The PatsPropaganda Podcast returns with old friend and author of Bill Belichick vs the NFL, Erik Frenz, to discuss the Patriots 2017 draft picks and how the team is shaping up.
Quick Hits on Patriots Undrafted Free Agent Signees
Every year, no matter how stacked the Patriots seem to be, an undrafted rookie makes the team and finds a way to contribute. None have been more famous than Malcolm Butler, who was making plays on the ball from his earliest days in training camp, and ended the season making then biggest play on the ball in Patriots history.
Who will be this year’s Malcolm Butler? With the Pats selecting just four players in the draft, there’s more opportunity than ever for an unknown to fill a significant role.
Here are a bunch of quick hits on the undrafted rookies the Patriots have reportedly signed so far.
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Patriots Draft OT Conor McDermott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n5oVsSBiYY
After taking offensive tackle Antonio Garcia 85th overall, the Patriots took another athletic blind sider in Conor McDermott at 211th overall.
Like Nate Solder before him, McDermott is a former tight end who’s also 6′ 8″. He’s athletic but “thin-legged” and scouts worry about him being able to hold up to NFL power.
He’ll work with Dante Scarnecchia for at least a year, but it’s good to know that with the retirement of Sebastian Vollmer and Solder entering the final year of his year there’s two good athletic prospects in the pipeline.
Patriots Draft DE Dietrich Wise 131st Overall
The Patriots double dipped for the front seven with their third pick in the 2017 NFL draft, taking defensive end Dietrich Wise from Arkansas.
While Derek Rivers seems more in the Jamie Collins mold, Wise feels a little more like Chandler Jones. Not quite as athletic as Jones, but perhaps more stout via his uncommonly long 35 inch arms.
There’s some question as to how exactly he’ll fit in the New England defense, but he’s demonstrated some versatility and should be an asset. I’m curious to see him inside on passing downs instead of say, Malcom Brown.
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Patriots Draft OT Antonio Garcia
The Patriots traded back up into the third round on Friday to select offensive tackle Antonio Garcia from Troy.
Garcia was someone I had on my Top-50 Patriots board and it would appear he’ll be groomed in 2017 to (potentially) take over for Nate Solder in 2018. The team made a similar move with Solder and Matt Light in 2011, but even then Solder was thrust into action early in replacement of Sebastian Vollmer and was solid.
Two words that come up in every Garcia scouting report? Athletic and nasty. That’s perfect Patriots pudding for an offensive linemen. The infusion of depth now that Vollmer has retired was much-needed and now it would appear that losing Solder to injury won’t necessary be the death sentence it was in 2015.
What’s most impressive about Garcia is how he played against the big schools, shutting down NFL-calibre pass rushers from Clemson (2016), Ohio State (2016), NC State (2015) and Wisconsin (2015).
Patriots Draft DE Derek Rivers
After a never-ending wait, the Patriots finally made their first selection of the 2017 NFL Draft taking Derek Rivers, a DE/OLB out of Youngstown State 83rd overall.
This fills what I considered their biggest need of draft — replacing Jamie Collins. Rivers isn’t quite the combine freak Collins was, but he’s not far behind. He played mostly as a hand-down left defensive end in college, but has the athleticism that he should be able to play in space a bit for the Pats.
And oh yeah, he’s a PASS RUSHER and who doesn’t love those? The front seven needed a bit of an athletic boost and that’s just what they’re getting from Rivers after some time to develop.
PatsPropaganda 2017 Mock Draft
The NFL draft is finally upon us! Though the Patriots don’t currently have a first or second round pick, history tells us that won’t stop them from finding players who can not only make the team, but contribute.
My big board features a list of 50 players that I feel are the best fits for the Patriots. While I don’t believe the Patriots put as much consideration into needs as we might think, the fact remains that there are only so many roster spots up for grabs, so here in my one and only mock draft I do factor in what I see as needs.
Generally, this is how I see those needs:
- Linebacker – The team didn’t fill the hole Jamie Collins left through free agency. While Dont’a Hightower can play three downs, Kyle Van Noy was used as a third down coverage specialist and occasional blitzer, while rookie Elandon Roberts carved out an early down run stopping role. Shea McClellin has versatility but was average-at-best in his first season. Jonathan Freeny got an extension last season, but was outplayed by Roberts in his absence. Finding someone in the mold of Hightower/Collins is important, especially given Hightower’s injury history.
- Edge – I do like the current three-man rotation of Ninkovich, Flowers and Ealy, but only Flowers is under contract past 2017 so developing another edge player is important this season. Geneo Grissom could get a look in this role as well.
- Slot Corner – The top trio of Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe are better suited outside, while Justin Coleman and Cyrus Jones will compete in the slot. The Pats always draft defensive backs regardless of level of need and adding another slot guy/special teamer should be in the cards.
- 3rd TE – The top duo of Gronk and Allen are very solid, but we’re all aware of Gronk’s injury history. Adding another big tight end to the pipeline is important.
- Safety – Jordan Richards seemed to regress last season, and while the top trio of safeties are very good, finding a backup strong safety who could potentially step into a box/slot role if Chung should get hurt would be good insurance.
Yes, signs are pointing to a defense-heavy draft which gets me incredibly excited and leads me to believe it will be far more offense-focused than we think (Belichick always seems to zag when we think he’ll zig).
This week is really the highlight of the offseason and it comes at about the halfway point. The 2017 Patriots will be in even clearer focus by this time next week. It should be thrilling and surprising to watch it all unfold.
Here’s my one and only mock draft of the season!