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Rounds 1-3: Scouting Reports on Patriots Picks

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Let’s dive right into the Patriots first four picks in a draft that they absolutely nailed. Stay on the lookout for breakdowns of the later rounds and the UDFAs.

32. N’KEAL HARRY, WR 

ARIZONA STATE

The Patriots pleasantly surprised on Thursday night. They not only drafted a receiver in the first round, but one of N’Keal Harry’s caliber. The evaluation of the wide receiver class this year was at times murky waters of sorts. Many passionate film buffs, scouts, and analysts had N’Keal Harry fluctuating from the fourth best receiver in this class to the first. After watching a ton of film on this kid, all signs point to Harry being much closer to that number one spot to that number four.

What he does right:

-Contested ball catcher, reminds of a DeAndre Hopkins in that regard. 

-Big-bodied, yet moves at a pretty good speed for his size

-Very smart, faired really well during Patriots visit with playbook retention 

-Understands how to use his body to make catches

-Will play some outside receiver, could also play a good deal of slot at the next level

-Very solid catch radius 

-Makes catches look easier than they really are

-Good jump off the ball 

-Like a Marshawn Lynch or Gronk once he has the ball, very hard to tackle, YAC monster

-Can be a redzone monster at a Pro level, will help replace that redzone presence of Gronk 

Some nuances in his game: 

-Not polished route runner

-Sometimes struggles with press off the line of scrimmage 

-Occasionally struggles with focus in his game

-Not overly explosive or necessarily athletic 

-May struggle to separate 

-Not the greatest blocker in the world

Pro comparison: Dez Bryant

Instant impact: 3rd receiver on depth chart, gets utilized in LaFell role 

Grade: A+

45. JOEJUAN WILLIAMS, CB

VANDERBILT 

Oh boy, did some people get mad over this pick or what? I have never seen so many fans get angry over a great pick. Besides maybe the picks after that, like Damien Harris, Yondy Cajuste, Hjalte Froholdt, and Jake Bailey. If Belichick had a nickel for every Patriots fan that said, “What is he doing? WE NEED A TIGHT END!”, Bill would probably be dining at an expensive restaurant on that money alone. Joejuan Williams is a corner who Belichick loved coming into the draft. He is a tall, bigger corner who excels at pressing receivers and covering bigger targets. Williams brings the Patriots size at the corner position that they really have not had since Brandon Browner. 

What he does right:

-Great physical traits 

-Great mental processing and awareness

-Watches a boat load of film

-Tremendous press corner 

-Described by many as “disruptive” to receivers 

-Has shown ability to come up and play the run

-Appears to have a really good understanding of coverage schemes

-Very, very good play recognition

-Extremely physical

-Solid tackler

-Faired really well against A.J Brown, DaMarkus Lodge, and Riley Rildey, who all were solid receivers in this year’s draft class

Some nuances in his game: 

-Fluidity 

-Technique at line of scrimmage must improve drastically 

-Not a world-class athlete

-Not a big playmaker 

-Struggles against shiftier receivers, Patriots would not match him up against Antonio Brown

-Inconsistency in his game

Pro comparison: Richard Sherman

Instant impact: 3rd corner on depth chart, battles with bigger targets, get utilized in Browner role 

Grade: A-

77. CHASE WINOVICH, EDGE 

MICHIGAN 

While he is undersized, Chase will play much like a Rob Ninkovich or Mike Vrabel. Winovich is an exciting pick for two reasons. 

1. He was an early second round pick in most people’s eyes. Sometimes even a late first. 

2. He helps replace some of the wackiness we lost when Gronk retired. Better hope Gronk does not come back because a nuclear war might erupt in that locker room. How crazy is he? He ate a live fish for a $20 bill.

Chase will play both defensive end and outside linebacker. This will give the linebacking core some more flexibility and the defensive line an edge rusher that does not quit. 

What he does right:

-Nice hand usage 

-Very measured and strategic, has a game plan every play on how to attack the quarterback

-Unreal amount of effort, will benefit that defense immensely 

-Really high floor

-Good run defender 

-High motor, full of energy 

-Toughness

-His heart, toughness, and effort could translate well to kick coverage or punt coverage teams as well 

-Loves football, wants to learn from veterans 

-Brings lots of versatility 

-Great execution 

-Smart football player

-Recognizes blocking schemes very well

-Extremely physical 

Some nuances in his game:

-Not the greatest athlete in the world

-Does not have too many pass rush moves in his tool belt

-Low ceiling 

-Undersized for defensive end, not athletic enough to play outside linebacker

-Will struggle in some matchups at the next level

-Not exactly explosive 

-Can be kind of slow off the ball 

-Hips not very fluid, not bendy

-Not a speed-counter type of rusher

-Range

-Change of direction 

Pro comparison: Clay Matthews 

Instant impact: Rotational defensive end, majority of snaps on first/second down, Ninkovich role

