PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Current Patriots depth chart. 

Still need some clarity on where the LBs are playing as well as some of the DBs. But generally this how things are shaping up so far.

Key:

  • Red: PUP or long-term injury (Gaffney)
  • Italics: Current injury issues
  • Yellow Box: Rookie

https://www.patspropaganda.com/current-patriots-depth-chart-still-need-some/

2014 PatsPropaganda Patriots Top 50 NFL Draft Board

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For the past three years, I’ve put together a Patriots-only big board, ranking 50 prospects that I like most for the Pats, roughly in the order that I like them. Needs are taken into account and I try to spread them out across all levels to try and hit as many as possible. Think of this like a big lottery ticket.

My scores in past seasons: 2011 – four out of nine picks, 2012 – two of seven picks, and 2013 – two out of seven picks (plus Chris Jones though he wasn’t drafted by the Pats). Can I break .500 this year??

Input is welcome, but my only rule is to keep it to 50 guys, so for every guy I add, someone’s gotta come off. Many of you know these prospects far better than I do, so make your case in the comments for additions and subtractions. 

Without further ado, here it is…

 

2014 Patriots-Only Big Board

  1. *Dominique Easley, DT, Florida: Undersized, but explosive. One-gapper. Injury history – ACL in 2013.
  2. Ra’Shede Hageman, DL, Minnesota:  Perhaps a little boom-or-bust but potential to add size to the defensive tackle group, with ability to move around and bring versatility. Just what the Pats needs up front and my favorite realistic pick at 29th overall.
  3. *Stephon Tuitt, DL, Notre Dame: Great size and strength and versatility to play any spot on the defensive line. Better junior year film after injury put him over weight.
  4. *Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington:  Prototypical Y-TE who is a solid red-zone threat and blocks with aggression. Another good Gronk compliment and maybe my favorite TE for the Pats.
  5. *Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA: Experienced and powerful, instant starter at right guard for Pats?
  6. *David Yankey, OG, Stanford:  Versatile captain with very good size could be immediate starter inside.
  7. Calvin Pryor, SS, Louisville: Violent enforcer would bring a needed element to Pats’ safety squad.
  8. Marquise Lee, WR, USC:  Dynamic receiver who might be too good to pass up despite the presence of Aaron Dobson.
  9. Trent Murphy, DE/OLB, Stanford: Good instincts, motor and toughness. Bit of a tweener in Pats system, but plays the way they like.
  10. *Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina: Good strength and burst. Could slip inside on passing downs. Captain.
  11. *C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa: Willing blocker with slippery ability to get open. Another solid TE prospect that could play the Y.
  12. Jace Amaro, F-TE, Texas Tech: Still a bit raw but knows how to get open in the passing game with ideal tight end size. He’d be a good compliment to Gronk and able to play the Y or F spots.
  13. Troy Niklas, Y-TE, Notre Dame: Huge target in the mold of Gronk with the potential to be an every-down tight end almost immediately.
  14. Daquan Jones, DT, Penn State: Good build with quickness inside, could play either DT or NT in Pats’ 4-3 scheme. Good size, maybe a second-rounder.
  15. *Gabe Jackson, OG, Miss State: Excellent size with nimble feet. Can be over-aggressive at times. Two-time captain. Very SEC experienced.
  16. Deone Buchanan, SS, WSU: Aggressive, downhill box defender and core special-teams player.
  17. Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas:  Would give the Pats a huge size bump at the center spot. Familiarity with Arkansas offese will help transition. Two-time captain, football junkie.
  18. Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State: Durable vocal leader with good size.
  19. *Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina: Short-armed, but aggressive and great knee bend. Good size too.
  20. *Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State: Good size and productivity in Bill O’Brien’s offense that would translate to pros.
  21. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU: Undersized but competitive, likely best to fit in the slot.
  22. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State: Good all-around running back who runs hard downhill, welcomes contact.
  23. Andre Williams, RB, Boston College:  Smart, powerful back would be good insurance on Ridley/Vereen.
  24. Christian Jones, ILB, Florida State: Great athlete with ideal size who could play multiple LB positions. Awareness an issue? Sounds like Mayo.
  25. Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman: Outstanding size with powerful build. Experienced and light on feet.
  26. Jonotthan Harrison, C, Florida: Size, strength and intangibles. Could play any interior position.
  27. *Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech: Elite athleticism and size, would need time but could develop to challenge Brady in 2-3 years.
  28. Bryan Stork, C, Florida State: Athletic with excellent size. Hard worker, the game is important to him.
  29. Brock Vereen, FS, Minnesota: Shane’s brother is a smart, rangy free safety who is a leader.
  30. Marcus Smith, DE, Louisville: Hybrid defender who could play multiple spots and roles. HS QB.
  31. Ed Stinson, DE, Alabama: Great frame with impressive size and strength. Would be an interesting developmental tool in BB’s defense. Two-gapper, maybe any spot in 34 DL.
  32. Crockett Gilmore, TE, Colorado State: Good size for a Y tight end, maybe not the best receiving threat but could be a good Gronk insurance type in later rounds.
  33. Vinnie Sunseri, SS, Alabama: Instinctive, physical and a leader. Coming off injury.
  34. Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada: Outstanding playing personality and dedication to football. Very versatile, shot up draft boards near the end.
  35. Max Bullough, ILB, Michigan State: Big, tough, experienced, durable, competitive Mike linebacker with good speed.
  36. Trey Burton, F-TE, Florida: Versatile and competitive. Player multiple spots, incl. QB. McDaniels’ Swiss Army Knife?
  37. Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood: Great size, outside press man potential, but from small school.
  38. Tyler Gaffney, RB, Stanford: Good size and versatility, runs downhill. Good compliment to the current NE backs.
  39. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU: Determined, tough and aggressive. Not ideal size but plays hard. Captain.
  40. TJ Jones, WR, Notre Dame: Experienced captain who would be a slot receiver with some versatility (special teams) on Pats.
  41. Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin: Smart, hardworking receiver who has all the intangibles. Ran many Patriots-like routes.
  42. Quincy Enunwa, WR, Nebraska: Good size and excellent intangibles. Could play outside.
  43. Brandon Linder, OG, Miami: Great size, durability, and intangibles. Aggressive. Versatile – played all along line, incl. TE.
  44. *Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan: Good coverage recognition, smooth. Quick, good explosion, nice hands. Undersized.
  45. Ladarius Perkins, RB, Miss. St: Captain with great agility and vision. Underrated catcher, good acceleration. 
  46. Jordan Tripp, OLB, Montana State: Instinctive and tough.
  47. Travis Carrie, CB, Ohio: Good size and awareness with special teams experience. Student of the game, leadership.
  48. Josh Mauro, DE, Stanford: Good size and versatility,not a ton of pass rush presence but could develop.
  49. Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh: Inconsistent pocket passer.
  50. Rob Blanchflower, Y-TE, UMass: Good size and experience. Developmental #3 Y-TE.

