Pick 31 What’s the move

After 2 years back to back picking in the top 5 I don’t think anyone truly thought they’d be coming off a 14 win season, in the Super Bowl, but here we are. The New England Patriots are moving in the right direction, thanks to the coaching staff, the additions we made last offseason returning, and players they’ve drafted over the last few seasons that are developing and contributing. Now it’s time to see which direction the Patriots should take at 31.

Thanks to the combine interviews of Wolf and Vrabel we were able to gather what they at least publicly have said they’re looking for, an edge that’s specializes in speed to power, playmakers more specifically tight end in Vrabel’s words, as well as receiver who they both have said they don’t usually become available you typically have to draft and develop them.

Thanks to Free agency they now have a younger left guard in Vera-Tucker. That when healthy has shown he can perform at an all pro level, which helps eliminate guard. They signed Doubs at receiver helping us in this exercise rule out guys with his similar frame that would typically play the Z and be able to move inside and out. Byard is on a one year deal and with 3 safety sets all the rise now they may want to consider taking a long term safety to rather develop later in the draft or take one early on to immediately contribute. Dre’Mont Jones is a great addition for us a prototypical defensive end, but at 29 with Landry also at 29 with an injury history, they should absolutely look to get younger, learn from 2 vets work alongside them to develop and be apart of our rotation to help in pass rush and potentially run defense if the skillsets there.

They got obvious needs seeing the current shape of the roster, who we’ve added in free agency and who they let walk, helps shape up our decision process on the best action to take. I’m not gonna include guys I don’t think will be at 31, I’m not gonna say trade the farm and move up to the top 10 it’s not realistic. Staying in reality I will include some guys your mocks may have ranked a little later “we can get that guy in the second round” being at 31 we’re basically already in the second round. Some will say let’s just take the best player available… well best player available is subjective to your teams needs, they’re not looking at Mel Kipper or PFF or whoever's big board and say that’s who we need to take, they’re have their own grading system that Wolf began for us to use last year, we’re gonna follow how they grade players, and we’re gonna take best available in what they aim to take, that can contribute right away.

Let’s start with the biggest needs currently:

Edge

They need to get a corner stone edge a guy they can bank on long term and hopefully get up to speed and contribute right away. They’re in luck being one of the best edge classes I’ve seen in years with a lot of versatility a lot of options for us even going into round 3. Taking whatever edge that’s left over or moving up to get out guy is still okay to do. It’s not a bad thing with whoever may fall in our lap, but it’s how confident Wolf and our front office will be that the guy they foresee being there at 31 is there and have options to pivot.

They have some guys constantly floated around or mocked to us or at least in our range at 31 that I absolutely love and one I’m not totally sold on.

1. TJ Parker / Clemson - The patriots have reportedly met with Parker 3 times, (a visit to Clemson, at the senior bowl, and at the combine.) Parker had a down year this past year promising and flashes of elite 2024 film. “Speed to power” was what Eliot said we’re looking for here’s a guy that brings that. Down year at Clemson I have questions about but was a top 10 prospect entering the 25 college season had a fall off as did many Clemson players. (May need to move up a few spots or he may fall directly in our lap at 31)

2. R Mason Thomas / Oklahoma - Thomas already has been brought in for a 30 visit, I have him as my favorite and most likely target for us. He was someone teams constantly had to scheme around seen on tape getting double team blocked but still managing to find a way to be disruptive. Size intangibles and play style Vrabel has tended to be keen on in the past. Has had injury issues even finishing this season after the playoffs having a procedure done but has managed to play through and be effective in games with having injuries as we saw leading to and during the playoffs. (I think a team could take a shot on him early but I think there is a good likelihood he is there at 31)

3. Cashius Howell / Texas A&M - “Another short arm prospect just what we need” is the knock on him but you can’t deny the absolute chaos he caused for Olines last year. He has a crazy versatile move-set, insane motor speed and intensity on every rep. When he sheds off a lineman it’s like a killswitch is activated he hits another gear and plays like a killer. Locker room wise great teammate, coachable, willing to do whatever it takes to put the team first, and keeps the team motivated/hype and ready to get his teammates to bring some intensity out there. (I think a team is very likely to take a shot on him early but I think there is a chance off his measurements he could fall and be there at 31)

