Lazar, Perry, and Curran have been putting up good stuff the last couple months on the draft. I generally agree with their overall assessments aside from WR.
1. The way I see this draft, is there are several elite/starter-level DBacks and then a cliff drop, so if one of them is available at #21, I think the Pats have to go Daxton Hill, McDuffie, or Stingley if they are there. I won't split hairs on which of these 3 to take but these are the starter-level rookies I think who can play snaps immediately. Daxton Hill is the closest McCourty clone in a decade, can play corner as a rookie then replace McCourty at FS. McDuffie is a coach-level smart CB with coverage skills, Stingley is injury prone but has a pro bowl talent CB ceiling. I screened out other guys, I'm looking for press man-coverage DBacks who can also tackle. (Pats type DBacks).
2. I would not go NT first, as the Pats can get a big fat run-stuffing NT later in the draft. I like Davis and he's a physical freak, but his run stuffing is above average, not super elite. The Pats don't need a 3down pass rushing NT. We just need a run stuffing NT for 1st down and short yardage /goal-line defense. Definitely have to fix NT but don't need to burn our 1st on it. Rest of the DLine will settle better with Barmore next to a huge NT and then play Guy/Godcrap at the other DLine spot. I really like picking massive McCall much later in the draft, even if it means picking a round earlier than projected to get him.
3. I'm not a fan of crappy Bentley returning but I also don't want to burn the 1st pick on a LB given the bigger DBack needs. The only LB who would fit for me is Chenal if he's there in the 2nd round. Great instincts, physical and tough. I'm not worried that he can't cover. We play a ton of nickel, already have 3 box safeties who can play some LB and also cover, and other young LBs who redshirted. I'm passing on these tiny fast LBs, they don't fit the Pats, would rather plug Phillips / Dugger / Peppers for a similar role when needed.
4. Would be looking for a right guard in the middle to late rounds who can play right away. Since Onwenu has been an elite NFL right tackle for 2 years now, and RG is easier to fill than a starting offensive tackle, my new 2022 OLine would be the following:
TBrown - Wynn - Andrews - [Rookie] - Onwenu.
5. I wouldn't burn a pick on a WR. Already too many pass catchers than spots/snaps available with Devante, Meyers, Bourne, Agholor, Henry, Smith, and James White.
In combining Pats team needs with what should be there on the draft board for this year's talent, I would generally see if we end up going DBack first, and then maybe LB if Chenal there 2nd, and then spread multiple RG or NT picks and hope a candidate pans out for interior OLine and Nose Tackle.
