Patriots Draft CountdownPatriots Draft Countdown: Previewing the Defensive Front Seven, Latest Mock Drafts and NFL Draft Rumors
Watch as we preview the defensive front seven with a film review of the top prospects by Evan Lazar with a focus on DL Mason Graham. Plus, we break down the latest mock drafts and NFL Draft rumors.
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Welcome everybody. This is Patriots Draft Countdown presented by bud Light, Easy to Drink, Easy to enjoy, Budlight, the official beer sponsor of the New England Patriots, and it's getting exciting. A little over three weeks left before the NFL Draft this year, guys, we've been talking about all this stuff. Today we're gonna be focusing on the front seven. Evan's got a film breakdown, we got another mock draft from Matisse and Chris, and here we're gonna be talking about the latest news. So over the last week, guys, we've had some breaking news, some different things happening. The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs, they released Jawan Bentley, and a little bit of news coming out of the owner's meetings where I was down in Palm Beach, Florida. But I want to start with Stefan Diggs, huge news. We talk all the time about wide receiver being in need, Paul, It's just it's been hanging over this team for a while now. Stefan Diggs definitely feels the need, it feels like, but he's coming off an injury. He's a little bit older, not quite sure he's that guy, but he certainly makes an impact. How do you think it impacts the Patriots view of the draft and the wide receivers.
Yeah, I don't know specifically about the draft, but it is certainly a move that they needed to make, and we all saw the gaping hole at the position. And you know, Evan and I were here last week when when Steph came in, and I think we were all sort of impressed, just you know, the ease with which he goes about his business. Great personality, oozes personality from that podium when he spoke to us at his press conference. I think we had, you know, some good stuff with him behind the scenes and sort of getting acclimated to New England. But I think specifically on the field, Mike, they don't have, in my opinion, a one or a two without Stefan Diggs. So you bring him in, you sort of roll the dice a little bit about the health, and that's certainly a big concern, But I think the numbers are right. I don't think that they're necessarily boxed into a you know, a cage here if it doesn't work out. I think it makes a lot of sense, and I think the wide receiver room is better today than it was without them.
Evan Paul talks about the wide receiver room. Yeah, and how Stefan Diggs kind of fits in. If you were to look at the draft, though, how do you see it's shaping up with the kind of player that maybe they might take. I don't think any of us are thinking Travis Hunter. Maybe he could of course fit in well, But let's say we get down in the second third, mid round, what kind of guy would you be looking for to complement this group and potentially raise their level.
Yeah, I think it's a great question. Something that I've kind of racked my brain about a little bit is is finding that complimentary outside receiver to Diggs. I think Diggs is going to play more of that movable chess piece type of role chain mover, you know, inside and outside in terms of slot and outside usage. So you know, who's the guy that can really play that exposition and get down the field maybe a little bit. And this draft it's hard, like there aren't a ton of guys that perfectly fit that mold. You know, Travis Hunter is his own thing. You know, he's obviously illegally you draft him if you can. But Ted McMillan, I wouldn't say is necessarily that vertical guy, you know, I think he's still more of a first and second level receiver. Jaden Higgins Paul not really that guy that's going to be down the field, third, third level. So it is a little bit when you try to find size and speed in the same player in this draft class, there's not a ton of that. You know, there's not a ton of the you know, I know they don't grow on trees, but there's not a DK metcalf right, which like feels like the perfect compliment to somebody like Steph you know, Nico Collins in Houston. Like I don't see that guy in this draft, which is a little bit uh interesting because I wonder where they got instead, you know, do they go with another separator, you know, a Jalen Nowel, Kyle Williams, Luther Burden, like a guy that is going to play a lot in the slot, but speak is if it's your separator and is a fast guy, maybe.
Yeah, So I'm gonna turn the page tis for you. Rumor coming out of the owner's meetings there that the Patriots are getting offers for Joe Milton Now, I think we look at things a little bit differently around here. I don't know what the scuttle butt is out there, but we all watched plenty of practices last summer with Joe Milton, and we saw how we finished the season as well. An impressive performance to be sure, But at the same time, I'm not sure where all this talk tise is coming from that you know, your first second round, Like, I know how valuable quarterbacks are in the league right now, But does it make sense for the Patriots to move on from Joe Milton at this point if they're just gonna let and I think realistically we're talking about a Day three pick. That's what I think we all view his realistic trade value right now. Does it make sense to trade him for a Day three pick at this point or does it make more sense for this team with Drake May of course at the top of the depth chart to keep him around and see maybe how it looks next year.
