There’s a lot of room for growth in this draft class and if enough of them hit, the Patriots’ remarkable run under Brady and Bill Belichick will be well positioned to keep running through a second decade.
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1985 New England Patriots win the AFC Championship (by oquatanginwann)
The Best of PatsPropaganda This Week
The draft has come and gone, and with rookie mini-camp this weekend, soon to be followed by the full team mini-camp, it won’t be long before we’ll be in the heart of the offseason, or as we call it, The Void.
This was really the last good week of Pats info, and from here on out we’ll all be spinning our wheels with “Training Camp Positional Battle” articles. But that’s why PatsPropaganda exists, to supply Patriots Planet with an unending stream of Pats entertainment to get us through The Void.
Here’s the best of the week:
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leads a charmed life - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN
Patriots most affected by change - ESPN Boston
Quotes from Bill Belichick after the conclusion of the draft - Extra Points - Boston.com
New England Patriots’ double wide WR redo - ESPN Boston
Breaking down where the picks might fit for the Patriots
Post-draft Patriots’ depth chart
The numbers are out, and while we wait for the first shots of the new guys in their helmets and gear, it’s never to early to judge the choices.
- Josh Boyce — No. 82: his college number, as expected, and it’s a good fit.
- Aaron Dobson — No. 17: this really bothers me, the number of two of the highest-taken wide receivers to flop with the Pats - Chad Jackson and Taylor Price. I hope Dobson can break the trend, but I certainly would’ve preferred 88.
- TJ Moe — No. 84: He’s Welker-like but the Pats didn’t give out 83, so this will have to suit for now.
- Armond Armstead — No. 97: The perfect number for a Jarvis Green-type player.
- Michael Buchanan — No. 99: Perfect choice for a potential pass-rushing defensive end.
- Logan Ryan — No. 26: Actually like this for a utility secondary guy.
- Steve Beauharnais — No. 45: 45 always seems to be the temp linebacker number. Doubt it sticks.
- Jamie Collins — No. 91: I just love this number for Collins. There needed to be a linebacker in the 90s, and 91 is the perfect fit.
Good read from Reiss on the guys most affected by the draft picks…
Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham. The 2010 second-round pick out of Florida let the team down last year with a four-game suspension, which stunted some of the momentum he had generated at the time. Upon his return, he had been passed on the depth chart by rookie free agent Justin Francis. Now with Collins and Buchanan added in the draft, and projecting to an “edge” role, Cunningham has even more competition to contend with for playing time and/or a roster spot.
Great job by NEPD keeping track of all the rookie free agent signings. Here’s who they have going to the Pats so far:
- Stephon Morris, CB, Penn State
- Quentin Hines, RB, Akron
- Zach Sudfeld, TE, Nevada
- Matt Stankiewitch, OL, Penn State
- T.J. Moe, WR, Missouri
- Josh Kline, OL, Kent State
- Brandon Jones, CB, Rutgers
- Ben Bartholomew, FB, Tennessee
- Kanorris Davis, SS, Troy
- Elvis Fisher, OT, Missouri
- Brandon Ford, TE, Clemson
- Kenbrell Thompkins, WR, Cincinnati
- Ryan Allen, P, La Tech
- Cory Grissom, DT, South Florida
- Chris McDonald, OL, Michigan State
- Dwayne Cherrington, DT, Mississippi State
- Mike Zupancic, LS, Eastern Michigan
- Ryan Osiecki, QB, New Haven (Tryout)
Our Patriots Draft Selection Reviews
Here’s some quick linkage to everything we wrote yesterday about the four new Patriots:
Grading all four of the Pats picks in one place.
How Jamie Collins fits into the Pats.
How Aaron Dobson fits into the Pats.
How Logan Ryan fits into the Pats.
How Duron Harmon fits into the Pats.
Some other overall thoughts…
I’m excited to see how they use Jamie Collins. The fact that they spent their first pick on him tells me a lot. I didn’t think defensive end was a huge need, but it seems like the desire to get more athletic trumps everything.
The fact is that the guy is an athletic freak, and I’m sure BB will find a way to maximize his talents.
WIth Ryan and Harmon joining the secondary I say just throw them all in the mix and see who emerges from training camp healthy and playing well. Ras-I Dowling better have himself a camp.
I don’t know what exactly they saw in Harmon (no one does), but it will be interesting to see where he starts out. Clearly BB values the strong safety position a lot given where offenses are headed.
Hoping they grab another receiver or two today.
