Draft Assessment

[PatsFan2003]

Matt Groh explains 'why' the Patriots drafted as they did.

Matt Groh details why Patriots chose Cole Strange, Tyquan Thornton when they did

Matt Groh detailed why the Patriots chose Cole Strange and Tyquan Thornton when they did. Read more on Boston.com.

www.boston.com

Gee makes perfect sense.

 

[BigKen]

• 
  
  Mike ReissESPN Staff Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The 2022 NFL draft is in the books and every New England Patriots draft pick is analyzed here.

Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player New England selected will fit.

Analysis of every NFL pick | Updated depth charts​

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Round 1, No. 29 overall: Cole Strange, OG, Chattanooga​

My take: Strange projects to start at left guard, and if he follows in the footsteps of 2005 first-rounder Logan Mankins (32nd) or 2016 third-rounder Joe Thuney (78th), this will be a solid pick that addresses one of the team's obvious needs (albeit one created by trading veteran guard Shaq Mason). Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy, a former New England scout, had identified Strange before the draft as an ideal Patriots fit because of his toughness, aggressive playing style and movement skills. One question: Did the Patriots overdraft him? Strange was viewed by some draft analysts as a second- or third-round pick ... which was actually what was said about Mankins back in 2005. Cole Strange could be New England's starting left guard as a rookie.

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Round 2, No. 50 overall: Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor​

My take: Speed. The Patriots need more of it, and the 6-foot-2, 181-pound Thornton is one of the fastest players in the draft. Although media analysts projected Thornton as more of a mid-round pick, the Patriots not only saw it differently, they traded their second-rounder (54) and fifth-rounder (158) to move up four spots to select him. That shows how much conviction they have in Thornton, who took a late "top 30" visit to Patriots headquarters leading up to the draft. His speed will complement the top four of DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor at receiver, and he also projects to be a top candidate to return kicks. This pick brings back memories of when the Patriots traded up for speedy wide receiver/returner Bethel Johnson in the second round of the 2003 draft.

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Round 3, No. 85 overall: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston​

My take: The 5-foot-8, 174-pound Jones is a versatile defensive back with corner and safety experience, and also a top punt and kickoff returner. Nagy had highlighted Jones as a Patriots fit by saying: "He's a fun player to watch, a lot of energy, a lot of burst. One of the highest compliments you can give a DB is that he's just a 'baller' -- you can stick him anywhere. He's sticky in coverage [and] can mirror anyone. ... He's very much like [Patriots Hall of Famer] Troy Brown, just more slanted [towards] defense." Jones should be on the game-day roster as a returner and will be a candidate to contribute right away on defense in sub packages.

What's next: The Patriots traded away their second third-round pick (94) to Carolina in exchange for a late fourth-rounder (137) and a 2023 third-rounder. So that leaves them with the following picks on Saturday -- three fourth-rounders (121, 127, 137), three sixth-rounders (183, 200, 210) and a seventh-rounder (245). One of the intriguing questions will be if a punter is on the radar. They could also stand to look at a linebacker, among other positions.

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Round 4, No. 121 overall, Jack Jones, CB, Arizona State​

My take: The 5-foot-10, 171-pound Jones was a pre-draft visitor -- reflecting he was a target the Patriots wanted to add -- and he seems to highlight how scouting is a multiple-year process. Jones was a five-star recruit coming out of high school in 2016 and had many scholarship offers, and things didn't work out for him at USC based on academics. He went to junior college, then Arizona State, and the Patriots seem to be banking on bringing him back to the days when he was a sought-after recruit. Based on his more recent credentials, Jones was considered more of a late-round pick. As a fourth-round pick, he should make the Patriots' roster along with fellow rookie CB Marcus Jones, with Jalen Mills, Malcolm Butler, Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade, Terrance Mitchell and Joejuan Williams the other corners on the roster.

