Patriots: Rookie Free Agents to Target

With the 2022 Rookie Draft over, here are some of the rookies available to sign with any team.  They would also fill a Patriot need.

Available Rookies:

WR Kevin Austin Jr., Notre Dame
WR Josh Johnson, Tulsa
WR Slade Bolden, Alabama
DE Christopher Allen
ED David Anenih, Houston
DT Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
DT Noah Ellis, Idaho
DT Jayden Peevy, Texas A&M
OT Kellen Diesch
LB JoJo Domann, Nebraska
LB Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M
LB Zakoby McClain, Auburn
CB Dallis Flowers, Pittsburg State (KS)
CB Josh Jobe, Alabama
CB Vincent Gray, Michigan
S Verone McKinley III, Oregon
S Smoke Monday, Auburn
RB ZaQuan White, South Carolina
RB Abram Smith, Baylor
QB D'Eriq King, Miami

Patriots Day 3 Draft Results

Day 3 Draft Results:

Round 4, Pick #121
CB Jack Jones, Arizona State

Note:  Jones was lower on many teams' boards due to off-field flags, but his explosive traits are undeniable. He lands in a spot where he can focus on football. At the pro level, he projects best as a man-cover corner due to his stellar foot speed and ability to change direction to stick with his targets. Jones’ sound field awareness and instincts to close in on the football make him effective in zone coverage, as well.

Round 4, Pick #127
RB Pierre Strong, South Dakota State

Note: He was the fastest running back at the NFL combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash. At his pro day, he added a freakishly quick 6.95-second 3-cone drill.

Round 4, Pick #137
QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky

Note: Behind Mac Jones sits 36-year-old Brian Hoyer and former fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham, who has done little to show he can be a true QB2 in the NFL. Zappe has a great football IQ, which will help the Patriots' QB room and give him a chance to develop into a reliable professional backup. A little surprised he was drafted in the 4th round since listed as a 6th round, free agent prospect.  I did figure they would draft a QB with the last pick in the 7th round.   

Round 6, Pick #183
RB Kevin Harris, South Carolina

Note:  Harris projects primarily as a between-the-tackles runner at the next level. At 6-foot-0, 221 pounds, he is a thumper at the position.

Round 6, Pick #200
DT Sam Roberts, Northwest Missouri  

Note: Roberts projects as a situational pass rusher on the interior of the defensive line.  He becomes the fourth participant of this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl to get drafted by New England this year.

Round 6, Pick #210
C/G Chasen Hines

Note:  Strong center/guard prospect whose strengths lend themselves to a fit with a power-based rushing attack.  With the Patriots drafting two RBs, it sounds like this is the plan.

Round 7, Pick # 245
OT Andrew Stueber, Michigan

Note: Beefy right tackle prospect who succeeds with toughness and strength.  He is built for power and gap run schemes but is more of a neutralizer than finisher.

NFL: Where are the Rookie QBs landing?

 NFL:  Where are the Rookie QBs landing?

Eight teams were considered Quarterback needy going into the 2022 Draft (Falcons, Lions, Panthers, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans, Commanders).  Many mock drafts had three going in the first round.  This was not the case with teams waiting on Quarterbacks to drop to them.  Only the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted a QB in round one.  Also, only one trade has happen so far, and that was for the Panthers to move up to get Matt Correl.  The Titans, who were not considered Quarterback needy, drafted one of the best prospects of the Quarterback draft class.

Quarterbacks:

Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (Rnd 1, Pick 20, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pickett delivered with his leadership to get Pitt playing for the ACC championship. He's the top traditional pocket-passing prospect in the class with his deep ball-accuracy, smarts and maturity.

Malik Willis, Liberty (Rnd 3, Pick 22, Tennessee Titans)
Willis is a new mashup of Zach Wilson and Trey Lance, a fast riser who's gotten more attention for an amazing skill set. He has top-flight athleticism and the strong arm to make every throw. He's also physically and mentally tough.

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (Rnd 3, Pick 10, Atlanta Falcons)
Ridder is an aspiring dynamic NFL dual threat with his combination of strong arm and natural running ability. He also has the welcome intangibles, including leadership skills and toughness.

Matt Corral, Ole Miss (Rnd 3, Pick 30, Carolina Panthers)
Corral is a dynamic athlete and confident runner who also shows aggressiveness with a big arm. His raw skills give him a lot of intrigue and upside.

