We're Onto the NFL Draft (2019 Prospect Thread)

[EL Jeffe]

I was expecting Smith Jr to be a shade taller, but I'd still be very comfortable with him at 32. He's about the same size Graham was coming out of Colorado, and Graham was still a plus blocker in the league for a while.

I'd like to see the Waldman piece of Knox blocking because the two games I watched, I didn't see it. The Miss St. game in particular wasn't good for him when he tried to block Sweat (Sweat took his lunch money).

I do enjoy people overreacting to RB 40 times, though. Kareem Hunt ran a 4.62 40, Kamara was like a 4.53. Fournette ran a 4.51 - guess which guys plays the slowest?

 

[Super Nomario]

I was expecting Smith Jr to be a shade taller, but I'd still be very comfortable with him at 32. He's about the same size Graham was coming out of Colorado, and Graham was still a plus blocker in the league for a while.

Graham was drafted back in 2002; 248 was bigger relative to history through that time period than it is now (through 2002 it ranked about 45th percentile; through 2018 it's 40th). Smith weighed six pounds lighter; he would be the lightest TE they've ever drafted. He's in the 20th-22nd percentile. He's as close to Jacob Hollister as he is to Graham. His arms were really short, too, at 31 1/2". I think it's a concern, especially if we're talking about a first-round pick.

Fant, OTOH, measured in at more than I expected - 6041 (6'4 1/8"), 249, 33 1/2" arms.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Graham was drafted back in 2002; 248 was bigger relative to history through that time period than it is now (through 2002 it ranked about 45th percentile; through 2018 it's 40th). Smith weighed six pounds lighter; he would be the lightest TE they've ever drafted. He's in the 20th-22nd percentile. He's as close to Jacob Hollister as he is to Graham. His arms were really short, too, at 31 1/2". I think it's a concern, especially if we're talking about a first-round pick.

Fant, OTOH, measured in at more than I expected - 6041 (6'4 1/8"), 249, 33 1/2" arms.

Agreed. I think sometimes people make too much of these measurables but I'm not so sure in this case. Not only is Smith on the smaller side but I think you can reasonably wonder how much weight - or good weight at least - he can add with his frame. The attraction of Smith in theory is that he could be a real two way TE but if he is 245 lbs and gets overwhelmed by DEs at the next level at the point of attack and when left 1-v-1 in some pass blocking situations then all you have is a decent receiver that is best used situationally. That might still be a useful piece but not in the first round.

 

[EL Jeffe]

Dwayne Allen was essentially the same size as Graham too, he's managed to be a plus blocker in today's NFL. Also, Smith is just 20 years old; I really don't think he's maxed out physically.

I'll bet on Smith all day. You can't play TE for Saban/Alabama unless you can do all the in-line/Y stuff at a physical, high level. Smith has a ton of really good tape blocking high-end, SEC players.

At the end of the day, length is good and it's a data point but you can either block people or you can't. Smith isn't going to be my first choice for #32, but he's a guy I'd be very comfortable taking there.

 

[Super Nomario]

Dwayne Allen was essentially the same size as Graham too, he's managed to be a plus blocker in today's NFL. Also, Smith is just 20 years old; I really don't think he's maxed out physically.

Allen weighed 255 at the Combine with 33" arms. Height is similar but the weight and length were very different.

I'll bet on Smith all day. You can't play TE for Saban/Alabama unless you can do all the in-line/Y stuff at a physical, high level. Smith has a ton of really good tape blocking high-end, SEC players.

At the end of the day, length is good and it's a data point but you can either block people or you can't. Smith isn't going to be my first choice for #32, but he's a guy I'd be very comfortable taking there.

The SEC is the best college conference but you are still dealing with younger, smaller, less physically mature defenders than Smith will see in the NFL. How his blocking translates given that he is a small TE is a valid concern.

I think it also makes his skill set less special and rare. Smith looked like a good blocking TE with excellent fluidity and receiving upside. Now he's a tweener who will be undersized for NFL in-line duties but doesn't necessarily have the special receiving traits you want in a "move TE." You can find guys like that throughout the draft, not just at 32.

