PatsPropaganda

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Don’t know if you’re fielding questions this Friday, but I’m curious if you think there were any players in the first round who had realistic chance of slipping to the Patriots, that they would have drafted instead of making the trade with the Vikings.

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I’m always taking questions, sorry for being a little MIA this week, dealing with some personal issues that have now been resolved.

As for your question, it’s tough to say. Considering what the Vikings gave up, they really made the Patriots draft. I’d still love to think that if Datone Jones was there on the board they might’ve taken him, but it seems clear to me now that the priority was solving the linebacker coverage issue, not the interior rush issue. At least they must feel good about Tommy Kelly and Armond Armstead and what they can bring to the fold from an interior rush perspective. 

I just didn’t think they’d pounce that highly on a coverage linebacker that high, which is somewhat foolish in hindsight because it was statistically the most glaring hole left to be filled. No one knows how Jamie Collins will fit in, including the coaches, but it seems clear he will be a big part of sub-packages early on, moreso for his coverage than his pass rushing explosiveness.

But ultimately the trade with the Vikings was far better than any chance they might’ve taken on any particular player.

Setting the Patriots’ rookie camp roster

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Setting the Patriots’ rookie camp roster

The numbers are out, and while we wait for the first shots of the new guys in their helmets and gear, it’s never to early to judge the choices.

  • Josh Boyce – No. 82: his college number, as expected, and it’s a good fit. 
  • Aaron Dobson – No. 17: this really bothers me, the number of two of the highest-taken wide receivers to flop with the Pats – Chad Jackson and Taylor Price. I hope Dobson can break the trend, but I certainly would’ve preferred 88.
  • TJ Moe – No. 84: He’s Welker-like but the Pats didn’t give out 83, so this will have to suit for now.
  • Armond Armstead – No. 97: The perfect number for a Jarvis Green-type player.
  • Michael Buchanan – No. 99: Perfect choice for a potential pass-rushing defensive end.
  • Logan Ryan – No. 26: Actually like this for a utility secondary guy.
  • Steve Beauharnais – No. 45: 45 always seems to be the temp linebacker number. Doubt it sticks.
  • Jamie Collins – No. 91: I just love this number for Collins. There needed to be a linebacker in the 90s, and 91 is the perfect fit.

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I’ve seen him cover running backs and tight ends and wide receivers in the slot,” Duggan said of Collins, who 18 passes defensed and three picks (two returned for touchdowns) over the course of his career at USM. “He understands pass coverage assignments, and he’s so strong that when he gets his hands on you, you aren’t moving. But he also has really good speed and good bend, and he can cover with the best of them. Tight ends, he can match up with them. He’s really fast and really athletic and really strong.

patriots – Cover me: Jamie Collins could play integral role on Pats’ defense as rookie – WEEI | Christopher Price

Great read from Christopher Price. I wrote a lot about the need for a coverage linebacker this offseason, and really, when you look at the stats, it was their biggest coverage problem the last two seasons.

Football Outsiders had the Pats ranked 30th against “Other WR”, 29th vs. TEs, and 23rd vs. Running Backs in 2012. So Collins is explosive and everyone is imagining him as a pass rusher, if he can help in coverage, he could make a huge instant impact.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/ive-seen-him-cover-running-backs-and-tight-ends/