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Brady, Belichick and Revis Built this City on Rock n’ Roll.

This video has left me speechless and I cannot stop watching it!! But yeah, it pretty much sums up how giddy I’m feeling about watching this trio together this year. Wow.

Sing It Kitty- Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Darrelle Revis (by Ken Dis-Chargeman)

Thanks to @614Patsfan for sending it to me… I think.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/brady-belichick-and-revis-built-this-city-on-rock/

TBT: Take a stop by the Pats Propaganda Hall of Fame

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TBT: Take a stop by the Pats Propaganda Hall of Fame

What a long, strange trip it’s been since I started blogging about the Pats in December of 2007.

And yes, that’s a real Ernie Adams autograph. Possibly the only one in existence and easily the coolest autograph I have. Real Patriots fan know who that mystery man is.

Who have the Patriots missed most?

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The New England Patriots’ injuries in 2013 have been well-documented, but three stand out far above the rest. 

Rob Gronkowski, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo were to be integral parts of the Patriots’ plans this season, but each would find themselves playing less than seven full games and eventually on IR.

The Patriots have clearly missed all three players this season but who have they missed the most?

Wilfork

Vince Wilfork has been the heart of the Patriots defense since 2009 and was the queen on Bill Belichick’s defensive chess board. Belichick would move Wilfork all over the defensive line to take away an opposition’s strength.

Wilfork was already battling a foot injury before tearing his Achilles Tendon in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons and wasn’t his usual effective self in the first three games of the season. 

The loss of Tommy Kelly the following week against the Cincinnati Bengals only exacerbated the problem on the defensive line. Prior to 2013, Kelly and Wilfork had not missed a game in eight combined seasons.

Without Wilfork and Kelly, the Patriots have turned to rookies Chris Jones and Joe Vellano, along with trading for Isaac Sopoaga and bringing in Sealver Siliga from their practice squad. All but the undrafted Vellano are essentially castoffs from other teams who have played significant snaps for the Pats.

Nowhere has the impact of Wilfork’s loss hurt more than in run defense, where the Pats are 31st in the NFL. Improved play on the back end has helped the pass defense, but the pass rush pressure has also been hurt without Wilfork to eat up multiple blockers.

Mayo

Jerod Mayo was the Patriots’ only three-down linebacker and leader of the defensive huddle before tearing his pectoral in Week 6 against the Saints.

The Patriots were stuck trying to use Dont’a Hightower in a three-down role, something he did not have the range for. Hightower has the worst pass coverage grade on the Patriots by ProFootballFocus.com with a -7.1.

Ultimately, the Pats switched to Dane Fletcher in the dime packages and incorporated Jamie Collins more in passing situations. But replacing Mayo has been a job done by a committee, and no one does the things Mayo did as well has he did them.

If Vince Wilfork was the heart of the Patriots’ defense, Mayo was its brain, consistently making sure everyone had the calls and was lined up correctly. The Pats have missed his veteran presence.

 Gronkowski

For the one battling the most injuries and surgeries this year, it’s surprising the Rob Gronkowski actually played more games than Wilfork or Mayo. There was no question, the Pats offense started to find their stride once their versatile tight end returned in Week 7 against the Jets.

After Gronkowski got two games under his belt, the Patriots hit unstoppable mode, averaging 475.4 yards of offense in the next five games.

Gronk would catch a touchdown in four-straight games before having his knee blown out against the Cleveland Browns. His season would end after just seven games, but in that span he totaled 39 catches for 592 yards and four touchdowns.

For a player coming off multiple surgeries to his arm and one to his back, it was clear that Gronk was quickly back to his dominant self. Expectations should be the same for 2014.

The Pats offense didn’t regress on the surface in their first game without Gronkowski against the Miami Dolphins. They continued their torrid pace, putting up 453 yards of offense.

But where they did miss Gronkowski? In the red zone, where they scored just one touchdowns on four trips.

Conclusion

Mayo and Gronkowski’s value to the Patriots is undeniable, but Wilfork was an elite player involved in every play and is absence has hurt the Pats the most.

Wifork will be 33 and coming off the first major surgery of his career. Can he return and be the same player he was before the injury? He seems to think he can.

But Wilfork is entering the last year of his contract and his future beyond 2014 is even more uncertain after the injury. The Patriots will need to add more talent to their defensive line this offseason, not only as insurance for Wilfork, but to groom as his eventual replacement.