01-08-2020, 08:36 AM
Read more: The 40 best players remaining after the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft"WhitePatriots News Opinion and Analysis Contribute! FanPostsFanShotsAbout the Site List of Patriots Twitter AccountsWrite For Pats Pulpit!New User Welcome and Commenting GuideCommunity GuidelinesMastheadTopics Patriots Off-Season CoveragePatriots Opinion/AnalysisPatriots NewsPatriots Draft CoverageSportfolio ManagementNFL DraftPatriots Opinion/AnalysisPatriots 2019 NFL Draft CoverageLooking at the remaining draft needs for the PatriotsNew Youth Rob Gronkowski Jerseys ,21commentsRead more: The 40 best players remaining after the first round of the 2019 NFL DraftEDTShareTweetShareShareLooking at the remaining draft needs for the PatriotsGreg M. Cooper-USA TODAY SportsThe Patriots opened up the 2019 Draft by taking Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry, the first wideout taken in the first round by the Patriots with Bill Belichick calling the shots. That helps to solve a need to add an outside receiver who can compete against press-man coverage, perhaps the biggest weakness of the offense in 2018, which was exploited in the Patriots’ five losses and at times in the Super Bowl. Getting that X receiver was arguably one of the biggest needs for the Patriots going into the draft and I am happy that they picked up a blue chip prospect to address that need.With Day 1 in the books, these are the remaining needs for the Patriots going into Day 2 and 3 of the draft:Swing TackleJawaan Taylor was considered a consensus Top 20 prospect in the media, but the Patriots elected to pass on him for Harry. This draft is pretty deep at the position with plug and play guys such as Dalton Risner and Max Scharping available in Round 2. The Patriots have uncertainty at the tackle position although I think they will be able to swing a trade for an expiring rookie contract starter to buy the team time to get Isaiah Wynn ready to assume the LT duties full time. Pass Catching TEThe Patriots will start Austin Seferian-Jenkins while heavily rotating in Matt LaCosse as the move TE in their offense, although neither guy projects to have a big role. Both players are on one-year contracts, looking to set themselves with a solid season and a better payday next March. Ryan Izzo and Jacob Hollister are holdovers from last season, although neither player has contributed much in their tenures in New England to date. Irv Smith Jr. is likely gone before the Patriots pick at 56, so the only non-project TE left in the class I see being available is Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger at the end of Round 2.Pats Pulpit recaps Day 1 of the DraftSubscribe to the Pats Pulpit podcast for more draft reactions!Development defensive tackleThe Patriots are 3-deep at DT, which is not enough to last for a full season. I imagine the Patriots have Danny Shelton on speed dial in case the draft does not go their way at the position. The top talents all flew off the board well before the Patriots picked in the first round. The Patriots typically like having those war daddy type players who can control 2 gaps as opposed to a smaller, penetrator types who can generate quick pressure and sacks. Options for the Patriots on Day 2 include Daylon Mack, Renell Wren, and Khalen Saunders Rob Gronkowski Jerseys Stitched , all of whom measured in north of 318 pounds at the combine although Wren was the only player who was taller than 6’1” in the group. Rotational edge rusherThe Patriots are also 3-deep on the edge unless Derek Rivers or Keionta Davis take a Year 3 leap. With the 49ers drafting Nick Bosa, Belichick should call John Lynch to ask about Solomon Thomas’ availability. If they elect to pick up edge rusher depth via the draft, Chase Winovich probably doesn’t make it to 56, but there are other solid Day 2 options. In the second round, the top talent likely to be on the board around 56 is Boston College edge rusher Zach Allen, who is solid as both a run defender and pass rusher. Allen is a lot like Trey Flowers in the sense of being a quality edge setter with a pass . rushing game that centers more on disruption than production. In the 3rd Round the Patriots have options with D’Andre Walker, Jachai Polite, and Christian Miller all make sense as battle-tested SEC edge rushers and has the versatility to be hand in the dirt or stand up rushers capable of dropping. Development QBThe Patriots will likely ink Tom Brady to another extension before the season begins, although that may not be the case with Brian Hoyer. Hoyer is scheduled to hit free agency after the season although if NE wants him back he’s likely to return anyway. Given that Brady turn 42 just after the start of camp, the Patriots have to look at the position as a whole and find a guy to develop behind Brady. The next QB to go in the draft will be Drew Lock, who is likely to be one of the first players taken in Round 2. After him, the Patriots could target Will Grier, Brett Rypien, and Ryan Finley. All three players are experienced starters Color Rush Damien Harris Jersey , but come with question marks about arm