NFL Draft 2015 : Reactions to The Patriots First Three Picks and Where Should They Go From Here.
It’s draft season, and the New England Patriots are ready to retool for another Superbowl. New England held the 32nd, 96th, and 97th picks at the draft with needs on the defensive line interior, running back, wide receiver, and offensive line. I fully expected Bill Belichick to trade down and accumulate picks in round one but, the Patriots got a steal with Malcom Brown; who was projected to be a top 20 pick.
Malcom was one heck of a player at the University of Texas. Brown was a first-team all-American in 2014 posting 61 tackles with 13 for loss, six and a half sacks, and two forced fumbles. Also, he was the first Texas defensive linemen to lead the team in sacks and tackles for loss since 1984. A milestone Texas greats Shaun Rogers, Brian Orakpo, Tony Brackens, and Casey Hampton couldn’t muster.
“A combination of his talent, work ethic, production, skill set relative to what we’re looking for… we felt like he was the best for us.”- Bill Belichick
Oklahoma’s Geneo Grissom was another quality pick. Grissom is a versatile athlete who can play all the defensive line positions like Malcom Brown. He had 39 tackles with six and a half for losses and three and a half sacks in 2014. He has vines for arms and his best fit at the pro level could be at the five technique because he don’t possess superior speed for the edge. Grissom’s ceiling is Lamar Houston esque with the right coaching.
As long as Dominique Easley fully heals and return to his Florida form; The Patriots will have one of the best pass rushes in the league. Last season after the injury to Jerod Mayo New England went with a 5-2 front approach, so assuming Donta Hightower doesn’t return by the season’s opener it’s possible they can do that again. Assembling Mayo and Jamie Collins to man the linebacker positions with a front rotation of Dominique Easley, Alan Branch, Malcom Brown, Geneo Grissom, Chandler Jones, Robert Ninkovich, and newcomer Jabaal Sheard to form a tenacious front seven.
A hidden message in all of this is that the Deflate-gate scandal should be in New England’s favor. Worst case scenario a fine will be sent to Foxborough because at this point draft picks are being used. Honestly that’s all Patriots fans really care about. We didn’t want to lose any draft picks. So I expect all charges against the Patriots to be dropped soon.
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Now that the Patriots have addressed their need for Vince Wilfork replacements expect the Patriots to get an offensive lineman and a offensive weapon on Day 3. Although no one ever knows what Bill Belichick has up his sleep. For Example that Jordan Richards pick; I have no idea what Belichick and Michael Lombardi were thinking. The Patriots just extended Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung this offseason. There is no need for a safety with Duron Harmon showing progress, but the draft wouldn’t be normal unless Belichick makes a blasphemous reach in the first three rounds. That pick should’ve been used on an offensive linemen or an offensive weapon. Preferably a runningback because after this offseason the AFC East may hold the best defensive lines in the NFL. The Patriots do not need Tom Brady dropping back 40 times a game. The Patriots need to established a well oiled run game to keep the pass rushers at bay.
There are still quality offensive linemen left on the board to bolster the interior like Florida State’s Tre Jackson and Alabama’s Arie Kouandjio. Also my personal favorite overall player left on the board is Boise State runningback Jay Ajayi. He would be the perfect fit for the Patriots offense.
The draft continues today at noon, so tune in and see who the Patriots get next. They have three picks in the fourth round to start things off. Overall good picks ups so far for the New England Patriots.
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