 

[SMU_Sox]

https://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2019/01/01/matt-waldmans-rsp-boiler-room-no-190-te-dawson-knox-ole-miss/amp/ For the Waldman piece. I’m traveling this weekend but not for the combine. I saw inconsistencies but also flashes of perfection and dominance. And then lots of solid play. Also SEC. if he played in a program that appreciated him we wouldn’t be having this conversation imo. But I’m also assuming there.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Pats are meeting with Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger tonight in Indy. They have also met with Irv Smith and TJ Hockensen.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Based on the guys I’ve gotten around to, it sounds like the #Patriots have met with all the notable members of this tight end class. Hockenson, Fant, Irv, Kaden Smith, Jace Sternberger, Isaac Nauta.

 

[Super Nomario]

My understanding is that just about every team meets with just about every notable prospect.

 

[RedOctober3829]

PSU RB Miles Sanders won the 3-cone drill for RBs. Put him in your mock draft.

 

[SMU_Sox]

@Super Nomario is right about team meetings but directionally they will start to add up to a decent picture for us. Once FA is a couple of weeks in and we have 75+ meetings we will probably be clued in directionally to what they want to try and do or may be looking at. Last year’s work I did I think helped illustrate that. When we get to that 100-150 prospects on the list I’ll put money on the methodology again for the Jimmy Fund.

Anyone want to do that again this year? Fun draft bets to the Jimmy Fund or another charity? Well, my kind of fun anyway .

 

[RedOctober3829]

Noah Fant ran a 4.5 40 this morning. That will get him shot up the board like a rocket ship.

 

[koufax32]

Smith showing some hands right now.

Nauta catches the ball like Gronk where his hands just swallow the ball.

 

[koufax32]

Sternberger’s route running was impressive.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

[SMU_Sox]

@RedOctober3829 DK Metcalf says hold my Gatorade.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Isaac Nauta: Athletic testing confirms fear on tape. Those shitty route breaks are because Isaac is stiff and not athletic. To me this drops him to day 3 or frankly off the board. He’s smaller than you’d want for a blocker and not athletic for TE as a receiver. That is a terrible combination.
Kaden Smith is not as athletic as I thought he’d be. Gentry was about as expected. Both are day 3 for me or off the board.
Foster Moreau and Warring are getting my focused attention now. Deep dive time on those gents.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Felt like the #Patriots met with every WR/TE prospect I spoke to yesterday. Feels like the opposite with the DL guys today. Do with that as you will.

 

[BigSoxFan]

@RedOctober3829 DK Metcalf says hold my Gatorade.

4.33 at 6’3 228. Wow.

 

[RedOctober3829]

@RedOctober3829 DK Metcalf says hold my Gatorade.

This guy has Mike Mamula written all over him. Combine warrior. Was not the best WR on his own team at Ole Miss.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Andy Isabella 4.31 40???!!!! Just became my binky.

Actually, it's 4.27. Holy shit.

 

[heavyde050]

Andy Isabella 4.31 40???!!!! Just became my binky.

Actually, it's 4.27. Holy shit.

So what round does that move him to? I was trying to find him in mock drafts, but wasn't having any luck as a lot of those only show Round 1. Would the Pats have to take him in the 2nd? Or is he more of an early 3rd round pick.

 

[SMU_Sox]

It shouldn’t move him. I had him as a day 2 round 3 guy and his testing doesn’t change that because imo that’s double counting the obvious athleticism on his tape.

 

[tims4wins]

This guy has Mike Mamula written all over him. Combine warrior. Was not the best WR on his own team at Ole Miss.

Nit pick but Mamula gets unfairly shit on IMO. He played 5 seasons and tallied 31.5 sacks. Should he have been picked 7th? No. But he wasn't a complete bust. If he was picked at say 37 instead of 7 no one would have thought he had a lousy career - in fact you'd call him a decent outcome for a 2nd round pick.

A complete bust is a guy like Vernon Gholston, who was a similar combine warrior, was picked 6th, and never had a single sack in 3 years in the NFL.

 

[heavyde050]

It shouldn’t move him. I had him as a day 2 round 3 guy and his testing doesn’t change that because imo that’s double counting the obvious athleticism on his tape.

Thanks so much.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Common misconception is that Isabella is a slot only guy. Obviously he’s not a big x but he can play outside. He is not the best hands catcher. He’s small too and needs to clean up the unnecessary pitter-patter. Concerns with him against press too. But like him a lot as a mid to late day 2 guy. It’s fun to watch him on full speed on YouTube. This is corny as fuck but Andy Isablura.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Nit pick but Mamula gets unfairly shit on IMO. He played 5 seasons and tallied 31.5 sacks. Should he have been picked 7th? No. But he wasn't a complete bust. If he was picked at say 37 instead of 7 no one would have thought he had a lousy career - in fact you'd call him a decent outcome for a 2nd round pick.

