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.
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