PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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?

BREAKING – Patriots trade Shaq Mason to Tampa Bay

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Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Wow. In a stunning move, the Patriots are reportedly trading starting Guard Shaq Mason to Tampa Bay, in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick.

I am stunned by this, and I’m really not happy about it. The move itself brings in a fifth-rounder, which let’s face it, is basically nothing. It frees up just shy of $7M cap space, but my question is why was it not possible to work out a new deal with Mason to lower his cap number this year?

This move not only should have the Bucs front office in handcuffs for committing a robbery on the Patriots organization, but, it also leaves the Patriots in flux at another key position.

The cap space created is the only real benefit here, but it could have been created in other ways. Mason was a key, consistent player, who is now reunited with Tom Brady, and has a chance to win another ring, just not in New England.

Free Agency: The Tight Endage Report – and MUCH more! from Clazzy Clare

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Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Whilst the legal tampering period was opening up, and Patriots Nation’s vision was on where will JC Jackson go (LA Chargers for 5 years at $82.5 million, with around $40 million guaranteed) not forgetting the whole, will the Patriots take a top wide receiver, part of my gaze was focused on what was happening in the tight end rooms. 

And, I was rather interested to find many of the top free agent tight ends were re-signed or tagged by their original team. Now, I appreciate you might not be quite as interested as I in this, however, with the depth at the draft this year it may be quite significant that so many teams have stayed with their existing tight ends, even the rather cap strapped Dallas Cowboys tagged Dalton Schultz, but to be fair he is quite good, but I digress. 

We all know that the tight end position is one of the tougher ones in the NFL to play, and to develop within. It is utilised in pretty much all the range of offensive plays, meaning the plate of those big 6 foot 4-5-6 guys can get rather full. 

So, a quick league wide recap of who has gone and where in the tight end market:

Arizona maintained Zach Ertz for a further 3 years at $31.65 million. The Browns franchise tagged David Njoku, as did the Dolphins with Mike Gesicki. The Colts lost their long time tight end to retirement, and so the maintaining of Mo Alie-Cox on a 3 year $18 million deal wasn’t too surprising. They may have traded away their top quarterback, but the Seahawks kept Will Dissly on a 3 year $24 million deal. There was some tight endage shuffle as the aforementioned Seahawks obtained Noah Fant in one of the biggest trades the NFL has seen for a while. Evan Engram hopped over from New York (Giants) to Jacksonville on a 1 year $9 million deal and the other New York team, the Jets, pulled C.J Uzomah from Cincinnati on a 3 year $24 million deal. 

Okay, so now I have done my public service in making sure you lovely Patriots fans are aware what has gone on in the world of tight endage, I am here to update you on the rest! Just call me Miss Unliiiiiiimited…

Moving swiftly on! 

Unfortunately, it is with a heavy heart that I write Steady Teddy, Ted Karras, has gotten paid and is on route to Cincinnati on a 3 year $18 million deal. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am happy when a great player gets paid, but when it’s at the possible sacrifice of the offensive line, I’m sorry I can’t really be THAT happy. 

The possibly, most obvious move, and perhaps the most hated by many Patriots fans so far this season, is the jetting off of cornerback JC Jackson to sunnier climates. The LA Chargers scooped him up on a long deal of 5 years at $82.5 million. 

The Patriots did some quiet maintaining whilst big name wide receivers were moving around, some were having money practically thrown at them, in particular Jacksonville giving Christian Kirk a $72 million, possibly up to $84 million, 4 year deal, but as of yet the Patriots only receiver action was a second round restricted free agent tender on Jakobi Meyers.

The Patriots quarterback room maintains some stability with Brian Hoyer on a 2 year $4 million deal, as New England retains three fan favourites, and some grounding the team needs (in my humble opinion) during this rebuild, of Devin McCourty for 1 year at $9 million, Matthew Slater on a 1 year $2.6 million deal, and (thank goodness!) Nick Folk for 2 years at $5 million. James Ferentz has reportedly signed a contract with the Patriots but the terms have not yet been announced. 

So there you have it you lovely lot, free agency frenzy so far… and it’s only Tuesday morning!