Note: Carolina picked Corral with the No. 94 overall selection, which they got from the Patriots in exchange for the 137th overall pick (fourth round) and a 2023 third-round selection.

Still Available:

 
Carson Strong, Nevada
Strong has some Josh Allen qualities to him with ideal size and a massive arm, only with more underrated athleticism.

Sam Howell, North Carolina
Howell is a smart, seasoned and accurate pocket passer. He doesn't have the dynamic athleticism of Ridder and Willis but it wouldn't be surprising if he became a mashup of Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones.

Patriots Day 3 Picks and Available Players

 Patriots Day 3 Picks and Available Players:

 Day 3 Draft Picks:

Round 4 (121, from Dolphins through Chiefs)
Round 4 (127)
Round 4 (137, from Rams through Texans and Panthers)
Round 6 (183, from Patriots)
Round 6 (200)
Round 6 (210, from Rams)
Round 7 (245, from Cowboys through Texans)

Players I think Patriots should consider Day 3:

ED Dominique Robinson, Miami (Ohio)
ED Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada
LB Damone Clark, LSU
LB Jesse Luketa, Penn State
LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
P Matt Araiza, San Diego State
OT Kellen Diesch, Arizona State
C Alec Lindstrom, Boston College

Patriots Day 2 - 2022 Draft - My Take

Patriots Day 2 - 2022 Draft - My Take:

The Patriots traded second and fifth-round picks (Nos. 54 and 158) to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 50th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. New England then QUICKLY spent that pick on the FASTEST player at the NFL combine, Baylor receiver Tyquan Thornton.  Many had him as a Day 3 pick, so not sure why the Patriots needed to move up and lose pick #158.  Not questioning the player but the timing of drafting him.  With LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia sliding down the draft, I think I would have gone for him first (drafted by the Eagles at pick 83!) and still needed Thornton later in the draft.

The Patriots went Cornerback at pick 85, drafting Houston CB Marcus Jones. Jones is a unique explosive ballhawk in the Tyrann Mathieu style of secondary play.  Most of the mock drafts I did drafting as the Patriots, if I went LB and Edge first, I would get Jones at this pick. 

Adding a 2023 3rd round pick in a trade from the Carolina Panthers was also a great move.

It feels like a typical New England draft ... not flashy but filling needs with the types of players Bill wants. 

Patriots Day 2 Draft Picks and Trades

Patriots Day 2 Draft Picks and Trades:

Baylor WR Tyquan Thornton (No. 50 overall)

Houston CB Marcus Jones (No. 85 overall)

They also turned the 94th overall pick (from KC) into a fourth-rounder and a 2023 third-rounder.

 

 Trade #1: (Patriots move up to Pick 50)

KANSAS CITY RECEIVES:

    Round 2, 2022: No. 54 overall -- WR Skyy Moore
    Round 5, 2022: No. 158 (from Miami)

NEW ENGLAND RECEIVES:

    Round 2, 2022: No. 50 overall (from Miami) -- WR Tyquan Thornton

 

Trade #2:

CAROLINA RECEIVES:

    Round 3, 2022: No. 94 overall (from Kansas City) -- QB Matt Corral

NEW ENGLAND RECEIVES:

    Round 4, 2022: No. 137 overall (from Los Angeles through Houston)
    Round 3, 2023

2022 NFL Rookie Draft - 3 Up, 3 Down

 

2022 NFL Rookie Draft - 3 Up, 3 Down

Great Day 1 for the 2022 Rookie Draft, with nine trades including two veteran Wide Receivers (AJ Brown, Marquis Brown) traded to new teams.  Hard to make a wrong pick in the first round, but there are always a few head scratchers (see my New England Patriots! LOL).  I don't like to use the the terms Winners and Losers with regards to players in the draft since you won't know their impact for years.  I prefer UP and DOWN for the Team with either better than expected drafting results or missed an opportunity.  Here are my 3 UP teams and 3 DOWN teams for the draft so far.

UP:

New York Jets:  

It kills me to say the Jets won the day 1 draft.  Two great picks with CB Sauce Gardner (Cincinnati) at pick 4, and Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) at pick 10.  That was expected though.  Moving back into the first round to get Edge Rusher Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State) at pick 26 was a great move and a steal (which the Patriots should have made at pick 21).  