Yeah, I think it has to be a Day two pick. Otherwise, if he's that good, well you know what I mean, why would you move him if he's If he's that good. That being said, if say Drake Mega's hurt, I can't watch Josh Dops for a full year, I'm sorry, I'd rather watch Joe Milton see what he has. But I mean, if you can maybe get a high like a fourth rounder, maybe, but I think you might be able to hold on him for another year and maybe get some more for him.
I agree with Tease. I think this value in a quality backup quarterback. So if you are that high on Joe Milton, you know, second year of a rookie deal, I would hold on to him unless someone wants to get silly and give you way more than your thinking right now. But to me, it wouldn't even begin to be a thought until you're talking about at least a day two pick. And I'm with you, Mike, I'm not sure that he's worth that yet. But you know, this is a testament to the teams there, and there's but a half dozen of them that are really desperately looking for a quarterback, So I'm not going to rule it out.
Evan.
You've said it before, you said, Joe Milton is just an intriguing player, and you can see why he went to a couple of different colleges. He looks like Cam Newton out there. He's doing backflips, he's throwing the ball, you know, through the lighthouse here. So let stadium, you know, what do you kind of expect to see out of Joe Milton the year? I mean, I know he's an older player too, so it's maybe understandable that he might want to try to get a chance somewhere where he's not behind a drake Man. Yeah.
I think that would be the only reason why I would move Joe Milton sooner than I want to is if he has the belief that he should be competing for a starting job and that causes some sort of friction. I'm not saying that exists. I'm just saying hypothetically, if that were to happen, I don't think any of us want a mac Jones and Bailey's Appy situation.
You know.
Again, So that would be the only reason why I would even entertain moving him, unless it was for some you know, like Tison and Paul said something crazy, right, you know, in terms of the offer, In terms of Joe Milton the talent, I think what you just wonder is if you put him into this draft against Jalen Milroe, Will Howard, Riley Leonard, like all these other you know, Tyler Show, Schuck, you know, Paul's guy. Like, if you put him into all that group, Like, where does Joe Milton fit? Because last year's draft was so quarterback heavy that he got knocked all the way down to the sixth round. But does he go in the third round in this draft? Does he go in the fourth round in this draft? But like you said, a lot of programs Tennessee, Michigan, all these teams thought that Joe Milton was a guy, like he was gonna be the next big thing, and it just has never completely The consistency has never been there for him. But I would like the Patriots to hold on to him more as insurance in case, you know, you have another high upside player at that position. I think if it was one game, you might go with Josh Dobbs, But if it was half a season, you know, then maybe you would be going with Joe Milton.
Do you think, what's the instant yes, like is a fourth and instant yes like we're doing it.
Or I think a top one hundred pick. I would do it for, you know, anything on day two, I would feel like is probably catching in when his value is the highest. But I think I would say no to anything less than that.
My last piece of our latest news a little bit of a surprising release with Juwan Bentley, captain here, leader of the defense tone setter. I think the Patriots really missed him last year. I was a little bit surprised, but probably not quite totally shocked when you saw the kind of players that they're signing, you know, with Robert Splane, seems like there's a real uh, I don't know what the word. I'm struggling with the word to try to find the premium put on speed. It feels like that's what this defense philosophy is headed too. Yeah, a philosophy shift. And you know, nothing against Jewan Bentley. I do think the team released him with an injury designation, so probably part of his recovery as well. Uh, but how do you see that impacting their draft needs? Paul, do you think they're gonna continue? Maybe did make a couple signings there at the linebacker position, so they do have some players there, but it's still a big loss. Captain leader, big part.
Of your deal, you know, on the field, maybe you are looking for another one of those types of linebackers. And you know, we've talked a lot about the potential for a philosophy shift, like Kevin said, just you know, the smaller, quicker, more athletic guys that might go sideline to sideline. But you know, Evan and I talked on some earlier this week on PU just about maybe more of a culture kind of thing and Vrabel searching for his versions of Juwan Bentley. And I don't think anybody would have anything negative to say about Juwan Bentley, the character, the captain just elite, elite leadership, right, But I think Mike Rabel might be looking to say, okay, those guys, And I think he used the comment out with you guys. You know, Captain's not like a four year term or anything. It's every year, it changes. It's not like a contract that you signed. So I think Mike is looking for his guys to sort of fill those roles. And I don't think it's a coincidence that it's Bentley, it's Wide, it's Jonathan Jones, it's David Andrews. A bunch of guys that have been around here for a while and have been leaders and they're no longer here.