A complete bust is a guy like Vernon Gholston, who was a similar combine warrior, was picked 6th, and never had a single sack in 3 years in the NFL.

Thank you. As a BC grad, I get sick of hearing the Mamula stuff. He played 5 years and recorded 31.5 sacks and then injuries took him out. It’s not like Philly got nothing out of that pick. He would have been a good fit in today’s NFL.

 

[tims4wins]

Thank you. As a BC grad, I get sick of hearing the Mamula stuff. He played 5 years and recorded 31.5 sacks and then injuries took him out. It’s not like Philly got nothing out of that pick. He would have been a good fit in today’s NFL.

He’d have been great in today’s NFL

 

[kenneycb]

The biggest issue is probably that the Eagles traded up with TB to get him, who subsequently took Sapp and used the other assets to take Derrick Brooks. Tough break.

 

[snowmanny]

Andy Isabella 4.31 40???!!!! Just became my binky.

Actually, it's 4.27. Holy shit.

I heard a bit from those folks on NFL radio who go to the Senior Bowl (Pat Kirwin and Jim Miller I think) and they were raving about him and his workouts at the time. They were also complimentary (not quite as much) of a Georgia State receiver named Penny Hart. Of course, they don't say a lot of bad things about anyone, but they sold me on Isabella.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Nit pick but Mamula gets unfairly shit on IMO. He played 5 seasons and tallied 31.5 sacks. Should he have been picked 7th? No. But he wasn't a complete bust. If he was picked at say 37 instead of 7 no one would have thought he had a lousy career - in fact you'd call him a decent outcome for a 2nd round pick.

A complete bust is a guy like Vernon Gholston, who was a similar combine warrior, was picked 6th, and never had a single sack in 3 years in the NFL.

My comparison with Mamula was more towards his combine numbers shooting him up the draft board to a point where his actual football abilities didn't match where he should have been drafted. Metcalf may be a good player, but if he gets picked in the top 10 he will fail to match those unfair expectations. Mamula did alright, but for where he was picked he didn't live up to those expectations. You are correct in saying that if he was a 2nd or 3rd rd pick his numbers would say that he fulfilled his expectations.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

There’s a lot to like about Stanley Morgan Jr (including his name). He seemed like an intriguing 3rd roundish WR pre-combine and he just had a very Pats WR type of combine performance, shining in both the three cone and the short shuttle.

 

[Super Nomario]

There’s a lot to like about Stanley Morgan Jr (including his name). He seemed like an intriguing 3rd roundish WR pre-combine and he just had a very Pats WR type of combine performance, shining in both the three cone and the short shuttle.

His NFL.com writeup sounds Pats-y: nothing special as an athlete, but professional and competitive, tough catches in congested areas, willing blocker. "He's draftable but just a guy for me. I think you can find those guys anywhere. If he finds the right situation he might play for awhile." -- Area scout for NFC team

Cody Thompson (WR, Toledo) and Foster Moreau (TE, LSU) are two other guys who had Pats-like Combines.

 

[ZMart100]

Easton Stick of North Dakota State had a Pats combine too. Nice hand size at 9 1/4 and quick 6.65 3-cone and 4.05 shuttle. It doesn't sound like people like his arm that much but think he's football smart. Is he willing to come in as an athlete and try to find a NFL position? WR? S?

 

[EL Jeffe]

Isaac Nauta: Athletic testing confirms fear on tape. Those shitty route breaks are because Isaac is stiff and not athletic. To me this drops him to day 3 or frankly off the board. He’s smaller than you’d want for a blocker and not athletic for TE as a receiver. That is a terrible combination.
Kaden Smith is not as athletic as I thought he’d be. Gentry was about as expected. Both are day 3 for me or off the board.
Foster Moreau and Warring are getting my focused attention now. Deep dive time on those gents.

There's still room on the Moreau bandwagon! He may have been the most Patriots-y player I watched this year. I didn't think he'd test out quite that well, so I'm wondering how much his LSU usage held him back. He should definitely be able to do all the line of scrimmage stuff the Pats ask their TEs to do.

I couldn't find any tape on Warring, but his measurable and background story are definitely intriguing. If anyone can find any links on him, please share.

