PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Linebacker

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The linebacker class this year is filled with quality, and I think many of us are hoping the Patriots will tap into that resource. 

Studying the selection at the combine, one guy really caught my eye but with the way things are transpiring, it would seem less and less likely that the Patriots will get this kid. 

The significant need, it feels is mostly cornerback, and if the Patriots want the top CB, they probably have to use their 21st pick for one. 

However, if they see something they like in a later round cornerback, and do go younger and faster at linebacker in the first, Chad Muma the linebacker out of Wyoming is on my wish list. 

But that’s a name you probably all recognise by now. He was a tackling machine in college with serious range and explosiveness. 

So, if 21 is too rich, I understand and don’t disagree. It’s just tricky when you spot such a good player, and want him on the Patriots (as well as about ten others). But to that end I’ll leave you with another decent-looking linebacker who may not be that top round talent, but could be a good back up plan maybe. 

Malcolm Rodriguez is a smaller guy at just 5’11” but the key is he wrestles. This guy may be small, but he is powerful with a high football IQ, and we all know how Bill likes them smart… I mean I don’t blame him, looks aren’t everything you know… but I digress. 

He has short arms, and this is definitely something being used to downgrade him in this draft, but his balance is great with a low centre of gravity, and he’s powerful. 

If the Patriots look at addressing cornerback and offensive line earlier on in the draft, I will be on the edge of my seat, hoping they scoop this guy up as a later round linebacker, and I kinda hope you will too!

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Offensive Line

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I know many of you may groan at the idea of the Patriots taking an offensive lineman, but a position of need is a position of need, regardless of how exciting it may be, and I kinda get excited about the O-line. It’s the protector of your most precious commodity, the quarterback. So I’m ready to make O-line sexy baby!

The trade away of possibly the top offensive lineman after Joe Thuney Shaq Mason, stunned many of us, well me anyway. The leaving of Karras stunned us less, but still upset and concerned li’l me. I personally saw the line as really decent, strong, especially if you get back a good healthy Trent Brown, which they have at the moment. But coach thought differently, and now the left side at tackle and guard looks a little sparse. 

Now, there is a guy who’s entered the roster that we haven’t seen yet in Drew Desjarlais, and I have heard some rather good things. A top guy in the CFL, released simply because he wanted to move into the NFL, Desjarlais is an unknown to most fans. Drafted 4th overall in the first round of the CFL 2019 draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was named CFL Western All-Star during his second season. In 2021, he started all 14 games, playing left guard, and Winnipeg’s line allowed the fewest sacks in the league that year.

Now, there is plenty of talent in the draft class at cornerback, linebacker, wide receiver, some of the possibly more pressing needs of the Patriots, depending upon who you ask. To that end, I am looking for them to take skill position talent earlier on, but if they didn’t, there are some quality offense guys in this year’s draft. 

I thought I’d have a look at two levels. We have the early round, they’d have to use their top pick on, and then there’s a later round kid. 

If Bill looks at an early round O-line guy there’s a smorgasbord of talent to go in the first round, I think I have one favourite, I think…

There’s the huge 6 foot 7 inches of Trevor Penning out of Northern Iowa, an epic run blocker, but with a possible drop in skill when it comes to pass protection. PFF have him projected around 35, and whilst I am but a mere fan, I think this is possibly crazy, and can’t imagine this guy dropping into the second round. He is a certifiable beast. 

A serious athlete at the offensive tackle position going into the 2022 draft is Bernhard Raimann from Central Michigan. Austrian born this 6’6” kid commenced his football career as a tight end (additional brownie points for him!) but added weight, and progressed into an athletic tackle. He’s said to have a smaller arm length than preferred at this position, but I’m pretty sure his athleticism can make up for that as he can seriously move for a big guy. 

When you’re looking at the later rounds there may be a few names to have a look at even though you aren’t getting that top of the crop talent. 

Cam Jurgens of Nebraska is a top athlete, but with a few areas he needs to develop. Plays center predominantly, but with the leaps and bounds he took recently relocating him on the line could be considered. And let’s face it, the Patriots don’t have much in the way of back up center now that Steady Teddy Karras has gone. And with his lightening speed off the snap, Jurgens could be an interior offensive lineman the Patriots might get some benefit from. 

