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Patriots Tweets Of Note: OTAs 06/07/22

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Tweets Of Note is back! I’ll be covering tweets from reporters present at all three OTA practices this week starting with what went down at today’s first mandatory session.

Mike D offers a great view from his vantage point today, covering the action for Patriots Unfiltered!

An interesting note by Mike Onwenu is that he’s been continuing to work at both guard and tackle during his time away, it could be a big year for him in the offensive front.

Bourne was one of the most notable absentees from today’s first mandatory session, although the consensus is that he’ll be back on the field in the coming days. I thought Harry may have sat out, but he was also there, but I think he’ll be traded by the start of Training Camp.

It will be interesting to see if this is a thing Mac keeps going throughout the summer, or if it’s more of an OTA pre-camp thing, but the extra work won’t hurt, and it sounded like he made some nice plays today. Expectations are tempered here, no pads, it’s not real football yet.

Some nice action shots on the Spanish Pats account!

A lot of reports mentioned this play from Jones to Nixon, the latter of which spent his rookie season on the practice squad.

An interesting bit from Bill’s presser today, I wonder if Cam Newton wished they would have done this when he was in New England?

Yes! A bit of aggression early on, involving this year’s first-round pick Cole Strange.

This is indeed new, something to watch as the summer rolls on, Wynn is heading into the final year of his contract, having really underwhelmed by my expectations in a Patriots uniform, I don’t really know what his season is shaping up to be. We’ll see.

More tomorrow, Go Pats!

Addition by Subtraction? A Pats recap by Clazzy Clare

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Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, following the draft the Patriots have added to their roster with several of the draft selections already signing contracts, but is it the players who have left that’s of more significance?

(For a full draft recap see the great work from Tom Shaw-Mellors https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-2022-draft-recap/)

Going back aways the Patriots said bye bye to Chase Winovich for Mack Wilson — bit of addition by subtraction — kinda. Maybe just a like for like in regards to player talent, but time will tell. It would seem both guys needed a change of scenery so expectation may not be too high. 

Ted Karras and Shaq Mason — you know what, it’s still too fresh, I can’t talk about their departure from Foxborough just yet…

But the Patriots and the NFL, did poach a shining prospect in Drew Desjarlais, top offensive lineman from the CFL. They also added depth to the wide receiver room with DeVante Parker heading over from Miami. 

Terrence Mitchell, Jabrill Peppers, and Malcom Butler came over to put a bit of extra experience in the defence, with the Patriots not signing one linebacker in the draft. They picked up the UDFA DaMarcus Mitchell, who is noted as a DE, but did play in the linebacker position at Purdue, but it’s looking like all those year two chaps might have some time to shine in 2022. 

Jarrett Stidham recently joined the slew of participants on the bus to Las Vegas, catching up with the likes of Brandon Bolden and Jakob Johnson who departed New England as free agents. And whilst we are talking about it, other past Patriots have been drawn to the bright lights of Sin City and Josh McDaniels, with the Raiders signing Chandler Jones, Duron Harmon, Jacob Hollister, Tashawn Bower and Cre’van LeBlanc. Not to mention a stack of coach and personnel peeps too! 

And how can I forget, the release of the very versatile Devine Ozigbo, who was another casualty of the draft with running back being a double dip position. 

But you know what they did bring in !?!?!? A tight end!! Yeah okay, I’m not that excited by Matt Sokol really, yet, he hasn’t played many games in the NFL after being picked up as an UDFA by the Chargers in 2018, but he’s said to be a great blocker and we all know how much I like those! Probably a bit of a practice squad addition really, indicating it’s a good chance Troy Fumagali isn’t on his return stint to New England, but with the revolving door that is training camp, you never know. 

Whilst some fans wait to see if N’Keal Harry gets on the Vegas bus, or any other for that matter, some of us wonder if Devin Asiasi has a ticket out of Foxborough too. Some even believe Nelson Agholor could be another candidate for exit. Agholor did help the offence last year by drawing coverage, but there’s a possibility that role could be filled with the addition of the speedy receiver in the draft of Tyquan Thornton. I feel it’s a catch-22 situation, they spent a lot of cap on him to give up after just one year, but there’s the catch, spent a lot. So moving on from him could free up some cap. According the fantastic @patscap Miguel Benzan, releasing Nelson Agholor in 2022 could create $3.9M, trading him opens $8.9M and extending him (I know, I know that’s the opposite, but it’s for informational purposes!) $3.94M. 

It’s still all kinds of “ifs and butts and candy and nuts” right now, but the schedule is out and we have games on the calendar, it’s beginning to smell a lot like football!

Patriots 2022 Draft Recap

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Well the 2022 NFL Draft has been and gone, let’s take a look at every pick made by the Patriots!

Round 1 – Pick 29 – C/G Cole Strange (Chattanooga)

Many were surprised (me included) that the Patriots went with Strange, not so much the guard position itself, I just didn’t think the team would go with him in the first round. I think a defensive player such as Trent McDuffie, who was available before the Patriots traded down from 21, would have been a better pick in terms of value.