What do you feel about that this class for off the ball linebackers.
I think it's a great class. But I think what's interesting about it just coming through some of these linebackers is do they not want a thumber at all? They don't want anybody that is going to, you know, take up space and take on blocks, and even if it's just to play a goal line and short yardage and you know, run downs and things like that. Just for so many years we've had that type of player here and maybe it's not a full time role in Mike Rabels defense, but I just find it hard to believe that there's no spot on the team for somebody that can take on a guard right like that. It has to be someone's got to be able to do that. And when I look at this linebacker class, I think a lot of the names that people gravitate towards, you know, outside of the Jalen Walkers and the Ghat Campbell's at the top of the draft. Are you know the Chris Paul Juniors, the Barrett Carter's Schweschinger from UCLA, Demetrius Knight. Demetrius Knight, all these guys played two twenty five, two thirty, you know, great speed, great coverage ability in some cases, I think Knight's probably the best downhill player out of the group. But Chris Paul Junior is an exceptional coverage player, Jeffrey Bossa from Oregon except coverage player. But how many of that type of player are you going to have on one roster? So that's what I wonder. I kind of like scratching my head a little bit about it, Like you gotta have somebody right that on, you know, a fourth and goal for the game like that, it can come downhill and take somebody out and you know, and get the ball on the ground. So I do wonder where they find that in a draft like this.
T secual ask you about leadership, because we've seen now Juwan Bentley departed, We've seen Jonathan Jones depart, Tetrick Wise, David Andrews, number of captains. Feels like they're hitting the reset button a little bit on the leadership with this team.
Yeah, I mean, it certainly is the end of an era. I mean, I think it's just Cardona left at this point. We're just crazy to think about. But somebody has to step up. I think Milton Williams would be a good option. Spallane like some of the new guys, they're labels, guys, proved us why he brought you in and be a new voice on the defense. So sucks. See Bentley go, I don't think. I think it was a shifting culture, but not personality wise like Paul said. But somebody's gonna step up there.
Well, especially in the front seven. And we've got this is the Front seven episodes, So check out Evan breaking down some of his favorite prospects the defensive front seven in this year's draft.
What's up, everybody, It's Evan Lazarre. Welcome back into the Patriots Draft Countdown film room. Today. We're going to talk about the cornerbacks, not necessarily a major position to need for the Patriots after free agency, but you all know why we're talking about the cornerbacks. It's this guy right here, right, Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner. We're going to get to him in a second, but I do want to talk about some of the other guys in this class that I really like. Will Johnson's the other blue chip prospect, if you will, out of Michigan. Really good National Championship season, some injuries last year. Jiehati Bearn two from Texas, one of my favorite players in this class. But let's talk about that number one guy right there, Travis Hunter. We know he plays both ways. You can see him down here at the bottom of the screen against the Toorah McMillan from Arizona, and he's just going to run the route for Teed McMillan here in press coverage, and you see how smooth he is off the line of scrimmage, his change of direction, his ability and those ball skills to get his and in there. That is how he can play Manton Man at a high level. Up here at the top of the screen, though, we're gonna play a bail technique, so he's just gonna drop off the line here into a cover three or a quarters zone and watch the ball skills, watch the explosiveness in the jump to knock that pass away on the vertical route. And then the last one here is the highlight of his season. I would say probably one of the best interceptions you'll ever see in college football. So he's going to play the flat in cover two. Now, the safety is deep safety deep right here, and as we roll this play, he's just going to midpoint the deep receiver and the underneath receiver. If we can pause it right here, you can see him just kind of eyeing the quarterback right now in the backfield right where is he going to throw this football and watch this break on the ball. I mean, that's just silly. That's just ridiculous. Explosiveness, clicking clothes interception there by Travis Hunter. That's why everybody is just going crazy about him as a cornerback prospect. Ball skills, ballhowking traits, explosiveness, manton man, coverage, rigibility, great feel for zone coverage. He's just got it all at that position. A couple of other guys here to just talk about, maybe closer to Day two, I think mid first round for Jahati barn who is just an absolute dog. I mean, this guy plays the nickel. Reminds me a lot of Brian Branch in Detroit. Just scrappy, willing to put his face in there and get his nose dirty in the run game. Really good cover corner as well if you want to play him in the side and as a Ray Thomas from Florida State right here at the bottom of the screen. The Patriots are going to target a middle round cornerback. I think Thomas is going to be on their board. Long, strappy man, coverage corner that can do everything the Patriots are going to ask their cornerbacks to do. So those are the cornerbacks. Obviously, Travis Hunter is the big one there at the top, but a couple of other names to watch for in the top ten as well, and Will Johnson and Jahati Barry. That's your cornerback breakdown on this episode of Patriots Draft Countdown. I'm Evan Lazar.
