Tag: Pats

Top Patriots Fantasy Football Players for 2019

By Mattes on August 6, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

Though the first official 2019 NFL preseason game has already come to pass, we’re still two days away from the first slate of live action for the 30 other teams besides the Broncos and Falcons who have still yet to play. Eleven preseason games are set to take place on Thursday night – one of which being Pats vs. Lions in Detroit – with two more on Friday and three others on Saturday night.

Unless you and your leaguemates are absolute psychopaths, your fantasy draft is still likely a few weeks away. Everyone knows you always wait until, at the very least, after the third week of preseason play has concluded. That’s because most starters usually don’t play in their team’s final preseason game, and there’s nothing worse than losing one of your top guys for the year due to a B.S. injury before the season even starts. Also, there are still a ton of camp battles currently taking place, and most depth charts aren’t even set yet.

(Quick but still entirely related side story: Our very own editor-in-chief Red learned this the hard way a few years back. For some reason, we had to do our draft a little early that year, and it actually took place during the third week of the preseason. Again, this was a few years ago, and Red decided to use his second-round pick on Jordy Nelson, which was a very sound choice at the time. Not even 15 minutes later, probably somewhere in the middle of the fourth round, we all looked up at the bar’s TV screen, only to see Jordy’s knee get absolutely DESTROYED, effectively ending his season – as well as Red’s hopes of fantasy success that year. Of course, we couldn’t restart the draft at that point, and Red was pretty much screwed. So, look, I get it; I’m chomping at the bit to draft my squad already, too. But slow down there, gunpowder. Don’t get “Jordy Nelson-ed.”)

However, it’s never too early to start talking about fantasy football. Never! And that’s why I’m here to provide you with my annual ranking of the top Patriots fantasy players for the upcoming season along with their current ADP, “Mattes-Adjusted ADP,” and other little tidbits to help you win your draft.

(Rankings and predictions are based upon a 12-team, half-point-PPR scoring format. Honestly, if you’re still in a standard league which only counts yards and TDs, get out of the freakin’ Stone Age already! Also, all average draft positions [ADP] are current as of August 6, 2019 and courtesy of FantasyFootballCalculator.com.)

Let’s begin…

Julian Edelman, WR

(ADP: Early fourth round / Mattes-Adjusted ADP: Mid-fourth round)

While the recent thumb injury does cause for a bit of concern, it seems as though Jules is still on track to be ready for the start of the regular season. And there’s absolutely ZERO chance he doesn’t serve as Brady’s numero uno target in the passing game once again. Minus an injury-shortened 2015 campaign, Edelman had put up three-straight 90-plus-catch seasons before last year. And he would’ve had a fourth in 2018 if he wasn’t suspended for the first four games. Even still, he finished last season with over 70 catches and 800-plus yards; he was also on pace for 99 catches were he to play in all 16 games. He even hauled in six TDs, too. About as reliable as they come, the only reason I’m giving him a slight bump down from his current ADP is due to my concerns about the team’s offense as a whole this year. But as long as Brady can keep the ship afloat, Jules will be the first mate helping him lead the way. Draft Jules as a WR2 with absolute confidence. He is far and away the safest Patriot on the board in ANY fantasy draft this year.

Sony Michel, RB

(ADP: Early fifth / Mattes-Adjusted ADP: Late fifth/early sixth)

Sony might be one of the most difficult fantasy players to peg this year. There’s no doubt that he lived up to his first-round NFL draft stock as a rookie last season with a 931-yard, six-TD campaign. And if he played a full season (only played in 13 games), he was on pace for 1,146 rushing yards; that would have been good for sixth in the league. But there are multiple red flags surrounding his fantasy prospects this year. First, there’s his extensive injury history. His degenerative knee condition is only going to get worse over time and will never go away. To be fair, a few of the games he missed last year were due to a freak injury he suffered in Week 7 against the Bears – which truly looked much worse initially – and were it not for that he probably would’ve only missed one or two contests. Still, the concerns are always there. Secondly, he’s a one-dimensional back who does not provide much in the way of receptions, severely hurting his PPR value. (Even though he’s reportedly looked great as a receiver in camp so far, I’m sorry, he’s not suddenly going to become the next Alvin Kamara.) Thirdly, there’s also still James White and rookie Damien Harris to worry about. White is the team’s main pass-catching option at the position, and Harris is a back who excels in all facets of the game. In fact, some people believe Harris could steal the job outright from Michel this year if he’s not careful. (More on that in a bit.) But for me, I still think Sony is an absolute grinder who showed a lot of toughness last year. The team still believes in him and he’ll still get plenty of burn this season, especially on the goal line. His TD upside alone is enough to keep me believing in him as a top-25 back in 2019. I guess I’m OK with him as my RB2, but if you aim to grab him as an RB3 instead, I think you’ll be just fine.

James White, RB

(ADP: Mid-fifth / Mattes-Adjusted ADP: Late eighth/early ninth)

Here’s where we see my first big ADP discrepancy, but it’s not meant as any disrespect to my boy Big Game James. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a huge fan of his, and White did actually lead the team in total targets, receptions, and receiving TDs in 2018. But that just ain’t happening again. The team’s receiving corps might have been even worse off at times last season than it is right now, especially early on when Jules was out and Gronk was a shell of his former self. Until late last season, Brady relied on White to be the keystone of the offense, but the tide started to turn in the second half. Through the first eight weeks, White was targeted an average of nine times per game; over the final eight, that number dropped to six. The team also went out and acquired more weapons in the passing game this offseason – including the aforementioned Harris, who could really cut into White’s share of the load even more in 2019. Also, White isn’t getting another 94 carries, which was 59 (!!!) more than his typical career average. I could see another 50-plus-catch season for White, which is something he’s done multiple times before. But I promise you that he will not come close to sniffing the numbers he put up last year. You can take that to the bank. Look at White as no more than a RB4/5. DO NOT draft him anywhere near the fifth round this year. Just don’t.

Damien Harris, RB

(ADP: Early ninth / Mattes-Adjusted ADP: Mid-to-late ninth)

I’ve mentioned him a few times so far in this piece, but the truth is nobody has an effing clue how this kid will be used this season. For those who don’t know who he is yet, Damien Harris is one of the team’s third-round draft picks this year who served as one of Nick Saban’s lead horses down at Alabama for the past few years. Not only is he said to be a real stand-up type of dude, but unlike Michel and White, Harris is someone who is as equally adept at toting the rock as he is at catching it. In fact, many believe he has the ability to become the Pats’ No. 1 back by the end of the season. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but unless Michel’s knees completely explode, he’s too talented to cede his role entirely to Harris. Especially with the team’s continually expanding reliance and focus upon the running game, both players will still get their fair share in 2019, but Michel is still the back to own. With other running backs like Jerick McKinnon, Peyton Barber, and Carlos Hyde (*YAWN*) going around the same draft slot as Harris, though, why not take a chance on the rookie here? I wouldn’t necessarily advise against it.

N’Keal Harry, WR

(ADP: Late ninth / Mattes-Adjusted ADP: 11th round or later)

Another rookie who nobody has had a chance to even see play yet, Harry has not had as great of a camp as I expected. One of the more complete receivers to come out of the draft in years, there’s a reason Belichick made him the first-ever wide receiver he chose to take in the first round. However, Harry’s struggled with drops so far this summer, and while he hasn’t been horrible, according to reports he is being outplayed significantly by fellow rookie Jakobi Meyers as well as free-agent pickup Maurice Harris. I think that Harry has a chance to be a beast as soon as he puts it all together; especially given his elite size (6’4″, 225 pounds), he could be a key fantasy bench piece just based on his potential to be used in the red zone. But until I hear more encouraging reports on his progress, I’d rather snag guys like DeSean Jackson, Emmanuel Sanders, Keke Coutee, and Donte Moncrief, all of whom are being selected after Harry in drafts so far. But, if he does reach his potential in Year One, he could end up being one of the steals of the draft. It’s honestly just too early to tell, and he is currently the epitome of a high-risk/high-reward player.

