New England Patriots News 5-3 and Notes Around the AFC East
 Bill Belichick put his stamp on the 2015 NFL Draft, doing things his way and taking players where he feels they fit. (USA TODAY Images) |
Good morning, here are Sunday’s Patriots news notes and what’s happening around the division:
Belichick Ignores CW, Sticks With Winning Formula: The Patriots draft haul scarcely resembles what most of the draft pundits were calling for. While first round pick DT Malcolm Brown was definitely an area that the team was looking to add to, the rest of the draft didn’t play out the way most envisioned.
Bill Belichick was supposed to add depth to the WR and RB core but yet the team drafted none. The cornerback position a big need with Revis and Browner gone? Nope… unless adding a 7th round pick (247th Overall), is addressing it.
Instead the Patriots went safety at #64 in a reach by taking Jordan Richards at the end of the second round when he probably would have been still there on Day 3.
Here is a look at the 2015 Draft Class of the Patriots.
1st Round (32nd Overall) – Malcom Brown, DL Texas
2nd Round (64th Overall) – Jordan Richards, SS, Stanford
3rd Round (97th Overall) – Geneo Grissom, DE/OLB Oklahoma
4th Round (101st Overall) – Trey Flowers, DE Arkansas
4th Round (111th Overall) – Tre’ Jackson, G Florida State
4th Round (131st Overall) – Shaq Mason, G Georgia Tech
5th Round (166th Overall) – Joe Cardona, LS Navy
6th Round (177th Overall) – Matthew Wells, LB Miss State
6th Round (202nd Overall) – A.J. Derby, TE Arkansas
7th Round (247th Overall) – Darryl Roberts, CB Marshall
7th Round (253rd Overall) – Xzavier Dickson, DE/OLB Alabama
The one theme that has held water is that the Patriots would try to improve their front seven and amp up the pass rush in 2015. With five picks in the front seven and three edge rushers (Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers and Xzavier Dickson), the Patriots seem intent on doing just that.
The interior offensive line was addressed but not as early as many had envisioned. Belichick waited until Round 4 when he snagged Tre’ Jackson thru the FSU pipeline and Shaq Mason from Georgia Tech.
So while Belichick went against the conventional wisdom, it is a formula that works and they stick with it. I spoke to one former NFL Scout this weekend and he said this about the Patriots draft approach: “They are as unpredictable as any team, but they are convinced that their approach works…One has to respect their ability to stick with their board…very few teams do.”
Belichick on Saturday night in his post-draft presser was upbeat again and spoke about the newest members of the team, “they need to become New England Patriots…. The strong will survive.”
Dobson/Tyms Winners With this Draft?: With a class that was deep with talented wide receivers and the Patriots supposedly ready to take a wide out early in the process it was surprising…at least a little bit to see the Patriots totally eschew the wide receiver class.
With Bill Belichick obviously in high spirits this weekend after the process was over, one has to wonder if the fact that the team avoided the draft class entirely, it means good things for wide receivers Aaron Dobson and possibly Brian Tyms.
With the starting three in place, the team can still use an outside the numbers receiver who can stretch the field vertically as well as horizontally. And now that Dobson is finally healthy could the team be satisfied with he and Tyms being that fourth option? Time will tell but I believe that many expected New England to address the position, at least in the middle rounds….chock it up as intriguing and something to monitor.
Belichick Drafts Navy LS, Green Beret LS Available: Bill Belichick as was expected signed Navy LS Joe Cardona in the 5th round sticking to his Navy roots. Cardona will need to be excused from Navy duty if he is to report to the Patriots.
One story that has been making the rounds for the past six weeks is former Army Green Beret Nate Boyer who walked on as a long-snapper at Texas and was hoping to get drafted. Boyer served in both Afghanistan and Iraq and was frequently used by Texas coach Mack Brown as a motivational speaker.
Can you imagine the training camp competition between Army – Navy? Boyer’s story alone is a great reason to at least give him a shot. He and Cardona chose a difficult career path to find NFL success. But it would make a heck of a story.
Bill Belichick is a dyed-in-the-wool Navy guy, but as a former Green Beret myself, I would really like to see Boyer in a New England uniform. Are you listening Bill?
**Update** Boyer was signed by Seattle.
Team Building Has Just Begun, UDFAs Being Signed: According to James Christensen of NEPatriotsDraft.com the Patriots have already begun signing UDFAs to the team. It should be noted that last season’s Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler came to a tryout before being signed as an UDFA and eventually winning a slot on the final 53 man roster in September.
Thus far the Pats have signed : David Andrews, C Georgia, Devin Gardner, WR Michigan, Jimmy Jean, DB UAB, Chris Harper, WR Cal
Gardner was the QB for the Wolverines and is trying to convert to WR ala Julian Edelman. His versatility and ability to fill-in as a third emergency QB wouldn’t hurt his chances.
Eastbound and Down…..News from around the AFC East:
Jets Big Winners in the Draft:The New York Jets had one of their best drafts in recent memory and hit pay dirt on a number of fronts. After reportedly trying to move up to the #2 slot and failing to land QB Marcus Mariota, perhaps the most talented player in the draft USC DT Leonard Williams fell to them at #6.
Although technically not a position on need, it makes the Jets defensive line, already solid, particularly formidable. But they weren’t done. The Jets then moved up in the 4th round to take Baylor QB Bryce Petty. Petty was considered to be a target of the Buffalo Bills but now will push Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick for the reins of the NY offense.
And then GM John Maccagnan traded their 224th and final pick to the St. Louis Rams for RB Zac Stacy who was deemed expendable once the Rams drafted Todd Gurley. Stacy will immediately upgrade the Jets passing game out of the backfield.
Bills Address Needs Across the Board: With no first round pick this season due to moving up to take Sammy Watkins a year ago, the Buffalo Bills and GM Doug Whaley met the team’s needs and added depth by dipping into six different positions with six picks.
Notable among them were Ronald Darby an athletic corner from FSU, who could push for reps immediately. Tight end Nick O’Leary in the sixth round was another intriguing pick, as opinions on him differ widely, but he too may push for early reps. And guard John Miller from Louisville was a perfect fit for the Bills as he’s a tough, physical player who will fit right in with Buffalo’s power running game.
Dolphins Add Jay Ajayi, If Healthy, Big Addition: With Devante Parker already in the fold, the Miami Dolphins took a little bit of a risk and selected Boise State running back Jay Ajayi with the 149th pick in the fifth round of the draft.
Ajayi was considered a solid 2nd round selection this year until medical issues have begun cropping up with his knee. Reports are that he has virtually no cartilage left and it is bone on bone.
However if Ajayi can remain healthy, the 6’0 215 running back is a very effective receiver out of the backfield and would be a huge lift to the Dolphins offense where Lamar Miller has to shoulder most of the load. It was a good risk if he’s able to contribute this season.
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