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Round 4, No. 127 overall, Pierre Strong Jr., RB, South Dakota State​

My take: More speed. Director of player personnel Matt Groh noted that to get faster, you need to find speedy players, and Strong qualifies after running a 4.37 time in the 40-yard dash -- tied for the best time from any running back at the NFL combine. This pick, coupled with the second-round selection of Thornton, highlights a clear strategy from the team in the draft. The Patriots viewed their team speed as deficient. Strong comes from a lower level of competition and should have some time to grow behind the scenes with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson ahead of him on the depth chart.

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Round 4, No. 137 overall: Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky​

My take: The 6-foot, 215-pound Zappe, who threw 62 touchdown passes last season and had the highest Wonderlic score among QBs this year, projects to bump Jarrett Stidham off the roster. Could he potentially threaten veteran Brian Hoyer, too? That seems unlikely, but given how Hoyer earned the No. 2 spot as an undrafted free agent in 2009, it can't be dismissed. This pick falls into the category of "It's never bad business to draft and develop QBs," as it's the most important position on the field. The one risk for the Patriots is if they prioritized it over a player who might have a more immediate impact on the field.

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Round 6, No. 183 overall: Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina​

My take: This is often right around the cut-off point where a rookie could make the roster or ultimately find himself on the practice squad, and this seems like a pick where the Patriots stayed true to the board for the best player available despite running back not being a major need. Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson and fourth-round pick Strong Jr. project as locks to make the roster, with veteran passing back James White still recovering from hip surgery. The power-running Harris will vie for a roster spot with J.J. Taylor and Devine Ozigbo, and should have the inside track based on his draft status.

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Round 6, No. 200 overall: Sam Roberts, DT, Northwest Missouri State​

My take: The 6-foot-4, 293-pound Roberts has long arms (31.5-inch) and projects as an interior sub-rusher who can create disruption in passing situations (and potentially on the field-goal block team). Albeit playing at a lower level of competition, he totaled 18.5 sacks in 38 career starts to go along with 47 tackles for a loss. Roberts isn't a lock to make the roster -- last year's sixth-round pick at 197, offensive lineman Will Sherman, spent his rookie season on the practice squad -- but he has some promising pass-rushing traits to possibly develop.

Round 6, No. 210 overall: Chasen Hines, G, LSU​

My take: The 6-foot-2, 327-pound Hines has NFL-caliber size, with a powerful build similar to 2020 sixth-round pick Mike Onwenu. Those physical traits are rare, and at this point in the draft, teams often are drafting traits with the hope they can be harnessed into something greater. Hines will be vying for a roster spot with a handful of backup linemen, such as 2021 sixth-round pick Will Sherman, and should land on the practice squad at the least. A team can never have enough linemen.

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Round 7, No. 245 overall: Andrew Stueber, OT, Michigan​

My take: Stueber is a native of Darien, Connecticut, so he's familiar with blue-collar New England ways. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said he likely slipped to this point in the draft because there isn't a standout trait that makes scouts say "wow," but he described Stueber as an efficient blocker who was a leader on Michigan's solid O-line. The 6-6, 325-pound Stueber will vie for a backup roster spot at right tackle or guard, and at the least, should find a spot on the practice squad.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

My assessment; I'm not thrilled with this draft. Hopefully, I'm proven wrong? Otherwise I can see NE regress in a division that looks like a potential power house on paper.

The positives are NE answered many of their needs. They definetely increased their speed. We definetely have some potential STs studs.

The negatives, they did overvalue picks. We'll have to wait and see if BB and now Groh outsmarted everyone? Time will tell. They didn't answer any of the defensive front 7 positions until pick 200 when they took a DT. NE has 4 DTs on the roster already. So I'm left scratching my head on getting faster where it was most needed. We needed to get faster at OLB and DE? Perkins and McGrone best be the real deal or expect a lot of the same we saw last year.

Other thoughts; RB that isn't a 3rd down back? Why? A 3rd down back was more a concern going into the draft. Not a priority.

QB? Head scratcher. Does this possibly mean Stid is now trade bait? Is there a team out there that has been asking about him? Maybe the off season isn't over yet?

All and all a solid C is the best I can give right now. Hopefully a couple of these kids overachieve and I can move my grade up to a B/B+.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Did BB find his next JE11/Welker type after the draft or the next Slater with these two UDFAs?

