Tag Archives: NFL Draft

2023 is a Lost Season for the Patriots, What’s Next?


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The Patriots embarked on the 2023 season with realistic expectations of success. They barely missed the playoffs in 2022, largely due to a dysfunctional offense at the hands of Matt Patricia. The defense was good, as always. With changes to the offensive staff and minimal changes to personnel, it was fair to assume a moderate improvement by the offense would result in a respectable season, and possibly even a playoff berth.

What has transpired instead has rocked the New England area to its foundation. Arguably the best coach in the history of the game is on the hot seat. A once-promising young quarterback is a disaster. The calendar hasn’t yet turned to December, and the focus of the New England fanbase is completely on the draft. What was once an unthinkable exercise is now a reality.

The rest of the schedule shakes out well if you are on board the tank train. If not, things are probably going to feel worse and worse. Looking ahead, the Patriots could arguably win one or two more games this season. They are two games clear of the Bears and Giants at the fourth and fifth overall picks.

The Bears, by way of the Panthers, have the first pick. The Cardinals sit at two. Both teams could go for a new quarterback, leaving the Pats with an easy selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. at three. Harrison Jr. is the best overall prospect to come into the draft in recent memory. Selecting him would not mean immediate improvement next year, as the team would still be searching for their QB of the future.

If the Pats stay at three, it’s possible one of the teams ahead of them convinces themselves they already have their quarterback on the roster in either Justin Fields or Kyler Murray. In that case, Harrison Jr. would go before the Pats, but that scenario lets one of the top QB prospects slide to three.

It would then be up to chance who the Pats get between UNC’s Drake Maye and USC’s Caleb Williams. There has been a recent movement for LSU’s Jayden Daniels to the top of some draft boards, but for the majority of this season it’s been a two-horse race between Williams and Maye for the top pick.

The aforementioned scenarios only matter if the Patriots stay at three, which isn’t a guarantee by any stretch. The Pats have a realistic chance of losing out and jumping to the first or second overall picks. A higher pick means a guaranteed shot at one of the top QBs in the draft this year.

Or, perhaps the Pats get a bounty from a team in the top ten to move up and get to restart their rebuild with multiple firsts in hand for the next couple of years. However, who will be making these decisions is another wrinkle to this story.

Bill Belichick the GM has severely handcuffed Bill Belichick the coach. The defense is still playing incredibly well, despite injuries to many of their marquee players. The offense is incapable of any sustained success due to a lack of talent across the board. The scheme is sound enough, but the situational play calling leaves much to be desired.

If Belichick were to stay on as head coach, it would be with the hopes of a GM in place and perhaps a new offensive coordinator. Belichick’s acceptance of these conditions seems unlikely at best.

The more realistic option is a clean start. Owner Robert Kraft is not one to make rash decisions, but with the regression of the Patriots over the last few years, it has become apparent that now is the time to make some changes. If the Patriots land at the top of the draft, an outcome becoming more and more plausible, it only makes sense to allow a new regime to make their pick for coach and quarterback. A clean break.

Belichick has earned the right to a consensual breakup. However, letting him just leave is a disservice to the team-building process and the fanbase. Belichick will be a valuable commodity if he becomes available, despite his struggles this season. The Saints were able to get a first and second-round pick from the Broncos when they traded Sean Payton there this offseason.

Sean Payton has 145 fewer regular-season wins, 22 fewer post-season wins, ten fewer division titles, ten fewer championship game appearances, eight fewer Super Bowl appearances, and five fewer titles than Belichick. In short, a first and second should be the absolute floor for Belichick in a trade package. The list of interested teams should include everyone outside of Kansas City, Philadelphia, Miami, and Baltimore.

The Patriots are headed for an offseason of change for multiple coaches and marquee players. Fans are yearning for a contender in a city that expects winning. The team has the ammunition to load up in the draft and free agency. Who will be making those decisions is yet to be determined, but this offseason will determine the next five-to-ten years of football in the Northeast. Fingers crossed, it goes better than the initial post-Brady plan.

2024 NFL Draft Notes: Episode 3

Welcome back to my 2024 NFL draft notes article. I have been busy slaving away at updating my database and have finally found time to drop another draft notes article. So everything is the same as before. There is no specific order to these notes and they are not a final scouting report.

Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa:

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Will get physical with receivers, can body them up. Shows a strong punch. Needs to get better at disengaging from blockers. Iowa plays predominantly zone, not a lot of man coverage. Smooth backpedal. Can click-and-close. Decent tackler. Good overall athlete. Can be a little clunky when asked to stop-and-start. Sinking his hips and changing direction is a little slow. Has some pop in his shoulder pads. Willing to sacrifice his body. Good long speed as former high school track guy. Well-built with great size.

Has covered tight ends and didn’t look over-matched. Has some trouble with double moves. Arm length looks ok. Has trouble finding the ball with his back to it. Good leaping ability, can really get up. Good hands and can undercut passes if quarterbacks aren’t careful. Showed versatility by having played some pseudo-linebacker early in 2022. Doesn’t look like he could play slot in the NFL, pure outside corner, especially in a cover-3. Can fill the alley in the run game. Could move to safety.  

Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida:

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Good size. Has experience in both man and zone. Will predominantly play side-saddle technique when in zone. Quick feet and has the speed to keep up with almost any receiver. Flips his hips with ease. Looks comfortable in mirror press. Does a good job of staying square as long as he can. Has gotten beat when he opened his hips too soon. Uses a one hand jam when he does press.

Occasionally bites on outside fakes. Motor could run hotter, jogs on plays away from him. Blocked easily by wide receivers; doesn’t seem to try to get off or even play half man. Gets physical in coverage, but otherwise seems to avoid it. Shows good route recognition in man, but seems a little off in zone. Drag down tackler; will hit on a rare occasion, but not much power. Rounds his cuts instead of click-and-close.

Just 36 career snaps in the slot, so his ability to play the slot is unknown. Should be able to do it physically, though. Needs to add strength; jams don’t seem all that effective. Lines up mostly on the left side. Can get into the receivers’ hip pocket with ease. Good overall trail technique.

Junior Colson, LB, Michigan:

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Can explode through open gaps and take the runner down. Has quick feet and jumps gaps with ease. Aggressive run defender; does not hesitate. Smooth change of direction with little-to-no wasted motion. Seems to have good length. Good tackling form; rarely misses a tackle. Very good stopping power, backs rarely get extra yards.

Motor is always running. Long speed is average to slightly above; looks to be in the 4.6-4.65 range. Looks about his listed size from 2022(6’2 235). Shows he can scrape down the line, keeps clear of the trash.

Ducks his head sometimes when tackling. Only adequate hip flexion. Needs to stay a little lower when backpedaling. Sometimes will lose the ball. Didn’t play much, if any, man coverage, but looked physically comfortable when he was asked to cover tight ends and backs. Okay at getting off blocks from tight ends and fullbacks. More of a block slipper than a block breaker. Will get stuck on offensive linemen. Still looks a little unsure in coverage at times.

2024 NFL Draft: Replacement Starters for the Green Bay Packers

As we all know, the Green Bay Packers are a team that builds through the NFL draft. Since Brian Gutekunst has taken over as GM, he has sprinkled in some free agent signings, but the Packers cap situation isn’t great next season. There is space, just not a lot. So, let’s take a look at some potential openings within the current Packers starters that could be filled by prospects from the 2024 NFL draft. We will just list players projected to be early round picks.

Let’s start with the offense, and as always, don’t forget to check out my other writings and my database, which is updated daily.

Potential New Packers Starters from the 2024 NFL Draft: Offense

Center:

Josh Myers has struggled for the third season in a row. Unless he turns it around this season, he will probably be replaced in the offseason. Matt LaFleur could move Zach Tom there, but seems reluctant to. They could try Myers out at guard, but that’s for another discussion.

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  • Sedrick Van Pran – Georgia
  • Matthew Lee – Miami
  • Sincere Haynesworth – Tulane
  • Beaux Limmer – Arkansas
  • Graham Barton – Duke

Right Guard:

Jon Runyan Jr. is probably on his way out. He didn’t play great last year, and he has been worse this season. He’s a free agent and I don’t expect them to re-sign him. They could give Sean Rhyan a shot, but they have yet to do that.

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  • Cooper Beebe – Kansas State
  • Christian Haynes – UConn
  • Doug Nester – West Virginia
  • Tate Ratledge – Georgia
  • Donovan Jackson – Ohio State

Left Tackle:

David Bakhtiari’s cap hit for 2024 is way too high, especially for a guy who will be over 30, with four surgeries to the same knee since 2020. His knee won’t hold up, and there is no point in keeping him on a rebuilding roster. Rasheed Walker has been okay, but not good enough for the Packers to not turn to the 2024 NFL draft for a starter.