But, the pick was made and Strange will head into Training Camp with the expectation of being a day 1 starter for the franchise at the guard position.

Mike Reiss’ Bio:

Round 2 – Pick 50 – WR Tyquan Thornton (Baylor)

A speedy WR for the Patriots? YUP! The Pats traded up four spots to land the fastest wideout in the entire draft, taking Tyquan Thornton out of Baylor. I’m intrigued by this pick, Thornton has elite speed but comes with some questions about his catch/route run ability.

With good production last year, Thornton could become the go-to deep threat option, especially with Nelson Agholor’s contract up at the end of the 2022 season.

Mike Reiss’ Bio:

[Read more…] about Patriots 2022 Draft Recap

Patriots Draft Guard Cole Strange In First Round of 2022 NFL Draft

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Wow, somewhat of a stunner by the Patriots as they take a projected Day 2 pick in the first round. Originally the Pats traded down eight spots with Kansas City, and with the likes of Nakobe Dean, Dax Hill, and Anthony Booth Jr still on the board, Bill decided to fill the interior line position.

I won’t lie, I don’t like the pick this high, I think there is more elite talent on the board, however, the team hasn’t been afraid to reach a little for players they really like, I guess we’ll see.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1519879317064364033?s=20&t=EMj_gJDDXwtpBSr51bEjAQ

Remaining Patriots Picks:

Round 2-54
Round 3-85
Round 3-94
Round 4-121
Round 4-127
Round 5-158
Round 6-183
Round 6-200
Round 6-210
Round 7-245

Patriots Draft Fits

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Credit: SportingNews

With the 2022 NFL draft just days away lets take a look at a list of potential Patriots fits. Anything marked with an asterisk (*) is not only a fit, but should be on the big board.

WR

*Jahan Dotson – Penn State (Day 2)

*John Metchie – Alabama (Day 2)

Calvin Austin – Memphis (Day 3)

*George Pickens – Georgia (3rd-4th)

Alec Pierce – Cincy (3rd-4th)

*Kyle Phillips – UCLA (Day 3)

*Khalil Shakir – Boise State(Day 3)

Romeo Doubs – Nevada (Day 3)

*Jaquarri Roberson – Wake Forest (Day 3)

*Bo Melton – Rutgers (Day 3)

*Slade Bolden – Alabama (Day 3/UDFA)

OT

*Trevor Penning – Northern Iowa (1-2)

Daniel Faalele – Minnesota (Day 2)

Darian Kinnard – Kentucky (Day 2)

*Zach Tom – Wake Forest (Day 3)

Kellen Diesch – Arizona State (Day 3)

Dare Rosenthal – LSU (Day 3)

Tyler Vrabel – BC (Day 3)

*Vederian Lowe – Illinois (Day 3/UDFA)

CB

*Andrew Booth – Clemson (1)

*Kaiir Elam – Florida (1-2)

*Roger McCreary – Auburn (1-2)

*Coby Bryant – Cincy (Day 2)

Tariq Woolen – UTSA (Day 2)

*Cam Taylor Britt – Nebraska (Day 3)

*Zyon McCollum – Sam Houston (Day 3)

*Marcus Jones – Houston (Day 3)

*Josh Jobe – Alabama (Day 3)

Jack Jones – Arizona State (Day 3)

Jalyn Armour Davis – Alabama (Day 3)

Kyler McMichael – UNC (6-7)

LB

Nakobe Dean – Georgia (1)

*Christian Harris – Alabama (Day 2)

Brandon Smith – Penn State (Day 2)

*Brian Asamoah – Oklahoma (Day 2)

*Chad Muma – Wyoming (Day 2)

Leo Chenal – Wisconsin (Day2/3)

*Quay Walker – Georgia (Day 2)

*Troy Anderson – Montana State (Day 2/3)

*Channing Tindall – Georgia (Day 2)

Damone Clark – LSU (Day 3)

Mike Jones – LSU (Day 3)

*Micah McFadden – Indiana (Day 3)

OG

*Zion Johnson – BC (1)

*Andrew Stueber – Michigan (Day 2)

Ed Ingram – LSU (Day 2)

*Cole Strange – Chattanooga (Day 2/3)

*Dylan Parham – Memphis (Day 2/3)

**Jamaree Salyer – Georgia (Day 2/3)

*Ben Petrula – BC (7/UDFA)

*Alec Lindstrom – BC (Day3)

IDL

Jordan Davis – Georgia (1)

Devonte Wyatt – Georgia (1)

Perrion Winfrey – Oklahoma (Day2)

*Travis Jones – UConn (Day 2)

*Phidarian Mathis – Alabama (Day 2)

S

*Daxton Hill – Michigan (1/2)

Jaquan Brisker – Penn State (Day 2)

Lewis Cine – Georgia (Day 2)

DE

Jermaine Johnson – FSU (2)

Boye Mafe – Minnesota (2)

