2014 Patriots Seven-Round Mock Draft: Pre-Free Agency Edition | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2014 NFL Draft
Great mock, why is Oliver Thomas teasing me like this?
The Patriots know they have to crack open the safe if they’re going to keep cornerback Aqib Talib from hitting the open market next week. Talib wants to be paid as a top-of-the-market corner in free agency, according to a source.
The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald
Not really that surprising, and the Pats should know what they have in Talib. If he walks they need to put additional resources into the front seven. You’re not going to get a cover corner, at least not right off the bat, in the draft where the Pats are picking. They have some good pieces in the secondary, but they’ll need to have a much better pass rush to cover up their deficiencies without Talib.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-know-they-have-to-crack-open-the-safe/
“And now they want to get rid of me so they can give you more money…!?”
https://www.patspropaganda.com/and-now-they-want-to-get-rid-of-me-so-they-can/
29. New England Patriots – Notre Dame DT Louis Nix: Nix has been higher in my mock drafts, but I have watched some game tapes that create some doubt. At this spot, the Patriots would be glad to get this big space eater, considering Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly were on IR last year.
2014 NFL Mock Draft: Browns deal into No. 2 for Blake Bortles – CBSSports.com
I don’t love Nix here or at all for the Pats really. Our problems are on passing downs. How much impact will Nix make on passing downs? Wilfork has/had rare athleticism and from the combine results it doesn’t look like Nix does. Would rather go with Tuitt here.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/29-new-england-patriots-notre-dame-dt-louis/
Sack numbers can often mislead. Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones and Chris Jones are great examples of this. Their comparatively low pressure totals, combined with the fact that they rarely come off the field, reveal that these are three guys who spend a lot of time producing a whole lot of nothing. The solution is more simple than it seems, if the team just rotates more along the defensive line and finds some guys who can fill situational roles.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/sack-numbers-can-often-mislead-rob-ninkovich/
Defensive End is a Priority for Patriots in NFL Free Agency
Defensive End is a Priority for Patriots in NFL Free Agency
Daily post is up at SportsBlog, taking a closer look at defensive end and some possible fits.
How do you think a team decides which way to address needs either free agency or the draft
It’s a good question. I think that priority free agent additions are at positions where you need experience and fairly immediate contributions. Overall, they should fill EVERY major need in free agency, but I’d put Defensive End and Center/Guard as the main focuses right off the bat.
You also will likely see additions at receiver, defensive back and running back as well. Maybe not guys who are expected or needed to start, but more of mid-to-low range free agents. Guys who were stuck on bad teams, had bad luck with injuries or just want one last shot.
Sometimes those guys work out (Mark Anderson, Alge Crumpler, Andre Carter) and sometimes they don’t (Marcus Benard, John Lynch, Torry Holt).
The goal is to go into the draft with no needs, especially not at the top of the depth chart. Eventually every position could be a need in-season, so you just have to take players who fit in New England and can play for BB.
As a result, sometimes depth is a little thin at positions. They got by with basically two defensive ends this year, but their lack of depth at defensive tackle came back to haunt them somewhat.
