrabel.

 

[Anarchy99]

@Anarchy99

Direct quote from Bedard : "Even the most, um, cynical Patriots fan has to look at this and be like- Damn, this group has done a nice job this offseason."

Certainly a huge improvement over last offseason. No surprise early picks from D-II teams. Looks good on paper. Will have to see how the puzzle pieces fit.

 

[Boston]

Perry: Best available players for Patriots on Day 3, with defense in focus

The Patriots are likely to shift their focus to defense on Day 3. Phil Perry highlights the best available draft prospects at every position.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

 

[Boston]

This kid intrigues me:

Ty Robinson, Nebraska​

Energy, energy, energy. No need to worry about want-to with Robinson on the field. At 6-foot-5, 291 pounds, he's relentless in his pursuit of ball-carriers. And on his way to his destination, he'll do what he can to run through -- or swat away, or swipe past -- anyone who happens to get in his way.

On Day 3, buttressing the trenches with an all-out option like Robinson would make some sense for Vrabel and Co.

 

[Bossman]

Perry: Best available players for Patriots on Day 3, with defense in focus

The Patriots are likely to shift their focus to defense on Day 3. Phil Perry highlights the best available draft prospects at every position.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin​

Size? Check (6-foot-2, 213 pounds). Explosiveness? Check (37-inch vertical). Quickness? Check (6.72 three-cone drille).

Me likey this one

 

[ratbast]

Not sure what Vrabel thinks of the OL depth now, but there are still some decent developmental RT/G available if he wants to trim the fat. Depth DL/Edge possibly still need.

 

[Bossman]

Perry: Best available players for Patriots on Day 3, with defense in focus

The Patriots are likely to shift their focus to defense on Day 3. Phil Perry highlights the best available draft prospects at every position.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin​

Size? Check (6-foot-2, 213 pounds). Explosiveness? Check (37-inch vertical). Quickness? Check (6.72 three-cone drille).

Me likey this one

I was close. Right position ... wrong player.
Craig Woodson S
6'0" 200 lbs
California
- Smaller, faster safety ... compared to who they have on the roster now.
Better pass defender than a run stopper I would think.

 

[Bossman]

... and this is the point in the draft where BB would be looking to draft a long-snapper that was on no one elses draft board.

 

[mjb03003]

Pats trade up to pick 137 (gave up picks 144 and 238) and take Joshua Farmer, DT from Florida State.

ESPN had him ranked 76th overall and Matt Miller’s pro comp for him is Christian Barmore.

 

[ratbast]

Edge/TE depth next? Some big OT/G left and maybe K last?

 

[ratbast]

Possible steal with Swinson at edge

 

[mjb03003]

And there’s the placekicker.

 

[Lansdowne]

We’ll know in due time how much impact this draft has on this team but this is the best I’ve felt about a Patriots draft in a very long time.

 

[Lansdowne]

... and this is the point in the draft where BB would be looking to draft a long-snapper that was on no one elses draft board.

He would’ve taken that lacrosse player from Maryland in the third round over Kyle Williams

 

[Bossman]

Results of Matt Judon trade now visible;
ATL gives Rd3 pick (77) for Judon
NE trades 77 to CAR ...for 85 & 146 (Brayden Swinson EDGE LSU)
NE trades 85 ...for 95 (Jared Wilson C Georgia) and 2026 4th

So Judon for ...Wilson, Swinson, and 2026 4th

 

[Boston]

I will readily admit I am probably over my skis right now but I could not be more pleased with not just what they did but how much they accomplished this offseason that I probably need to temper my expectations but for now I am gonna enjoy feeling like this team could actually make some noise this season.

 

[Bossman]

I will readily admit I am probably over my skis right now but I could not be more pleased with not just what they did but how much they accomplished this offseason that I probably need to temper my expectations but for now I am gonna enjoy feeling like this team could actually make some noise this season.

I think most fans paying attention are right there with you.

Almost everything that we perceived to be a problem with this team has been addressed...
O-Line? ... Check
WR? ... Check
Coaching? ... Check
Drafting? ... Check

Hard for anyone to not expect a much better product on the field this year.