What's up, guys. We're back for a mock draft tracker segment on the Patriot Draft Countdown podcasts resent by Bud Light when he's bounding here at Chris Cassidy, guys, so Field Yates ESPN. Let's get into it quick. Has the Patriots taking Travis Hunter first, and he's a trade with the Buffalo Bills where he sends the Patriots send thirty eight and seventy seven for thirty and one oh nine, which is a fourth round pick and the Patriots pick up offensive tackle. Josh Connolly from Oregon thoughts on that.
You know, I mean the idea Travis Hunter great, yeah, love it right. Josh Connery also has potential to be a true starter in this NFL. Yep, he was great over at Organ, you know, just true tackle. He's big body, just kind of in the names to arm and Membo. Also in the names of Will Campbell. Obviously, those are the two top tier draft picks in that first round where Connorley does fall into that kind of Josh Simmons also, you know, like that sort of area of the draft, so you know, it's it's really appealing. I do think there's a trade in scenario, if you want my honest opinion. At this rate, I would say there's probably more of a trade in scenario for the Patriots if they.
Have to go tackle to go back into the first right, Okay.
There's more of a trade in scenario if they have to go tackle with that fourth overall pick. If they do that, I think there's more of a trade scenario to come back in. If they don't, if they get the Travis Hunter, I don't know if there's that much of a possibility for them to trade back in. Maybe there is, but you might be able to stick it out until the second round, you know, to kind of see things through with Arianta Ersieri over there as well.
Okay, so Chris, before we get into some more of the offensive lineman, obviously we discuss Travis Hunter, which field Yates has, but then there's Abdol Carter. But it kind of seems what you know, me, I love Abdul Carter. That's my option one A on our one B for me. It kind of seems like the Browns might be passed on the Corvette Giants too. So it like last time we talked, it kind of seemed like Travis Hunter and Abdol Carter on the board, but now it's kind of turned into that they might not be there.
No, no, and partially because the Giants just signed Russell Wilson one year. James, yeah, Jamis as well. That quarterback rooms full of the Browns. They're looking to talk to the kirk Cousins a little bit. You know, Kirk and needs a home and he's a good quarterback. Browns had that luxury you've taken if they want to, So if that kind of happens, that leaves the door open for both of them to take Travis Hunter and Abdil Carter. So a lot of things could kind of transpire in those top three picks.
Okay, Chris, so before we get into the rest of offensive lineman, our friend Mike Dessau is getting a little slandered for the gente pick and his knock. But that being said, if Hunter and Carter aren't there, do you do you go o line or maybe gent d like, I don't know what are you thinking?
You kind of have this back and forth battle with it. Yeah, you know what I mean, because obviously the old lineman is very appealing. That is what you need most. I think that's what the fan base wants the most. If those two aren't available, you got to get the t get a guy to really strengthen your offensive line. That being said, this mindset of the first four picks of this draft has been find the guy best available, and Agin GenZ has to be up there as one of the best available players on this draft. So you know, you gotta walk that tightrope a little bit. You know, you gotta take risks at the same time, if you want to trade back, maybe there's a chance there and he's available, so I just don't I don't see him going further than ten.
Yeah, no, Chris, I agree. So then let's get into some other mocks. We had Chris Deprasso and Lance's Airline taking Will Campbell, but then we had Eric at at home from NFL Network or NFL dot Com was arm on Membo. Yeah, so between those two, I think I'm taking Campbell. I don't really buy into the arm length stuff. You know, if you could play, you can play Membo. Guy's a house and he's a right tackle, but you can move him over. I think if it's between the two, you take Campbell. But it seems like Membo is picking up some tracks.
I think Campbell is definitely that guy to take. I mean, he also just tested thirty three inches, Now what.
Are the tests?
So so you know, there's kind of that question is no longer a question because it was pro day. But I think Campbell is just your pure offics of line and regardless of size, regardless of how you rare, it doesn't matter. He can block and that's all you really need to do. And he has been like we said beginning, I think it was an episode before he was consentsus one one at the start of the drum, like the draft conversations. Obviously, when Abdulan Travis took over, that's when they kind of became one and two best players. But Campbell's still a dominant player, no doubt about it.
