Patriots Weaknesses

[grog]

Now that the draft is over, what roster spots are the weakest on the team? I'm not nearly the expert that many of you are, but my list of areas of concern are:

1. LB - old and not much depth
2. TE - lot's of questions
3. WR - no speed on the outside (maybe Dorsett?)
4. Interior DL
5. Backup QB

I think we had an amazing draft. I think our areas of strength are:

1. DB - especially CB
2. RB - ground and pound coming your way in 2019
3. QB - there is no one else I'd want directing this ship, even at age 42
4. OL - left tackle is concern, but this group is young and athletic

Thoughts?

 

[spacecrime]

Now that the draft is over, what roster spots are the weakest on the team? I'm not nearly the expert that many of you are, but my list of areas of concern are:

1. LB - old and not much depth
2. TE - lot's of questions
3. WR - no speed on the outside (maybe Dorsett?)
4. Interior DL
5. Backup QB

I think we had an amazing draft. I think our areas of strength are:

1. DB - especially CB
2. RB - ground and pound coming your way in 2019
3. QB - there is no one else I'd want directing this ship, even at age 42
4. OL - left tackle is concern, but this group is young and athletic

Thoughts?

My thoughts are that this team appears to be so much better than the one that won the superbowl last February.

Other than TE, I don't see many question marks here.

For WR depth, in the superbowl, three WRs were targeted: Edelman, Patterson, and Hogan (who caught not one of his 6 targets). This year we lost Patterson and Hogan, and added Harry and Thomas. How is that not an improvement?

And I certainly don't think we'll have the defensive backfield issues that cost us the Philly superbowl and the earlier Bronco AFCCG.

TE is our weakest area, at least according to we fans. Doesn't seem like BB was very concerned about it during the draft, and to be honest, trading for one quality starting TE would make the TE group okay with me, especially given the other offensive weapons we have.

 

[jayShomp]

For WR depth, in the superbowl, three WRs were targeted: Edelman, Patterson, and Hogan (who caught not one of his 6 targets). This year we lost Patterson and Hogan, and added Harry and Thomas. How is that not an improvement?

WR is definitely a question mark still. I think Harry is very promising but he's still an unknown and the Pats don't exactly have a good track record with drafting wide outs. There's been what, 1 rookie WR that actually played well with Brady in the last 15 years? Granted none of them were picked this high so that does give a little more hope.

And you're putting a lot of faith in a guy(Thomas) who is coming off of a second torn achilles while being on the wrong side of 30.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

With the darts we had I’d have liked another highly ranked WR and at least 1 TE

 

[patfan64]

My thoughts are that this team appears to be so much better than the one that won the superbowl last February.

Other than TE, I don't see many question marks here.

For WR depth, in the superbowl, three WRs were targeted: Edelman, Patterson, and Hogan (who caught not one of his 6 targets). This year we lost Patterson and Hogan, and added Harry and Thomas. How is that not an improvement?

And I certainly don't think we'll have the defensive backfield issues that cost us the Philly superbowl and the earlier Bronco AFCCG.

TE is our weakest area, at least according to we fans. Doesn't seem like BB was very concerned about it during the draft, and to be honest, trading for one quality starting TE would make the TE group okay with me, especially given the other offensive weapons we have.

Is it possible that Gronk is coming back and everyone at 1 Patriot Place knows it?

 

[3 Point Stan]

Is it possible that Gronk is coming back and everyone at 1 Patriot Place knows it?

They made a strong push for Jared Cook so I'm not so sure a return is necessarily on the table.

 

[spacecrime]

WR is definitely a question mark still. I think Harry is very promising but he's still an unknown and the Pats don't exactly have a good track record with drafting wide outs. There's been what, 1 rookie WR that actually played well with Brady in the last 15 years? Granted none of them were picked this high so that does give a little more hope.

And you're putting a lot of faith in a guy(Thomas) who is coming off of a second torn achilles while being on the wrong side of 30.

Sure, every position is a question mark in one way or another. Injuries suck. I can't imagine any team ever being so set in their entire team that a slew of injuries won't kill them. But I do thing that the Pats have fewer questions and more depth overall than the rest of the league.