 

[Insomniac]

I will readily admit I am probably over my skis right now but I could not be more pleased with not just what they did but how much they accomplished this offseason that I probably need to temper my expectations but for now I am gonna enjoy feeling like this team could actually make some noise this season.

On paper it looks like a good FA period and draft. That doesn't always work out that way but I'm certainly feeling better now than I was at the same point last offseason. I don't think Vrabel will be a Parcells type coach (hope I'm wrong) but I think the coaching is going to be better than it has at any point in the post Brady era.

 

[Insomniac]

I just looked up the Patriots over-under for wins next year, it was 7.5 at -140 - I think I'd go with the over.

 

[Boston]

I will readily admit I am probably over my skis right now but I could not be more pleased with not just what they did but how much they accomplished this offseason that I probably need to temper my expectations but for now I am gonna enjoy feeling like this team could actually make some noise this season.

I think most fans paying attention are right there with you.

Almost everything that we perceived to be a problem with this team has been addressed...
O-Line? ... Check
WR? ... Check
Coaching? ... Check
Drafting? ... Check

Hard for anyone to not expect a much better product on the field this year.

And looking at the future they are in a great spot with the cap and if a good amount of the new players pan out they will be in a position next offseason to be to be real flexible whereas this offseason there were huge holes that just had to be addressed.

 

[Boston]

I just looked up the Patriots over-under for wins next year, it was 7.5 at -140 - I think I'd go with the over.

Looking at their schedule I think that is certainly a possibility.

 

[Insomniac]

I just looked up the Patriots over-under for wins next year, it was 7.5 at -140 - I think I'd go with the over.

Looking at their schedule I think that is certainly a possibility.

Fading my predictions has usually had + value.

 

[Bossman]

Patriots staying busy signing UDFAs...
Patriots UDFA Tracker

I likey RB Lan Larison...
His highlights and ridiculous numbers make him look like the next Christian McCaffrery

Might need to take a flyer on him late in my Dynasty drafts.

 

[Boston]

We are officially in bizarro-world:

Why Did Bill Belichick Allow Girlfriend Jordon Hudson To Hijack CBS Interview?

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick sat down with CBS for an interview, but for some reason, his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, was heavily involved off-camera.

www.outkick.com

 

[Uruk-Hai]

We are officially in bizarro-world:

Why Did Bill Belichick Allow Girlfriend Jordon Hudson To Hijack CBS Interview?

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick sat down with CBS for an interview, but for some reason, his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, was heavily involved off-camera.

www.outkick.com

I watched it when it aired. That was weird.

 

[Boston]

We are officially in bizarro-world:

Why Did Bill Belichick Allow Girlfriend Jordon Hudson To Hijack CBS Interview?

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick sat down with CBS for an interview, but for some reason, his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, was heavily involved off-camera.

www.outkick.com

I watched it when it aired. That was weird.

This upcoming UNC season is going to be extremely entertaining.

 

[Anarchy99]

Not that this means much, but surveying some of the post-draft team power rankings, I've seen NE as high as 22 and as low as 27 with most in the 23-25 range. Locally, sports media is already suggesting they could be a playoff team this upcoming season. They certainly improved, but who knows by how much. We may go from having low expectations last season to inflated expectations next year in a really short timeframe. If they made the moves they did this offseason a year ago, the Mayo regime could easily still be there.

 

[kyoun1e]

With the draft now over, I wonder if there are any intriguing FAs they could pluck at low cost?

 

[Anarchy99]

With the draft now over, I wonder if there are any intriguing FAs they could pluck at low cost?

Here are the leftovers at positions of need . . .

WR - Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson
T - Joseph Noteboom, Tyron Smith, Jedrick Wills
G - Brandon Scherff, Shaq Mason, Will Hernandez
CB - James Bradberry, Kendall Fuller, Stephon Gillmore, Asante Samuel, Mike Hilton

Not sure what other spots they might be able to use someone, but for now, there aren't a ton of high-profile guys on the market. That may change with roster cuts the closer we get to the season.