Grade: B+

87. DAMIEN HARRIS, RB

ALABAMA 

Damien Harris will be a beast behind this offensive line, sharing carries with Sony Michel, James White, and Rex Burkhead. Runningback was also a need for the Patriots in this draft class. The need not in an immediate sense, but more for down the road. Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel have struggled to stay healthy in their respective careers, and James White and Rex Burkhead’s contracts climb to higher cap numbers next season, then expire in 2021. I personally expected Belichick to go runningback at some point in this draft class, but not this early. However, I personally am glad that Belichick grabbed Damien Harris. Damien will be a beast in the run game and can contribute on special teams. Patriots now have a four-headed monster in the backfield.

What he does right:

-Played both gap and zone run schemes at Alabama 

-Win first mentality 

-Big-bodied

-Excellent vision 

-Very explosive 

-Finds open space in defense with ease 

-Very balanced and solid

-Can be bell cow type of back, although it is unlikely he is utilized like this in New England’s system

-One cut 

-Demonstrates good patience 

-Runs really hard, runs through defenders 

-Will not lose yards to gain yards, north-south runner

-Measured, collected, and controlled runner

Some nuances in his game:

-Change of direction is his kryptonite 

-Instinct and creativity is shaky at times 

-Slightly below average burst 

-Lacks elusive traits 

-Will get caught from behind because of lack of burst

-Hand technique is spotty

Pro comparison: Corey Clement 

Instant impact: Rotational back, short-yardage back, will fight Burkhead for carries

Grade: A-

How Did it Happen? Patriots are Atlanta Bound

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At almost every turn this regular season, the Patriots found themselves doubted. Constantly counted out and disregarded, teams went to play them with a higher level of confidence than years prior. Now, they head to Atlanta where they are currently three point favorites against the Los Angeles Rams. 

Gameplan

Yesterday was a marvelous performance and featured phenomenal execution. The gameplan on offense was really no secret. The plan going in was to establish the run game, create unpredictability in the playcall, and most of all dominate the time of possession to keep the ball out of the hands of Mahomes. 

Coaching 

The coaching was stupendous however not flawless. Some questionable playcalls and decisions almost cost them the game on both sides of the ball, but that happens in the NFL. On the flip side, the coaching staff for Kansas City appeared blatantly unprepared for this game. The Patriots game plan came as no surprise to even some of the most casual fans, yet Kansas City struggled to stop the run on almost every try early in the game. Virtually every run in the first and second quarter broke for nice gains into the second and third levels of the defense. 

Defensive Line

The Chiefs failures to stop the run early on killed their chances to get anything going in the first half. Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs might want to look at the tape from this game and look at how one dimensional their offense became. The depleted running attack forced Mahomes to throw. Andy Reid and the staff did him no favors by calling almost exclusively medium to long ball plays. This only made the job easier for Patriots pass rush, who was steamrolling an offensive line, going after a quarterback holding onto the ball for too long. Trey Flowers and the crew had big games attacking a offensive line that was pretty solid this season.

Long Drives 

The long, sustained drives that the Patriots put together early in the game were just pure football art. The mix of run and pass had the defense guessing wrong almost every time in the first and second quarter and allowed for the Patriots to hold the Chiefs offense to zero points in the first half. Complementary football at it’s finest.

Tommy Boy 

Also, of course, how can anyone forget? Tom Brady. How does Brady continue to put together these wins late in the game, seemingly by himself. Sure the offensive line was spectacular and Edelman and Gronk played big roles in the final two drives, but Brady put on a clinic by marching down the field twice to go ahead on both occasions. Name another quarterback who deserves to even be mentioned in the same sentence as him. It might take a while. 

Chris Amendola

It was encouraging to see Chris Hogan make some of the plays he did late in the game, which only inspires hope for Patriots fans that he can take on the Patriots’ Playoff Amendola role. 

Offensive Line and Running Game

The offensive line as mentioned before was marvelous. They did a great job, paving the way for Michel, White, and Burkhead to run where they wanted at will. The question remains to be asked of where this offensive line and team would be without re-hiring Dante Scarnecchia back in 2016. 

Roberts and Kyle Van Noy 

The last real encouraging performance was the performance of Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts. Two frequently unappreciated linebackers went and put together some nice plays and tackles to make things difficult for Mahomes and company. Van Noy’s performance was especially impressive and very encouraging going into the Super Bowl against a very good running game.  