strength and overall ceiling. Any one of the three would be a solid pickup for a backup QB spot, although in terms of starter potential the odds are very low. Development WRAside from Harry, the closest players to roster locks at the position are Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett. The team also brought in Maurice Harris and Demaryius Thomas as outside receiver depth, although Thomas may not be ready to start the season and Harris’ upside is that of a WR3 and is on a 1-year contract. The Patriots don’t necessarily need to double-dip at the receiver position, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to use one of their three third round picks to get a WR2 upside player. Stanley Morgan Jr. (unrelated to New England’s former star receiver), Andy Isabella, Mecole Hardman, and Miles Boykin come to mind. Morgan is the most pro-ready of the group, although the latter three players come with a speed upside. Boykin is probably the least likely to get picked up since he’s a similar body type at WR to Harry. Daily news and links for Friday" Patriots NewsNew England Patriots LinksNew England Patriots links 6/28/19 - Welker vs. Edelman: Offseason debates in midseason formNew,76commentsDaily news and links for FridayEDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:New England Patriots links 6/28/19 - Welker vs. Edelman: Offseason debates in midseason formTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmail2012 Throwback: Julian Edelman celebrates a touchdown with Wes WelkerPhoto by Rich Schultz /Getty ImagesTEAM TALKFrom NFL Network: Former NFL DB DeAngelo Hall explains why Tom Brady was the best QB he ever faced, and why he regrets not signing with the Pats when he had the chance. (2 min. video)From WFAN, NY’s ‘Boomer and Gio Show’: Julian Edelman explains what he’ll miss about Rob Gronkowski in 2019. (1 min. video)Patriots Unfiltered 6/27: Erik Scalavino, Paul Perillo, Megan O’Brien and guest Michael Hurley discuss a wide variety of offseason topics and Patriots news. (2 hour program)LOCAL LINKSMike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Pats Posits: The offseason low point lives up to hype. /Cool takes on the Edelman-Welker debate Youth Damien Harris Jersey , and the flaw in Simms’ ointment.Tom E. Curran delves into another Great Patriots Debate: Wes Welker 2007-2012 vs. Julian Edelman 2013-2018.Logan Mullen passes along some reported good news on Isaiah Wynn’s injury status.Evan Lazar thumbnails the ten most valuable Patriots: No. 6, Shaq Mason.Ryan Hannable counts down the 15 most important Patriots for 2019: No. 8 Joe Thuney.NESN relays former WR Chad Jackson to The Athletic’s Nick Underhill on why the “Patriot Way” isn’t for everyone.David Latham (LastWordOnSports) 2019 All-NFL Team: The Offense and The Defense.CBS Boston reports Julian Edelman was the man of the hour at the star-studded premiere of his new documentary. 100% Julian Edelman premiers tonight at 9 p.m. on Showtime.Lauren Campbell details the sights and sounds from the Julian Edelman premier.Matt Vautour says the Julian Edelman documentary is, at its heart, a father-son story.Matt Vautour notes Julian Edelman doesn’t admit PED use in documentary, but he doesn’t deny it either.Darren Hartwell tells us how Tom Brady buries Max Kellerman (again) over ill-advised ‘cliff’ take.Deyscha Smith notes Tom Brady proved his throwing speed on social media, and showed he’s still got it.Marcus Kwesi O’Mard tells us why Jared Veldheer retired from the NFL shortly after signing his contract.NATIONAL NEWSAlbert Breer (SI) Game Plan: Pressure’s on for Rodgers, LaFleur and the Packers; 10 camp storylines that I believe will impact the 2019 season; Brady and Belichick’s 20th; More.Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady still has critics on his radar. /Jelly, jelly, jelly.Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Isaiah Wynn on track to return for training camp.Geoff Schwartz (SB Nation) We were thiiiis close to watching Chiefs vs. Saints in Super Bowl 53, dang it.Conor Orr (SI) Five NFL teams that could drop out of the playoff field in 2019.NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Brandon Flowers ranks his Top 5 cornerbacks for 2019. (7.01 min. video) Stephon Gilmore ranked No. 2 behind Aqib Talib./I love Talib but Gilmore’s better.NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Stephon Gilmore: “I’m a little offended” at not being ranked No. 1. (3.22 min. video)Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Young defensive backs ready to break out in ‘19. No Pats.Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFT 2019 storyline No. 27: Can the Texans get to the next level?Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFT 2019 storyline No. 26: Was last year Philip Rivers’ last, best chance?Adam Stites (SB Nation) Which current players belong in the NFL of 50 years ago?Charles McDonald (SB Nation) The NFL would be better off without kickers. /Kickers are people too, dude.Robert Mays and Kevin Clark (The Ringer) The Ringer NFL Show: Crafting the perfect offensive line with Brandon Thorn. (39.54 min. podcast)