Tom Brady, QB

(ADP: Mid-11th / Mattes-Adjusted ADP: Undrafted)

Novice fantasy players might be shocked to see the G.O.A.T. so far down most draft boards – and it may be especially jarring to see that I personally wouldn’t even take him at all! However, while he is unquestionably the greatest quarterback to ever play in terms of real-life football, the same cannot be said for fantasy. There are a solid 20 or so QBs who I guarantee you will score more points than Brady this season – particularly those who will also get you points on the ground – and there’s typically only 12 who start each week. I honestly believe Brady is being drafted on nothing more than name alone, which is vastly skewing his ADP. While TB12 will have his top-12 weeks this season, you’re probably better off snagging an extra RB or WR at this point in the draft to build depth. Then you can simply stream QBs each week until one hits. Nobody loves you more than me, Tom, but you’re not going to be on any of my fantasy rosters this season.

Josh Gordon, WR

(ADP: Early 14th / Mattes-Adjusted ADP: 12th round or later)

Choosing to draft Flash right now is a complete roll of the dice; I’m not gonna lie. Though he did officially apply for reinstatement with the league this past weekend, there has been less than zero indication as to when he could possibly be allowed to return to action. But after his performance in just 11 games with the Pats last year – 40 catches / 720 yards / 3 TDs – there should be no doubt that he’s still got it in him. He’s also reportedly worked out with Brady this offseason to stay fresh, so the two could start clicking again right away if and when he returns (which I think he will). If you’re comfortable with your bench and are simply taking stabs late in the draft, go for the gold with Gordon. He could truly be a league-winner.

There are other guys – like the aforementioned Meyers and Harris, and maybe even Ben Watson when he returns – who could be sneaky options at certain points this year. (And maybe, juuuussst maybe, my guy Dontrelle Inman could still come through, too. 🤞🏻) But to be entirely honest, this is likely the only list of Patriots players you should be concerned about heading into your fantasy season. Again, there’s still a lot to be fleshed out before the really meaningful action begins, but hopefully this little primer helped to whet your appetite and start to prepare you for what lies ahead.

We’re almost there, everyone! And best of luck to all in this fantasy season.

Top Storylines to Know Through Week 1 of Patriots Training Camp 2019

By Mattes on August 1, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

It’s officially been one week since the Patriots’ first training camp practice of 2019. That also means we’re now officially only one week away from the team’s first preseason game! (And for those who need something in the meantime, the Broncos and Falcons are set to square off tonight in the annual Hall of Fame Game! Yes. As in this very evening. Esta noche. TONIGHT! Football is officially back, my friends.)

With so many practices and so many different players fighting for one of only 53 spots, it’s been tough to keep up with the flurry of news and notes that have been coming out of Foxborough over the past seven days. Last week, we gave you a quick rundown of the team’s top storylines and under-the-radar players I’m keeping an eye on. Now, I’m back to help you sift through all the noise ever since and help you focus on what’s really mattered so far.

Isaiah Wynn Still Limited & The Possibility of Trent Williams

Even though he was not placed on the PUP list, Isaiah Wynn still hasn’t gone full bore at camp as of yet. Though he’s been on the field and seen time with the starters, the team has given him extended breaks. Especially during contact drills, the staff has chosen to instead use guys like Joe Thuney and Dan Skipper in his place at left tackle.

This was to be expected, as players are typically eased gradually back into playing time after suffering such a serious injury. Though it’s been almost a full year since he tore his Achilles, you can never be too careful. Various reports also seem to indicate that the team is not worried about his Week 1 status and that he should be just fine by the start of the regular season.

But does that mean he’s actually ready? Is the team still rolling the dice a bit by throwing all their eggs in Wynn’s basket? Is the lack of depth at such an important position – you know, the one that’s responsible for protecting your 42-year-old QB’s blind side – a serious problem, and should Bill & Co. perhaps look for reinforcements?

The first question is tough for anyone to answer. Nobody has really seen the kid play any meaningful NFL action yet, but he looked good in individual blocking drills in minicamp and put together a pretty impressive college track record, which led to him being selected in the first round of the draft in 2018. I have yet to see any reason to doubt him.

But there’s a guy by the name of Trent Williams – a nine-year veteran who has made the past seven Pro Bowls with Washington – who might be available on the trade block right now. He also just so happens to be one of the very best left tackles in the game. Many out there, including The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, have indicated the Pats could be very interested in the 30-year-old’s services:

The Redskins are having trade discussions regarding tackle Trent Williams, according to a source. Unclear what type of compensation they’d require in a trade. There’s a feeling around the league the Patriots would be involved due to depth issues at the position.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 31, 2019

Off the top, it’s pretty obvious why the Pats would be interested, and Williams has elite-level talent. There’s no question about that. But would the juice be worth the squeeze? First and foremost, the team would need to move some salary around, as Williams carries cap hits north of $14 million in each of the next two seasons. Secondly, there’s still the whole Brady contract drama to sort out (more on that in a minute). And thirdly, what if Wynn really is as good as advertised and we spend all that money and effort for a not-entirely-necessary luxury?

Williams is a freakin’ beast, though. Can’t deny that.

This one will be interesting to watch play out, as there’s no doubt that Williams and Washington seem pretty dead set on parting ways. And while I’d still lean more toward Wynn getting the chance to prove his worth and a trade not happening, nobody can say for sure right now exactly whom will be watching Brady’s back come September 8.

Obligatory Tom Brady Extension Talks

Here we go again…

As is the case what seems like every summer, Brady is approaching the last year of his contract, and the team has yet to sign him to a new extension. Throughout his career, Brady and the Pats have typically chosen to go the short-term, flexible contract route as opposed to signing a more restrictive long-term pact. There are pros and cons to both approaches, but there’s no doubt that Brady has always been willing to sacrifice a lot in terms of dollars – he is only the 18th-highest paid QB in the NFL – without any complaints.

Yes, he has a ton of endorsements. Yes, his wife is one of the richest women in history. And yes, he’s doing just fine. But still, the Pats are getting an absolute steal with this contract. It’s almost unfair.

But again, we’ve been here before. Don’t let the media and all the Chicken Little articles about what would happen if he didn’t re-sign scare you. Brady himself didn’t even seem that worried about it yesterday. Everything is going to be fine. Relax.

Moving on…

The Receiver Battle Rages On for Now

At this point in time, here are the Patriots wide receivers I’m absolutely 100-percent, unquestionably, indubitably certain will make the roster: Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, and Phillip Dorsett. (Technically, you can put Josh Gordon in there, too, but it doesn’t seem like he’s anywhere close to playing anytime soon, and he will likely be left off of the initial opening-day roster.)

So that’s three guys who are locked in and about four others – Braxton Berrios, Dontrelle Inman, Maurice Harris, and Jakobi Meyers – competing for the final two, maybe three, spots at the position. (Very rarely does the team carry more than five at the position – which does not even count special teams captain Matthew Slater, who is also technically a receiver – so I would safely bet that there are only two slots remaining open.)

I’ve already thrown my hat in the ring for Dontrelle Inman, on multiple occasions (including last week’s piece), but already it seems like his chances are dwindling more and more by the day. One reason is due to the fact that he missed both Sunday’s and Monday’s sessions for undisclosed reasons, and even one missed practice can set a player back significantly in such a fierce competition.

Image result for dontrelle inman patriots camp

My boy’s still got the talent, but he better pick it up real quick.

The other reason is simply the fact that reporters have been heaping praise onto the play of Maurice Harris so far, and Jakobi Meyers has apparently made waves over the past couple of days as well. Just Google the name “Maurice Harris,” and you’ll be flooded with a ton of headlines with every type of positive buzzword and adjective imaginable. I’ve mentioned earlier this offseason that he could be a very sneaky breakout candidate, and apparently he’s been an absolute standout in camp so far. I’m about ready to give him “roster lock” status as well.

From everything I’ve read so far, this kid is apparently the second coming of Jerry Rice.