I'm concerned about the achilles, also, though don't have your fear of a first round WR draft pick. Head coach BB has hit on 100% of first round WR draft selections. Okay, selection. I just see WR as better this year than it was for the superbowl.

 

[chevss454]

Now that the draft is over, what roster spots are the weakest on the team? I'm not nearly the expert that many of you are, but my list of areas of concern are:

1. LB - old and not much depth
2. TE - lot's of questions
3. WR - no speed on the outside (maybe Dorsett?)
4. Interior DL
5. Backup QB

I think we had an amazing draft. I think our areas of strength are:

1. DB - especially CB
2. RB - ground and pound coming your way in 2019
3. QB - there is no one else I'd want directing this ship, even at age 42
4. OL - left tackle is concern, but this group is young and athletic

Thoughts?

This promises to be a much deeper and stronger team than last year's SB winning team.
We're essentially getting last year's draft class and this year's draft class this year.

1. LB. Adding Ja'Whaun Bentley & Christian Sam is a huge plus. Hightower changed his training to become more durable and pliable prior to the 2018 season and it helped him a lot. KVN is back. Not worried.

2. Losing Gronk is the only negative and 1) we've won games without him & 2) I think he's coming back around the bye week. ASJ is motivated to produce to regain his prior standing. LaCosse is a pretty good move TE as is Stephen Anderson who is very athletic. Hollister will have work to stay healthy & keep his spot. BB will have ample opportunity to trade for a guy or sign a FA once cuts begin. BB had a chance to draft a TE (Sternberger & Sample) but passed over them and others several times. That was telling to me for what BB thinks of our current TE corps vs those in the draft. He has a plan.

3. WR is much improved. Thomas promises to be at least as productive as Hogan. Harry is another strong, tough, big radius guy who is a possession machine. It's up to the coaches to bring him along in our O.
Dorsett is back, Edelman is back, Josh Gordon should be back before the playoffs & Berrios, Ellington and Harris are competing for a spot. Add in the Ryan Davis and Jakobi Meyers signings and we've got some good talent to work with.

4. IDL. Pennell more than makes up for the loss Malcom Brown or Danny Shelton. Lawrence Guy was our best DT last year and he's back along with Adam Butler. Not worried.

5. QB. No different than the last 18 years. I'm good.

6. OL. BB knows Wynn can play and play well otherwise he'd have taken an OT higher. Not worried about the OL either.

 

[Big/Sky/Fly]

With the darts we had I’d have liked another highly ranked WR and at least 1 TE

This. And also a linebacker.

---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 AM ----------

They made a strong push for Jared Cook so I'm not so sure a return is necessarily on the table.

Which makes it more strange that they never drafted TE...

 

[chevss454]