 

[Lansdowne]

With the draft now over, I wonder if there are any intriguing FAs they could pluck at low cost?

Here are the leftovers at positions of need . . .

WR - Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson
T - Joseph Noteboom, Tyron Smith, Jedrick Wills
G - Brandon Scherff, Shaq Mason, Will Hernandez
CB - James Bradberry, Kendall Fuller, Stephon Gillmore, Asante Samuel, Mike Hilton

Not sure what other spots they might be able to use someone, but for now, there aren't a ton of high-profile guys on the market. That may change with roster cuts the closer we get to the season.

You can cross Keenan Allen and Tyron Smith off that list. Allen has already said he'd go to the Chargers, Bears, or retire, and those two teams addressed WR in the draft so he's probably done. Smith retired two weeks ago with a ceremonial deal with the Cowboys.

I'd take a flier on Will Hernandez to see if he can push Cole Strange for the LG job.

 

[Balco]

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

 

[Anarchy99]

I hate to ever give Felger a nod on anything, but he did have a decent point yesterday about the Patriots draft haul. I agree with many others that on the surface it looks like they did well. Felger asked rhetorically why people should take the cheese on this group of rookies vs. all the other years of recent draft classes. He mentioned that a lot of the same people were involved in assessing, evaluating, and selecting players from those drafts and this draft. To paraphrase, they couldn't find decent linemen or wide receivers before, why should we celebrate the guys they took now? Did they suddenly wake up with the answers to the test when they couldn't even pass before? He did say that he's not knocking who they picked or that they won't work out . . . only that it would be a very unlikely outcome to go from having a ton of wasted picks to suddenly hitting on a bunch of players all at once. That's the part I would tend to agree with him. I've always said that any draft for any team that can hit on 3 guys in the same draft should be considered a home run. Hopefully they will hit on 3 or more this time around.

 

[Bossman]

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

 

[Anarchy99]

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

Vrabel has already shown that he doesn't care about keeping guys around from the other regimes that were around before him. They just cut Jake Andrews today . . . they only draft him in 2023.

Boutte was said to be on the trading block before the draft. And Bourne has been rumored to have been an option to be traded or released for a while now. Those would be the most likely candidates, but I'm not sure that Baker showed much of anything last year. Neither did Polk, really, but teams rarely scrap 2nd round picks after just one season.

The Diggs contract wasn't as bloated as first reported. It's essentially a one-year deal for $20 million with incentives. Depending upon his health and his performance level while recovering, this year could either be an overpay or a decent value. I doubt that he will see the $63.5M that was reported.

 

[Bossman]

I hate to ever give Felger a nod on anything, but he did have a decent point yesterday about the Patriots draft haul. I agree with many others that on the surface it looks like they did well. Felger asked rhetorically why people should take the cheese on this group of rookies vs. all the other years of recent draft classes. He mentioned that a lot of the same people were involved in assessing, evaluating, and selecting players from those drafts and this draft. To paraphrase, they couldn't find decent linemen or wide receivers before, why should we celebrate the guys they took now? Did they suddenly wake up with the answers to the test when they couldn't even pass before? He did say that he's not knocking who they picked or that they won't work out . . . only that it would be a very unlikely outcome to go from having a ton of wasted picks to suddenly hitting on a bunch of players all at once. That's the part I would tend to agree with him. I've always said that any draft for any team that can hit on 3 guys in the same draft should be considered a home run. Hopefully they will hit on 3 or more this time around.

As Patriots fans, I think the difference with this years draft is they took players at or below where they were projected to go.
It gives us the impression that they got more than what they were expected to get.
History has the Patriots reaching for players that "experts" thought could have been had later in the draft.
Also, we are assuming an OL drafted #4 overall and was considered the best prospect in this class will have a much better chance of success over the 24th OL drafted in the 4th round.

I actually still like the 2023 draft; Keion White, Christian Gonzales, Pop Douglass, Kayshawn Boutte
I still have hopes for Mapu and at least one of the O-linemen taken; Andrews, Sow, Mafi

 

[Anarchy99]

I still have hopes for Mapu and at least one of the O-linemen taken; Andrews, Sow, Mafi

You can scratch Andrews off the list. He was released today. And Mafi was released before the season started last year and picked up by the Colts. So your list is down to Sow.

