Draft Denouement

 Bill Belichick is the DGAF GM. 

It says so on his business card.

So, here we are. Three days later. Let's do this!

Overly Optimistic Snap Judgments on the Patriots 2022 Draft

"We'll see how it goes."

-William Stephen Belichick (multiple occasions)

(1/29) OG Cole Strange, UT-Chattanooga

He'll turn out to be the next Logan Mankins. Or Joe Thuney. He kind of has to. 

And the good citizens of Patriots Nation will hate this pick even if that does happen.  

Hey, no pressure, kid!

(2/50) WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor

Wicked fast. 

If you're a Nelson Agholor hater, you loved this pick. Or, you hated it because this guy sure does look a whole lot like Nelson Agholor.

More importantly, why is N'Keal Harry still a Patriot?

(3/85) CB Marcus Jones, Houston

Wicked fast. 

Is there any play that's more fun than a punt return for a TD?

As well as returning kicks, I can see this guy playing in nickel and dime sets with Jonathan Jones in 2022, which may prove to be a necessity against the Dolphins with Tyreek Hill and Jaylon Waddle to cover.

(4/121) CB Jack Jones, Arizona State

Comes with the dreaded "off the field issues" tag (somehow easier to take than the "history of injuries" tag). It appears these issues - his lack of attention in the classroom and an overfondness for whatever it is they serve at Panda Express - were just youthful indiscretions, and we can hope he's put all of that in the rear view. 

Fingers crossed!

(4/127) RB Pierre Strong, South Dakota State

Wicked fast.

Home run hitting, threat to score from anywhere on the field kind of running back. I had heard that this type of running back exists but I don't know if I've ever seen one before in Foxborough.

(4/137) QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky

Lacking ideal size, standing at just 6' 0" tall but insanely accurate (69% completion rate) so… Drew Brees?

Best of luck in all your future endeavors, Jarrett Stidham. 

(6/183) RB Kevin Harris, South Carolina

All I need to justify this pick is this tweet from Rich Hill regarding SEC rushers with 1,000+ yards rushing, 15+ TD. and 6.0+ YPC since 2001. Nice list.

(6/200) DL Sam Roberts, NW Missouri State

Bomb athlete who could play all over the D line. Pairs nicely with a Christian Barmore.

He'll be stepping up in competition, so he may only find his way on the field in 2022 in the kicking game - he blocked 5 kicks as a collegian! - but Kyle Duggar made the transition from DII so I'm hoping Belichick sees in Roberts whatever it was he saw in Duggar.

(6/210) OL Chasen Hines, LSU

Played in the NFLD League against guys he'll likely see again on Sundays. Well, you know, when they shake hands after the game. Developmental player at a position of need.

(7/245) OL Andrew Stueber, Michigan

He's 6' 6" and 325 pounds, he played against Big 10 competition in Big 10 weather. He's something of a project and unlikely to play much in 2022; he's essentially an UDFA the Pats didn't have to outbid the Detroit Lions for, and I'm totally happy to use pick #245 for that.

Speaking of…

Intriguing UDFA Signings

Lots of ways to build the roster! 

QB/RB/WR D'Eriq King, Miami

If you're not thinking Julian Edelman 2.0 here then I'm just not sure it's good for me to be around your negative energy.

P Jake Julien, Eastern Michigan

If I'm Jake Bailey, I've already called my agent and told him to renegotiate that $4M cap hit.

And… Yeah, that's all that catches this humble correspondent's eye after just one cup of coffee, but you can take a look at the Pats Pulpit UDFA Tracker for all the signings..

Go Pats!