Another late round pick out of Chattanooga is the tackle Cole Strange. He has high-end explosiveness out of his stance, and gets on defenders quickly but a lean lower half. Projected in the third round, he could definitely be someone the Patriots would have a spot to pick him up. 

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Defensive Line

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Fans call for sexy, and defense isn’t usually sexy, but they do say defense wins you championships, and who says championship winning isn’t sexy, huh?

Cornerbacks and linebackers are the defense that are on Patriots fans minds at the moment, and quite rightly, but we need a bit of further investing too, Christian Barmore needs some support!

Lawrence Guy is an epic football player but as we have touched upon recently some of the solid members of the Patriots are getting kinda older and slower. 

To that end, it maybe that Coach looks over the draft for a few line defenders. 

The Patriots seem to have a bit of a weakness when it comes to stopping the run but I have to admit the defensive line has definitely been a weakness of mine looking at the draft this year. It ranks low on my list of immediate needs. 

But even I couldn’t have missed the big run stuffer of Jordan Davis. Now to be fair, pick 21 is looking rather far-fetched after how his combine results came through, so unless there’s some craziness at the top, and Davis is still on the board when they reach 21, Patriots Nation probably need to think later for defensive line. 

Looking at a guy for the later rounds that has semblance to the Patriot’s own Guy (see what I did there) would be Phidarian Mathis out of Alabama. A great all-around skill set that makes him a plug and play option in the NFL. 

So that’s maybe the high and low(er) of the defensive line, with plenty in between. 

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Edge

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This is one of those situations where the Patriots have plenty of need, but this edge guy looks real good! 

It’s tricky at draft time. You see all those great players with potential, but your team only has so many picks. (unless you’re a KC Chiefs fan!). Not only that, but they only have one in the first round, and not surprisingly, that’s where all the guys you really like are projected to go! 

It’s an emotional time, but hey, when is being a fan not emotional, and trying, and exhausting? Okay I digress. 

The tricky thing is that I know the Patriots need a corner back, linebacker…. the list goes on, but there’s this good looking edge guy, and I don’t mean handsome but each to their own! 

George Karlaftis out of Purdue looks like, how do you say, a baller.

6’4”, 266 pounds of Greek god, if you like that kind of thing, but I mean on the field!

He is said to have significant power in his lower half and a strong pass rusher. He’s versatile with the ability to line up on the inside, are any of you drooling right now?

If not, do you want more? He jumped a 38” vertical, benched 21 reps and his broad jump was 10’1”, not to mention at the combine, he ran great run drills, lovely range of movement, and solid ball skills. 

So maybe this is one of those situations where, if the top cornerbacks have all been plucked, maybe nab this quality guy, kinda thing. If not, so be it. I know the Patriots have plenty of holes to fill. But I tell you what, whichever team picks him up are going to have themselves one fantastic edge guy.

Stay tuned for more draft opinions here at Pats Propaganda!

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Cornerbacks

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback has been a bit of a controversy in New England for a year or two now. 

First the Gilmore thing. Surely the Patriots won’t let their top MVP cornerback leave… ah he wants lots of cash without showing how his injury recovery is going. Yeah, Bill isn’t too fond of…. Oh, okay he went to the Panthers (and now the Colts).

Then, can JC step up? Undrafted out of Maryland in 2018, is he a cornerback 1? 

With his new title of Mr Interception he’s a quality player. Now, let’s see if the Pats franchise tag him…. No? Okay…. Oh dear, he’s on social media saying he needs to get paid…. Okay so we need a cornerback in free agency… Okay, maybe the draft… Yep, JC is off to get paid by the Chargers.

But hey, Malcom Butler is back. Is that good, bad or even relevant? 

Pushing those papers aside, it’s not beyond the realms of reasonable that many are hoping, thinking, wanting, needing a cornerback at pick number 21 in the 2022 NFL draft (only effective if you do it in your head in a Roger Godell kinda tone) for the Patriots. 

I’m guessing you all have your eyes on Andrew Booth, Sauce Gardner and possibly my favourite top round pick guy, Trent McDuffie.

