Archives for April 23, 2022

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!

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. 

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.