The Patriots are a hard team to get solid info on, but one scout said strong safety could be targeted with one of their two Round 2 selections. Scouts familiar with New England’s draft plans said the team will target a stand-up pass-rusher to replace Chandler Jones with one of the Day 2 picks.
Source: Scouting Notebook: Matt Miller’s Final Team-by-Team Reports, Jared Goff Q&A
Ah, the final few days before the draft, when the misinformation flows fast and furious. The worst part about it is that I think the Patriots have an active counterintelligence program that purposely tries to fake everyone out. Regardless at this point I’d be shocked if the Pats took a strong safety and a defensive end with their first two picks.
The depth at strong safety is Patrick Chung, who just got his second new contract from the Patriots since returning in 2014. Those signs point to the team be extremely happy with his place on the team. Behind him is second-year player Jordan Richards, who showed some pop in limited defensive snaps last year.
Richards is a key player moving forward, especially if Chung’s injury history catches up to him again after two remarkably healthy seasons. That’s how close Richards could be to starting and playing a significant (early-down) presence on defense.
Tavon Wilson did leave, so I do see strong safety as a need, and while the Pats always have a penchant for drafting the position higher than anyone expects, it’s hard to see the value in taking a Chung backup/Richards competition guy when the value of the talent at vital positions like offensive and defensive tackle should be excellent where they’re drafting.
As for defensive end, I see Jabaal Sheard elevating to the starting spot as he had done in the playoffs last year. Rob Ninkovich is the other starter, but I think we could see some more rotation with him this year as I’m expecting old pal Nink to start declining sooner than later.
That’s where Chris Long comes in, and I think people will be surprised by how much he has left in the tank after two injury-riddled seasons made everyone forget how good he was. Long is ideal for Sheard’s early-season role last year as the designated pass rusher.
Then there’s the three young guys — Trey Flowers, Geneo Grissom and Rufus Johnson. All three had their moments last year, mostly in the preseason, but there’s reason for optimism that one can hopefully emerge to play a role on defense, especially with the top three guys all entering the last years of their deals.
I could see a rookie entering the competition with the other young guys, but I see the defensive tackles as far deeper and far better fits in this rookie class. Seems impossible for even a second-round rookie to get any higher than fourth on depth chart, so I’m not high on a high-round choice at defensive end. Too much redundancy.
Check out my Top-50 Draft Board here and my mock draft here.