Meyers is undrafted rookie who had 92 catches in his lone season at North Carolina State last season. NESN’s Doug Khyed pointed out how he received “extensive first-team work” at Thursday morning’s practice session after a great week, and Mike Giardi went so far as to say he’s been the best rookie out there so far, even outperforming Harry:

Undrafted free agent WR Jakobi Meyers has consistently made plays in competitive situations. Has out-performed N’Keal although again, we’re just a week in. #Patriots

— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 1, 2019

Berrios, the media darling and projected favorite heading into this offseason, has struggled mightily. While there’s no question about his hands, he’s struggled with physicality and getting separation from those covering him. Though nobody’s ready to DQ him from the fight, it seems like he’s already behind the 8-ball.

Look, it’s been just one week of practice, and the preseason games have even yet to begin. Again, this thing ain’t over just yet… but it actually may be a lot closer to the end than we initially thought. Stay tuned.

Sony Seems OK

On Wednesday, Sony Michel took part in 11-on-11 drills for the first time, and all seemed to go well. Yes, the team still seems to be taking a conservative approach with him overall, but by all accounts so far it still seems like this is still Sony’s backfield to lose.

I know a lot of people are ready to bestow a big role on rookie Damien Harris already, who looked fantastic in minicamp and has some seriously underrated talent. However, let’s also not forget that it’s hard to not to look good when nobody else was competing against you at the time, and there’s also the fact that Michel is still really good, too.

At this point, I’m expecting more of a 70/30 (maaaybe 65/35 split) between Michel and Harris this season, with some James White and Rex Burkhead (if he even makes the team) sprinkled in along the way. There’s no reason to push Michel back into a lot of intensive work at this point, and I’m just glad he’s been able to stay on the field so far. Let’s hope he can keep it going.

I’m not sleeping on Harris, but the dude still needs to earn his stripes.

A few other quick notes:

Though everyone was freaking out after he missed the first few days of practice, Michael Bennett has been an absolute monster at camp so far. He’s going to be a force this year, which should come as a surprise to nobody.
Speaking of continuing to dominate, Stephon Gilmore has been untouchable in camp. After earning First-Team All-Pro honors last season, and fresh off being rated as the game’s top corner in this year’s NFL Network Top 100 Players list, the dude has not skipped a beat so far. According to reports, he’s barely allowed anyone to catch a pass, and apparently the team’s quarterbacks have avoided him entirely most of the time. He looks ready to serve as the secondary’s keystone once again this season.

Don’t even try this dude.

Along with Bennett, Mike Pennel was another offseason addition to the defensive line, and he has reportedly led the way for the team’s “dominant” defensive front in camp so far. Overall, it seems like the D is way ahead of the offense at this point, and Pennel is a big reason why. Pennel has been in the league for a few years but really flew under the radar with the Jets. People are going to know his name by the end of this season, though. You can count on that.
Jamie Collins has also continued his great play from minicamp. With his presence and the return of Ju’Whuan Bentley to the lineup, there have been rumblings that we could see the team implement a lot more 3-4 looks in 2019, as opposed to always going with four down lineman. With Bentley and Dont’a Hightower, the team has two solid guys to hold down the middle of the field while Collins and Van Noy patrol the outside and rush the passer. Furthermore, the previously mentioned Pennel and Lawrence Guy, who was great last year, could serve as the plugs on the interior up front. Regardless of just how much of his previously elite form he can regain this year, Collins’s presence gives the Pats more defensive versatility than they’ve had in years. The defense could be straight up NASTY in 2019.

He’s baaaaaaack.

So overall it seems like the defense is way ahead of the other side at this point, and there’s still a lot to be sorted out on offense. But again, folks, it’s only just the beginning. The biggest takeaway so far is that there’s been a lot of good and promising news out of camp so far, with very limited negative notes. So I am hopeful, Pats Nation…. at least so far.

The Pats kick off the preseason slate next Thursday night against old buddy Matt Patricia and the Lions out in Detroit.

It’s the Opening Day of Training Camp! Here are Some Lowkey Patriots to Keep an Eye on This Summer

By Mattes on July 25, 2019 • ( 1 Comment )

As I sit here on the opening day of Patriots Training Camp 2019 (!!!), it’s really hard to decide exactly which of the many storylines surrounding the team right now is the most important:

Is Julian Edelman’s thumb really OK? And what does it mean for the team’s still undefined receiving corps?
Is Isaiah Wynn truly healed up? If so, is he actually ready to be Brady’s No. 1 protector?
Is Sony Michel even reliable? Or is rookie Damien Harris going to come in and steal the show?
Who is going to play tight end? And what the hell is a “Matt LaCosse”?
How will the team fare after losing pretty much 99 percent of its coaching staff from last season? (OH, and our de facto GM also doesn’t want to be here anymore either. Let’s not forget about that.)
And, of course, there’s also the never-ending Josh Gordon saga…

But, as with any team around the league, many of the major preseason worries and concerns will be addressed over the next couple of weeks, and per usual Belichick & Co. will find a way to ensure they don’t become major problems. Also, there’s already a smorgasbord of articles out there addressing each of the things I’ve mentioned above, and it’s all speculation at this point anyway.

So instead, ya boy Mattes is here to point out some under-the-radar guys who I’m really keeping my eye on at camp this summer. While most of them won’t be starters, a couple of them are players who have a chance to still make a major impact and serve as a key cog in a well-oiled 53-man machine. There are also others who might not be guaranteed a spot on the team as of yet but do have the chance to surprise some people this summer.

Chase Winovich – DE/OLB

Our faithful 300s readers already know that I have been absolutely gushing about Winovich ever since he was drafted back in April. In fact, I wrote an entire feature article right after the draft dedicated solely to just how awesome this guy is. (Seriously, he is a gem as both a player and an individual.)

Though the team did go out and bring in Michael Bennett to replace Trey Flowers this offseason, Winovich’s ability to step in right away and produce is going to be vital. Even with Flowers last season, the team was pretty mediocre (to outright “bad” at times) in terms of their pass-rush. And on Sunday, we received the news that Deatrich Wise – who was my breakout candidate last preseason before suffering what became a nagging, season-long ankle injury – will start camp on the PUP list. While Wise could be ready to go by the start of the season, it’s certainly not very encouraging news, and the issue will likely still affect him early on in 2019.

I still believe in you, D! But you gotta actually stay on that gridiron first.

Behind Bennett and Wise, there is not much else, at least not in terms of guys who can really get after the quarterback. This will likely be Derek Rivers’s last chance to prove that he’s not a bust, and John Simon is a nice rotational piece but certainly nothing to write home about. Keionta Davis has potential but has yet to prove himself; in truth, he probably needs a standout camp performance to even make the team. And while Lawrence Guy and Mike Pennel are a pretty solid interior combo, it’s clear that the team’s depth in terms of edge guys is pretty lackluster.

Winovich honestly has the ability to become the second- or third-best pass-rusher on this team right away behind Bennett and Kyle Van Noy (and maybe Jamie Collins, too). Not only do his insane combine numbers and college track record back that claim up, but he’s also got the attitude and drive to make it happen as well. This kid is going to be real fun to watch for years to come. Trust me.

Ja’Whuan Bentley – LB

Bentley started off with a bang as a rookie last summer, standing out pretty much right away in the preseason and quickly earning a big-time role on defense early on in 2018. That is, before he tore his bicep in Week 3 against Detroit, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. It was a pretty deflating outcome to what was a white-hot start to his career.

Seriously, though, Bentley received starter-level playing time before the injury, as he was in on 64 percent of the defensive snaps through the first three games before going down. Very rarely has a defensive rookie ever received so much trust from Belichick so quickly, and there’s no reason to expect he won’t be given the chance to grab hold of a big role once again in 2019.

Though both Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower are still here and the team brought back Jamie Collins, who has apparently looked fantastic so far, Bentley will still be asked to serve as a big, run-stuffing force in the middle. He even held his own in coverage last season, allowing only two-of-four targets against him to be completed, with an interception to boot. There’s no doubt that he’s earned the respect of Bill and the rest of the staff, which is not surprising considering that he was a three-time captain during his time at Purdue.

Image result for ja'whaun bentley purdue captain

Bentley was easily the heart and soul of the Boilermakers during his college days.

