I often get stuck diving into draft research and only using it to compile my Top 50 Patriots-only Big Board. It’s hard to believe this will be the ninth year I’ve done one and it’s always a great distraction from the depths of the offseason to see what kind of new toys might be out there for the Pats.
Let’s take a pause from compiling the 50 (I’m at 37!) and look at a few guys who have tickled my fancy thus far!
From yesterday: 5 Draft Needs
Deebo Samuel – WR – South Carolina
Samuel is one of those guys who is just wired to play football with infectious competitiveness. Add in that he’s a kick returner as well and Deebo would
NFL.com overview:
Tyshun “Deebo” Samuel lives up to his nickname (it comes from a tough guy in the movie “Friday”) and plays each game like he’s stepping into an alley fight. While Samuel is tough and competitive, he lacks suddenness and might need scheme help with motion and bunch formations to help free him against NFL man coverage. He is a gamer who thrives once the ball is in his hands, and he might be able to help a team from the slot if he can stay healthy.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/deebo-samuel?id=32195341-4d63-6097-eab1-34810e00be67
Jerry Tillery – Notre Dame – DL
Tillery is an intriguing fit up front, certainly at a spot where the Patriots could use some depth to help Mike Pennel to replace Malcom Brown. At 6’6″ 295 pounds and 34 1/4 arms he could play both defensive tackle and defensive end in the Patriots’ various fronts, potentially making him a three-down player.
Tillery is a projection-based prospect with first-class traits and dominant potential, but he’s still searching for more consistency from game to game. While his frame is suited for a role as an end in a classic 3-4 scheme, he has plenty of tape showing he shouldn’t be scheme dependent on the next level. Scouts would like to see more dominant tape considering his size and power, but if he takes coaching and learns to unleash his hands, he could become an unruly interior force and good three-down starter.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jerry-tillery?id=32195449-4c18-9606-c437-604f05433c81
Taylor Rapp – Washington – Safety
My early impression is that this is a good class to add a promising young safety from. Rapp shares a lot of similar traits with Patrick Chung both on and off the field. Most importantly, he’s a physical and sure tackler, a defining trait of Chung’s game. Rapp might need a year of dimeback and special teams work, but he would be a nice piece to groom for the future.
Versatile three-year starter who combines tenacity with football intelligence to play at a consistently high level. Rapp isn’t big, but he’s well-built and durability hasn’t been a concern despite his physical nature as a striker. He played all over the field this year and might be best-suited in a mix between down safety and two-high looks with the ability to cover tight ends. His coverage talent is average, but his run support effort and open-field tackling are clearly defined strengths that make him a relatively safe selection.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/taylor-rapp?id=32195241-5050-5098-ef4c-235f382d663d
Andre Dillard – Tackle – Washington
Sticking with the Huskies here with an experienced tackle like Dillard who was a four-year starter and has terrific athleticism. He’s unlikely to last until 32, but it’s hard not to fantasize how much he’d help the tackle group. A cheaper option might be Cody Ford, who is athletic and nasty. Keep a close eye on this tackle group.
Talented four-year starter at left tackle with outstanding feet who offers an instant athletic upgrade for teams getting battered from the blind-side. Because of his scheme, Dillard will be a little behind in terms of his feel for set points and firing off the ball in the run game. While he could play with a little more ferocity as a finisher, he has the athletic ability to make all the blocks and the protection talent to become a good, early starter on the left side.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/andre-dillard?id=32194449-4c18-6167-8a82-fd2a79031894
Will Grier – WVU – Quarterback
It’s okay to dream about who might be the next Jimmy Garoppolo and Grier has impressive arm strength with all the leadership traits you look for. The Patriots have met with Grier, which isn’t huge news but he’s at least on their radar. Until Brady is officially done it makes the most sense to look for a quarterback who can run the kind of offense Brady has around him. For that reason guys like Grier and Easton Stick are ones to keep an eye on.
Grier benefited from the West Virginia system, but that same system definitely benefited from his time there. He is a confident leader who would much rather press for the big throw than play it safe underneath. His lack of plus arm talent and release quickness might not match his gunslinger mentality against an NFL secondary. Grier will have to win from the pocket, which means working the middle of the field with better anticipation and getting rid of the ball much sooner. His disappointing Senior Bowl and combine performances have likely hurt his stock.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/will-grier?id=32194752-4902-2415-512e-3cae73b00f0f
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