4. Gabe Jacas / Illinois - You probably see this guys name at the end of round 2/3 in your mocks, and are asking why would we take him at 31… Gabe Jacas (pronounced Ah Kiss) is the most slept on edge out of the bunch. Gifted athlete, film junkie, recorded 11 sacks as a guy who entered Illinois to wrestle and became a football standout. He busts his ass off in the film room, the weight room, and on the field. He became one of Illinois best players and a leader for his team. I feel as if he’s the absolute Vrabel guy and a good locker room fit, and with further development would be a great addition to our team long term. (Very likely to be there at 31, I think he is going to be a lot of teams option B/C/D in the back half of the first if teams are not able to get their guy)

5. Akheem Messidor / Miami - Miami already has one stand out edge in this class going in the top 10, but how about his side kick Messidor. Messidor wowed everyone finishing the college season with excellent performances throughout the year and into the playoffs, another guy who shows speed to power, has a ton of experience in the position, has a lot of versatility in his technique and wouldn’t require as much development. Messidor will be a 25 year old rookie which may turn some people off, but if you were to tell me we will get 7-8 good years of production in his career, I think he’d absolutely be worth consideration here. (I can see a team needing experience early taking him to partner with an already established edge, someone like the lions, the 49ers, the bears looking to bring him in to contribute right away, his age may turn some teams off if wear and tear is a concern I’m 50/50 the likelihood he’s there for us.)

6. Malachi Lawerence / UCF - As someone brought to my attention late in the season, Lawerence was an absolute fricking unit for UCF, dominate, intimidating, showed a wide variety in pass rush sets, his speed, his power, athleticism and mean streak is all over his tape. He was someone I liked in the middle rounds… that is until he absolutely kicked the door down at the combine. Everyone is now very well aware of Lawerence and the freak athlete he is that he not only showed at the combine but all over his tape. He’s rising fast, still needs to improve in the run game but worth considering at 31 if they believe in the talent. (I can see a team seeing his stock continue to rise and what he showed on film as worthy of taking in the 20s, I can also see teams aiming for him in the second, but I do think there’s a strong likelihood based on competition he faced at UCF teams will hold off and he can be there at 31)

7. Zion Young / Missouri - The guy that I continue to see brought up… I was initially impressed with traits Zion had shown, but after further consideration he is not my choice for us. With having a DWI 2 months before the combine, lacking maturity seen in a wide variety of interviews, and was a main instigator in the locker room fight against Michigan state after a game. He’s got a lot of growing up to do. His playstyle as I mentioned a ton of things you like or can see worth building off of… but his pass rush ability though he is able to shake free from tackles, he constantly struggles to actually get to the QB. I feel as if he is this years Shemar Stewart entering the league with minimal pass rush success but shows traits that warrants first round consideration. If they take him he really would have to have done something that floored Vrabel to buy in and take him under his wing, but as a team just coming off a Super Bowl loss I think we need guys that can contribute right away, that can fit the culture and locker room vibes we established last year, and from everything I’ve learned I’m leaning less and less he’s in anyway the right choice for us at this time. (Zion is constantly rising and more and more teams are showing interest in him I can absolutely see him even going in the teens early 20s to the cowboys, the ravens, the bills, the dolphins, teams that need more help at edge not afraid to take chances on his concerns)

(There’s more edge rushers to consider but I feel confident would be easier to obtain in the second and third rounds.)

I’m very confident the team views that with the strength of this edge class we have a ton of options, and that we do need to get someone to help lead the charge in getting to the QB long term, to pair with our already great interior Dline to help bring pressure on opposing QBs get them off balance and make throws they’d wish they had back that our secondary can take advantage of. Strengthen our defense and help us be more agressive in the pass game is what I view as a top need for us.

Receiver

With letting Diggs go, with all the A.J. Brown Hooplah, with our newest addition in Romeo Doubs, I still stay firm we need a big body X, let Doubs take the Z role, let Kyle Williams kinda float and take the top off rather on the outside at Z or up the middle if he can add some more muscle to be physical the middle of the field at slot. Boutte and Pop in the mix, sprinkle in Chism waiting for more opportunity, we got a good group of guys but they can absolutely look to improve this room.

This receiver class is gonna be a pick your flavor kind of class and really there isn’t any wrong answer, it’s just a matter of what’s the best approach to McDaniels scheme and Drakes comfortability to target. How proficient are they as route runners, how is their drop rate, what’s their catch radius are things we should consider when thinking about this position. Ultimately the team refers to this group as playmakers and there is a ton here that can be just that.