Bentley could be the next coming of Jerod Mayo – who also just so happens to be the man coaching Bentley and the rest of the linebackers this year. Hmmm…

Dontrelle Inman – WR

Honestly, Inman shouldn’t even be eligible for this list considering he’s a five-year vet with over 150 career catches. Still, the dude is being slept on hard by the vast majority of beat writers in the area, and I just do not understand it.

Look, I know that Jules is still the team’s No. 1. Unless the thumb injury turns out to be something more serious, nothing is going to change that. N’Keal Harry, the team’s first-round pick this year, is also going to get every chance to become the No. 2. There’s also the potential for Josh Gordon to come back, and Phillip Dorsett is still here as well. And young guys like free-agent signing Maurice Harris and second-year man Braxton Berrios are getting their tires pumped as potential options, too. But I truly believe that Inman has the chance to become one of Brady’s favorite weapons by season’s end, and that is not hyperbole.

I already said as much in my piece breaking down the team’s wide receiver depth before the start of OTAs, but ICYMI here’s a little quick-hitter on the 30-year-old journeyman:

Inman is another big-bodied guy (6’3″, 205 pounds) who has bounced around a few teams the past couple of seasons (Chargers, Bears, Colts), and I’m not really sure why. In 2016, he put up 810 yards on 58 catches while playing with Philip Rivers. The Chargers even placed a second-round tender on him the following offseason when he was set to become a restricted free agent. And in just four starts with the Colts last year (nine games played overall), he hauled in three touchdowns with 28 catches on only 39 targets.

Again, I have no idea why he’s shuffled around the NFL as much as he has in recent years, but this is actually a really good signing. Inman could honestly surprise a lot of people this year playing with the G.O.A.T.

Especially with Gronk no longer being a part of this team (for now??), Inman’s profile and skill set could be huge for the team’s offense. Yes, there is the chance he loses out in the positional battle, and there are some out there who think he’s no guarantee to even make the roster. (And I’ll eat a huge crow pie if he’s back on the unemployment line come late August.) However, I really believe in Inman, and I think you should, too.

Obi Melifonwu – S

Melifonwu is one of those uber-athletic but still super raw players with oodles of potential and a long way to go. The fact that he was a second-round pick by the Raiders just two years ago demonstrates the type of talent he possesses; the fact that he’s already on his second team after being drafted only two years ago shows that he’s also far from a sure thing. Still, Belichick thought highly enough of the 25-year-old to sign him to a two-year deal last November, shortly after being released by Oakland.

He ultimately only appeared in just two games for the Pats last season, recording a measly three tackles. To be fair, though, Melifonwu was also less than a year removed from hip surgery at the time of the signing. In fact, because of the same injury, he never even really had a chance to get on the field for the Raiders before getting cut at the beginning of his second season in the league. Belichick obviously wasn’t going to throw him into the fire right away, especially with the team already having such a loaded secondary.

Still, this was a guy who had 118 tackles and four picks as a senior at UConn, and he could have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation behind Devin McCourty, Pat Chung, and Duron Harmon this season. But it is certainly going to be an uphill battle. The biggest roadblocks for Melifonwu are Nate Ebner and free-agent signing Terrence Brooks, both of whom are special-teams standouts and thus probably already have a leg up on Melifonwu in terms of making the roster. The Pats also traded up to select Joejuan Williams in the second round in April. And though Williams is being listed as a cornerback by many, he also profiles as a CB/S hybrid, much in the mold of Melifonwu.

But there’s no doubt that Melinfonwu’s ceiling as an overall player is significant, and the former Huskies star could potentially turn heads this summer if he’s finally healthy once again.

And just a few more quick ones:

Braxton Berrios, Maurice Harris, and Jakobi Meyers – WR: Rather than doing an individual write-up on each of them, they will instead be grouped as one trio battling amongst themselves for the final one or two spots on the receiving depth chart. Berrios is the one who has been receiving the most attention from those close to the team, and Harris showed some serious flashes down in Washington last year. Meyers is another one whose name has been tossed around in certain circles as well. I do expect one or two of these three to make the roster and provide the team with some much-needed security (and long-term hope) at what is currently an entirely unsettled position.

Image result for braxton berrios patriots

Some are already pegging Berrios as the next big thing.

Keion Crossen – CB: Here’s someone who was quietly decent last season. While he did not ascend to the same heights as fellow 2018 rookie corner J.C. Jackson, he did appear in 11 games and played on over 20 percent of the defensive snaps in each of the final two regular-season contests. Though he really didn’t show up on the stat sheet, there were a few plays where you might remember hearing his name called. Cornerback is actually one of the only positions where the Patriots have some serious young talent that they can build upon for years to come. Crossen should be one of those guys.

Jakob Johnson – TE/FB: This is really more about pure intrigue and wishful thinking than anything else. To be honest, I don’t think the 6’5″, 285-pound German spectacle has a snowball’s chance of making the roster, but at least the monster of a man can’t be entirely ignored. Especially with the dearth of options the team has at tight end – even after yesterday’s signing of Lance Kendricks (mehhh) – it’s not like he doesn’t have the opportunity to prove himself. Regardless, he’ll be a fun guy to monitor all summer long. (Here’s a quick write-up from Red on the big fella after the team initially signed him back in April.)

This guy is a complete wild card but a beast nonetheless.

Regardless of what happens with any of these guys, though, all that matters is that football is back, baby! Let the fun begin.

Ben Watson Suspended and a Few Other Patriots Notes After Week 1 of OTAs

By Mattes on May 27, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

Late on Sunday evening, in the midst of many’s Memorial Day Weekend celebrations, we received the news that Patriots tight end Ben Watson has been suspended for the first four weeks of the 2019 season for using a banned substance. Interestingly enough, it was actually Watson himself – not the NFL – who first broke the news in a very candid Facebook post:

A Facebook post by Patriots TE Benjamin Watson explains how he knew his decision to return to the NFL would include a four-game suspension, and he shares the context of the situation in detail. pic.twitter.com/UHVEppk6g4

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 26, 2019

Basically, the 38-year-old admitted to taking the banned substance in March (something called Bio Identical Testosterone Cypionate) at the advice of his doctors. After a long, exhausting 14-year NFL career – as a tight end no less – the man was simply trying to recover as quickly as possible and pursue other professional opportunities. He said that at the time he chose to take it, he had absolutely no intention of returning to the NFL.

Welp, that sentiment changed rather quickly, and now Watson will need to pay the price.

Look, I’m not going to get on the guy at all for what he did. To be honest, as fans I think it’s a bit ignorant to try and comment on the physical toll an NFL career can take on one’s body, and often people are too quick to judge some of the steps these guys need to take in an effort to feel better. I could go into a diatribe about how products like HGH and other “drugs” which help both former AND current players heal up in the offseason are viewed in an entirely unfair and negative light. I truly believe he was just trying to recover and move on. Apparently, he even told the team about everything before signing on in early May, and it’s pretty obvious he’s trying to be as forthright as possible.

Ben Watson is still the epitome of what it means to be a professional in the NFL. He’ll return for the team’s trip down to Washington in Week 5, and his presence – particularly in the locker room – will be vital throughout the rest of the season, especially with such a young roster. For now, guys like Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Matt LaCosse (more on him in a second) will need to hold it down at tight end. Everything will be just fine; it’s just a tough break for Watson.

And now for a few others notes from this week’s OTAs:

Rookie wide-out N’Keal Harry has been getting RAVE reviews from pretty much everybody who was in attendance at practice this week. Oftentimes, it takes wide receivers – even those who were drafted in the first round like Harry – quite a while to catch on and feel comfortable in an NFL offense. But apparently the kid came out gangbusters right away and has been making plays all over the field. Per ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss: “When I watched the 6-foot-2, 228-pound Harry in practice, his large catch radius and the way he snatched the ball were notable (even as a punt returner). Harry, whom Belichick referred to as ‘smart,’ lined up in multiple spots and seemed to be decisive in knowing where he was going.” And he’s hardly the only media member gushing over the rookie’s performance this week. Yes, it was just one week of offseason practice, and no Brady wasn’t there, but…
Apparently both Harry and Julian Edelman had a private workout session with Brady at some point recently, and there are photos. (It’s really tough to gather much from a total of five shots, but it’s obvious the kid is putting in work. And TFB clearly believes in him already.)