Today, I'm really looking forward to watching Walker, Collier and Watts get after it. I think Draft Twitter is sleeping on Watts, so I'm particularly interested to see how he does.

 

[heavyde050]

Wow, Gary is fast (and so is Sweat).

I mean Gary was like 4.59 on that 2nd run at over 270 pounds.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Wow, Gary is fast (and so is Sweat).

I mean Gary was like 4.59 on that 2nd run at over 270 pounds.

Sweat’s 4.42 is faster than what OBJ ran. Put that into some perspective.

 

[heavyde050]

Sweat’s 4.42 is faster than what OBJ ran. Put that into some perspective.

Yeah, Sweat was even more impressive. They also showed the side-by-side run and he was faster than Zeke.

 

[Average Game James]

For what it’s worth, Metcalf did worse in the 3 cone drill and 20 yard shuttle than Tom Brady. Top end speed is great, but he will be limited in the NFL if he can’t chabge direction.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Daniel Jeremiah put out his post-combine mock draft and had Clellin Ferrell dropping all the way to 32. That would be an ideal scenario for the Pats.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001021156/article/daniel-jeremiah-2019-nfl-mock-draft-20-cards-go-kyler-murray

 

[E5 Yaz]

Daniel Jeremiah put out his post-combine mock draft and had Clellin Ferrell dropping all the way to 32. That would be an ideal scenario for the Pats.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001021156/article/daniel-jeremiah-2019-nfl-mock-draft-20-cards-go-kyler-murray

Also, on this morning's Rich Eisen show, DJ said that if Arizona a) takes Murray, b) can't get Miami or Washington to bite on their No. 1s for Rosen, it would c) take the Patriots about 2 seconds to agree to send 32 to Arizona

 

[SMU_Sox]

I am taking athletic data historically from Pats draft picks and starters to try and paint pictures of what they look for in guys.

Let's start with wide receivers.

Looking at the non-slot WRs for the Pats. Here are there Average, Standard Deviation, and Median Numbers: 40 Yard: 4.46, 0.11, 4.45. They like them fast... lots of 4.3's here. 3-Cone: 6.86, 0.17, 6.82. They do make some exceptions for bigger taller guys who are really fast but might not have the best cod testing. So don't rule out some of the Moss, Gordon types just because they have worse CoD. They like freaks here. Shuttle: 4.14, 0.19, 4.16. Broad: 0972, 0048, 1001. Vertical: 36.46, 1.94, 36.00. Of the guys who had a lower Broad they would have a better vert or the opposite. Of the RAS from the year they were draft which helps smooth the averages out because receivers have gotten more athletic: 8.22, 1.98, 9.14. Median is 9.14... wow. So athleticism jumps out at me.
Who fits from this year?
Miles Boykin 9.92 RAS. 4.42 40, 43.5 Vert, 1108 Broad, 4.07 shuttle, 6.77 3-cone. Big size. Hakeem Butler 9.92 RAS. 4.48 40, 36 vert 1008 broad. Huge size. Did not do agilities. Emanuel Hall 9.91 RAS. 4.39 40, 43.5 vert, 1109 broad. No agils. Above average size. Parris Campbell 9.76 RAS. 4.31 40, 40 vert, 1103 broad, 4.03 shuttle. Terry McLaurin 9.64 RAS, 4.35 3-cone, 37.5 vert, 1005 broad, 4.15 shuttle, 7.01 3-cone. Isabella has the 40 time and checks the boxes for vert and broad but his agilities were mediocre for his size. 3-cone at 6.96 but a decent shuttle of 4.15. 8.37 RAS overall. Edit: this is not including guys who profile as slot only. Slots will be looked at later.

Tight ends:

These are their top tight end picks and receiving tight ends - not just draft picks but guys like Marty B too. Here is what stands out. They like top end athletes. Average RAS was 8.94 and media 8.63. They love top end speed. Average 40 was 4.63, median was 4.64 and the worst was 4.68! 3-cone average 7.23, median 7.18, and worst was 7.64. Shuttle average 4.33, median 4.34.
Thinking about what they like Fant-Hock/Moreau might be their favorite pairing although honestly I think Hockenson's top speed is faster. Read or heard he struggled with form for the 40. Knox has the shuttle and 3-cones they like but we don't know his 40 yet. If he gets in the high 4.6s pencil him in too.
Who fits the profiles?
Fant blows about everything out of the water which says a lot given their standards. In no particular order: Alize Mack is borderline, Hock, Foster Moreau, Kahale Warring, Irv Smith Jr (he will get knocked for his lack of size - I think given their history), Josh Oliver is borderline, Caleb Wilson is borderline,