Miami QB/WR/RB D’Eriq King
King was an undersized quarterback at Miami. Now, he’s trying to make it as a multipositional playmaker in the NFL. He visited the Patriots during the pre-draft process and had a workout with offensive assistant Joe Judge.


Texas S Brenden Schooler
A former wide receiver who played at Oregon and Arizona before landing in Austin, Schooler ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and profiles as a potential impact player on special teams.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Other UDFAs:

Kody Russey, center, Houston​

Russey is a 6-foot-2, 292-pound interior offensive lineman. He started his career at Louisiana Tech where he started 46 games in four seasons. He earned 2020 Conference USA All-Conference First-Team honors. Russey transferred to Houston where he started all 14 games last year at center en route to earning American Second-Team All-Conference honors. He was also a team captain. (Source)

Labryan Ray, defensive end, Alabama​

Ray came to Alabama as a five-star recruit, but ran into injury issues. A 6-foot-4, 285 defensive lineman, he suffered a broken foot as a freshman. He played his entire sophomore season in 2018, but was arrested for public intoxication. The next year, he played in just three games due to a foot injury and ankle surgery. In 2020, he missed six games due to an elbow injury. Last season, Ray played 13 games, making 11 tackles but dealt with a groin injury and dislocated left elbow. (Source)
Day 3 of the NFL 2022 Draft Live:Patriots wrap up 10-player draft class

DaMarcus Mitchell, outside linebacker, Purdue​

Mitchell played linebacker and defensive end at Purdue. Last season, as a defensive end, he finished with 4.5 sacks to go with 25 tackles in nine games. In 2020, he played as a linebacker, finishing with 34 tackles in five games. Mitchell is 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, which suggests he’ll be trying to play outside linebacker in the Patriots system. Mitchell came to Purdue from Southwest Mississippi Community College. He had 71 tackles in 2019. He also played running back that season. (Source)

Liam Shanahan, center, LSU​

Shanahan is local, hailing from Marlborough, Mass. He originally went to Harvard where he started for three years at right guard and right tackle, earning All-Ivy League honors. Shanahan transferred to LSU in 2020 where he started 10 games at center, leading the team in snaps and didn’t miss a single play on offense the entire season. Last year, he started all 13 games for the Tigers at center, starting 23 games in a row for LSU. He earned a spot on the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll. (Source)

Jake Julien, punter, Eastern Michigan​

Julien is a 6-foot-2 punter who played the last five seasons at Eastern Michigan. He finished his collegiate career with 221 punts for 9,726 yards, averaging 44.0 yards per boot. Julien recorded multiple 70-plus yard punts at Eastern Michigan and landed 51 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line. At the end of last season, he played in the College Gridiron Showcase and was drafted by Ottawa.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

So who is going to be BBs diamond in the rough?

 

[YankeeRebel]

Overall Draft Grade: B-

The Pats definitely drafted position of need and team speed which is what IMO they should do. I am not an advocate of drafting best player available I would much rather draft for need. The Pats gambled no doubt about it, selections with off field issues and a fair amount of small school picks. Did we get faster oh yeah! I do like O Line was well addressed that needed to be done, nice picks at WR who with our FA tight end picks from last year could be exciting. We are loaded at RB is it possible we are going to see a different NE offense this year? Two CBs and one with safety experience were needed and I like that we went back to back and got two. Stueber might be a solid pick at RT and I watch a lot of SEC football Hines might surprise a lot of people he's a solid pick

Favorite Pick: Pierre Strong Jr. We might fall in love with this guy

 

[cheerupcharlie]

Overall Draft Grade: B-

The Pats definitely drafted position of need and team speed which is what IMO they should do. I am not an advocate of drafting best player available I would much rather draft for need. The Pats gambled no doubt about it, selections with off field issues and a fair amount of small school picks. Did we get faster oh yeah! I do like O Line was well addressed that needed to be done, nice picks at WR who with our FA tight end picks from last year could be exciting. We are loaded at RB is it possible we are going to see a different NE offense this year? Two CBs and one with safety experience were needed and I like that we went back to back and got two. Stueber might be a solid pick at RT and I watch a lot of SEC football Hines might surprise a lot of people he's a solid pick

Favorite Pick: Pierre Strong Jr. We might fall in love with this guy

Definitely agree with the Pierre Strong statement.