Though there are a group of guys who will be fighting for position on the wide-receiver depth chart all offseason, the competition at left tackle is really the most important battle. Many expect Isaiah Wynn – who was drafted in the first round last year and missed his entire first season due to an Achilles injury – to slide right in and take over for Trent Brown as Brady’s blind-side protector. In fact, when asked in early May about Wynn’s chances to become such, O-line coach Dante Scarnecchia said the following: “That’s where we have him penciled in to play. He’s in the middle of trying to get his Achilles right, so he’ll be out there when he’s ready and we’ll take it there.” That’s about as typical of Patriots response as you’ll ever see, and truthfully it doesn’t mean anything until Wynn is finally able to get back out onto the field and prove himself. But the team’s confidence in him hasn’t waned after a lost rookie campaign, and I’m excited to see what the kid will bring to the table.
In the meantime, the team made the interesting choice of using Joe Thuney – who has been the team’s starting left guard for the past three seasons – as the stand-in at left tackle for much of the week. Thuney is no stranger to the position, though, as he was named an All-American as a left tackle during his senior season at North Carolina State. Thank goodness for players like him, who are always ready to roll and play wherever the team needs them to at a moment’s notice. Ultimately, he’ll probably swing back inside once Wynn is healthy. However, it’s good to know we have a solid insurance plan if that doesn’t work out as planned.

Paul Perillo of Patriots.com highlighted tight end Matt LaCosse as someone who stood out to him. Perillo mentioned that he looked good as a “move” tight end, demonstrating an ability to run and get open while also displaying good hands. There were a lot of people who were high on Lacosse during his time in Denver, and the Pats did jump on him pretty quickly after free agency began. We could have a little sleeper on our hands here, folks. He is someone I’ll be keeping a very close eye on going forward this offseason.

The Patriots’ next round of OTAs is scheduled for May 29 & 30 before mandatory minicamp starts up on June 4.

BREAKING: Patriots Bring Back Former Prodigal Son Jamie Collins

By Mattes on May 15, 2019 • ( 1 Comment )

Remember when Jamie Collins was supposed to be the next Lawrence Taylor?

OK, maybe that’s a bit excessive, but the now 30-year-old linebacker is coming back to the place where his once supposed-to-be-storybook career all started six years ago. Earlier on Wednesday, there were rumors the two sides were simply “talking,” but we just recently got the official word from The Boston Globe‘s Jim McBride this afternoon that it’s a done deal:

The #Patriots have indeed signed Jamie Collins according to league source (@RapSheet was on it first). The linebacker will be present for some on-field work on Thursday.

— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) May 15, 2019

Terms of the deal have still yet to be disclosed.

This one has to be pretty sweet for Belichick. Back in 2013, the Pats used the first of their two second-round picks to select the linebacker with freakish athleticism and a record-setting Combine performance to his name. From the get-go, it was obvious that the Hooded One saw something special in Collins, and he was rewarded with 333 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and a Super Bowl victory (2014 – a game in which Collins had eight takedowns) over Collins’s first three seasons in the league, including the playoffs. The dude was also a turnover machine, with five picks and nine forced fumbles across that time as well. At times, it really looked like there was nothing he couldn’t do.

But then it all changed in 2016. After being named as a starter for the third-straight season and coming off a Pro Bowl year, things started to go a bit sour. A lot of people believe it was because Collins, who was in the last year of his deal at the time, was asking for boo koo bucks that the team simply wasn’t going to provide. (Apparently the dude wanted Von Miller-level money, which he just simply didn’t deserve.) Others say it was because he was becoming a bit too flashy, always going for the big play and doing his own thing instead of focusing on his assignments and playing his role. There were rumblings that he was also causing problems in the locker room.

Either way, Belichick saw the writing on the wall and banished Collins to Cleveland in October that season in exchange for a third-round pick. Some fans understood what was happening, while others were outraged (seriously, a lot people were PISSED) that we gave away the next “NFL legend.”

At first it looked like the Pats got hosed after Collins posted 69 tackles and two sacks across his first eight games in the Land. The ensuing offseason, Collins finally got his money, too, after signing a four-year, $50 million extension with the Browns. However, the following season, he played inconsistently across six games before ultimately tearing his ACL in November 2017.

Then he bounced back with a solid 104-tackle, four-sack performance in 16 games with Cleveland last year. Yet, for whatever reason, the Browns decided to cut him this past March. And here we are.

So while we may never really know exactly why he was shipped out in the first place, and though he may not be the superstar he was expected to become, this is a great signing for the Pats. As someone – maybe the ONLY one – who has opined about the team’s piss-poor linebacking play last season, I am stoked. (Also, I straight up called that this reunion would happen earlier this offseason. Just sayin’.):

Here’s to hoping a humbled and much more mature Collins redeems himself in Foxborough this season. His speed and explosiveness is something that was sorely missing on that side of the ball in 2018. (And hey! Maybe we can actually cover a running back now, too!)

Welcome back, J.C. I’m ready for a nice redemption story.

Breaking down the Patriots wide receiver depth before the start of OTAs

By Mattes on May 12, 2019 • ( 2 Comments )

Heading into the offseason, most people agreed that wide receiver was a desperate area of need for the Pats. Actually, it was probably THE biggest are of need before the retirement of Rob Gronkowski.

Up until the weekend of the draft, however, it looked like the team was barely willing to do anything to improve its laughable depth at the position, and it really looked like Brady would be throwing to Julian Edelman and a bunch of trash cans in 2019. While the team supposedly went hard after Adam Humphries in free agency – before he ultimately signed with the Titans – I’ll admit that I was pretty heated that through March and most of April nobody of value had been brought in.

Well, I mean there was the signing of Bruce Ellington, a 27-year-old journeyman with a measly 79 career catches in 44 games who is missing a third of his left hamstring! (No, but really, he is.) And I place emphasis on the word “was,” because the guy was just cut on Thursday before even getting to sniff the field in a Pats uniform. So there goes that.

Yeah, I know, man. That’s a tough break.

The team also signed former Washington wide out, Maurice Harris, who actually might have some sneaky potential and is only 26. And they took a flyer on a likely completely cooked Demaryius Thomas.

But besides that, the team did nothing until draft weekend, when they used their first-round pick on former Arizona State stud receiver N’Keal Harry. (A move that The 300s faithful already know I wholeheartedly endorse.) And then on May 10, they made a sneaky good signing by inking Dontrelle Inman. More on him in a second.

There’s also the whole Josh Gordon saga that continues to drag on. Will he play this season? Will he fall back into his old ways? Find out on the next episode of As the Flash Turns…

With so many new faces and questions remaining, it’s tough to keep track of exactly who will be serving as Brady’s top targets next season. And while there’s still an entire offseason and plenty of time for things to change and be fleshed out, here’s a quick look at the team’s current stock at the position along with a prediction of what the pecking order will look like heading into September.

Julian Edelman

Old Faithful will be returning for his 10th season in a Pats uniform this year, and you can lock him in for another 150-plus targets, 90-plus catches, and at least five or so touchdowns as Brady’s No. 1 guy. Everyone knows that Jules is the engine that truly keeps the team’s offense moving, and his MVP performance in last year’s Super Bowl was one for the ages. Were it not for him (and Gronk) the team would have barely been able to move the ball in that game at all, and there is nobody who Brady has ever trusted more in his career, besides maybe Wes Welker.

Say what you want about him being 32 years old and “injury prone.” But were it not for last year’s suspension he likely would have played in 16 games for the second straight season. Also, besides 2015, Edelman had also played in at least 14 games in each of the two previous seasons before that. The point is, the whole durability issue with him is completely overplayed, and he’s shown literally zero signs of slowing down any time soon. Jules is the unquestioned leader of this group and all-time Patriots legend. Thank GAHD we still have him.