So all right, and so Campbell over, Membo. I know you had some other players who wanted to mention for line.
Yeah, I mean, I just want to keep an eye on Calvin Banks. Of course, out of Texas kind of fell a little bit because it was excuse me, the combine kind of fell down a little bit. Also, Josh Simmons suffered in the injury.
Thanks falling down. We're talking about trading get one there.
He could be right, So you know, I think I think those are important to talk about. But there's also been a little bit of scuttle butt. Good word there you go, but a little bit scull But Patriots taking a tight end. I mean they have Hunter Henry getting older, Austin Hooper getting older, Tyler Warren if there's a trade down scenario possibility. You know, he was awesome at Penn State, kind of a kind of a dual threat tight end. He could run the football, He's great, great pass catcher, solid blocker, probably needs to work on a little bit more, but overall just the best tight end this draft class. So who knows, you know, anything could really happen in.
This So Chris, we like that, you know, the sexy picks are up front, but you know, the work gets done with the front seven and the edge. And that's what you're going to with our next section where we have a discussion on the front seven and the edge position. So guys, let's get to that.
It's a big day here today as we're breaking down the front seven. Y'all know me, I love me some defensive football and this is the key position for me. Patriots were really active during free agency, guys. I just want to run down real quick. Some of the moves that they made really kind of remade their defensive front seven. I'd say Harold Landry, Clayn, Chase on on the on the edges, Kairis Tonga Williams the big one.
Note Williams of course in the middle.
Signing Robert Splane, Jack Gibbons at the linebacker level. So a number of signings, some uncertainty with Christian Barmore, and I think we got to start with the edge position, not only because Abdul Carter is up there and as you know, probably one of the two best players in this draft, but also I still think that that's in need. Even with the veterans Chase On and Landry Paul, I feel like we need a young third rotational guy in there, and this seems like the perfect year to go try to get one of those guys.
It's a stack class.
Now.
You always talk about yourself in terms of being the defensive guy, and I always date myself by saying, this is how.
Bill used to do it.
In the old days. They always had some veteran guys and then they would find a way to get a younger guy, younger talented guy to sort of apprentice underneath them. That's why if you had an opportunity, it doesn't look like it's gonna happen. But if you had an opportunity to get Abdul Carter, that would be an absolute home run. But there are still some other options here. And I know, you know, Evan and Chris, you know were frothing at the mouth with all these different names. I gravitate to the Georgia guys. I love the idea of getting a young edge guy to pair with Landry and Chase on and sort of not necessarily be counted on to come in, you know, sight unseen right away and be a double digit sack guy. He can sort of learn and pick his spots and be a part time player at first.
Evan lay it on me, abdul Carter, just just give it to me. This guy he's special, He's electric, he's instant pass rush. I don't know if he'll fall to the Patriots, but if he did, it would make a lot of sense.
Yeah, you said he's electric. I mean he's a dynamic player. When you turn on the film his play speed, He's moving at a different pace a lot of the time than other people on the field. His pass rush, I would say, is mostly speed. You know he's gonna win with ghost rush to handswipe, a little bit of a dip rip, you know, things like that crossover move inside, really good on stunts, really good on the interior of the offensive line, which is what I really like about him. If you want to stand him up over the guard over the center and have him brush from a two point stance from in line on third down, he can do that. He can play a little bit off the ball, did that early on in his career at Penn State and spy quarterbacks if you want him to do that. So it's pretty much anything that you want him to do from a pass rush front seven standpoint, Abdul Carter can do. And I think the two comparisons you hear about the most with him or Von Miller at Michael Parsons. You know, he tends to gravitate more towards the Von Miller komp himself. That's what he said at the combine. But number eleven at Penn State with the cutoff Jersey, it's easy to see Michael Parsons there as well.
Big time Chris, what do you think?
Yeah, I mean I think atis and I've talked about on previous podcasts like Abdull Carter is just so so appealing and if he falls to that sort of spot for the Patriots, like, I don't know how you pass up on that. You know, you need a guy to bolster that line, that defensive line, defensive front. You know, they have the divisions of Landry and Chase On. They have Keon Wydo to account play a edge role. They have Afferny Jennings. But I think they really still need that young talent to really bolster them. I think that's important. And I think there's a lot of other guys in Day two and Day three as well who have a lot of promise.