This draft was definitely different than most Patriots draft. Not alot of big school guys like we normally see. We drafted an incredible athletic OLineman. Top 10 in almost every category at the combine. We got tons of speed. The fastest WR and the fastest RB in the draft. We got the best return man the NFL has seen in a long time. Who could also make the transition to slot WR and be incredible with his speed and quickness. We drafted a record setting QB.

It was a wierd draft.... but who knows... fingers crossed it could be our best.

 

[BigKen]

IMO, this draft was solid B

BB didn't draft a LB because he has two rookies (Perkins and McGrone(?) who were on the IR list last year.

Damian Harris has already indicated that he will become a free agent and see how much cash he can acquire. Draft a couple of potential replacements was good planning. Who knows? Maybe one of them will start in 2022 and Harris will be a sideline anchor?

As has been said many times, the media 'experts' have been educated on how to present information to the public. Suddenly, they're all football, basketball and Hockey experts as the seasons come and go. Yet, none of them ever played a single sport. Back to the draft.

BB had positions he wanted to fill. I've seen the boards in Foxboro. The Patriots have a board of their own that puts 100 players in their ranked order and that's the Patriots' draft board not Mel Kiper's.

At least one guy got it and said yesterday, "Every year we sit here and question Bill Belichick's draft. Every year the Patriots are in the playoffs and over twenty of them were in ten (actually nine) Super Bowls and won six of them. He apparently was doing something right." Then Rich Eisen spent ten minutes fawning over the New York Jets.

By the way. Dante Scarneccia has retired but is still on the Patriots' payroll as an advisor. He was on NESN Friday and said that he will be in Foxboro for the start of OTAs and camp in July. Now that's some really good news.

 

[Southieinnc]

A lot of positive reviews from Pats fans - (except for NW.)

Add me to this list. I see players on here.
We will be roasted by media, and the Jets pronounced kings - by the media who is all based in NY. Go figure!
3) is a real steal. Everybody was hiding their interest in this player and therefor he was not on media radar.
2) As Ken said, we set ut to get fast and got the fastest WR in the draft
3) My guy. It will be exciting! Expect to see him on offense too!
4) A gamble. We met him in predraft and decided he was worth a shot. Not a throw-away pick.
5) Pierre Strong was hidden on a confusing RB draft where people were looking elsewhere. 4.37 speed should have been gone in 3rd at latest any other year
6) Bailey is best QB in this draft. Stats only? Smartest QB in the draft. Books only? Best production QB in the draft. Fluke? Show me any QB besides Burrow who had this kind of impact?
7)Don't know why we drafted him. Sheer power? ST's? Pass protection? designated practice squad dummy?
8-10) Projects, ST's, and PS.

 

[Southieinnc]

Did BB find his next JE11/Welker type after the draft or the next Slater with these two UDFAs?

Miami QB/WR/RB D’Eriq King
King was an undersized quarterback at Miami. Now, he’s trying to make it as a multipositional playmaker in the NFL. He visited the Patriots during the pre-draft process and had a workout with offensive assistant Joe Judge.


Texas S Brenden Schooler
A former wide receiver who played at Oregon and Arizona before landing in Austin, Schooler ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and profiles as a potential impact player on special teams.

I've started a UDFA Thread. Please post these guys there. TY

 

[Southieinnc]

Overall Draft Grade: B-

The Pats definitely drafted position of need and team speed which is what IMO they should do. I am not an advocate of drafting best player available I would much rather draft for need. The Pats gambled no doubt about it, selections with off field issues and a fair amount of small school picks. Did we get faster oh yeah! I do like O Line was well addressed that needed to be done, nice picks at WR who with our FA tight end picks from last year could be exciting. We are loaded at RB is it possible we are going to see a different NE offense this year? Two CBs and one with safety experience were needed and I like that we went back to back and got two. Stueber might be a solid pick at RT and I watch a lot of SEC football Hines might surprise a lot of people he's a solid pick

Favorite Pick: Pierre Strong Jr. We might fall in love with this guy

Paul Perillo, Patriots.com: Strong also a gifted receiver at SD State ... perhaps the heir to the James White throne at some point.