BUT, what if the Patriots do that thing where they don’t chose the position you want them to, and Bill nabs one of those really huge line guys?

So let me tell you about a later round guy, someone you can look at and see if you fancy a piece of him as plan B maybe, or C or even F… 

Coby Bryant out of Cincinnati. Now, before anyone gets upset with me I am not saying this kid is who the Patriots should take instead of one of the top round guys, I want a top class cornerback as much as the next Patriots fan. What I am hoping to do is just show you one of the players who I took a shine to at the combine, who, if they took him later on, I’d be interested to see what he can do on an NFL field. 

If you like your stats, then I can tell you he measures in at 6’1 3/8”. At the combine, his bench rep number was 17, he ran his 40 in 4.54 and had a one handed catch on his short zone break. His gauntlet was smooth, and his backpedal on the short zone break was really good. He had great ball skills and he stood out to me. 

Okay, so that is only a small window into what a player can do, and I fully appreciate that. As fans, there is only so much we have access to, and this is just my opinion folks. 

PFF have him ranked at 177, his pros are that he tracks the ball well, like a wide receiver – great for interceptions. He is a willing hitter, so has quality form as a tackler, but he is an average athlete. I don’t know about you, but those pluses sound rather good, and maybe the athleticism thing could be worked on?

Like I said, this is just an opinion piece to get your pondering juices flowing, and I hope you enjoyed it! Keep your eyes peeled as I delve into the draft class of 2022 a little more for some light entertainment!

Patriots Mock Draft Check-In

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(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

We’re under two weeks away from the 2022 NFL Draft, and I can’t wait! The Patriots currently have 8 picks in the draft, but we’re going to focus on their first pick, number 21 overall in the first round. Let’s take a look at some of the latest projections from the NFL media, and me and Clare!

Mel Kiper – ESPN – LB Devin Lloyd (Utah)

Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press

I thought about a wide receiver and cornerback here, but Lloyd just feels like a Bill Belichick-type player. He’s always around the ball, is a great blitzer from the middle of the defense and makes plays. The Patriots allowed 4.5 yards per carry last season, which ranked 25th in the league. This fills a void with an impact player.

Mel Kiper

Mike Dussault – Patriots.com – G Zion Johnson (Boston College)

Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

With the departure of their two starting guards from 2021, the position has rapidly become an important need even with Michael Onwenu in the mix for one of the spots. Johnson could not only immediately fill the other guard spot, but also offer some tackle position versatility, a big plus with two starting tackles that have battled injuries in the past. Johnson is as much of a sure thing as there is in this draft and checks all the boxes as far as fit in New England.

Mike Dussault

Peter Schrager – Good Morning Football

Johnson’s stock began to soar at the combine, and I’m hearing he’s interviewing incredibly well with teams. He can play center or guard and has a high football IQ. I think the Patriots can go a variety of ways (bold take!), but beefing up their offensive line and getting Mac Jones another protector up front makes sense.

Peter Schrager

Tom Shaw-Mellors – PatsPropaganda

I’m going to join both Mike and Peter with my projection that Johnson will be the Patriots’ pick at number 21. I was lucky to see him in action in his final College game against Wake Forest in November, he’s a big boy, and will for sure fill an important position of need for the Pats.

It might not be a sexy pick for the first round, but you can’t deny a starting guard would be a welcome addition to the offensive front following the departures of Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason in back-to-back off-seasons.

Tom Shaw-Mellors

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com – G Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)

Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Total Patriots pick right here. Green is big (6-4, 325), tough and reliable, with multi-position flexibility if needed. He’s an early starter with Pro Bowl potential.

Lance Zierlein

Todd McShay – ESPN – LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

New England could use a spark in the middle of the defense. Dean might not have the measurables that NFL teams seek — he is 5-foot-11 with shorter arms — but his tape might be my favorite in the entire class because of his incredible effort on every play and the way he can impact the run defense, pass defense and pass rush on any given set of downs. I think he’d be a star in coach Bill Belichick’s system.