In no particular order

1. Denzel Boston / Washington - People see Washington university and immediately say no, people here contested catch and think Nkeal Harry or Keon Coleman. He is not Jalyn Polk, he is not Nkeal, he is not Coleman. He’s a guy who can make plays, a reliable redzone target, a guy with outstanding catch radius, and yes a high point contested catch warrior. He is a better route runner than Coleman/Harry, and he is a more reliable catcher than Polk. I think pats fans are caught up in things going wrong in the past or see a trait and no longer trust it. Don’t helmet scout, don’t think contested catches are the enemy, when we have a QB in Drake Maye who needs players like Boston to make big plays off these types of plays. Hes not the fastest, he’s not the slowest, he isn’t totally lose with his hips, some say he’s not the best separator but I’ve seen enough to think he’s better than what most say, what he shows on film is impressive. He’s someone I think is a big body (6’3) target Drake would love to drop in the bucket for, a guy we can rely on in the redzone, and has maturity and poise to fit in our locker room. Let’s also not forget the coaching change that happened in Washington, Boston could have jumped to another school but stuck with Washington, and doing so became the best player in the passing game for the huskies. I like him a lot for us, and think he’s someone that can be a long term big body target Drake and McDaniels can count on. (Likelihood he’s there at 31 is completely up in the air.)

2. KC Concepcion / Texas A&M -We want playmakers this guy has it all over his tape. Explosive after the catch, plucks it out of thin air and in tight window catches he’s capable of hauling it in, can immediately take it to the house, separate off corners with ease. He’s got a good personality for our locker room, he’s flashy on the field, and can be an absolute playmaker for us. I do have concerns about his drops he had a high drop rate, there are many factors of Toney that is but it’s still not something you like to see. The growth he’s shown at receiver in a 2 year span is very remarkable and I think is finally catching his stride. I do wonder how his addition could affect Kyle Williams but there’s nothing wrong with having another guy in the locker room with that deep ball, explosive after catch skill set in the limited sample size we got out of Kyle Williams. (Likelihood he’s there is completely up in the air)

3. Chris Brazzell / Tennessee - some may say this is early at 31 but as a team that had interest in a Alec Pierce… here’s a guy with about the same speed and deep ball ability as Pierce. At 6’5 he’s got top level speed, a reliable catcher, great separator, vertical field stretcher, great ball tracking can high point the ball, solid route runner that shows more on tape in Tulane than the limited route tree Tennessee usually allows its players to work with. Most helmet scouts see Tennessee receiver with size and speed and write him off, something about Chris is just different, he’s special, he’s a lot more put together and just makes it happen on the field. I think there’s a lot more that wasn’t unlocked in the Tennessee offense and with a stronger QB in Drake and a great OC in McDaniels I think we can unleash a beast in Brazzell. (I think there’s very strong chance he’s there at 31 if we decide to give Drake the receiver help he needs early on)

4. Omar Cooper / Indiana - After a phenomenal run by the national champions at Indiana Omar Cooper was one of the key contributors an playmakers for this team. After one year of big production Cooper has risen the last 2 months as considered as one of the top receivers in this class. I think he is a great route runner, a great separator, shakes off tackles well, has ability to contourt his body to make circus level catches like we saw in the viral touchdown he scored against Penn Stare that put him on the map. There’s a lot of traits to like in Coopers game, I’m just very surprised how late it caught on for him to be considered this early. He and Elijah Sarratt were great assets in Indianas pass game, and it’s crazy how the roles have reversed as Sarratt was considered early first round consideration to now barely talked about being over shadowed by Cooper. If you want a playmaker, he’s a playmaker for sure. (I don’t think he will be here at 31)

5. Elijah Sarratt / Indiana - Though other draft experts are for some reason fading him, not talking about him… pardon my french but… fuck that I think this guy showed just as much reason to be considered first round talent as Cooper did, his nickname is Waffle House because he’s always open. 4 years of excellent production at JMU and Indiana, he built an excellent chemistry with Mendoza to work on back shoulder throws… I think we’ve all seen Drake hit some of our receivers with that too. I’m still lost on because he didn’t participate in the combine drills why he is continuing to fall on boards or if it’s just so crowded people have found other receiver darlings that fit their flavor to want to pump up. I hate comps but if we want a Puka meets St. Brown meets Keenan Allen, Sarratt is reliable and makes plays happen in his route running, his separation, in the redzone, and even in the middle of the field after the catch. He’s not the fastest guy but you can see his game speed be comparable to many receivers throughout the league. I think he’s a good fit for us, and a sneaky great add at 31 to get Drake another reliable receiver to pair with Doubs. (Very likely at 31)

