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[T]he biggest problem for the Patriots is their pass defense. They are the worst defense in the NFL on third down and in 20-plus-yard passing plays over the last four seasons. Easley’s explosive burst off the snap is just what the Pats need to remedy these lingering problems.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-biggest-problem-for-the-patriots-is-their/
Dominique Easley – 2014 NFL Draft profile (by Erick Ward)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/dominique-easley-2014-nfl-draft-profile-by/
Great and thorough read on Easley from Oliver Thomas.
Look, it’s not surprising that some people don’t like the selection of someone who’s had knee issues, but let’s remember who on the Patriots have torn their ACLs: Brady, Revis, Gronkowski, Tommy Kelly, WIll Smith, Logan Mankins just off the top of my head.
Is it a concern? Sure. Is there some risk? Sure. But what draft pick doesn’t have risk? Why not take a shot on someone whose ceiling is that of a high-first round pick, a player who has the chance to be truly special. I’m all for swinging for the fences like that, especially when it’s filling a need that has been on my mind for the last four seasons.
Easley was consistently the first player off the line of scrimmage for the Gators defense – a defense that included the likes of Sharif Floyd (a first-round pick by the Vikings last year), and Dante Fowler (a top 2015 prospect) during Easley’s career. Easley lined up all over the formation, so everyone from centers to left tackles found themselves beat, time and again, from the moment the ball was snapped.
If this read doesn’t get you hot and bothered I don’t know what will. A little risk? Sure. But well worth it with his ceiling and potential impact.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/easley-was-consistently-the-first-player-off-the/
Source: Patriots ‘In The Mix’ To Draft Florida DT Dominique Easley | New England Patriots | NESN.com
All this is adding up to the Patriots passing on Easley when he’s available at #29, right?
He’s an explosive interior defensive linemen. In recent years, one of my biggest problems with the Pats defense was their lack of pressure up the gut. Part of this was a reliance on Wilfork and other space-eating defensive tackles inside that were great at occupying blockers, but not-so-great and getting upfield and disrupting the pocket.
In the Pats’ defense, they’ve tried to find these kind of guys, but injuries/concussions derailed guys like Myron Pryor and Mike Wright. For all the talk of never replacing Richard Seymour, they’ve never really replaced Jarvis Green either.
So, I think Easley would singlehandedly be a great addition because he would fill this role and give them more flexibility and ability to attack on passing downs.
In short, he would instantly upgrade the pass rush and make the entire front seven better.
You don’t need to be a trained scout to see how quickly he gets off the ball and the kind of problems he causes:
