Life itself is a prop bet, isn't it? As Aristotle once said, we're all day to day.
I'm pretty sure that was Aristotle.
Would (fill in the blank) fit with the Patriots?
We've seen just about every player cut by any other team in the NFL over the last ten years projected to the Patriots, even if the obvious answer to that fill in the blank question is no. I suspect the player's agents always mention New England as a potential destination for their client to spark interest (i.e., money) from the teams that heretofore might not have considered the subtle pigskin charms of Player X. After all, if the Patriots are interested, shouldn't you be?
Don't get me wrong. It can be fun to think about adding Jamaal Charles or Brandon Marshall to the New England offense. Unfortunately, in our pigskin fantasies we're thinking about 2014 Jamaal Charles and 2015 Brandon Marshall and those guys aren't on the market.
I haven't heard a name in free agency as intriguing as the Patriots own free agents and specifically Dont'a Hightower and Duron Harmon. We don't have to ask the fill in the blank question with them. We know they fit.
VORP
Can I go a day without hearing about and thinking about Jimmy Garoppolo? Are the Russians somehow involved in the constant leaking of information about Jimmy G? What does Roger Goodell know about this and when did he know it? I need answers!
Anyway, I've convinced myself Garoppolo won't be traded (despite the furor over his Instagram post). Not because Jimmy G is unavailable regardless of price but because Belichick's price (a 1st and a sweetener) simply won't be offered.
Still, I can't help but wonder what Belichick would do with a high 1st round pick. Okay, he'd likely trade down but he has traded up in the past when there were players he liked. If he got Cleveland's #12 would the Jets give up #6 for the Cleveland pick and the Patriots #32? Belichick trading with the Jets would be like Nixon going to China but nobody west of the Connecticut River is going to balk at a Belichick-Nixon comp, am I right?
Let's forget about the details and speculate wildly about a Top 10 draft pick for the Patriots…
Leonard Fournette
It would be so Belichick for Belichick to do something so not Belichick as using a high draft pick on a running back. The more I hear about Christian McCaffrey's combine the more he sounds like a perfect fit with New England's offense so why not stick at 32 and see if McCaffrey's poor bench press showing let's him fall into your waiting arms? Fournette seems like a bit of a character but I still have fond memories of Clock Killin' Corey Dillon (also a bit of a character) and Fournette is the kind of beastly running back who could be the best chance for Brady to play well into his 40s. Brady on play-action with a legitimate game-breaking threat in Fournette running between the tackles, sending Gronk up the seam, Hogan and Mitchell up the sidelines and Edelman underneath? Yes. I want that. I want it more.
The Edge of Glory…
In case you haven't heard, the Patriots could use some help with their pass rush. The good news is, the 2017 draft is deep in edge rush talent. It's not out of the question the Patriots could get a starter-level talent even if they stay at #32.
I'm not convinced Myles Garrett is the next Von Miller but what do I know? If he's somehow available at #6 and Bill Belichick gives Mike Maccagnan a call, assuming the wildly speculative series of events described above, I believe the Jets would refuse Belichick's offer. What does Belichick know that we don't? (It would take too long to answer that question even in outline form but I parenthetically digress.) The Jets would then take Garrett themselves and my suspicions about the next Von Miller would be confirmed. I'd be waiting for Garrett to become the next Vernon Gholston, also taken at #6 by the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets and considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
At #12 or possibly #6, I'm intrigued by…Taco Charlton. I love tacos! The Michigan connection (Brady) could give Belichick valuable intel as to Charlton the man. He has the kind of size the Patriots like. Chandler Jones 2.0? Plus, we could look forward to those "Taco crunches the quarterback!" and "Taco wraps up the quarterback!" calls from Scott Zolak.
At #32 I'm intrigued by…
- Solomon Thomas - Stanford. Got to be a smart guy, right? Perfect fit with rocket scientist DC Matt Patricia.
- Derek Barnett - Is the SEC still considered the NFL's developmental league? No?
- Takkarist McKinley - Full Disclosure: Got on my radar early, then I learned he would need shoulder surgery and would likely miss training camp and might need a redshirt season as a rookie. No longer on my radar.
- T.J. Watt - Will constantly be trying to prove he's as good as/better than his brother. Can play inside as well as outside and we all know how much Belichick values position versatility.
Brady Need Weapons!
He isn't a Top 10 prospect but if "Cooper Kupp" and "New England Patriots" appearing in the same sentence were a drinking game, we'd have all passed out by Day 2 of the Combine. He might even be a reach at #32 but Belichick famously has his own grading system and might not want to risk Kupp being taken somewhere between 32 and 64. My favorite note in his draft profile: "If he gets to a team with a good quarterback, watch out."
You know, I'm starting to talk myself into the Patriots hanging onto that #32 pick. If Cleveland does give up #12 (plus a sweetener) for Garoppolo, I say stick at 12 and 32. The Jets are going to screw up at #6 regardless. Let's just go Top 12 from here on out...
Hard to believe Clemson's Mike Williams would be available at #12 (and if it was between Fournette or Williams at 12 I'm taking Fournette) and nobody is comping Williams to Julio Jones that I've seen but it's hard to avoid the "Brady needs weapons!" meme when it comes to big, fast, athletic wide receivers. After Williams, I don't see a prospect worth a Top 12 prospect at wide receiver. Moving on…
I Got Your Linebacker
As noted above, I'd much, much, much rather see the Patriots keep Hightower than have to draft his replacement but you have to be ready for life to hit on the under sometimes.
With Alabama's Reuben Foster proving he's not a Belichick guy, we're left with just one Top 12 prospect at ILB I could see Belichick taking in the draft, Zach Cunningham out of Vanderbilt (another school with a strong reputation for academics so… smart guy who'd fit with Patricia's defensive schemes?). Consensus amongst the gridiron cognoscenti is that Cunningham would be better value at #32 but yeah, count on Belichick to do whatever's in the best interest of the team.
Two Tight Ends are better than one...
In case you hadn't heard, tight end is a really important component in the New England Patriots' offense. With Gronk's injury history and the 50/50 chance to keep Martellus Bennett in Foxborough, tight end becomes a priority.
A Top 12 scenario puts the Patriots in position to draft Alabama's O.J. Howard, considered the best overall tight end in the draft. Miami's athletic pass-catching TE David Njoku has been getting a lot of buzz and may get drafted ahead of Howard. Anything that helps Howard fall to New England is alright with me. Howard would be an incredible get for the Patriots.
I can't help but be intrigued by the gigantic small school TE, Adam Shaheen. If New England can sign Bennett, Shaheen would be a nice Day 2 pick.
Wish List…
For the moment, it goes like this…
- RB Leonard Fournette - I'm going to miss LeGarrette Blount.
- DE Taco Charlton - Because re-signing Jabaal Sheard is so 2014.
- TE O.J. Howard - Unless they sign Martysaurus Rex.
- ILB Zach Cunningham - Please re-sign Dont'a Hightower!
- WR Mike Williams - Yeah, this isn't going to happen unless they get to #6 (if then) but… Brady needs weapons!
- T.J. Watt - Positional versatility and bro vs. bro competitiveness.
- WR Cooper Kupp - Pending the terms of the new Danny Amendola contract. If they get 12 (and Howard) they can afford to overdraft Kupp at 32.
- OG TBA - Any 6' 4" 305 lb offensive tackle who projects to guard in the NFL with keywords "mauler," "nasty streak" and "road grader" in his draft profile. If there's another Logan Mankins out there, get him.
- RB Christian McCaffrey - Super Bowl champs can afford to make luxury picks. If McCaffrey's only weakness is functional strength, that can be taken care of in the weight room. Experience returning kicks is a plus. If the Pats could get Fournette, though, I'd roll with James White on 3rd downs.
- DE Solomon Thomas - I think Belichick likes the Stanford program.
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