6. Jakobi Lane / USC - Another Big body receiver (6’4) another guy not being talked about. I do wish we could see more from his route tree, but he is an absolute reliable catcher and deep threat for this team. Opposite Lemon the 2 were an inverse of Batman and Robin a poor man’s Brian Thomas and Malik Nabers, a solid dynamic duo of playmakers just not the level of those guys. He was a playmaker for the Trojans, especially down the field and in contested catch situations with his narrow frame still was very competitive on high point catches or 50/50 balls. A redzone darling with 16 tds the last 2 years. I thought he he was solid at the combine, yet he’s still not talked about. He’s got a good head on his shoulders smart guy smart player and a good locker room guy. I think he’d be someone Drake could absolutely hit down the field or in gotta have it moments at ease. (I believe he will be here at 31)

7. Chris Bell / Louisville - Yes I’m well aware Bell suffered an ACL tear during the last game of his season. I’m also very aware of the talent he showcased this season revealing to the world he is a first round talent. With AJ Brown being beaten into our heads that were eventually going to trade for him… well here’s a guy that when I watch I see exactly what AJ brown was at Ole Miss. Why not get the younger version of him also dealing with a knee issue. This wouldn’t be the first time a player with a significant injury was taken in the first round look at Jameson Williams a few years ago entered the draft with a torn ACL one of the first receivers taken. He’s progressing very well in his rehab (though every agent will say this) he is said to be on track to be able to be ready for training camp. We saw Diggs immediately bounce back immediately from an ACL at 31 years old, how about a 21 year old with an excellent work ethic hoping to do the same thing. ACL injuries are not what they used to be, yes are a season ended but they’ve been able to repair and even further strengthen the knee thanks to modern medicine. He’s potentially and investment we’d have to work into our offense late into camp but it can be done. We could get an absolute steal at 31 when he’s fully recovered. (I believe he will be here at 31)

There’s a lot of options for us at receiver if we decide to take it, to you the pats fan there is all kinds of options, different types of receivers and it’s just ice cream, what’s your preferred flavor. I wouldn’t spend time dwelling on the past on failed receivers, this is a new era for the patriots and we’ve already seen big strides from our home grown talent. Does the player seem to fit Drake’s style, are they reliable, will they help us move up the field, will they be play makers, it’s up to our staff to decide if this is the direction we want to go, strengthen our offense, is it time to find Drakes WR1? We will find out on draft night.

Linebacker

With the departure of Gibbens, and Tavai it feels like an even bigger need for us. Thankfully like edge this is an outstanding linebacker class with plenty of versatility for us to tap into. A lot more of this class has shown guys to be able to wear multiple hats at this position, pass rush, run defending, pass coverage, calling plays and defensive adjustments.

We can take a few of the top names or we can stick it out and get more role specific guys and even some gems later on.

1A/1B. CJ Allen / Georgia and Anthony Hill jr / Texas - Are going to be the top names. You can’t go wrong with either. Both can call out plays, call out adjustments to their teammates, both possess excellent leadership ability. Both outstanding athletes and both can stuff the run, handle coverage. Those guys are going to be the top 2 in our range at 31, both have the character and play style Vrabel would love and have as a great addition beside Spillane, I’m grouping them together here because there really isn’t much difference in their style, it’s do you want a big guy with some athleticism in Anthony or more strategic athletic just not as big in CJ. Both can make a big impact and can’t go wrong with either and do deserve first round consideration .

The could sneak in the first guys:

Jacob Rodriguez / Texas Tech - Was in heisman consideration, has constantly sky rocketed boards, has leadership and a versatile intense play style. Only 2 years experience at the position being a former QB He’s able to break down opposing offenses at a quicker rate than most and dissect a play in real time, really good in coverage, able to force fumbles, very instinctive a lot to like. He’s a fringe first.

Jake Golday / Cincinnati- A hybrid style player that can set the edge and remain upright as a traditional linebacker. He’s got great pass rush ability, a good run defender, has shown flashes as a good coverage backer but not consistent. I view him remaining day 2 but have seen some mock him tail end of the first.

