It’s hard to believe that April is quickly approaching. I guess that’s what happens when your football season stretches into February. Between parades and celebrations it didn’t feel like the offseason even really started until a couple of weeks ago. Ah, the spoils of being a Patriots fan.
This of course means that the draft will soon be on us. I’ve got to be honest with you guys… I’m kind of over the draft. Well, not the part where the Patriots get some new toys to play with, the lead-up part where everyone’s an expert and no one is really an expert. There are mock drafts upon mock drafts and vehement arguments about who’s a good fit and all that. I’m over it.
And with the Patriots (currently) not picking until the third round it makes all the speculation even more silly.
Anyway, I’ll still proceed with my draft research, which, since 2011 has consisted of putting together a Top 50 Patriots Prospects Board and one single glorious mock draft. You can see all of it in the menu bar above, including my tragic fall from grace last season when I got Cyrus Jones and only Cyrus Jones.
It’s Time to Talk Some Patriots DraftTruth be told I’m already behind, and not just because I don’t pay a single ounce of attention to any draft prospects before the Patriots season ends, but because I am in the midst of organizing a cross-country move back to Boston which will occur in June. So forgive me this year if my draft content isn’t quite up to the meaningless level of those doing mock drafts every single day who think they have the whole thing figured out (while those actually making the picks don’t even have it figured out).
Some things to share about what I’ve come to believe about the Patriots’ draft approach:
- Find Fits, Not Needs — this is a big one. Most mock drafts are paint-by-number in terms of finding the biggest need then plugging in the best available prospect. The Patriots don’t work that way. They look for guys who fit the program, even if it’s not a glaring area of need. See Garoppolo as a prime example as a fit-not-need pick working out well.
- Where the Football Nerds At?? — Seriously, you want to put together a list of the Patriots draftable prospects? Just compile all the team captains that are draft eligible. If they’re a “film junkie” or “have a special grasp of the game” even better. Football nerds. They love football nerds.
- Tackling/Toughness — Maybe the two biggest traits Pats’ picks have is they play tough and if they’re on defense, they’re great tacklers.
- 3-Cone Drill — Chris Price pointed out how the 3-Cone Drill seems like a favorite of the Pats. There’s no doubt they love that short area quickness which is critical in today’s NFL where getting open ASAP matters a lot. Also important for linebackers and edge players who are having to be more and more athletic these days.
- Weirdos — I believe Belichick has a special place in his heart for weirdo football players. Freaks. Guys who break the mold. He’ll even overlook injuries or suspect off-field history if he thinks a guy is a unique football player.
With all that said, I really do enjoy all the new players the Patriots will acquire in about a month. And really, it’s as much about the low end guys who won’t be drafted as it is about the popular high round guys everyone salivates over.
The Pats already have maybe the best roster in the NFL and that’s how they like to operate — to have no glaring holes going into the draft so they can just take the best players available. No matter who they draft and sign, they’ll be even better in early May than they are now.