I wouldn't rule them out trading up for Fant or Hockenson if Knox doesn't run a good 40. I say that because of the most polished TEs in this draft only Fant and Hockenson fit their usual requirements in athleticism. They have valued drafting that position in the past and I'd bet they continue to meet with a ton of tight ends.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Pats like athletic edges. They also value the ability to set the edge and do well against the run. If an edge can also drop back into coverage even better. Oh and a good pass rusher always helps. Chase Winovich out Michigan fits the description. He's going to do a lot well even if he will only be a good but not great pass rusher. I like him as early as the 2nd.
After that there are two combine risers who fit the Pats athletic profile for edges, Anthony Nelson, and Maxx Crosby. I checked in with PFF for all three and they are all well graded against the run, pass, and with pass rush productivity. I did not dive into Nelson or Crosby yet. I did however check out Winovich and liked him quite a bit.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Thanks again to SMU and El Jeffe for their service.

While I certainly hope Gostkowski comes back, there are a bunch of teams with need at K and enough cap space to afford the luxury (notably the Colts, of all teams). Are any placekickers considered draftable this year? The Pats have ample 7th rounders to bring in their pick of the pack.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Thanks again to SMU and El Jeffe for their service.

While I certainly hope Gostkowski comes back, there are a bunch of teams with need at K and enough cap space to afford the luxury (notably the Colts, of all teams). Are any placekickers considered draftable this year? The Pats have ample 7th rounders to bring in their pick of the pack.

There is a kid from LSU who looks pretty good.

 

[Plantiers Wart]

There is a kid from LSU who looks pretty good.

He kicked at Assumption. That was his post grad year for LSU

 

[SMU_Sox]

Miles Boykin has Patriots kind of testing but you don’t really see that level of athleticism with him as a receiver because his route running is not so great. He is a weapon as a blocker. He’d also be a force as a gunner on special teams. He is someone I would take on day 3 somewhere. He struggled mightily with contact and getting off contact. I think he’s more athlete than receiver at this point but with that kind of size and overall athleticism and with his ability to play ST he’s worth it late in the draft. He can even demolish LBs as a blocker. He sends guys flying.

 

[EL Jeffe]

Pats like athletic edges. They also value the ability to set the edge and do well against the run. If an edge can also drop back into coverage even better. Oh and a good pass rusher always helps. Chase Winovich out Michigan fits the description. He's going to do a lot well even if he will only be a good but not great pass rusher. I like him as early as the 2nd.
After that there are two combine risers who fit the Pats athletic profile for edges, Anthony Nelson, and Maxx Crosby. I checked in with PFF for all three and they are all well graded against the run, pass, and with pass rush productivity. I did not dive into Nelson or Crosby yet. I did however check out Winovich and liked him quite a bit.

I went and looked at all three of these players. Only two games each, which isn't enough for a full eval, but enough to get a sense.

Winovich was a pleasant surprise. I knew the motor was there, but his twitch and explosion off the edge were better than I expected. He plays fast, he's aggressive and he has quick, violent hands. He has a variety of rush moves and sets up OTs well. Michigan flipped him from left to right and he was successful playing off either edge. He's a very disruptive rusher, generating plenty of hits, hurries and knockdowns. Against the run, when he won, he tended to win with quickness. You don't see him stack and shed, and he gets washed out occasionally. Because he flashes power in his rush, I think he has the ability to stack and shed but that remains to be seen. I also didn't see him play in space - everything was up the field, attacking. Bottom line - Winovich is a good player who should be able to win a nickel rush job as a rookie. However, I'm not convinced he's a scheme fit for New England. I can see him being very attractive to Seattle or San Francisco. He has some Bruce Irvin and Cassius Marsh elements to his game (Marsh put together a nice season in SF last year, just wasn't a fit for NE). I liked Walker and Collier better than Winovich, but he was a fun player to watch.