Josiah Trotter / Missouri - Son of a legend Jeremiah Trotter, brother to Jeremiah Jr, football is in his blood, he’s still refining himself just 20 years old entering the draft but with his pedigree I’m sure he will be developed in no time. Good size and play intensity, someone to consider that I’ve seen mocked into the first as of late but I view as a day 2 prospect.

Kyle Louis / Pitt - I’m the biggest Kyle Louis cheerleader and fuck it (sorry again) I’m gonna throw him in the mix as well if we’re gonna mention the other guys. How about the best coverage linebacker in the draft class, you wanna put him at safety he can handle it, nickel corner he can handle it, you wanna line him up on the edge even only being 6’ he can handle it. Excellent leadership, a film junkie, never takes plays off, versatile as all hell, a guy that plays with absolute heart, I can go on and on, yet taking him in the first round…. Will probably piss some fans off. I absolutely love him but I think we can get him day 2. If you have not watched him please do, don’t sleep on him, watch his versatility and tell me why we shouldn’t be considering him some point during the draft.

There’s a lot of Linebackers in this class, and frankly I don’t see a realistic rush to take one at 31. I think we can fill that position rather in the second or middle rounds of the draft and still get great complimentary hungry intense players to fit in on our defense.

Tight End

We absolutely need TE depth, we need a weapon at TE with the departure of Hooper, and Henry on his final year of his deal. Here’s the issue as much as I love this TE class it’s more in the middle rounds, I constantly see Sadiq mocked to us as of late… it’s not happening. I love the player but I hate to break it to you we do not have a shot of taking him unless we can miraculously move from 31 into the top 15… there are guys in the second round range I can talk about but I won’t be thrilled that would be our decision at 31. This is also a very meaty middle rounds (rd3-rd5) group of tight ends that will more than likely be taken very early but not first round warranted.

Kenyon Sadiq / Oregon - You wanna read about him he’s on my big board. Check that blog out he’s there, he sure as hell will not be there at 31. Sorry to crush your dreams. Outstanding talent, just totally out of range to move to get him.

And for first round that’s it.

You got guys like:

Max Klare / Ohio State - showed first round talent at Purdue, didn’t at Ohio State just couldn’t be involved in that high power offense as much as he was on the field. Mainly was a blocker when at Purdue he was a damn good receiving Tight end.

Eli Stowers / Vanderbilt - an excellent receiving tight end, a former QB with great talent and athleticism, good route runner and really good hands… he doesn’t block.

Michael Trigg / Baylor - He’s Kenyon Sadiq light just not the build, his play making ability is really fricking good, but he’s just got some things to work on, and you may hear there’s character concerns, they really weren’t on Trigg when his athletic director allegedly put his hands on him over a uniform dispute which is still getting sorted out. Good player just not a first rounder.

Oscar Delp / Georgia - Great blocking tight end, super athletic… where’s the production. The successor to Brock Bowers just couldn’t live up to the shadow left behind on the field. He makes really good plays, he’s got a great locker room presence and football IQ to him. All that said it’s just not there to be a first.

My personal favorite for us Tanner Koziol / Houston - 6’7 reliable receiving tight end can line up inline or just remain as a flex or F, and make plays happen. He’s not the best blocker but from what I’ve seen of him it can be worked on. He’s an absolute unit and has the most non screen play receptions out of all the tight ends the last 2 years grossing over 70 receptions both years. Theres a lot to like but even then hes barely talked about and his size and athleticism doesn’t warrant first round consideration.

This is a good tight end class just not loaded with first round talent. It’s a major need but it’s not warranted at 31 I really wish I could say someone was but I’m not going to be thrilled reaching on Stowers or any of these others. We gotta look in the later rounds where it’s a very meaty middle of the class with these tight ends.

Right Tackle

Morgan Moses isn’t getting any younger, miraculously making it through this season playing all 17 games and 4 post season matchups he was there for us every step of the way but at his age we can’t bank on this long term. We do need a successor, but is 31 the spot we want to take one? with HOPE he doesn’t see the field this year for Moses sake, or HOPE that who we take is already pro ready enough to take Moses spot.. it’s a rock and a hard place but we’ll discuss.

