Mike Reiss brings a lot of truths for the draft in his Sunday am Quick Hits article today.
The Patriots have several needs they could address in next week's draft, including receiver, cornerback and defensive line. Who would be a good fit?
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A typically solid job from the dependable Reiss. Always factual and never resorts to the usual Boston media shenanigans to boost his hits.
That said, I was disappointed that he didn't mention a candidate to fill the biggest hole on our roster-- a starting caliber Guard, who Alec Lindstrom is
not at this point. Nice kid and a good player, but he's right out of the Andrews/Ferentz prototype size-wise and might need some time in program to
hold up against NFL linemen. He is experienced and seems like a good developmental lower-round guy, but we need a capable guard even worse than
a Corner or a Linebacker, imo, unless mystery-man Drew Desjarlais is way better than his Canadian resume suggests. If we don't land one in the draft
(preferably) or FA then we're in big trouble and we can't put Ferentz in as a starter or Mac is doomed.
That said, the news that J.J. Taylor looks noticeably bigger is interesting. I have seen some evidence that he can play some tackle football and might be
the heir apparent to James White, but he's going to need to prove that he can block and, especially, catch better than he's shown so far. I think his
frequent inactive status and low snap count last season, when we were down a couple of able bodies, might mean that our staff, meaning Bill, doesn't love him.
If that is the case, then look for us to draft a pass-catching back to learn the ropes. This is why I'm high on Georgia's James Cook, who looks like a
James White clone to me when it comes to pass-catching. Outstanding hands. He's very smooth and efficient.