Philadelphia Eagles:

Two good moves on day 1:  First trading up to get DT Jordan Davis (Georgia) at pick 13 and then turning their second first-round pick (18) into former Titans receiver A.J. Brown.  We won't mention the cost his new contract extension!  

Pittsburgh Steelers:

You can't go wrong with standing pat at pick 20 and having your pick of all the rookie Quarterbacks in the draft.  Glad the pick is Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), closest think to a home town pick. Pickett was a steal for the Steelers and a great story, staying in Pittsburgh after winning ACC Player of the Year for the Panthers last fall.

Honorable Mentions:  Detroit Lions (moving up to 12 Alabama WR Jameson Williams), Baltimore Ravens (great players drafted, moved WR Marquis Brown to Arizona), Jacksonville Jaguars (moved back into round 1 for Utah LB Devin Lloyd)  

DOWN:

Indianapolis Colts:

No pick for the Colts due to them giving up their first-round pick to Philadelphia for Carson Wentz, who now plays for the Washington Commanders. Swing and a MISS.

New England Patriots:

What a STRANGE pick for the Patriots. The Patriots top 3 needs felt like CB, LB, and ED.  With rookies LB Devin Lloyd (Utah), LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia), CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson), CB Trent McDuffie (Washington), and ED Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State) all still on the board, you had to feel good about pick 21.

No one was probably shocked though when the Patriots moved back from pick 21 to 29 for a 3rd and 4th round pick from the Chiefs.

At the 29th pick though you still had LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia) and CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson) still available.  The Patriots went with G Cole Strange (Chattanooga).  Not a bad player but had a 3rd to 5th round grade depending who you ask (Ranked 15th Offensive linemen and 5th overall Guard on the rankings I was using).  Typical Patriots draft move (see Logan Mankins, Nate Solder).  Patriots should have drafted the CB or LB and still gotten Strange in the 2nd round (pick 54) or should have traded back again in the draft.    

Greenbay Packers:

The Packers got two quality players with LB Quay Walker (Georgia) at pick 22 and DT Devonte Wyatt (Georgia) at pick 28.  Many felt the Packers needed a Wide Receiver in the first round but with the top 6 off the board though by pick 18, the value was not there.  You could say the same thing for the Kansas City Chiefs.  There are still five Wide Receivers they can target in Day 2 for good value:

John Metchie III (Alabama)
Christian Watson (North Dakota State)
Skyy Moore (Western Michigan)
Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama)
George Pickens (Georgia)

Honorable Mentions: Dallas Cowboys (Tulsa OT Tyler Smith, most penalized player to go to the most penalized team), Tennessee Titans (AJ Brown to the Eagles, unproven commodity in Arkansas WR Treylon Burks)

Patriots - 2022 Draft Day 1

My thoughts on the Patriots first round in the draft.  What a STRANGE pick for the Patriots, but they filled a need at Guard (which I thought would be addressed later in the draft) plus an additional 3rd and 4th round pick. The only guarantee you have in getting the player you covet is if they are there at your pick.  It is easy for someone to say you could get them later in the draft, but there is no guarantee.  It is not what I would have done, but then again I am not the Coach of the New England Patriots.

I felt the Patriots top 3 needs were CB, LB, and ED.  I guess the Patriots felt it was Guard first with both of last year’s starting guards are no longer on the roster.  With rookies LB Devin Lloyd (Utah), LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia), CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson), CB Trent McDuffie (Washington), and ED Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State) all still on the board, you had to feel good about pick 21 addressing a major need.  

No Patriot fan was probably shocked though when the Patriots moved back from pick 21 to 29 for a 3rd and 4th round pick from the Chiefs (This is a draft filled with later round value).  If Guard Zion Johnson (Boston College) or Kenyon Green (Texas A&M) were still on the board, I think they get drafted by the Patriots at 21.

At the 29th pick though you still had LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia) and CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson) still available.  The Patriots went with Guard Cole Strange (Chattanooga), 3rd Guard drafted overall.  Not a bad player but had a 3rd to 5th round grade depending who you ask (Ranked 15th Offensive linemen and 5th overall Guard on the site I use).  Typical Patriots draft move (see Logan Mankins, Nate Solder). 