Stage set in Atlanta

Now, Brady and company will head off to Super Bowl 53 in a highly anticipated matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams. Hopefully, the Patriots can follow the pattern of the Red Sox and themselves, who both beat LA teams earlier this year (Dodgers and Chargers). Regardless of the outcome of this Super Bowl bout, it is hard to see the Patriots going down without a fight. 

Tune in: Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 

6:30PM 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium 

#BEATLA

The Patriots and the Pony Express

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Some remember the famous “Pony Express” from Southern Methodist University. This was when Craig James and Eric Dickerson dominated the college football world.

Rumblings have indicated the Patriots will unveil their own Pony Express, due to the Chargers weak linebackers, and inabilities to cover running backs in the passing game.

The Patriots Pony

When saying pony, this means something a little different than just two running backs splitting time. A pony formation entails a two running back set, meaning some combination of Michel, White, and Burkhead.

The expectation is that the Patriots will use running back heavy sets to exploit the weaknesses in the Chargers defense.

James White & Rob Gronkowski

The Patriots have had great success this season with James White. He seemed to be a key to victory in several games for them. This leads many to key in on his involvement Sunday, as he could draw more attention from Chargers defenders. This will lead to more opportunities for Michel and Burkhead.

The beauty of the Patriots offense is the Chargers do not have the personnel to match up against the running backs and Gronkowski. Gronk had an uninspiring season, but the Chargers lack the personnel to cover both Gronk and the running backs. This could lead to either the backs or Gronk finding themselves open in Sunday’s game. The Chargers do not have four Derwin James clones at their disposal, the likely match-up with Gronk.

Danger For The Chargers Defense

With the concerns of Gronk and James White for the Chargers, the pony formations could be too much to handle. The possibility of the Patriots breaking out those two running back sets ,with the emphasis on Gronk and White, leave another running back matched up against a linebacker. The danger this Chargers defense is playing with is unprecedented.

A defensive adjustment to take care of the running backs out of the backfield would take away some of the best Chargers pass defenders. This could free up Gronk and Edelman, or even dark horse characters like Chris Hogan or Phillip Dorsett.

It is yet to be seen what the game plan will be going into the game Sunday, but the Patriots will have many ways of creating mismatches against the Chargers’ defense. Be fully prepared for the Patriots to unleash their version of the Pony Express on Sunday.

DFS Fantasy Notes

Also, for those DFS fantasy fans, I would call the Patriots running backs potential plays for this weekend. White is priced at $7,500 on FanDuel and $5,100 on DraftKings. Michel is priced at $6,600 on FanDuel and $4,700 on DraftKings. Burkhead is priced at $5,500 on FanDuel and $3,600 on DraftKings.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to message me on Twitter @maxleemcauliffe

The 2018 NFL Season is a week away

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Patriots Season Begins A Week From Today

Here we go it officially is one week until the start of the 2018 NFL season. The weather will start to get cooler and the smell of football will be in the air. The Patriots and the rest of the NFL cut their roster to 53 yesterday. The Patriots open the season against the Houston Texans next Sunday. The most notable cuts made on Saturday was RB Mike Gillislee, QB Danny Etling, Cyrus Jones, LB Marquis Flowers, RB Brandon Bolden, and WR Riley McCarron. All the drama in the offseason has been pushed aside after Brady and Gronkowski have restructured their contracts. Now it’s all about the actual game itself finally.

Photo Courtesy of USA Today

We’ll see the offense run without Edelman for September

As we look into the regular season we start with this month as Edelman will be out the first four games. Talks of getting a receiver are pretty quiet around New England about adding one. But knowing Belichick you never know what he has up his sleeve. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson will have to step it up. Tight end Rob Gronkowski wants to play as much as possible to reach those incentives so he can make his money. Except James White to lead the running back position, along with Rex Burkhead, and rookie Sony Michel when healthy.

Patriots Initial Roster Includes Just 52 Players, Three Full-Time Receivers

Photo Courtesy of NESN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the defensive side, Jason McCourty seems to have made the team. There was speculation whether or not he would because he played Thursday night in the last preseason game against the Giants. Stephon Gilmore will be the cornerback who had a great training camp this year. Jordan Richards finally is off this team and was traded Friday to the Atlanta Falcons. All of the bad defenders from the Super Bowl are off the team to begin the 2018 season. From Richards who again is on the Falcons to Johnson Bademosi who’s now playing for the Texans.

The Patriots as long as they still have Brady they’ll be good. We’ve been saying that for along time now. Edelman will come back in October ready to go and be a contributor to the offense. I expect Sony Michel when he is healthy to be a full force in the running game. Coming out of college he was being compared to Dion Lewis I’d like to see him be explosive out of the gate for the Patriots. Overall it should be a fun exciting year and another division win. A first-round bye and a chance at another Super Bowl.