N’Keal Harry

It is super impressive to see a rookie already being viewed as Brady’s No. 2 option at wide receiver, but that’s pretty much how it looks right now. Of course, it’s hard to predict how any newcomer will adapt to the pro level, but considering Harry was one of the most consistent and productive college wide receivers in recent memory, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

On the night he was drafted, I already wrote a quick breakdown of the type of player Harry is and what he could provide for the receiving corps. The way he uses his body to win against opposing defenders and his strong after-the-catch ability can help to provide some of the physicality missing in the absence of Gronk. (Again, “some.” Nobody is EVER replacing Gronk. I want to make sure I say that loudly enough so people in the back can hear it.)

I’ll stop there, because I don’t want project too much about a guy who hasn’t played even one NFL down yet. But I’m definitely excited about this kid.

Dontrelle Inman

Now, some people might assume that Phillip Dorsett is automatically slated to be a top-three receiver on this team due to his familiarity with the system and the flashes he showed at times last year. But, to be honest, I think Inman will rocket up the depth chart in camp and could actually even be the No. 2 receiver by season’s end; I think this dude is being slept on big time, and I’m surprised the Pats were able to get him this late into the offseason. (I know Joey B agrees with me, too. He actually made a very astute comparison to the signing of Brandon LaFell a few years ago, and I could totally see Inman having that same type of impact.)

Inman is another big-bodied guy (6’3″, 205 pounds) who has bounced around a few teams the past couple of seasons (Chargers, Bears, Colts), and I’m not really sure why. In 2016, he put up 810 yards on 58 catches while playing with Philip Rivers. The Chargers even placed a second-round tender on him the following offseason when he was set to become a restricted free agent. And in just four starts with the Colts last year (nine games played overall), he hauled in three touchdowns with 28 catches on only 39 targets.

Again, I have no idea why he’s shuffled around the NFL as much as he has in recent years, but this is actually a really good signing. Inman could honestly surprise a lot of people this year playing with the G.O.A.T.

Phillip Dorsett

After a disappointing first go-round with the team in 2017 after coming over in a trade from Indy, Dorsett actually took a huge leap in 2018. Not only did he almost triple his amount of receptions from the previous season (from 12 to 32), but when Brady went to him last season, it was pretty much successful every time. For such a small, “speed” guy, it’s really impressive to see that he had a 76 percent catch rate; in fact, from Week 5 onward Brady and Dorsett had a 100 percent throw-and-catch rate, meaning that Dorsett caught every single ball Brady threw his way over the final three-quarters of the season.

OK, sure, that may have only been on just 16 total targets, and there were seven games last year where Dorsett was not even targeted once. But there’s no doubt that he’s earned the trust of Brady and McDaniels, and he’s a more than solid No. 3/4 option in the passing game with game-breaking jets. And let’s not forget that this guy was once a first-round draft pick, too. I’m really glad he ended up re-signing with the team this offseason.

And now here’s where it gets a little tougher to sort out. For starters, rarely do the Pats rely much upon more than three or four wide outs every season; especially with the involvement of the tight ends and James White (the team’s leading pass-catcher in 2018), the team doesn’t really need much behind the four receivers I’ve already hit on above. But there are still two former Pro Bowlers and some other young talent on the current roster who could rise to the opportunity and secure a role at some point this year. Here’s a quick look at a few of those guys.

Josh Gordon: Where to begin? By now, I think everybody is pretty well-versed on the 28-year-old’s trials and tribulations throughout his career, but there’s no doubt he showed the ability to still be one of the game’s elite wide-outs in the 11 games he played for the Pats last year. Many might be surprised to see he put up 40 catches and over 700 yards for the team last year before once again succumbing to previous transgressions which forced him to miss the final two months of the year. But like I said in March, he might not be done just yet and did officially re-sign with the team this offseason. And if he does finally get himself back on track? Holy hell. Watch out, NFL.

Demaryius Thomas: Another one of the game’s former elites, the Pats took a flyer on Thomas this offseason in hopes he can regain some of his previous form which saw him average 96 catches, 1,303 yards, and 8.5 touchdowns per season from 2012-2017 out in Denver. (Yeah, this dude used to be STUPID good.) Age and injuries have derailed him in recent years, but much like Gordon he could end up being just another entirely unfair piece for the Pats offense if all goes well. Or he could be cut by the end of training camp… To be honest, at this point I’m not expecting too much from him at all. Fingers crossed, though, because Thomas was once an absolute monster.

Come on, D.T.! I know you still got it in ya.

Maurice Harris: The fourth-year player out of Cal spent his first three seasons down in Washington. After having just 12 career grabs over his first two seasons, he stepped it up with 28 last year. So far, he certainly hasn’t done anything to write home about overall, but he did hang 10 catches and 124 yards on the Falcons in Week 6 last season before being forced to play with the likes of Mark Sanchez and Josh Johnson. Maybe TFB can get the best out of this kid. We’ll see.

Braxton Berrios: Here’s a guy who the casual Pats fan probably hasn’t heard of yet, but his tires have been quietly being pumped by coaches and other industry talking heads for the past year. Drafted in the sixth round in 2018, Berrios didn’t set the world on fire during his time in college with Miami, but he did earn Third-Team All-ACC honors in his senior year. A former team captain, valedictorian, and allegedly competitive as hell, he seems like a perfect guy for this locker room. Apparently, he profiles as a Julian Edelman type who excels on underneath routes and quick screens. We haven’t been able to see much from him yet, especially since he was placed on I.R. last September and missed the entire season, but he is definitely a name to keep an eye on this summer.

Jules Part 2???

The Pats also have Damoun Patterson, Jakobi Meyers, Ryan Davis, and Xavier Ubosi as the other camp bodies at receiver, but I think I probably have just as good of a chance of cracking the roster this year as any of these four.

So, again, while there’s still a lot to be figured out before the games that really matter, at least Belichick & Co. have brought in some semblance of talent at wide receiver that was missing entirely just two months ago. This is going to be one of the best position battles to watch throughout the entire league this summer, and a part of me thinks it could actually be even better than what Brady had to work with last year.

The Pats are scheduled to kick off OTAs on May 20. So be sure to keep checking in with The 300s for all your Pats coverage!

Introducing Chase Winovich (AKA Your Soon-to-Be New Favorite Patriot)

By Mattes on May 1, 2019 • ( 2 Comments )

For those who stuck with The 300s this past weekend, you were treated to the very best Patriots draft coverage around. (No, but seriously.) And in case you missed any of it, here’s my full breakdown of the team’s draft-weekend haul.

As I mentioned in that piece, one of the team’s third-round selections this year has already stolen my heart and undying allegiance. He is a 24-year-old, golden-haired BEAST who will soon be dominating opposing NFL offenses for years to come, while at the same time providing plenty of personality and cheeky shenanigans for a locker room now severely lacking in both due to the absence of one Robert James Gronkoswski.

His name is Chase Winovich. Please allow me to introduce you to the Patriots’ newest sensation.

As a player, Winovich is going to provide quite the punch for a front seven in desperate need of some explosiveness. At 6’3″, 256 pounds with 4.59 speed, Winovich can serve as the perfect compliment to guys like Michael Bennett and the team’s group of other young pass-rushers. Winovich compiled 16.5 sacks and 35 tackles for a loss in three seasons at Michigan, serving as one the nation’s top edge defenders, and he can be pretty solid against the run, too. He’s also got a relentless motor, almost to his own detriment at times, and absolutely epitomizes the term “playing through the whistle.” The guy legitimately does not stop moving when he is out on the field.