I still think the Patriots should have drafted the CB or LB at 29 and still could have gotten Strange in the 2nd round. Plus you still need to see what the Patriots get with the additional two picks.

Mock Draft - New England Patriots

I have done a few Rookie Mock Drafts for the Patriots. I listed the players most likely available at the pick that they should consider taking. There were no trades, although I do think they will trade down and back up twice. X marks the final drafted player.

1st round: 21st CB/LB

I usually ended up with one of these four players:

LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia X
CB Andrew Booth, Clemson
CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

I don't see the Patriots drafting one of the top WRs unless Jameson Williams, Alabama drops to them. Dean has gotten first-round consideration by honing his pass rush skills inside on top of his rangy athleticism that allow him fly sideline-to-sideline to make plays.

2nd round: 54th LB/CB

CB Roger McCreary, Auburn X
CB Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska
CB Marcus Jones, Houston

If I go LB in the first round, I usually get one of these three CBs. McCreary has risen up boards because of his size, physicality, fluidity and ability to play well in any downfield coverage scheme.

Other players available:

LB Leo Chenal, Wisconsin
LB Chad Muma, Wyoming
ED Josh Paschal, Kentucky
WR Jon Metchie II, Alabama
WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama


3rd round: 85th Edge Defender

ED Dominque Robinson, Miami (OH) X

Patriots could use a Edge Defender. Robinson is a terrific athlete with explosive qualities who's still putting it all together as a pass rusher. The Patriots have also met with WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada, three times during the pre-draft process. He is usually available at this pick, but gone within the top 100.

4th round: 127th Tackle

T Kellen Diesch, OT, Arizona State X
WR Kevin Austin Jr., Notre Dame

Need depth behind the two starters. 


5th round: 158th LB

LB Damone Clark, LSU X
LB Micah McFadden, Indiana
ED Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
ED Christopher Allen, Alabama
ED Jesse Luketa, Penn State


6th round: 183rd Guard

G Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina X
ED Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma 
ED Christopher Allen, Alabama
ED Jesse Luketa, Penn State
T Zachary Thomas, San Diego State
WR Josh Johnson, Tulsa


6th round: 200th Tackle

T Zachary Thomas, San Diego State X
G Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina
C Doug Kramer, Illinois


6th round: 210th Punter (for financial reasons)
P Matt Araiza, San Diego State X
RB ZaQuandre White, Georgia


7th round: 245th C (need a backup)
C Doug Kramer, Illinois X
WR Slade Bolden, Alabama


Undrafted:

QB D'Eriq King, Miami (Patriots have interest in him) 

WR Slade Bolden, Alabama 

P Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State (if pass on Punter at 210)

Patriots needs going into the 2022 Draft: 9 Picks

 

Cornerback: Lack both top-end talent and depth. Lost Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson, added Malcolm Butler. I could see them drafting a CB in the first two rounds.

Tackle: Need depth behind the two starters, plus left tackle to protect Mac Jones. 

Interior offensive Line: Both of last years starting guards are no longer on the roster, also a need for a backup center. 

Linebacker: A lot of unknowns - both the inside and outside spots. 

 Defensive Line: The Patriots have multiple spots they can look to improve along the offensive line - defensive end or outside linebacker.  

Wide Receiver: Addressed issue some during FA (Parker), look to draft a slot or hybrid receiver than a true "X" player. Don't see them drafting any of the top WRs, which is probably a good thing with their track record.  

Running Back: Running back position is stacked. Maybe look for a Day 3 late flyer on a "James White" type of back.  

Safety: Addressed some during FA - maybe look for a future successor for Devin McCourty?  

Special Teams: Lost Brandon Bolden and Brandon King to FA. It may be time to restock at the position. 

 Kicker: Nick Folk is 38, but has had 3 successful seasons with the Patriots. Quinn Nordin already on the roster. Shouldn't be a drafting need. 

 Punter: Wouldn't be shocked to grab a punter in the 6th round mainly for financial reasons (Jake Bailey $4 Million - 2nd highest punter in the league). Three or four punters are expected to get drafted, highlighted by San Diego State’s Matt Araiza.  

Quarterback: Backup quarterback is a spot the team could address. Most likely via Undrafted Free Agent.  

Tight End: Was addressed last year ... hoping for improvement.