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  • Olumuyiwa Fashanu – Penn State
  • Joe Alt – Notre Dame
  • Patrick Paul – Houston
  • Kingsley Suamatala – BYU
  • Tyler Guyton – Oklahoma
  • Jordan Morgan – Arizona
  • Delmar Glaze – Maryland

Running Back:

There is a very real possibility that AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones are both gone this offseason. Dillion because he’s not a good fit for the offense — and his streaky play — and Jones because of his contract, injury history, and age. Emmanuel Wilson is obviously not the answer, but who is?

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  • Trey Benson – Florida State
  • Rasheen Ali – Marshall
  • Audric Estime – Notre Dame
  • Devin Neal – Kansas
  • MarShawn Lloyd – USC
  • Jonathon Brooks – Texas

Potential New Packers Starters from the 2024 NFL Draft: Defense

Linebacker:

De’Vondre Campbell is in a similar situation to Aaron Jones; Age, injury, and contract status could have the Packers moving on from him in the offseason. Quay Walker seems to have taken a step in 2023. None of the other linebackers on the roster are talented enough to be full-time starters.

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  • Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
  • Marlowe Wax – Syracuse
  • Junior Colson – Michigan
  • Tyrice Knight – UTEP
  • Cedric Gray – UNC

Safety:

I don’t think much needs to be said here. We all know about the Packers issues at safety. They have just two safeties under contract for 2024. They will probably need two new starters.

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  • Kamren Kinchens – Miami
  • Rod Moore – Michigan
  • Tyler Nubin – Minnesota
  • Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
  • Beau Brade – Maryland
  • Lathan Ransom – Ohio State

Is Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen RB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen finds himself with a tremendous opportunity to rise up NFL draft boards this season.

The running back position has never seen worse value than right now. The NFL has been telling the world, time and time again, that they no longer value the position. Whether it be the franchise tag ordeals of Josh Jacobs and Saquan Barkley, or the ongoing Jonathan Taylor controversy in Indianapolis; running backs are seeing teams draft their replacements before paying the star. 

With the way the game is going, teams are going to be looking for the next cheap running back. The 2023 NFL draft saw a running back picked in the top ten, with Texas Star Bijan Robinson going to the Atlanta Falcons. That simply will not be the case this year. There are a handful of guys battling for the coveted “RB1” crown, but the biggest name to watch resides in Madison, Wisconsin. Braelon Allen has the opportunity to fully cement himself as the top runner in the 2024 NFL draft class. 

Strengths on tape

Allen is the definition of a meat-and-potatoes runner. He finds the hole, bursts through, and keeps his legs moving to gain additional yardage. Allen pairs a strong and physical running style with nice vision and an ability to make cuts and find running room. He is also a patient runner who does a good job to allow his blocks to develop. Allen routinely breaks through arm tackles and does a great job to fall forward and pick up extra yards.

In the pass game, Allen can be an interesting option on screens and swing passes because of his ability to break tackles and follow blocks. And of course, the often-forgotten trait for running backs is pass protection. Allen brings the violence and had some beautiful blocks last season.

Areas of concern 

Allen probably won’t win too many foot races in the NFL. His long speed is modest, but nothing to be incredibly concerned about. Allen sometimes struggles to beat people to the corner when trying to bounce it outside. Quickness is easily his biggest weakness. While fast, Allen is not a twitchy mover. He is an explosive runner, but not a shifty one. He does not provide much in terms of route running or lining up in the slot or out wide. 

Verdict: Is Braelon Allen the RB1 for the 2024 NFL Draft?

Allen has a tremendous chance to be the first running back taken in April. A rare combination of size and speed make him a threat to hit a homerun at all times. Allen certainly has some competition for the spot, though. Players like Michigan’s Blake Corum and Arkansas’ Raheim Sanders are also names to watch for the top spot.

Packers Prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft: Defense

Welcome back to part two of our look ahead at the Packers 2024 NFL draft. If you missed the first part of this series looking at the offensive players, check it out here! Today, it’s time to look at the players on defense the Packers may look at in the 2024 NFL draft.

This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds. With this season being such a mystery, the list will be longer than usual; although, like my previous part, I will not be including players like Jared Verse or Kool-Aid McKinstry, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.

Defensive line:

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With the four defensive linemen the Packers have drafted recently, I don’t think they draft one early, but you never know.

  • Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
  • Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois
  • Tyleik Williams – Ohio State
  • Leonard Taylor – Miami
  • DeWayne Carter – Duke
  • Brandon Dorlus – Oregon
  • Darrell Jackson Jr. – FSU
  • Kris Jenkins – Michigan
  • Ty Hamilton – Ohio State
  • Maason Smith – LSU
  • J.J. Pegues – Ole Miss
  • Justin Eboigbe – Alabama
  • Alfred Collins – Texas
  • Jordan Kelley – Oklahoma
  • Patrick Jenkins – Tulane
  • John Tuitupou – Hawaii

Edge Rusher:

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This is another position that the Packers have invested in heavily recently. I don’t see them drafting one early, but they might take one later for depth.

  • J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
  • Laiatu Latu – UCLA
  • Bralen Trice – Washington
  • Jack Sawyer – Ohio State
  • Trajan Jeffcoat – Arkansas
  • Rondell Bothroyd – Oklahoma
  • Jordan Burch – Oregon
  • Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
  • Deontae Craig – Iowa
  • Cedric Johnson – Ole Miss
  • Isaac Ukwu – Ole Miss
  • RJ Oben – Duke
  • Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
  • Dayon Hayes – Pittsburgh
  • Jack Sullivan – USC
  • Van Fillinger – Utah
  • Abi Nwabuoku-Okonj – James Madison

Linebackers:

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Another position they have somewhat invested in lately. De’Vondre Campbell has a $14 million dollar cap hit in 2024 and he will be 31. They may still keep him, but I could see them moving on in 2025, which means they may be looking for his eventual successor.

  • Tommy Eichenberg – Ohio State
  • Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
  • Jestin Jacobs – Oregon
  • Junior Colson – Michigan
  • Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Geogia
  • Jackson Sirmon – Cal
  • Edefuan Ulofoshio – Washington
  • Geoff Cantin-Arku – Memphis
  • Travion Brown – ASU
  • Dallas Gant – Toledo
  • Marlowe Wax Jr. – Syracuse
  • Steele Chambers – Ohio State
  • Ben Bywater – BYU
  • Jamoi Hodge – TCU
  • Jack Kiser – Notre Dame
  • Nikhai Hill-Green – Charlotte
  • Easton Gibbs – Wyoming

Cornerbacks:

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This group could be interesting, depending on what happens with Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Can Stokes get healthy and back to the way he played as a rookie? Do the Packers keep Douglas and his $11 million cap hit at 30 years old? Do they extend Keisean Nixon?

  • Fentrell Cypress II – Florida State
  • Shyheim Battle – NC State
  • T.J. Tampa – Iowa State
  • Cam Hart – Notre Dame
  • Duce Chestnut – LSU
  • Jahdae Barron – Texas
  • DJ James – Auburn
  • Jason Marshall Jr. – Florida
  • Denzel Burke – Ohio State
  • Trey Amos – Alabama
  • Deantre Prince – Ole Miss
  • AJ Woods – Pittsburgh
  • Max Melton – Rutgers
  • Decamerion Richardson – Mississippi State
  • Devin Kirkwood – UCLA
  • Alex Hogan – Houston
  • Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
  • Marcus Banks – Mississippi State
  • Nicktroy Fortune – UTSA
  • Christian Roland-Wallace – USC
  • Storm Duck – Louisville
  • Noah Avinger – SDSU
  • Jakorey Hawkins – Wyoming
  • Micah Abraham – Marshall
  • Daquan Evans – USF

Safeties:

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This is obviously a major position of need. The only safety under contract for 2024 is Anthony Johnson Jr. and he was just a 7th round pick. While he looks like he has some potential upside, they still need to fill out the rest of the group — and will probably be replacing Darnell Savage. They will need at least one starter, if not two.

  • Kamren Kinchens – Miami
  • Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
  • Calen Bullock – USC
  • LaMiles Brooks – Georgia Tech
  • Rod Moore – Michigan
  • Tyler Nubin – Minnisota
  • Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
  • Patrick McMorris – Cal
  • Beau Brade – Maryland
  • MJ Griffin – Louisville
  • Kitan Oladapo – Oregon State
  • Seyi Oladipo – Boise State
  • Bud Clark – TCU
  • Dez Malone – San Diego State
  • Morice Norris – Fresno State
  • R.J. Mickens – Clemson
  • Cooper DeJean – Iowa
  • Kenny Logan – Kansas
  • DeShawn Gaddie Jr. – Ole Miss
  • Evan Williams – Oregon
  • Tra Fluellen – Middle Tennessee State
  • Jack Howell – Colorado State
  • Ayden Hector – Colorado State

As always, you can always view my database if you want a deeper dive on these and other NFL draft prospects.