Well, let's get into it. I mean, we can't spend as much time on everybody as we just did on Abdul Carter. So I'm gonna fire a few guys. Paul, you mentioned the Georgia guys and I've been talking about and I'm gonna keep Mikel Williams in this group. I might save Jalen Walker for the linebackers. That's just personal preference. If you guys feel differently, please you know, discuss. But Mikel Williams what's been appealing to me? And I know he's kind of all.
Over the place, but just twenty years.
Old, he's got all the tools. He's still raw. It's more of a projection. But to me he seems like maybe not quite the electric, stand up kind of guy off the edge Abdul Carter was, but he's a legit hand down. If you want to stand him up a little bit, you can. I keep using the William McGinnis comp just a versatile guy you can stick on the edge and he could probably do anything. He's a favorite of mine. Nick Gorton's another favorite of mine, and Shamar Stewart. I just throw those those three guys at you right now. I know there are a couple others, Mike Green being one, but those are three guys that all kind of stand out to me. Play hard, play with an excellent effort, and I think that you know, and certainly Stuart and s Gorton are really good testers as well.
Yeah, and I think there's a difference between a four to three end and an edge guts we're to figure And I think that's where you you know, what you were talking about. I think, you know, I think s Gorton, I think is more of a four to three end than say, like Jalen Walker, who is if he's going to play on the line, it's going to be strictly as a stand up edge guy. So I agree with you, those aren't necessarily the same. I like a lot of the names you threw out there.
Ef.
I'm gonna let you go because I know that you break down these guys in a lot more detail than than I do. So yeah, I'm not going to waste anybody's time.
I would just say with Mikel Williams, you're really projecting him into a larger pass rushing role than what he did at Georgia. I think the thing that's appealing with him though at Georgia is that he did a lot of the dirty work on that defensive line. You see him take on blocks, slipping the gaps, you know, push runners out, you know, make them bounce runs out the edge. Like He'll do a lot of that kind of stuff that isn't going to show up in the box score, you know, playing that four eye shade inside the tackle. But if you move him outside the tackle, does he have more pass rush production? And he has flashes of that, especially in that game against Texas and Calvin Banks, where he can do those types of things. I think once you get down that line, know, after the Mikel Williams and the Shamar Stewarts, you start to get into this just really good deep class of edge rushers that is basically just goes all the way till rounds. I would say five and six. I have twelve guys in the first two rounds right now at the edge position, So I think we can go rapid fire at some point here. But I'll let Chris give.
Yeah, I mean you hit it. I mean this class is so deep at the EDG Rudger position and one of them James Spears Junior at Tennessee. He relies heavily on his speed.
But boise fast.
Yeah, gets off that edge real quick. Another guy, Mike Green, I mean he's had a really great standout performance at the Senior Bowl on mobile, which great to see a lot of power, a lot of strength.
You know.
Another guy spent four years at Florida, just spent this past year ole Miss Princely Uma, melan Um and melan Another guy, Uh, he had a really solid four years at Florida, but really stuck out this year. I don't miss so I really like him.
For him, you we'll have a special guest spot on.
Exactly exactly And uh, my last guy is JTW.
You're blasting that out.
Yeah, I can figure it out from last episode.
Better stick with the easier names.
No, that's all right, that's all right.
But you know j T.
Another guy just really had a great season this year, twelve and a half sacks at Ohio State. Uh yeah, just won a national championship. And you know it's been in mentality, So he's.
Another one, maybe more of the fourth three and two other fourth three ends I'd mentioned. It's just Davian Jones, uh, you know, top four three N and Jack Sawyer os U guy, I mean Ohio State. You know, my my brabele might gravitate towards those guys. Give me a few rapid fire edges before we move on to.
The Yeah, the Ohio State guys are definitely worth talking about, just because of the Rabel connection there, and Jack Sawyer just screams rable to me. Just the intangibles and the leadership and the big plays in big moments down the stretch there for the Buckeyes. I do think we should mention Donovan Azaraku from BC just because he's a local kid and I think he's gonna probably go top twenty, top twenty five, So maybe outside of the Patriots range, but just a twitched up rusher, really good three cone time, really good change of direction, ability, speed rusher off the edge. Just a couple other guys. Landon Jackson from Arkansas I think is another one of those Jack Sawyer types, right, that's gonna probably put his hand in the dirt most of the time, and then we start to get into like late Day two, early day three. Kyle Canard from South Carolina, another long, powerful edge rusher, had some really good tape against Will Campbell this past year. Olu Oladejo from UCLA really great Senior Bowl week, high motor, aggressive, angry player, just runs hot all throughout the week there in mobile and I think those are going to be the effort and finished guys. That variable's probably going to gravitate towards. And then the last one here, the local guy for you, apolog Jasiah Stewart from Michigan played at every high you know, the Paul Perrillo established.
