Last week was the NFL Draft and there was plenty of surprises all around like any NFL Draft. I also wrote an article last week about potential target positions and players the Patriots could draft. While I unfortunately did not hit on any of them, this week's article will take a look at least one player from each round (except the first since that's the one people care about the most).
First Round:
- Pick 23: Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia:
Wynn has played both guard and tackle and he’s been productive in both of those areas, so he’s a good player who has also been in a good program. He had to block a lot of good people in that conference, as fans know, so anyone who watches college football (specifically SEC football) know there’s a lot of good football players down there, and a lot of them got drafted. He was a second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection in 2017, starting all 15 games on the outside to lead the way for the team's excellent running backs and protect freshman quarterback Jake Fromm. Wynn is a talented, technically sound block-winner with a demeanor that the offensive coaching staff will love. His athleticism allows for quick advantages as a run blocker while his hand strength and footwork helps him sustain those advantages into open running lanes. He appears to have the technique and play traits to overcome any concerns about size and could become an early starter.
- Pick 31: Sony Michael, RB, Georgia:
Roommates at Georgia will now be teammates. Michael is a dynamic back with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, as his 64 career catches indicates. He was part of a one-two punch with Nick Chubb that led the Georgia offense and carried the Bulldogs to the national championship game. Michel has drawn comparisons to New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara, who took the league by storm with his multi-purpose skills as a rookie last season. He's a hard runner, yet he's a make you miss guy. He's more powerful than people think. I think with the ball in his hands, he may be as talented as Kamara. He is a well-built, no-nonsense runner who is able to combine vision, burst, and physicality. While he can make open field cuts to find additional yardage, his running style seems to be more angular in nature and he thrives when playing north-south.
Second Round
- Pick 56: Duke Dawson, CB, Florida:
The Patriots make yet another SEC selection and this time it's Florida Duke Dawson. He allowed a passer rating of only 41.0 when lined up in the slot last year, eighth-best in the nation, after allowing a rating of only 64.6 (38th) in 2016. Given the value of slot defenders in today’s NFL, Dawson fills an important need for the Patriots’ defense. Dawson can match and blanket underneath and can handle himself in man or zone coverage and is ready to work when run support calls. He has some length and speed limitations, but he has the instincts and cover talent to become a starting nickel cornerback.
Fifth Round:
- Pick 143: Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB, Purdue:
Bentley is a physical off-the-ball linebacker who delivered some thunderous hits . He is a downhill thumper who posted the nation’s top grade against the run at 95.0 while ranking fourth in the draft class with a run-stop percentage of 13.3. He has work to do in coverage, and may be limited to early downs at the next level. Similar to James Harrison last year, Bentley could fill this role as a run only linebacker. Bentley's physical approach and ability to attack and defeat blockers make him an ideal candidate as a run-down thumper along the inside. However, Bentley has athletic limitations that could hinder his effectiveness as an NFL finisher which may make it more difficult for him to cover the pass. But, his size and toughness could make him a solid backup inside linebacker who could find reps down the line.
Sixth Round:
- Pick 210: Braxton Berrios, WR, Miami:
Berrios fits the profile of successful Patriots slot receivers from a physical makeup standpoint (5-foot-8 5/8, 184 pounds) and also has potential as a dynamic, quick-cutting punt returner. Because of that, and how the Patriots' offense has brought out the best in slot receivers going back to Troy Brown in the early 2000s, Berrios was a natural pick to include as a Patriots target leading into the draft. He has explosive characteristics and shows the ability to uncover and the toughness to make contested catches look easy. His ability to return punts simply adds to his roster value kind of similar what Danny Amendola brought to this team.
Seventh Roud:
- Pick 219, Danny Etling, QB, LSU:
By drafting Etling it seems the Patriots view of quarterbacks was that there were a few starting-caliber options and everyone else fell into the same category as developmental backups. Because of that, they didn't want to overdraft at the position and that explains, in part, why they waited until the top of the seventh round to make Etling the 11th quarterback selected. Etling has decent size and an NFL arm, but his mechanical inconsistencies -- often brought on by impending pressure, are big concerns moving forward. Luckily for him though, he will get to learn from the best pocket passer in the game, Tom Brady.