 

[BigKen]

Agholor says he's ready to play the slot.

That may be the best place for him. Put Meyers. Bourne and Thorton outside and Agholor roaming across the middle and Henry as the relief valve. I'm really liking the way this is coming together. Add Marcus as the fifth high octane guy to the 5 WR set and the opposition will have to defend every blade of grass on the field. Can you say "Tickled Pink?"

 

[BigKen]

PFC Draft Score for the Patriots:

New England Patriots​

• Round 1, Pick 29: Cole Strange
  G, Chattanooga
  Grade: D+
• Round 2, Pick 50: Tyquan Thornton
  WR, Baylor
  Grade: C+
• Round 3, Pick 85: Marcus Jones
  CB, Houston
  Grade: C
• Round 4, Pick 121: Jack Jones
  CB, Arizona State
  Grade: B-
• Round 4, Pick 127: Pierre Strong Jr.
  RB, South Dakota State
  Grade: B+
• Round 4, Pick 137: Bailey Zappe
  QB, Western Kentucky
  Grade: B-
• Round 6, Pick 183: Kevin Harris
  RB, South Carolina
  Grade: C+
• Round 6, Pick 200: Sam Roberts
  DT, NW Missouri State
  Grade: A
• Round 6, Pick 210: Chasen Hines
  G, LSU
  Grade: A-
• Round 7, Pick 245: Andrew Stueber
  OT, Michigan
  Grade: B+

The Patriots will do things their own way. That’s always been the case, and few drafts have emphasized that more than this one. Cole Strange, Tyquan Thornton, and Marcus Jones were all sizable reaches relative to their expected landing spots. But all three have the upside to potentially be worth those picks.

Still, if we’re grading for perceived value in the present day, the Patriots get knocked a little bit. Day 3 didn’t help a ton. Sam Roberts and Chasen Hines were excellent picks late, and Pierre Strong Jr. provides a dynamic element to the RB room. But overall, the Patriots class could’ve covered more ground.

Overall Grade: C

To see a full analysis of the Patriots draft class, check out the Patriots 2022 NFL Draft grades.

 

[YankeeRebel]

PFC Draft Score for the Patriots:

New England Patriots​

• Round 1, Pick 29: Cole Strange
  G, Chattanooga
  Grade: D+
• Round 2, Pick 50: Tyquan Thornton
  WR, Baylor
  Grade: C+
• Round 3, Pick 85: Marcus Jones
  CB, Houston
  Grade: C
• Round 4, Pick 121: Jack Jones
  CB, Arizona State
  Grade: B-
• Round 4, Pick 127: Pierre Strong Jr.
  RB, South Dakota State
  Grade: B+
• Round 4, Pick 137: Bailey Zappe
  QB, Western Kentucky
  Grade: B-
• Round 6, Pick 183: Kevin Harris
  RB, South Carolina
  Grade: C+
• Round 6, Pick 200: Sam Roberts
  DT, NW Missouri State
  Grade: A
• Round 6, Pick 210: Chasen Hines
  G, LSU
  Grade: A-
• Round 7, Pick 245: Andrew Stueber
  OT, Michigan
  Grade: B+

The Patriots will do things their own way. That’s always been the case, and few drafts have emphasized that more than this one. Cole Strange, Tyquan Thornton, and Marcus Jones were all sizable reaches relative to their expected landing spots. But all three have the upside to potentially be worth those picks.

Still, if we’re grading for perceived value in the present day, the Patriots get knocked a little bit. Day 3 didn’t help a ton. Sam Roberts and Chasen Hines were excellent picks late, and Pierre Strong Jr. provides a dynamic element to the RB room. But overall, the Patriots class could’ve covered more ground.