I'll telly you he might be the last one in the pipeline too. You know, we've lost the coach. I don't know how many more pros we're going to be churning out. But yeah, he's one.
So he's he's a little undersized, but he's a screamer off the edge, and his tam against USC was phenomenal. I think he had eleven pressures in that game against USC. So he's got a real pass rush juice. He's probably gonna be a situational rusher play on third downs things like that. You know, josh U j type of role, but he's a really good pass rusher.
Yeah, that to me is appealing because I think that's something they need to address. A couple older guys at defensive end. Get some young legs in there so as we get down into the later rounds. For me, edge guys, I want pass rush, I want to beat. I like these big, powerful guys, but I think those are more flyers and you kind of have those guys already. All right, let's move onto the defensive line. Of course, Milton Williams a huge piece of the Patriots offseason. Little uncertainty still with Christian Barmore. They signed Tonga as well. Seems like they're in the remake process on the interior of this offensive defensive line. I would say I would classify this as maybe a flyer need you know, Paul, like, these big guys are usually available. You can get you know, get some insurance for Tonga, maybe get a developmental defensive tackle guy. Of course, Mason Graham, Derek Harmon, and Walter Nolan kind of the big three, and we've talked a lot about Mason Graham. To me, he's kind of off the board now, just with the redundancy with Milton Williams and Christian Carmon.
I mean, that's what it would seem to me. I'm gonna hesitate to take him off the board only because of their insistence on using terms like we're going to take the best player available. And if you have made that argument, you could make an argument for Mason Graham being the best player, presuming that Carter an unhunter or off the board. I would agree with you. I think this. You know, him and Milton Williams are very similar body types and play styles, you know, so I don't know if you need two of those. But you know, when has anyone ever said, you know what, you know what the problem is? We have too much talent here, no one, No one's ever said that he's a good player.
Yeah.
Derek Harmon two a favorite of mine. Evan like just a guy that could probably move around a bunch like Derek Harmono. Tough player, tough player, probably going to go in the donut as I like to call it, in between where the Patriots are going to pick somewhere probably in the top ten and those early teens. That seems a perfect spot for him.
Yeah, He's one of those guys too, along with Kenneth Grant that I feel like would be good fits, but are probably going to be in the donut. That's a good one, a good term for both of those guys. I think both those guys can play a little bit closer to the ball, maybe at the nose tackle position or the one technique shaded into the A gap, And that's the one thing I would look at with these defensive lineman potentially, is somebody that can do that, because I think they're going to have enough pass rushers on the interior between Milton Williams, Kean White and hopefully Christian Barmore, They're gonna have enough juice there at the three technique or you know, those pass rushing spots on the defensive line. The real question is is who's going to play the nose and I think Tonga is probably the short term answer there. But can they get one of these guys, you know, even further down the board, like a CJ. West or Jordan Phillips from Maryland that can also do that type of thing and just eat space in the middle of the defense. I would look at maybe that, maybe more so than you know Darius Alexander from Toledo, who's a great three technique pass rusher but probably redundant to what you have already on the roster.
Yeah. I think it's really interesting because I feel like a lot of this falls on the status of Christian Barmore. You know, he's such a question mark and obviously you have to fill these holes when you can, but it's so hard to tell when you want to fill them because you one hundred percent don't know what Christian Barmore is up to. So he's such a like massive piece on the defensive line, So who knows. But another guy that you guys haven't mentioned, I like Al Collins from Texas. You know, big, big fella, just kind of a run stuff for your prototypical Devon Godshow esque kind of build on the interior. I really like him, possible Day two guy. So i'd say, O, don't the guys you've already touched on as my kind of other one that I want to mention.
Yeah, just two other ones I'd throw in their ty Robinson from Nebraska, Tight Hamilton from Ohio States. It's another couple tough, big guys inside kind of have that verbel playing style. All right, let's move on, guys, just to the linebacker group, and again a position in transition maybe a little bit Robert Splaine, Jack Gibbons in we're here about Jawan Bentley losing some weight to maybe fill the need that they have for this kind of scheme that they want to run.
I don't know if it's a huge need at least on.
The interior, but it does seem like, you know, again, as we talked about the edge the defensive end, it kind of gets a little murky. And a guy like Jalen Walker from Georgia, it's easy to see him being a movable chess piece.
I mean, he's exciting to watch.