Todd McShay

Clare Cooper – PatsPropaganda – CB Trent McDuffie (Wisconsin)

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

This draft has me so torn with some great talent and a vast number of holes to plug for the Patriots. I believe they need to get some defensive weapons such as cornerback and even maybe linebacker but the offensive line has me the most nervous. I have a serious internal conflict as I kind of want them to take an olineman such as Bernhard Raimann or Trevor Penning… but at the same time Trent McDuffie of a Washington would be a fantastic addition.

If the top CBs are gone at 21 and one of those o-line guys are around then I would be happy enough especially if they pick up Coby Bryant of Cincinnati later on. But bottom line, 21st pick for the Patriots… a top CB please, McDuffie if he’s still on the menu.

Clare Cooper

Ryan Wilson – CBS

Even though McDuffie balled out on the outside for the Huskies this season, we get Tyrann Matthieu vibes when we watch him. He has the athleticism to line up anywhere — and he told us at the combine that he can do just that at the next level. McDuffie is one of the best cornerbacks in this class and feels like a natural fit in New England.

Ryan Wilson

Josh Edwards – CBS – CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Belichick has always valued bigger cornerbacks that can play on the boundary. They acquired DeVante Parker from Miami so a need at wide receiver has diminished but cornerback still looms. Elam can step in and be counted upon much in the same way as Stephon Gilmore or J.C. Jackson.

Josh Edwards

Anthony Treash – PFF – CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Booth doesn’t quite have the lockdown numbers as some of the other top corner prospects in this class, as he allowed 329 yards across 288 coverage snaps in 2021. However, he does have the tools worth taking a swing on in the first round.

The 2019 five-star recruit has exceptional feet, good length and brings the physicality out on the field. Booth also made up for lost time down the stretch of 2021, as he combined for five interceptions and pass breakups in his final three starts.

Andrew Treash

Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com – WR Jameson Williams (Alabama)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Patriots need to get more dynamic weapons for Mac Jones. Though he’s currently recovering from a torn ACL, Williams has elite top speed and toughness.

Daniel Jeremiah

So that’s it then at fullback… or is it?

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Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots reportedly are not utilising a traditional fullback in the 2022 season, but fullback aficionados do not worry just yet.

We see from the coaching staff that coach Bill may not be one for ‘labels’, and so in that narrative there may be a lot less for fullback fans to worry about.

Now, that’s not to say the loss of Jakob Johnson isn’t significant. He was a really good Patriots player, who last season developed his skill set by making a few catches, as well as his impact on the run game.

And it would seem his former Offensive Co-ordinator sees his value, as Johnson makes his way to Vegas to join Josh McDaniels and the Raiders. 

So, where does that leave us Patriots fans huh?

You may, or may not recall, this humble writer/podcaster has been on the “Dalton Keene for fullback” hill for a while. I sat here kind of alone for a bit, but many seem to be pondering this option and that’s great, just as I’m thinking of heading down…

Now hear me out folks, I haven’t given up on the 22 year old from Virginia Tech, I just have concerns over his injury history. He has been in the Patriots system for two years now, and it feels like 2022 might have to be a show or go year. 

So there we have option one… do you wanna see what’s behind door number two…

It’s someone who is also already in the Patriots system, it’s Jonnu Smith! But you probably guessed that too. 

Smith came over on quite a large contract for four years, and had as many touchdowns in 2021 for the Patriots as JC Jackson did… not ideal. However, this chap is an immense athlete, and has the potential to be rather versatile, did someone say weapon? No, good, that’s not my favourite term to be honest. 

Okay I jest, but seriously, we know he is a good player, we have seen it, in fits and starts we just need some constancy and development, and hopefully training camp 2022 will showcase a bit of this. 

Smith’s blocking abilities are a little lacking in comparison to Johnson, but with the strength of the running backs like Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson it may pale into insignificance.

And that is sort of door number three, power running backs. There are plenty of holes in the roster to fill but the work out of Leonard Fournette, even though he went back to the Bucs, shows that depth at that position could be extra important as the duties of the running backs could evolve a little, there’s that versatility again. 

Another guy sitting on the Patriots roster, with some H-back kinda qualities is Nebraska’s Devine Ozigbo. At 6 foot 2, and 225 pounds he’s got some height there, and some talent, but as a Patriot he’s an unseen entity at present. 

So there you have it fullback fans, there are many options to get yourself excited about, maybe?