FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts. – Quick thoughts and notes about the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. Intel Project: Patriots manager Matt Groh handed a nugget to local reporters late after the first round of the NFL Draft, saying, “The transfer was in effect” for the team that day.
Of course, the Patriots ultimately fell down three spots before selecting Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the 17th overall. They then followed that up by selecting Georgia Tech quarterback Keune White in the second round (No. 46) and Sacramento State Salma/LB Marty Marty. Mapu in the third round (#76) as their title picks.
Between Groh’s remarks about potentially advancing and getting a defensive head in the draft, here’s some intelligence on the team’s approach from team and league sources:
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They were high on white and considered going back to the first round to determine the defensive end before finally deciding that the price would be too rich. White was also among a small group of players under consideration after the trade return from No. 14.
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While coach Bill Belichick said the intent wasn’t solely geared toward defense, there is clear acknowledgment that the Patriots play in a division against elite quarterbacks Josh Allen (Bills) and Aaron Rodgers (Jets), and players with explosive skills. in Miami. So building a unit that has the potential to disrupt these skilled players/QBs is critical. That’s part of the reason why the Patriots rated White as highly as they did, with the idea of pairing him alongside the likes of Matthew Goodon, Dietrich Wise Jr., Christian Barmore, Josh Uche and company.
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Gonzalez at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds makes the Patriots taller on the perimeter, which was necessary based on the smaller physical appearance of the other cornerbacks. White has an aggressive style of play, which is linked to the team’s coveted identity of being a solid soccer team.
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Three offensive linemen on Day 3 were selected by design, which, along with playing with toughness and grit, was a reflection of the tough attitude the Patriots are looking for, player manager Matt Groh said late Saturday. “If you look at those two teams playing in the last weekend [last season]You can never have enough good offensive linemen.”
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Multiple teams reported that they answered calls from the Patriots, describing them as excited about trying to get out of the third round. The Patriots ended up obliging and choosing Mabo, whose aggressive demeanor and playstyle they liked, reflecting the type of defense and special teams units they aspire to build.
2. White’s Reaction: White’s stony reaction to being selected in the second round by the Patriots probably didn’t come as a surprise to the NFL teams who questioned him in the draft. White, 24, described himself as a total businessman, super hard-working, and scouts from multiple teams relayed in attempts to better connect with him in the interview process. This is one reason these scouts believed that White, who was invited by the NFL to attend the draft in Kansas City, Missouri, because he was projected to be a first-round pick, had slipped into the second round.
3. Gonzalez’s Views: Gonzalez provides a reminder of how scouts and teams grade players differently. A high-ranking official in the front office of a team relayed that his team had Gonzalez as the best cornerback, calling him the safest pick. And Patriots assistant coach Jerod Mayo, who had visited him at Oregon before the draft, predicted that he would be off the board by the time he selected the Patriots.
But ESPN Leaders reporter John Kim and former Patriots assistant head coach Michael Lombardi highlighted two areas where teams weren’t sold:
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Keim (trans John Kim’s reportExplaining why Washington went with CB Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 over Gonzales): “The only thing I’ve heard from [Washington sources] Gonzalez said during the process that they didn’t like what they saw on tape versus Georgia and that stuck with them. He didn’t have a good game. Now, it’s been a really good year the rest of the year, but I think that was a big deterrent for them and it gave them pause.”
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Lombardy (trans GM dodgy Podcast): “The worry about him is he going to be physical enough? But what he can do… Run fast. Play the ball. But he’s going to have to mark the edge of defense and they’re going to make him do it.”
4. What if? The Patriots don’t seem enamored with this year’s overall receiving class, waiting until late to dive in, but there’s a potential missed opportunity: With four fourth-round picks, a fast-slung receiver in Houston Nathaniel Dale Sliding close as their third-round pick approached (76), could the Patriots have been more aggressive and packed a fourth-rounder to go for a touchdown on Dell? Instead, the Texans, who under GM Nick Caserio have similar traits to New England, traded the No. 5 spot to move to the No. 69 to land on Dale. It felt like Caserio had taken off, knowing his former team was on the horizon.
5. Top 30 Important Visits: Of the 30 visits the Patriots were allowed to have prospects before the draft, they had Gonzalez (first round), Mabo (third round), quarterback Jake Andrews (Fourth round) Guards Sir su (fourth round) f Anthony Maffei (Fifth Round), corner return/kick return Isaiah Bolden (Seventh round) between them. It’s a reminder of how valuable those hits are, and also why opposing teams are an interesting piece of information because it can reveal draft intent.
6 – Relationships between Patriots and Jets: Saturday’s trade between the Patriots and Jets — with New England advancing in the fourth round for a Maryland kicker pick Chad Ryland The surprise was the third signing of the East Asian rivals in the past five years. Who said Belichick hates planes? In 2019, he replaced receiver Demarius Thomas for a last-ditch run. And in 2020, New England traded three draft picks (turned out to be QB James Morgan, OL Cameron Clark, and S Hamsah Nasirildeen) to move to the third round and pick tight end Dalton Keene, who is never out.
7. They said so: “I had a chance to spend about an hour and a half in the draft room earlier [Thursday] With our head coach, and I can tell you, you’ve been through 24 drafts with Bill [Belichick] He runs the draft room here, he’s engaged and engaged — maybe more so — than I’ve ever seen him.” —Patriots President Jonathan Kraft, to season ticket members before the first round on Thursday.
8. The String Diet: Starting left guard Cole Strange, a 2022 Patriots first-round pick, is listed at 305 pounds on the team’s roster. Managing his diet and general physical makeup was part of his casual approach, he said, after a recent body fat scan, which led to this casual trade-off—fewer trips to his favorite hamburger restaurant and more grilled chicken.
9. Stage 2 / Judge for Help: After two weeks devoted solely to strength and conditioning work, the second phase of the Patriots voluntary offseason begins Monday, which means coaches can now be on the field with players and run one-on-one workouts. Special Teams Coordinator Cam Accord confirmed that Joe Judge is expected to assist his units in addition to other responsibilities off the field. “Anytime you can add a guy with his kicking experience, you’ll make us better,” said Accord.
10. Did you know?: The Patriots are the second team in the last 30 years to have a shot in the same draft. The other one to do so was the 2000 Raiders, who drafted K Sebastian Janikowski (first round) and P Shane Lechler (fifth round).