Doug Kyed's way-too-early crack at a 2019 Patriots 53-man roster projection. In it, we have all but one draft pick making the 2019 squad. (Rookies are italicized.)
QUARTERBACK (3)
Tom Brady
Brian Hoyer
Jarrett Stidham
Out: Danny Etling
Stidham, a fourth-round selection, takes over Etling’s spot as the Patriots’ developmental quarterback. That’s an upgrade, even if he takes up a 53-man roster spot.
RUNNING BACK (5)
Sony Michel
James White
Rex Burkhead
Damien Harris
Brandon Bolden ST
Out: Nick Brossette
The Patriots needed more running back depth last season when Michael and Burkhead suffered injuries, leading to Cordarrelle Patterson playing out of position. Third-round pick Harris provides that.
FULLBACK (1)
James Develin
Out: Jakob Johnson
Johnson, a Germany native, likely will stick around on the practice squad, where he can take on an additional 11th spot as part of the NFL’s international gateway program.
WIDE RECEIVER (5)
Julian Edelman
Phillip Dorsett
N’Keal Harry
Bruce Ellington
Matthew Slater ST
PUP: Demaryius Thomas
Suspended: Josh Gordon
Out: Braxton Berrios, Ryan Davis, Maurice Harris, Jakobi Meyers, Damoun Patterson, Xavier Ubosi
It was tough deciding among Ellington, Harris, Berrios and Meyers. We think Meyers could be a nice steal as an undrafted free agent, but we need to see it in OTAs and minicamp first. Ellington is a solid fit for the slot in the Patriots’ offense if he can stay healthy.
The Patriots can get by with this group until Thomas and/or Gordon return.
TIGHT END (3)
Matt LaCosse
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Ryan Izzo
Out: Stephen Anderson, Andrew Beck, Jacob Hollister
Izzo is a more balanced tight end as a receiving threat and experienced blocker than Anderson, Beck and Hollister. This is the Patriots’ biggest remaining area of need.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
LT Isaiah Wynn
LG Joe Thuney
C David Andrews
RG Shaq Mason
RT Marcus Cannon
OL Ted Karras
OT Yodny Cajuste
OL Hjalte Froholdt
OT Tyree St. Louis
Out: Calvin Anderson, Cole Croston, Jake Eldrenkamp, James Ferentz, Tyler Gauthier, Cedrick Lang, Ryker Mathews, Brian Schwenke, Dan Skipper
We know basically nothing about St. Louis, but it’s tough to tell which one of these young offensive tackles out of St. Louis, Croston, Lang, Mathews and Skipper will make the team. We’ll go with the one with the most upside. The Patriots could definitely still use another experienced offensive tackle.
EDGE DEFENDERS (4)
Michael Bennett
John Simon
Deatrich Wise
Chase Winovich
Out: Keionta Davis, Trent Harris, Derek Rivers
Byron Cowart, who’s listed below, also can contribute as a defensive end in the Patriots’ base defense. Linebackers like Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy can serve as edge rushers. Davis and Rivers didn’t show much in their second seasons last year. Harris was on the practice squad in 2018.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE (4)
Lawrence Guy
Mike Pennel
Adam Butler
Byron Cowart
Out: Frank Herron, Ufomba Kamalu, David Parry
Herron, Kamalu and Parry all will compete for a roster spot with Cowart. All three players have potential.
LINEBACKER (5)
Kyle Van Noy
Dont’a Hightower
Ja’Whaun Bentley
Elandon Roberts
Brandon King ST
Out: Terez Hall, Calvin Munson, Christian Sam
It’s not crazy to think one of Hall (undrafted free agent), Munson or Sam (2018 sixth-round pick) could wind up making the 53-man roster. For now, though, we’ll keep just five linebackers since Simon and Winovich could wind up playing as stand-up edge defenders.
CORNERBACK (6)
Stephon Gilmore
JC Jackson
Jason McCourty
Joejuan Williams
Jonathan Jones
Duke Dawson
Out: Keion Crossen, Ken Webster
This is a loaded group, making it difficult to cut Crossen and Webster, although it’s not a foregone conclusion Dawson beats out Crossen.
SAFETY (5)
Devin McCourty
Patrick Chung
Duron Harmon
Terrence Brooks ST
Nate Ebner ST
Out: *Malik Gant, A.J. Howard, Obi Melifonwu
Three cornerbacks — McCourty, Jones and Williams — all could play pseudo-safety roles.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
K Stephen Gostkowski
LS Joe Cardona
P Jake Bailey
Out: Ryan Allen
The Patriots wouldn’t have taken Bailey in the fifth round if he didn’t have a legitimate chance to make the roster.



10 "outs" get to go to the PS.


*Malik Gant was PFF's top graded safety (90.7) in the 2019 draft class.

 

[D2maine]

This. And also a linebacker.

---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 AM ----------





Which makes it more strange that they never drafted TE...

You don’t chase the draft trying to just fill spots there has to be a convergence between -> player - need - value


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Can’t quibble much with that.

I’ll remain mum on WR. Is Ellington the one missing hamstrings? I think Berrios could be a slot option ready.

Izzo is the intriguing guy for me. Between him and ASJ BB must feel comfortable enough. I’d still LOVE a Rudolph add.