If we were to take a tackle here I’m looking for a guy who lives at RT not someone that played left and let’s move em to right and hope it works out. We need someone that the right side of the line is their home, less adjustment with footwork and technique, it’s not easy as you may assume switching sides, some guys have the capability, but some have mastered the side they play on so why change it.

We can draft someone later on to develop and be an understudy of Moses (which is what I believe will happen) BUT if we want to draft someone to compete right away and be ready to fill in at any moment without concerns we have 2 guys potentially in our range.

1. Blake Miller / Clemson - The Clemson “Ironman” never missing a start (54 games over 3700 snaps) is an excellent prospect not getting the love he deserves as the other tackles with more athleticism and upside. He is a reliable safe pick you can’t go wrong selecting. With ideal size and length the media won’t hound him over, he’s smart experienced with good technique and some areas in pass game he can look to improve on like against speed rushers, he’s got a lot to like. Plug n play style guy ready to compete for the starting role. Will he be at 31 I think a team in need of tackle will be willing to take him no matter where they are on the board, there’s not any guarantee he will be with how valuable good tackle play is, but if he’s there and it’s what we want to target he’s worth the pick.

2. Max Iheanachor / Arizona State - How about the Nigerian sensation Iheanachor taking the senior bowl by storm and making a name for himself. He was someone I had hoped we could obtain on day 2 but teams are all well aware of this diamond in the rough. He didn’t start playing football till he got to community college where his raw strength and athleticism impressed Arizona State enough to offer him a chance to play for them, where he was thrown into the fire immediately sink or swim, and though it wasn’t always pretty he swam. There is plenty of room for growth and development and I think learning behind Moses would be an absolute great investment taking him here at 31, and fill in if we need him to. It may not be the ideal thing drafting a guy in the first just to have him wait for opportunity, but I think long term he can become a great player in this league and even better being an understudy behind Moses. I can see a team invest in him at the early 20s being so impressed by him but I can see his inexperience causing teams to remain patient.

Is Right tackle the right move at 31? I think the team is gonna try to ride the hot hand of what Moses was able to do for us last year, they’re gonna look to take someone a little later on and use our pick on a bigger need. I do love both of these 2 players as options for us but I don’t believe it’s very likely we go this direction.

Safety

Now Tyler/Paper Waves/random guy who wrote this blog… (however you chose to address me) why the frick would the Patriots draft a safety in round one when we got a rising star in Craig Woodson and an outstanding vet in Kevin Byard we just got in free agency… there’s 2 ways we can look at this, 1. Similar to right tackle get Byards successor. 2. The new trend of NFL Defenses 3 safety sets. So walk with me, not only could we draft one of the top safeties in this class that we can have be Byard’s understudy… we could have that same understudy used in our secondary utilizing 3 safety sets. Imagine Gonzales, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson entering year 2, and add another threat back there, we will have the best secondary in the NFL hands down. We’ve shown we can eliminate the run last year, imagine we can completely eliminate the pass as well. Skip over edge this round skip over linebacker, let’s get those spots later and let’s make are already good to great secondary ELITE. Just a thought to consider. Theres 3 guys I could see us target if this is a direction we choose.

1. Dillon Thieneman / Oregon - Dillon was a guy I marked as an absolute Vrabel guy from the work ethic, Football IQ, leadership, as someone I could see Vrabel absolutely falling in love with and his play style would send our secondary to another level. I think out of all the top ranked safeties he would be the best fit out of the group based off our loose deep safety scheme we primarily used, obviously schemes can change but it if it’s carried over I think he’d take over the Hawkins role really well even with Byard and Woodson at the helm. After the combine he’s put the league on notice and it feels like our team isn’t the only bachelor hoping to select him. He is skyrocketing boards and I’m seeing him taken anywhere from 13 to 32. His time at Purdue was outstanding and only got better this year at Oregon showing he can hang on a great defense and making plays on a consistent basis with his physicality on hits, ball tracking and coverage. Now he’s ready to do the same at the next level merging his intangibles, intensity and athleticism to be a great safety in this league. I think he’s trending towards out of our range but you never know how many teams primarily need and would value safety with their first pick.

