PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

rashaan evans

2018 PatsPropaganda Patriots-Only Mock Draft

by

If ever there was a Patriots offseason that needed an injection of fresh storylines, this is it. After Rob Gronkowski‘s weird press conference last week, the NFL Draft will give those of us wanting some real football news a reprieve from all the sideshow drama.

The NFL Draft is spring Christmas, when we get all kinds of new presents to incorporate into our favorite football team. For a team that’s been to the Super Bowl three of the past four seasons, it’s strange saying they really need to solidify their foundation, but this is an important draft for the Pats.

With eight picks the Patriots are really set up to give their team a much-needed injection of youthful talent and what they need is pretty obvious.

There was just too much turnover and too many injuries in 2017. It started with Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard leaving, then Rob Ninkovich retiring, then injuries to Julian Edelman, Dont’a Hightower, Marcus Cannon and plenty of other bumps and bruises along the way that often left the Pats scrambling to insert new, unproven players. They’ve built some good depth, but they definitely need a talent injection at the second-level of their defense, with more athleticism and more edge depth.

The offense needs to have an eye on the future so they don’t get stuck in a turnover year like the defense did last year. And there’s a very interesting competition at left tackle shaping up, with LaAdrian Waddle and Tony Garcia officially back in the mix, free agent signees Matt Tobin and Ulrick John joining second-year players Jason King and Andrew Jelks, all in the mix for significant roles as the starting LT and swing backup tackle.

I know Belichick doesn’t draft for need, but here arejust three critical ones for the long-term health of the team.

  1. Off-the-Ball Linebacker
  2. Offensive Tackle
  3. Defensive Edge

This speaks to the depth they’ve already built, and while they should take a CB, QB, RB and WR, there aren’t many truly pressing needs for 2018.

These are my favorite Patriots fits, taken about when I think they’ll be available. Let’s see if I can crack a two-year streak of no hits in my mock draft!

[Read more…] about 2018 PatsPropaganda Patriots-Only Mock Draft

First Two Rounds Will Be Patriots’ Playground

by

After moving Brandin Cooks and picking up their second first-round pick for 2018’s NFL Draft, there’s much speculation as to what the Patriots will do with the capital that includes two second-round picks as well. Could they trade up for a quarterback? Or an offensive tackle? Or a linebacker? Or just trade them all for dozens of picks in 2019?

What happens will depend entirely on how things unfold above them, but after the top ten has passed the Patriots are in play for almost every pick during the first two days of the draft. Up, down, into the future…picks will be flying and it should make for an exciting weekend for Patriots fans.

The more I dig into this draft the more excited I am about the potential players that could be available at 23 that would not have been available at 31. Someone at a position of need will fall, and who knows, maybe they’ll move up to grab the right guy.

[Read more…] about First Two Rounds Will Be Patriots’ Playground