 

[Boston]

[Q

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

I think Diggs, Williams and Hollins are the only ones who should be comfortable and I put Hollins in there because I think he adds value to the locker-room and special teams…after that I think all those other guys are fighting for a roster spot and/or are a candidate to be traded.

 

[Anarchy99]

I think all those other guys are fighting for a roster spot and/or are a candidate to be traded.

Realistically, those other guys are more likely to be cut candidates than trade candidates. Bourne is 30 and didn't look great after his knee injury. Douglas is the only one that has been marginally productive (but is undersized). Polk and Baker did very little. As already mentioned, Boutte was said to have been shopped around before the draft (and obviously wasn't moved). Not sure any of them would net much in a trade. I would guess 7th round picks or pick swaps.

 

[Boston]

I think all those other guys are fighting for a roster spot and/or are a candidate to be traded.

Realistically, those other guys are more likely to be cut candidates than trade candidates. Bourne is 30 and didn't look great after his knee injury. Douglas is the only one that has been marginally productive (but is undersized). Polk and Baker did very little. As already mentioned, Boutte was said to have been shopped around before the draft (and obviously wasn't moved). Not sure any of them would net much in a trade. I would guess 7th round picks or pick swaps.

If they get traded I am not expecting much in the way of a return…if it is anything more than a pick swap or a player that another team is close to cutting but fills a hole for the Pats I would be really surprised…should make for an interesting camp battle because at least 2 of them have to make the team…well I guess it could be 3 since Diggs may not be ready week 1.

 

[Bad_Mo2]

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

I would cut Baker and Boutte

 

[Lansdowne]

[Q

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

I think Diggs, Williams and Hollins are the only ones who should be comfortable and I put Hollins in there because I think he adds value to the locker-room and special teams…after that I think all those other guys are fighting for a roster spot and/or are a candidate to be traded.

Mike Reiss seems to think Pop Douglas is safe and I don't blame him: Douglas has been their most productive WR collectively the last two seasons and he fills a niche role in the slot. But I also think a lot depends on the health of Diggs and where they plan to use him. If he's going to be the new slot receiver then Douglas would see a big reduction in playing time. That could make him expendable.

 

[Anarchy99]

[Q

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

I think Diggs, Williams and Hollins are the only ones who should be comfortable and I put Hollins in there because I think he adds value to the locker-room and special teams…after that I think all those other guys are fighting for a roster spot and/or are a candidate to be traded.

Mike Reiss seems to think Pop Douglas is safe and I don't blame him: Douglas has been their most productive WR collectively the last two seasons and he fills a niche role in the slot. But I also think a lot depends on the health of Diggs and where they plan to use him. If he's going to be the new slot receiver then Douglas would see a big reduction in playing time. That could make him expendable.

I just watched a clip with Reiss (probably what you are alluding to). He said Williams, Diggs, Douglas, and Hollins are locks. Then he said they would keep 1 or 2 more. He ranked them as Bourne, Polk, Boutte, then Baker (meaning the last two would likely be gone). They also mentioned maybe they might try to find a spot for UDFA Efton Chism III (he broke all of Cooper Kupp's records at Eastern Washington). That was the current take on the WR room.

 

[Lansdowne]

Joe Cardona released. And with that, Jabril Peppers is the last man standing out of last year's captains, and there's no one left from the 2019 team.

Joe Cardona: released
Ja'Whaun Bentley: released
David Andrews: released
Deatrich Wise Jr.: signed with WAS
Jacoby Brissett: signed with ARI
Jabrill Peppers: active

Edit - Hunter Henry and Kyle Dugger were made captains after the season-ending injuries to Andrews and Bentley so technically there's three remaining from last year's team.

 

[Boston]

[Q

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

I think Diggs, Williams and Hollins are the only ones who should be comfortable and I put Hollins in there because I think he adds value to the locker-room and special teams…after that I think all those other guys are fighting for a roster spot and/or are a candidate to be traded.