2. Emmanuel McNeal-Warren / Toledo - Brought in for a 30 visit, we get a closer look at one of the top safeties in this class. I really really like his skillset, his awareness, and athleticism covering all areas of the field able to get to the ball by a drop of the hat. He can be a box safety a deep safety nickel, and lineup wherever is needed but no matter what he can make a play. Excellent coverage ability not afraid to get his hands dirty and stop the run, and make it difficult for receivers to make a play over him. I was a fan of him entering the season but after our departures of Dugger and Peppers who he reminded me of I didn’t see the fit, but with 3 safety sets being the new trend he could absolutely have a role in our secondary. I think similar to Thieneman there’s a good chance he’s taken before we get to him.

3. A.J. Haulcy / LSU - Now unlike the 2 mentioned above I do think Haulcy would be there. Weirdly enough I view Haulcy as a mixture of both Thieneman and EMW, very physical, good athleticism, good intangibles. He’s gone under the radar in terms of draft buzz but he’s definitely a top 5 safety in this class. If this is a direction we look to target I could justify Haulcy at 31. He’s very likely to be there but if both Thieneman and EMW are gone will we look to bring him in is the question.

Is safety a need? Long term yes. Is it what I’m prioritizing in the draft for us? I don’t think so. Like many of the other position groups there is a lot of guys sprinkled throughout this draft I think we could take, develop and play a role for us rather if it’s just to be depth, or if it’s to add in a 3 safety set. We’ve brought in Zakee Wheatley for a 30 visit who I see as a day 2 safety, there’s other guys day 2 such as Kamari Ramsey, Michael Taaffe, and guys on day 3 in Bud Clark, Jalen Huskey, Cole Wisiniewski, who I could see be apart of our schemes, be depth pieces, and players to develop long term. I do think safety is a sneaky need just not the priority need.

Trades

Let’s talk trades.

Trading up We can move across the board we have 11 picks to move up if we love someone we feel could be swiped not saying we would move to the teens but anywhere in the early 20s I think we have enough draft capital to move up to get our guy whomever that may be.

Trading down say we trade down, we already have 11 picks… what assets would benefit us to move back and lose this pick. It’s not the end of the world if we move out, but you’re stockpiling picks with a roster that really didn’t lose that many players this offseason. Just not likely to me unless we miss out on a guy we were dead set on, and need to pivot into day 2.

Trade the pick for a player we talked about throughout the blog but we all have heard the big hooplah surrounding AJ Brown possibly being traded here, we’ve heard rumors of Brian Thomas Jr, we probably will hear more rumors entering the draft during the draft saying a player may be traded for a team looking to get back into the draft.

I don’t see BTJ being moved unless it’s a crazy package. Idk who else would be worth trading the pick for logically. AJ Brown is the only player that makes sense, but doesn’t make sense for the team we’re trading with, the cap hit that would occur for the eagles if he’s traded before June 1st is serious money. IF they trade for Brown it’ll be after June 1st, if it were to happen on draft night I’d be very surprised. It is the NFL anything can happen but I think the best approach is

Have a great draft build this team in the draft, you feel confident with the team you’ve built and do you look around and think AJ is the missing piece and can help elevate this offense. Dare I say it on June 2nd comes rip the bandaid off trade the first round pick for next year if you have to. Only if you think this team can repeat our success last year and will only be better with our new additions in free agency and this draft class. I know the 27 class this the 27 class that… yeah it’s great but we want to be great right now. Let’s just fucking do it.

Conclusion and answering what I ultimately think what is the move at 31….

Rule out Tight end, rule out safety, rule out LB…

3 options Edge the long term pass rusher to help bring the heat to QBs. WR the playmaker that potentially can be the WR1 for Drake Maye and we pass on AJ Brown. RT the successor to Morgan Moses.

The move has been said throughout the entire season and it’s this

We need pass rushers. We need someone to strike fear in QBs and edge is one of the 4 pillars of a successful team.

I’m going Edge at 31

Who I’m taking

Luxury: trade up with some of the 11 picks we have and let’s get the upside in TJ Parker

Stick and pick: R Mason Thomas

Upside/ Invest draft and develop: Gabe Jacas/ Malachi Lawrence

That’s my best bet for what we’d do. I will probably be dead wrong but I want to at least give a good insight on what makes the most sense for us.

I appreciate your time reading this, I hope this was very insightful and I hope you stick around and check back on any new blogs I make up. I do have a top 50 big board that will be updated in the near future. I do have positional rankings you can also check out on the site covering every single position group and the guys that didn’t make my top 50.

Thank you so much for your time

Go Pats!

-Tyler / Paper Waves