We need youth at S. I’d love to see the Ubi project work - he’s physically Elite. But if he doesn’t there’s been talk of a Dawson S conversion which could open a spot to keep Crossen.

 

[Big/Sky/Fly]

You don’t chase the draft trying to just fill spots there has to be a convergence between -> player - need - value


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Who said anything about chasing? There were plenty there just for the taking... :shrug_n:

 

[TommyD420]

Now that the draft is over, what roster spots are the weakest on the team? I'm not nearly the expert that many of you are, but my list of areas of concern are:

1. LB - old and not much depth
   
   Thoughts?

1. 
   
   I was going to let this slide but I can't.
   
   Hightower just turned 29, Van Noy's 28, Roberts is 25. Bentley and Grigsby are 22.
   
   I might agree that it's not the deepest group, but when you only play 2 linebackers at a time, 60% of the time, 5 seems like enough to me. :shrug: But that's anything but an old group. It's one of the youngest position groups on the team.

 

[D2maine]

Who said anything about chasing? There were plenty there just for the taking... :shrug_n:

who says any of them were players the pats liked at the cost needed to acquire them? every year the pats pass up on a lot of "good" players that to them are worthless or too expensive, they are simply very picky when it comes to player traits we have no insight to. all we know is their combine stats and some almost worthless youtube highlight. Maybe some scouting by an "insider" or some other dude that fancies themselves a scout.

pats look for players who first meet their expectations of coach-ability, smarts, drive, leadership ect...then ability and athleticism. BB has said it the past he "does not want players he does not like coaching".

then grade out all the players you like - these usually fall into small groups of similar grades, then choose the one which is available at the right price, and fills the team needs best.

just because there were "plenty" according to the "experts" does not in any way mean the Pats thought so at the prices they were willing to pay for said player.

its simply not about filling slots just to fill them :shrug_n:

 

[Big/Sky/Fly]

who says any of them were players the pats liked at the cost needed to acquire them? every year the pats pass up on a lot of "good" players that to them are worthless or too expensive, they are simply very picky when it comes to player traits we have no insight to. all we know is their combine stats and some almost worthless youtube highlight. Maybe some scouting by an "insider" or some other dude that fancies themselves a scout.

pats look for players who first meet their expectations of coach-ability, smarts, drive, leadership ect...then ability and athleticism. BB has said it the past he "does not want players he does not like coaching".

then grade out all the players you like - these usually fall into small groups of similar grades, then choose the one which is available at the right price, and fills the team needs best.

just because there were "plenty" according to the "experts" does not in any way mean the Pats thought so at the prices they were willing to pay for said player.

its simply not about filling slots just to fill them :shrug_n:

You don't know this as fact...you're assuming.

 

[PSC_Pats_Fan]

If Malik Gant was the highest rated safety... Why wasn’t he drafted?

 

[spacecrime]

If Malik Gant was the highest rated safety... Why wasn’t he drafted?

Who knows? D2maine was talking about TEs, but what he said applies across the board: coaches and GMs have info and insights into which we and the mediots are not privy. Sometimes I think a team is willing to sign a guy who might have issues as an UDFA but not be willing to draft the guy. I don't know why, though. BB basically blew off two late seventh rounders then signed a bunch of UDFAs, including Gant and Meyers. Maybe we'll find out in OTAs or tc.

 

[D2maine]

If Malik Gant was the highest rated safety... Why wasn’t he drafted?

highest rated by who? if you mean the pats sure maybe he was, and their grade was udfa so he was not drafted. or there were higher priorities on their list - you cant draft everybody you want

BB has said in the past that they use 7th rd picks on players they think might be tougher to sign as udfa - so not necessarily better rated but simply more competition to sign if that player went to udfa

 

[Hawg73]

I want to answer the question, I really do, but I just don't have any faith that what I might see as a weakness now will stay that way for long.

Bill just stacks up layers of people that can get the job done and somehow they do. Even if they seem inadequate they step it up and get respectable.

Coaching. I think our problem might be the D will miss the guy who will guide Miami to the bottom of the division this season.