*Nik Bonitto – Oklahoma (Day 2)

Kingsley Enagbare – South Carolina (Day 2)

*Drake Jackson – USC (Day 2)

Josh Pascal – Kentucky (Day 2)

QB

Bailey Zappe – Western Kentucky (Day 3)

Jack Coan – Notre Dame (UDFA)

RB

Ty Chandler – UNC (Day 3)

*Hassan Haskins – Michigan (Day 3)

*Kyren Williams – Notre Dame (Day 3)

*James Cook – Georgia (Day 3)

Sincere McCormick – UTSA (Day 3)

*Brian Robinson – Alabama (Day 3)

Tyler Badie – Missouri (Day 3)

Jerrion Ealy – Ole Miss (7/UDFA)

Tight End

Trae Barry – BC (UDFA)

Chigoziem Okonkwo – Maryland (6-7)

Other/Late Flyer/UDFA

Matt Araiza – SDSU Punter (6-7)

Connor Heyward – Michigan State FB/TE (7)

Britain Covey – Utah WR (7-UDFA)

Bubba Bolden – Miami Safety (Day 3)

CJ Verdell – Oregon RB (7/UDFA)

Steven Gilmore – Marshall CB stephon’s brother (Late Day 3)

Josh Sills – Okla State IOL (Day 3)

Josh Ross – Michigan LB (Day 3)

Trestan Ebner – Baylor RB (UDFA)

EJ Perry – Brown QB (UDFA)

Coby Tippett – URI CB (UDFA)

Jared Bernhardt – Ferris St QB (UDFA)

James Houston – Jackson St Edge (7-UDFA)

Josh Onujiogu – Framingham St. Edge (UDFA)

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Tight End

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Now you know I couldn’t write any draft articles and not tell you all about some of the tight ends for this year. 

Whilst I know the Patriots early round picks need to be spent elsewhere, and I’m not in any argument, I want me a cornerback and some offensive line please. But, late round picks, undrafted guys…. I fancy a spot of that.

If you are a team who needs an earlier round tight end, you are going to be hearing names like Trey McBride of Colorado State, a complete tight end who is projected to go early in the third round. Second to him would be Greg Dulcich of UCLA projected to go around 70th, mentioned at the combine by Daniel Jeremiah as his number one tight end. These guys are both quality tight ends, but the Patriots aren’t going to be looking at these boys. 

Further down the ranks, moving into the later rounds such as a projected fourth, is one guy I had my eye on, and that is Daniel Bellinger from San Diego State. A traditional Y tight end, a great blocker at 6 foot 5 and 253 pounds with very sure hands. He has been an afterthought in the pass attacks, so has a low yard average. 

A fifth round guy that has been on the NFL radar is Jake Ferguson out of Wisconsin. Strong hands and great with the ball, he has limited speed, and whilst he is an experienced line blocker, he may have some difficultly transitioning those skills into the NFL. So a possibility for needing a developmental first year, but hey it was good enough for Jonnu Smith, right?

My favourite tight end who may be feasible for the Patriots is Austin Allen out of Nebraska. His skill set hadn’t been shown in the best light with Nebraska’s offense underperforming in recent years but his combine tests went well. 

Really tall at 6’8” (depending on what you read), he performed as a good blocker, had good hands, and great movement for such a tall guy.

Bottom line, I know not many Patriots fans are looking for a tight end right now, and I am totally with you there. But, I do implore you to think about tight ends for the future, and some of these later round guys might just be feasible. The Patriots went through some lean years at tight end, and I feel they need to set up so that they don’t again. Hunter and Smith, yep top guys for a few years. But that doesn’t mean the Patriots should sit on their heels. If Keene and Asiasi don’t pan out, then the back up cupboard, the developmental tight end shelf, is empty baby and you can’t have that!

Clazzy Clare does the Draft: Running Back

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

To say I was weak on my defensive line research is nothing compared to my running back scoping.

At the moment my personal opinion is that the Patriots don’t need to think about running backs this year. 

I appreciate there are many of you out there who are running back enthusiasts, and I applaud you! I applaud any player position enthusiast to be honest. 

And so to that end, I took a little time to go back and assess some of the combine info, and read the scuttlebutt on running backs for 2022. 

During my research, I came across a possibly sleeper guy who could be a great Rex Burkehead replacement, and that is Wan’Dale Robinson out of Kentucky. He is noted in the draft and combine information as a wide receiver but previously at Nebraska, Robinson played as a running back. This kid could be a great Swiss Army Knife, and whilst the market for wide receiver can be hot and crazy, he is a projected fourth round guy, and look at how hot the market is for Deebo Samuel right now, a wide receiver who can carry the ball out of the back field. 

Now, whilst I am not claiming in any way that Robinson is on the same level as Samuel, he is one of those players that when on the field, defenses may be uncertain as to why, and we all know that Bill likes some versatility in his ranks. 

So perhaps running back is a low priority in my fan opinion but with the draft you never really know what anyone is going to do!