Mike Reiss seems to think Pop Douglas is safe and I don't blame him: Douglas has been their most productive WR collectively the last two seasons and he fills a niche role in the slot. But I also think a lot depends on the health of Diggs and where they plan to use him. If he's going to be the new slot receiver then Douglas would see a big reduction in playing time. That could make him expendable.

Polk is a real question mark…there were nothing but glowing reports on him in camp and then he just fell apart once the season started…just a complete disaster…he better show up to camp with his head on straight…he was not Vrabel’s pick so he won’t have a long leash…I would think Baker is a real long shot…he is really immature and I don’t think he fits what Vrabel is looking to build…Boutte had decent year and seems to have some chemistry with Maye…he’s another one that needs to show he is maturing and if he has I think he could stick…Bourne seems like kind of an odd man out but a lot depends on the kids as well as Diggs health…Pop should make it but after being high on him I am not a big fan…he is so small and I don’t see enough explosive plays…that being said he would probably be more effective as he gets pushed further down the depth chart and expectations get more realistic…the kid from Eastern Washington is intriguing…he seems to have a lot of fans of his game…I am excited to see him and the RB from Cal-Davis…that kid’s highlights are electric.

 

[NE_REVIVAL]

[Q

I think Pats finally realized they needed speed on offense and Henderson and Kyle Williams were home run picks. Receiver room is crowded but I think Williams is going to stretch the field, and Henderson was best back next to Jeanty in the draft. Just explosive, electrifying runner and receiver. Still think they have a ways to go but the draft was a great start on building a modern offense.

In hindsight, did they really need to spend a gazillion trillion on Steph Diggs?
... and do they really want to deal with his potentially poisonous attitude?
What are the chances that he "plays nice" when he's not the center of the offence, the Pats going run heavy and spreading the ball around when they do pass it.

Also, by signing Diggs, that's one less WR on the existing roster that you can keep.
I assume they will need to cut 2 of these guys to get down to 6 ... which 2 are you cutting?
DIGGS, STEFON
Douglas, DeMario
HOLLINS, MACK
Polk, Ja'Lynn
Williams, Kyle
Bourne, Kendrick
Baker, Javon
Boutte, Kayshon

I think Diggs, Williams and Hollins are the only ones who should be comfortable and I put Hollins in there because I think he adds value to the locker-room and special teams…after that I think all those other guys are fighting for a roster spot and/or are a candidate to be traded.

Mike Reiss seems to think Pop Douglas is safe and I don't blame him: Douglas has been their most productive WR collectively the last two seasons and he fills a niche role in the slot. But I also think a lot depends on the health of Diggs and where they plan to use him. If he's going to be the new slot receiver then Douglas would see a big reduction in playing time. That could make him expendable.

Polk is a real question mark…there were nothing but glowing reports on him in camp and then he just fell apart once the season started…just a complete disaster…he better show up to camp with his head on straight…he was not Vrabel’s pick so he won’t have a long leash…I would think Baker is a real long shot…he is really immature and I don’t think he fits what Vrabel is looking to build…Boutte had decent year and seems to have some chemistry with Maye…he’s another one that needs to show he is maturing and if he has I think he could stick…Bourne seems like kind of an odd man out but a lot depends on the kids as well as Diggs health…Pop should make it but after being high on him I am not a big fan…he is so small and I don’t see enough explosive plays…that being said he would probably be more effective as he gets pushed further down the depth chart and expectations get more realistic…the kid from Eastern Washington is intriguing…he seems to have a lot of fans of his game…I am excited to see him and the RB from Cal-Davis…that kid’s highlights are electric.

Agreed, Polk was a bad high pick, Baker was a reasonable dart throw that doesn't look like it will pan out. Not a Boutte believer but he at least showed some life last year. Love Pop, and the more i read about Williams the more I like. Improved OL and running game should make the passing game much more effective.

 

[Lansdowne]

Drake Maye making Josh McDaniels modify his Patriots offense

McDaniels is adapting his offense to fit Drake Maye’s preferences.

www.patspulpit.com