Yeah, and if that's if they want to play him off the ball, and I know he plays some of that at Georgia, And you know, I think of like Nikobe Dean, you know, guys like that in the past. You don't have to be two fifty two fifty five anymore. That's the thing I like most about what I'm hearing. I'll reserve judgment until I see it, But what I'm hearing about how Mike Vrabel wants to sort of transform to front seven. That's the thing that excites me the most. Getting athletes like that in space and being able to run sideline the sideline.
Yeah, t U up for Jihat Campbell though. Yeah.
Both those guys just with quickly. On Jalen Walker, Who's just a fantastic football player. I mean he is extinctive, instinctive, flies to the football, great athleticism, off the charts, versatility, you can play basically all three linebacker spots. Play him off the ball, interior pass rush, or on the edge. I think a lot of people like him best off the edge, but he to me screams like a Dante high Tower type of role where he's playing off the ball on first and second down, and on third down you put him on the line of scrimmage and let him rush the passer. This is a guy that you know, he gives those brave heart speeches right like he's gonna go up and down the sideline and bark at guys and get guys going. He did that a couple of times last year at Georgia. He's a leader of men. He is a true captain. I can't say enough good things about Jalen Walker. I just think, you know, for the Patriots, it's just a matter of of investment on defense, Like, are we hammering the defense a little bit too much? A neglecting offense. Once you get away from Carter and Hunter, now you're talking about Jalen Walker being in the same kind of tier as like Will Campbell and Tech McMillan and Tyler Warren and Ashton Genty and is it worth it at that point to go defense again? But he's a phenomenal player. Jihad Campbell is another one that I was surprised early on the media is kind of late to him. I felt like he is another one of those prototypical linebackers. I think there's a lot of Jamie Collins to his game, a ton of athleticism, can play both roles, Like I said with Jalen Walker as well, has some really good reps chasing down mobile quarterbacks to from the second level the defense, can cover, can run the seam, can cover guys down the field on vertical routes. He's a really good football player too, probably one of the first round pick in this class.
Yeah, I mean, John Campbell's going to find the ball, you know what I mean. One hundred and nineteen tackles this year. That's crazy.
Yeah.
I mean, for me, Chris Paul Junior at Ole, Miss another guy kind of similar to Gid Campbell, a little bit different, more on the internal part of the linebacker position, of the middle linebacker role, kind of stopping the run. More more of a run stopper there. And I mean I like Kobe King out of Penn State too. I mean, he sure's a lot of a lot of guess stuff as well. For me, I like Shamar James out of Florida, also more of an interior front seven guy, kind of more of a run stopper there. And Cody Lindenberg of Minnesota.
Good names got. It's just a few more to throw at you guys before we wrap this up. But Dimetrius Knight Junior was one guy that stood out to me. Ran really well at the combine. We're in a four or five eight. Didn't know if he was gonna do that, but a bigger guy. He's got kids and married already. He's like one of those guys that comes out like he's already a full grown man, knows what he's doing.
I don't know if it's a huge need, but I like the player. I know.
Jeffrey Bossa too from Oregon is a you know, a leader guy in the middle, and last one, I just think really interesting player. Carsion Sweats questions are from UCLA. Who's a special teamer? Comes on and has you know, ninety solo tackles, leads the league. You love tackles, Chris, you know, the most tackles in FBS solo tackles. So, you know, I just love that story.
Intense guy.
I don't know if these guys really fit anybody out of those group that send out to you.
Yeah, so questioner and Danny Stutsman from Oklahoma, I feel like are in a similar category of like kind of Robert Spelaney almost in a way where like you just watch them play and they just run hot. You know, they are constantly around the football, They're flying around the field. They play with great effort, in great just hustle and really max out the athletic gifts that they have with instincts and hustle. So those two guys, I would say are are verable type of guys just from that standpoint. Jeffrey Basa from Oregon, though, I think, is a really interesting player. He started at safety at Oregon then moved to linebacker. Probably the best coverage linebacker in this part portion of the class, you know, Day three, early Day three, late Day two type of portion. So if they're looking for a true third down coverage linebacker, he has some really high level reps covering guys down the field and catching guys down the field in zone coverage. So those are some of the names I would say, you know, probably not really a need they're going to go for in the top one hundred, but maybe one of those guys were to slip into the fourth round.
All right, well that's gonna do it for this edition of Patriots Draft Countdown, wrapping up the front seven. And look this, it's already April, guys. The draft is fast approaching. Stick with us a few more episodes to go here Patriots Draft Countdown presented by bud Light