Much like his playing style, his mouth is constantly going as well, and he often treats the masses to some very entertaining quips and musings whenever he is on camera. In fact (as I also mentioned in Sunday’s piece), NFL Network’s Good Morning Football dubbed him the draft’s greatest personality, and it’s easy to see why:

Then this morning, NESN’s Zach Cox was able to dig up some film of Winovich from his time with the Wolverines. Not only does it provide visual proof of just how ferocious he is as a defender, but he’s also mic’d up during each of the clips and…well, just take a look:

Patriots fans should really check out the Michigan season of “All or Nothing” on Amazon. Chase Winovich is an absolute wild man in it. pic.twitter.com/yI5mIzIV8f

— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) May 1, 2019

“If you get hurt in the game — you hurt your leg or your arm — you don’t stop playing. You take it off, and you beat him with it.” – Chase Winovich pic.twitter.com/2Xd31CjBIf

— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) May 1, 2019

In case you couldn’t make out what he was saying in the first one, he’s basically screaming at the opposing O-lineman to “PLEASE BLOCK HIM,” a request which the poor gentleman was obviously not able to fulfill. (The fact that he also sounded like a rabid Tasmanian devil the entire time may have made it a bit difficult to make out.) In the second one, he then shares his thoughts on how to…ummm…play through the pain.

This guy is just the right kind of insane, and I cannot WAIT to see him in action.

OH, and he’s also just a really good dude all around. The story of how he started an effort which raised over $200,000 for a special charity dedicated to the research and treatment of severe brain cancer is incredible, and it’s definitely worth a read.

While we still have to wait about three months before getting a taste of what he’ll look like in real-time NFL action, we’ll hopefully at least be treated to a little something during the team’s rookie minicamp next week (May 10-12).

Either way, I’m absolutely stoked to have this kid on board, and you should be, too. Welcome to Foxborough, Chase Winovich!

Quick Hits and Key Takeaways from the Patriots 2019 Draft Class

By Mattes on April 28, 2019 • ( 1 Comment )

Per usual, Bill Belichick, Nick Caserio, Josh McDaniels, and the rest of the Patriots thinking heads were well-prepared and executed a near flawless plan at the NFL draft.

The team right away addressed what many believed to be their biggest need by selecting wide receiver N’Keal Harry in the first round on Thursday night. (A move I’ve already wholeheartedly endorsed.) Then, the team went on to select nine more guys throughout the final six rounds on Friday and Saturday, which does not even include the handful of undrafted guys they signed over the the weekend as well.

Basically, after a pretty quiet foray into the free-agent market, the team instead decided to use its abundance of draft capital this year to reload and retool at some of the most important positions on the roster. As always, there were also a few surprises as well.

Rather than break down each of the team’s selections from this past weekend, instead here are a few important takeaways and general thoughts for the Pats now that things have officially wrapped up down in Nashville:

The G.O.A.T.’s Successor?

With their seventh selection, the Patriots drafted former Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham in the fourth round at No. 133 overall.

The seventh QB drafted in 2019, Stidham is a guy who actually might’ve gone higher had he been able to enter the draft last year. Coming out of high school as a top-50 national recruit, Stidham had a phenomenal season as a true freshman for the Bears in 2015, with a 199.0 rating (!!!) and a 12-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio in just 10 games. However, due the sexual assault scandal engulfing the school at the time, he decided to take a year off and transfer to Auburn, where he served as the Tigers’ starter for each of the past two seasons.

At first glance, his overall stat line looks almost identical across his two seasons at Auburn:

2017: 246/370; 18 TDs; 6 INTs
2018: 224/369; 18 TDs; 5 INTs

But playing QB is about more than just touchdowns and interceptions. And a deeper dive into both the numbers and the tape shows a guy who looked like he regressed a bit in 2018, no longer demonstrating the fearless confidence he displayed while leading the Tigers to 10 wins (including a huge one over Alabama) just the year before. Both his completion percentage and passing yardage saw a significant drop-off this past season, and it just seemed like he wasn’t the same guy. To be fair, he did lose some solid surrounding talent from 2017 (running back Kerryon Johnson; guard Braden Smith) and played behind a bad O-line. Also, it’s not like he completely fell off the map.

Image result for jarrett stidham alabama 2017

The kid has shown the ability to step up in big moments.

Overall, Stidham is said to be a real smart kid who has a good release and can make all the throws. He even has some ability to take off and run when necessary, too. To be honest, he sounds a lot like Jimmy Garoppolo, and maybe he can become what Jimmy G was supposed to be once Brady ultimately retires (whenever the hell that will be)…or he’ll get traded away for a second- or third-round pick in three years. Either way, he’s got plenty of time to learn and relocate some of the talent that once made him one of the nation’s top QBs. Even though I wanted Will Grier, I’m not at all upset with Stidham.

Sony Gets Some Competition

With so many other holes on offense, many were surprised to see the team draft Alabama running back Damien Harris with the 24th pick in the third round. Even if the Pats wanted to add more depth at the position (which is never a bad thing for any team to do), why did they need to use such a high selection in order to do so? After all, they spent a first-rounder on Sony Michel just last year, and he rewarded them with an excellent rookie season. James White, the team’s leading pass-catcher in 2018, is also still here, as is Rex Burkhead. AND the team also brought back Brandon Bolden this offseason.

So what gives?

To be entirely honest, I believe this one was all about value, as there was a time when Harris was actually thought to be the top running back in the class – yes, even ahead of his teammate Josh Jacobs, who went No. 24 overall to the Raiders in the first round on Thursday night.

Even though he had to constantly fight off other all-world running back talent throughout his time with the Crimson Tide, Harris still compiled over 1,000 total yards in each of the past three seasons, averaging over seven yards per carry in two of them. So, even with other NFL-caliber players fighting for playing time, Harris was still always one of Nick Saban’s most trusted and reliable guys. Short and stout (5’10”, 216 pounds), he also had 11 rushing scores for ‘Bama in 2017 and can serve as another goal-line stud for the Pats.

With Harris being such a huge favorite of Saban’s, I bet that’s all Belichick really needed to hear.

So, yes, maybe it was a bit of a luxury pick, but with White being a glorified receiver as well as durability concerns with both Michel and Burkhead, it actually makes a lot of sense. I was pleasantly surprised with this one, and I think the rest of Pats Nation will soon be as well.

Chase Winovich Might Already Be My New Favorite Player

Aside from the fact he’s a ferocious defender who compiled 18.5 sacks and 43 tackles for a loss over the past three seasons at one of the nation’s top schools, this dude is quite the character as well.

Heading into the draft, NFL Network’s Good Morning Football dubbed Winovich as the “draft’s greatest personality,” and there’s no doubt that he is an absolute gem in front of the camera. With wittiness and charm for days, along with some EPIC lettuce (just look at those golden locks), this dude could serve as the foil to the typically humdrum, boring Patriots locker rooms we all felt doomed to endure once again with Gronk now gone. This guy is going to be a blast.

Winovich has a flow that would make even Clay Matthews blush.

However, when it really comes down to it, he’s still all about business. Though now-former Michigan teammates Rashan Gary and Devin Bush went two rounds ahead of him, there are many who actually regarded Winovich as the Wolverines’ true heart and soul over the past few years, with the numbers to back it up. His relentless motor and elite pass-rushing skills will be very welcomed in Foxborough. And he’s also a very charitable guy off the field as well.

Just like they did with Harris, it seems like the Pats stole yet another stud in Round 3.

Not One Tight End Taken

I’ll admit, I was really surprised the team did not take even one tight end through seven rounds this weekend. While I wasn’t expecting them to trade up and get someone like T.J. Hockenson or Noah Fant, I thought that maybe they’d try to take someone like a Jace Sternberger, Irv Smith, or Dawson Knox on Day 2.

But nope. The team did not draft one player at the tight end position.

It seems as though they’re prepared to roll with Austin Seferian-Jenkins and a jumbled group of mediocre guys to start the year, instead hoping that the running game and some added talent at receiver can carry them through. Do I think it was a fatal mistake? No. But it would have been nice to add something here, especially with the amount of picks they had at their disposal.

Image result for austin seferian jenkins

Looks like it’s your time to shine, ASJ!

A few other quick notes:

A lot of people seem to be excited about the team’s second-round pick, Joejuan Williams, whom the team traded up to snag in Round 2. Williams is a BIG (6’4″, 211 pounds), deceptively fast defensive back who can play both corner and safety. Much like Patrick Chung, he can be used to cover the bigger and more physical opposing pass-catchers, serving in the hybrid DB/LB role we’ve seen become more popular throughout the league in recent years. Williams is certainly not the most athletic guy in the world, but he could become a force in the secondary.