Crosby was an interesting evaluation. I watched him before digging into his background and the first thing that jumps out at you is his frame. He looks like a little brother who put on his bigger brother's uniform. He's all arms and legs and no mass or bulk to him. That being said, he plays with a solid level of functional strength. You can see the stack and shed element to his game, and he generally held his own setting the edge. He played exclusively as LDE, lined up in a wide-9 type alignment off the outside shoulder of the ORT. My favorite part of watching him was a series against Purdue early in the game. On the first play, Purdue ran right at Crosby, and the ORT and TE destroyed him, knocking him several yards off the ball for a big gain. The very next play, Purdue ran left again. This time, Crosby displayed a violent club move, kicking the ORT's butt and generated a stuff. Looking into Crosby's background, I was very surprised to see he was a redshirt senior. 5 years out of high school, his frame still looked frail. I can't envision a scenario where Crosby wins a job as a rookie. I think he needs at least a year of development, but the raw tools are there. He's a Day 3 pick for me, but a project that's worth an investment.

Nelson was the toughest evaluation for me. He's got great size, very good production and tested out well at the combine. On paper, that trio says 1st round pick. On film, meh. He played exclusively at LDE for Iowa, but a more conventional alignment head up on the ORT. You don't see much twitch or explosion, but he uses his frame well. He's pretty strong and coordinated, but I can't see him making a living as a 4-3 end. He looks like a 3-4 end or potentially a 4-3 tackle. He tests out well, but he doesn't look athletic enough on the field to play outside. For the Patriots' purposes, I don't see a clean fit. I think he's an inside player for them if he puts on some additional weight. I suspect a team like the Steelers would be pretty interested in him as a 3-4 end with some rush upside. He's not Cam Heyward, but that's sort of the mold of player I see.

 

[EL Jeffe]

Miles Boykin has Patriots kind of testing but you don’t really see that level of athleticism with him as a receiver because his route running is not so great. He is a weapon as a blocker. He’d also be a force as a gunner on special teams. He is someone I would take on day 3 somewhere. He struggled mightily with contact and getting off contact. I think he’s more athlete than receiver at this point but with that kind of size and overall athleticism and with his ability to play ST he’s worth it late in the draft. He can even demolish LBs as a blocker. He sends guys flying.

I'm sure I'll take some grief for this, but I'm thinking Paris Campbell is going to be in play at #32. I remember saying I thought Dorsett would be in play for their 1st back in that class and catching some slack (Pats don't take receivers in the 1st round, etc.), but I also never anticipated Brown sliding that far. In any event, I do think Campbell will be on their short list. They need to start getting younger at receiver, and Campbell is probably the most dynamic skill position player in the draft. There are certainly some red flags:

• He basically ran three routes at Ohio St - lined up in the slot and broke inside for a crossing route, broke outside as dump-off option in the flat, or ran straight ahead for a deep out.
• He was generally pretty open, so you don't see a lot of contested catches.
• Also, until his senior year, his hands were very inconsistent.

But on the plus size, he has ++ track speed and plays like it. He also has a sturdy frame (6', 205#) and runs through contact. He can (and does) score from anywhere on the field. He had high-end production as a senior (where they finally had a pro style QB). I could see Campbell being deployed by the Pats a lot like Cooks was in 2017. I'm not predicting Campbell at #32 at this point, but I could see it if the draft breaks the right way and there isn't a good trade down opportunity available. I think just because they haven't taken a WR in the 1st doesn't mean they'll never take a WR in the first. I wouldn't be pounding the table for him, but I really do think he'll be in play for them.

 

[SMU_Sox]

@EL Jeffe He reminds me a bit of CP84 in terms of his future usage and role. I think he is kind of like Miles Austin too. Which is to say I believe him to be somewhat of a gadget player. Back in 2013 they traded back at 29 when they could have taken CP84. I don't think he is a first round value. Honestly I would rather have other guys on day 2. It's not that I don't like Campbell but he his route running is seriously underdeveloped. I thought pre-combine he was a day 3 pick based on his tape. Obviously he has day 1 kind of athleticism. Man, I would love Campbell, just not at 32.

So what would he do well on the Pats? I think he can be a slot or z to start but I would give him as free of a release as possible. I imagine he would continue to excel with the quick screen game. He could go in motion and take some handoffs. His slot-fade vertical game is ok but he doesn't track the ball particularly well and his contested catch skills are still v. raw. In the open field he is deadly. He can break a tackle as well as be elusive. He profiles to be excellent on special teams which is a plus because he will need those skills to keep a roster spot while he develops more as a receiver.

What's that worth? To me he's a 3rd/4th round pick based on his tape even with his elite athleticism. His routes were so limited and he has so much to develop to become a good receiver. So I like him, man, just not that high.