Overall Grade: C

To see a full analysis of the Patriots draft class, check out the Patriots 2022 NFL Draft grades.

Perceived value by whom? That's the thing the "Experts" see it one way the coach and GM another. And how is it their perceived value is more ssignificant than that of the greatest coach in history?

Could New England Patriots' top draft picks be a referendum on relative athletic score?

New England's draft showed a focus on speed in the early rounds as the NFL game trends toward being played more in space.

www.espn.com

 

[Yankee Traveler]

So who is going to be BBs diamond in the rough?

The Alabama kid, Labian Ray.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Overall Draft Grade: B-

The Pats definitely drafted position of need and team speed which is what IMO they should do. I am not an advocate of drafting best player available I would much rather draft for need. The Pats gambled no doubt about it, selections with off field issues and a fair amount of small school picks. Did we get faster oh yeah! I do like O Line was well addressed that needed to be done, nice picks at WR who with our FA tight end picks from last year could be exciting. We are loaded at RB is it possible we are going to see a different NE offense this year? Two CBs and one with safety experience were needed and I like that we went back to back and got two. Stueber might be a solid pick at RT and I watch a lot of SEC football Hines might surprise a lot of people he's a solid pick

Favorite Pick: Pierre Strong Jr. We might fall in love with this guy

I like it.
Nobody big name super flashy but good solid picks.
I really wanted Marcus Jones. Got him.


I REALLY wanted Jordon Davis, but that was never going to happen.

 

[YankeeRebel]

I like it.
Nobody big name super flashy but good solid picks.
I really wanted Marcus Jones. Got him.


I REALLY wanted Jordon Davis, but that was never going to happen.

Yeah it filled a lot of holes when you look at this draft as a whole there were a lot of selections from smaller schools, I've often wondered how many times a kid from a smaller school got overlooked and could have made it in this league.

 

[BigKen]

And how is it their perceived value is more ssignificant than that of the greatest coach in history?

That's the point I've been trying to make for the past ten years., Most of the media went to Syracuse or UCLA to get a degree in communication and nary a one played a sport of any kind. They fell into a gig and were lucky enough to get picked up by 24/7 or a newspaper and suddenly they're an expert on a professional sport. They spent hundreds of hours "reading" stuff written by people who have been at it longer but were just like them at the start. It wasn't that long ago that a new network started broadcasting in Bristol Connecticut to New England. No one knew one person on their daily or nightly shows but it didn't take long for ESPN to go national and everyone knew them. They literally made guys like Mel Kiper and Rich Eisen.

Bill Belichick has a value system that only he fully understands and he refuses to share it. The experts always said that his linebackers had to be 6'5"+ and 250 lbs.+. Now they say he's changed his value system and they have to be able to cover sideline to sideline with a WR. Here's the question. Did he change his system? Or is Belichick making adjustments to faster WR and TE catching the ball across the middle where the giant run stoppers can't keep up.

BB does things differently for sure. If the first guys taken by him turn out to be studs, the media will all say that they said the picks were odd, but they knew that Bill was again playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers. It's called "Cover My Ass."

 

[Southieinnc]

I like it.
Nobody big name super flashy but good solid picks.
I really wanted Marcus Jones. Got him.


I REALLY wanted Jordon Davis, but that was never going to happen.

Most all of these picks were award winners. Small school bias kills the experts.
I "like" all these picks. Some require looking outside the box.
Where do these reports get off rewriting each others shit and disgreeing with the greatest coach in history's 3-year assessment of guys they did not even look at? The craziest of these picks may be Bailey Zappe - who broke the all time season record for touchdowns and passing yardage!!!!!!
62 touchdowns and 6000 yards beat some guy named Joe Burrows record. Joe is getting blow jobs left and right by the media......

Media overheard muttering, "We love us some me!"

NFL Draft 'Quick-Snap' Draft Grades: Patriots 'Experts' Smarter Than Bill Belichick?

This much is true: If a critic (or you, or me) deserve some benefit of the doubt - and some time - Bill Belichick damn sure does.

www.si.com