I already mentioned how the Pats got two third-round steals in both Winovich and Harris, but truthfully they may have actually had another. With the second-to-last pick in the round, the team took West Virginia offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste, who at one point was being talked about as a first-round pick. Were it not for a history of injuries, he truly could’ve been one of the first O-lineman off the board.
It was very interesting to see the team take punter Jake Bailey in the fifth round, especially after Ryan Allen’s phenomenal performance in the Super Bowl. (That might sound a bit over the top, but Allen honestly was one of the team’s most important players in that game.) However, Bailey was perennially one of the nation’s top punters during his time at Stanford, and Belichick is never afraid to add a little competition. On a one-year deal which would leave just $100,000 in dead money were he to be cut, Allen will need to be on his toes (no pun intended) this training camp.

Overall, I am very pleased with how things went for the Pats this weekend. And with most of the big offseason events now out of the way, we can finally look ahead to OTAs and training camp!

The 300s NFL Draft Day 2 Patriots Wishlist

By Mattes on April 26, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL draft will take place on Friday night, and the Patriots are currently slated to pick five times across the two rounds. I highly expect the team to complete some type of trade (or two) involving those picks, per usual, but Belichick & Co. are obviously still going to be selecting a few guys at some point tonight.

Myself and Joey B already gave you our very disparate yet equally insightful takes on the team’s selection last night in Round 1, N’Keal Harry. Personally, I am a HUGE fan of the pick, and I’m glad the Pats were able to immediately help alleviate what was easily the team’s biggest need. However, there are still a few positions (TE, OT, DL, LB, QB, S) which could use some reinforcements as well.

Before things kick off again tonight at 7 p.m., here’s my quick wishlist of some potential players who I’m hoping the Pats might be able to snag on Day 2:

Dre’Mont Jones (DT, Ohio State): This is a guy who I’ve been all over for a while now. A true athlete, Jones is perfect for the 3-technique. Much like guys such as Quinnen Williams and Ed Oliver, who were both top-10 picks last night, Jones uses incredible first-step quickness and motor to push the pocket and disrupt opposing backfields. Certainly no run-stuffer, Jones would give the Pats an interior pass-rusher (8.5 sacks last season) to pair alongside Lawrence Guy and under-the-radar free-agent signing Mike Pennel. He also has the ability to chase down running backs out of the backfield as well. I think he truly could be one of the biggest steals of the draft, and he is being slept on BIG TIME by the entire league right now.

Nasir Adderly (S, Delaware): Of the team’s top outstanding needs, I’d say that safety falls toward the bottom…for now. Let’s not forget, though, that Devin McCourty – who toyed with the idea of retirement this offseason – is 32 years old AND on the final year of his contract. Adderly is still very raw and may not have played against top competition in college, but the talent and ball skills are there, with 10 picks and 23 passes defensed over the past three seasons. He could learn how to become a true single-high, center-field stud from one of the game’s very best, and then ultimately replace him when McCourty does actually move on for good.

Jawaan Taylor (OT, Florida): I am literally shocked that this dude is still on the board. (I had him going top 10 in my mock, as did many others!) While he may not be the best pass-blocker, he is truly a mauler who can set the tone in the running game. And with the team expected to continuing relying heavily upon Sony Michel and the ground attack moving forward, Taylor is a perfect fit. And honestly, as good as Marcus Cannon was a couple years ago, I feel like he’s regressed significantly and is no longer worth his $7 million-plus salary. Taylor could allow the Pats to move on from Cannon and lock down the right side of the line for years to come. (The team will likely need to move up within the first 10 picks of Round 2 to get him, though. He’s not going to last out there for much longer.)

Jaylon Ferguson (DE, Louisiana Tech): Joey B has already been vocal about his love for the FBS’s all-time sack leader (45), who may be falling down draft boards due to a minor altercation he got into as a freshman – which resulted in a deferred sentence, $189 fine, and no further issues since. No I wasn’t there, but it seems like what happened pales in comparison to some of the off-field concerns associated with other current and potential NFL stars lately. On the field, there should be no concern. Besides holding the aforementioned record, this is a guy who dominated in college, as 27% (!!!) of his tackles went for a loss. So almost a THIRD of his tackles prevented dudes from even getting past the line of scrimmage. Belichick could have a ton of fun shaping and molding a guy with his potential, and after losing Flowers the team could use some immediate pass-rushing help.

Will Grier (QB, West Virginia): I keep going back and forth on how high I want the Pats to draft a QB – or if I even want them to draft one at all. But with the amount of capital the team has this year, I think it totally makes sense. I already said in my mock that Grier might be the most underrated signal-caller in this class, who could truly be better than any of the guys already selected ahead of him, and apparently the Pats love him. Besides a shaky Senior Bowl performance, Grier was one of the nation’s most efficient passers, completing over 67% of his passes last season to go along with 37 TDs. He doesn’t have the biggest arm in the world, but he’s got the confidence and leadership of a lion, and word is he is absolutely adored by teammates. He’s exactly the type of presence who could step in for Brady once he’s all said and done, and he also possesses the same type of football I.Q. It would be really fun to root for this kid.

Jace Sternberger (TE, Texas A&M): Also another one of Joey B’s guys, Sternberger is smart, can run, and catches well. Many even think he’s athletic enough to play in the slot as a receiver. He does struggle in pass protection and didn’t play in a pro-style offense, but he would give the team some more explosiveness. Already lacking in that department anyway, the Pats didn’t really gain much in that regard with the Harry pick, as good as he is. Sternberger can give the Pats a true move tight end that can help Brady stretch the field and make some big plays.

Other guys I really like: Dalton Risner (OT, Kansas State); Zach Allen (DE, Boston College); Anthony Nelson (DE/LB, Iowa); Deebo Samuel (WR, South Carolina); Lonnie Johnson (CB, Kentucky); Taylor Rapp (S, Washington); Sean Bunting (CB, Central Michigan).

(I’d also love a good sideline-to-sideline linebacker with speed, too, but there really aren’t many great ones left, or at least they really don’t stand to be a Day 2 pick.)

Tune in this evening to see if any of my wishes come true, as Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft continues Friday night at 7 p.m. Also, be sure to check in with The 300s all weekend long for all the best Patriots draft coverage.

Patriots Draft “Baby DeAndre Hopkins” in N’Keal Harry

By Mattes on April 26, 2019 • ( 2 Comments )

OK. OK. So this might seem like a bit of an exaggeration, but I absolutely LOVE this pick for the Pats.

And, truthfully, it’s really not all that outlandish to compare him to the Texans’ superstar wide out. Like Hopkins, Harry has hands like Velcro and uses his big body (6’2″, 228 pounds) and excellent instincts to out-position defenders and beat them to the ball on almost every play. Harry has been the Sun Devil’s go-to receiver since he was a true freshman in 2016, compiling 213 receptions in three years in the desert to go along with over 2,200 yards and 22 TDs. The man was also a top-20 recruit coming out of high school. He has simply PRODUCED at every level he has ever played.

I had them taking Marquise Brown in my mock, because I really wanted the team to add some much-needed speed and explosiveness. And while Harry possesses nowhere near the athleticism of a guy like Brown, he is definitely a more well-rounded and dependable receiver. He will also likely hold up much better from a physical standpoint at the pro level.

But don’t get it twisted; the man can still move, too:

There are many who felt as though Harry was actually the best receiver in the entire class, and it’s not a hard argument to make. Considering the Pats got him by remaining at No. 32, all the while still holding on to the insane amount of picks they have over the next two days, it’s hard for anyone to be upset with this selection.

Of course, Belichick does not have the best track record with drafting wide receivers, and Harry is the first one he has ever drafted in the first round. But a guy this big, smart, and reliable should be able to pick things up right away. Also, his versatility and ability to line up almost anywhere will allow him to play within the Pats system. He is not just an “outside guy.”

For those that still need convincing, just take a look at this video and then try to tell me I’m wrong:

Did you see that catch at 0:32??!! Like I said: DeAndre Hopkins, eat your heart out. Welcome to New England, N’Keal Harry!

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