Patriots Draft '01

The Patriots have their first high profile draft in the Bill Belichick era.  Many criticize his predecessor for poor drafting performances from 1997-1999.  Most of these same critics correlate the downfall of New England's on-field performance with their April 22,22 selection performance.  The Patriots possess the fifth overall pick in the draft as well as two picks within the top 40.  With many needs to fill, it seems certain the Patriots will be very successful in obtaining high need positions with some top talent.

Last Update: 7/30/01

The Best Resource I have found for Draft Preparation: Miguel's Draft Links

Draft Coverage on ESPN April 22, 12:00 Noon (First Three Rounds)
Draft Coverage on ESPN2 April 23, 11:00 a.m. (Rounds 4-7)

Draft Order:

Directly Below is the first round draft order.  Following the First Round Order is the Patriots Entire Draft Position Order.

Patriot Draft Positions:

The Patriots earned the fifth spot in the draft.  This is an approximate positioning for later rounds as well although compensatory picks are awarded by the NFL in early April.  These picks are compensation for lost free agents from last season and may skew the actual order of subsequent rounds.  Note the Patriots give their fourth round pick to the Jets for Belichick and receive the Jets fifth round pick as part of the same exchange.  The Patriots receive San Francisco's sixth round pick in exchange for their own seventh last draft.

Patriot Needs

There is some question regarding the largest needs in the draft this season.  Free Agency will impact these needs as well.  There is little question the Patriots need quality personnel at Offensive Line.  They are now unequivecably in need of at least one quality Defensive Tackle. They would prefer it assist in creating a pass rushing presence.  This would typically require a Defensive End or outside linebacker.  However, with Willie McGinest and Bobby Hamilton expected to remain as DE while the Belichick 3-4 scheme does not rush a linebacker often, the need remains with Defensive Tackle.  Also, a larger, durable and dependable complementary receiver to Terry Glenn is a reasonable need.  Additionally we must question: Does Jermaine Wiggins have the talent to play Tight End to the quality needed?  Do any of the potential running backs (Robert Edwards, JR Redmond or Kevin Faulk) have sufficient talent to perform as the feature back?

Summation of Needs in relevant order of priority:

Defensive Tackle (Nose Tackle)
Offensive Line (any other than center)
Wide Receiver (#2 Wideout - larger size)
Tight End
Linebacker
CornerBack
Running Back

Talent Available

I list the top five prospects at each position of need for the New England Patriots:

The Draft is Deep at Defensive Tackle and Wide Receiver.  Top notch talent will exist into the second round.

There are two blue-chip Offensive Tackles and one such Offensive Guard available.

Mock Draft

Zip's Draft Party

I will be hosting a private event to augment the Patriotic appreciation of the Draft.  I will have separate areas prepared to ensure enjoyment of the day for the deepest of draftniks to the mildest of fans.  All locations will have the televised live coverage of the draft along with an assortment of party sustaining supplies.  In the war room I'll have the walls lined with all the draft information to satiate the most devout of fans.  Early morning Saturday will include a group mock draft for those who desire to explore more deeply.  All of this is available at no charge because I'm hoping to just enjoy the small bit of Patriot hope to carry us through until the next season begins.  In order to attend you must simply send me an email and if I haven't had more than my home can handle in commits, I'll send you the appropriate details.  

There are three main indoor regions to my home - the war room is in the basement and is a very large room with a pair of conference tables.  It is, as mentioned, only for those who want no distractions at all from their draft enjoyment.  The Patriot's room is yet another large room with a large screen TV and all my Fandom emblazoned throughout the room.  This room will have the draft on as folks may lounge and socialize but without disturbing any Patriot relevant details passed from Draft Coverage.  The final indoor region is an open concept living room and dining room for the freely socializing who may choose to notice the draft info occasionally.  Weather dependant the 20x16 deck and hot tub will be open outside for still more folks.

So if you want to join us email me with the subject "Zip's Draft Day Party" at Zip@PatriotZip.com!

Post Draft:

Actual Picks:

Zip's Evaluation:
One thing is for certain - this must be a good draft for this team to have hope.

The section above has my individual player review.  In review of the team's performance it should be compared to their needs and the quality they received for their picking position.

Overall Needs were listed before the draft as:
Defensive Tackle  - here we took  the best available with our first pick - team still needs a veteran to work alongside Seymour and it seems risky to depend on Brandon Mitchell to be that veteran.
Offensive Line We drafted two excellent prospects to compete with the two free agents and last year's youth.  The foundation for a decent offensive line is now present on the team but it will take time and some fortune.  They will be big, strong and tough.
Wide Receiver opted out of the best player in the draft who was also the receiver we needed (David Terrell) and as the draft wore on we opted to not select any receiver as the value never seemed to suit our pick.  Too many holes on the team for this to be addressed apparently but it will hurt the team.
Tight End Attempted to move up for Heap but had to settle for two decent prospects in competition with Wiggins this year.
Linebacker Negotiations broke off with Carver due to drug clause and no cover linebacker was found despite a few opportunities.  The team did find some back up 'potential' for MLB but mostly let this position ride.
CornerBack They are either brilliant or foolish.  Akbar was an excellent addition to compete/back-up at safety but the two young corners are not ideal to challenge for the corner opposite Law.  Other options existed - especially with the Brock Williams reach but there is no question the team attempted to fill this void.  Did they find a style of player for this position which will work?  Not obviously to my judgement.
Running Back Did not address - perhaps feeling comfortable with Redmond, Faulk, Edwards and Pass.  Did attempt a trade to get a Denver vet in the third round but this fell through.

Biggest weakness was Defensive Tackle and it was partially addressed with a high quality, high engine player.  There remains some need at this position.  The next largest need is offensive line and it was clearly a focus of the draft.  Both Light and 'the wrong Kenyatta' Jones will improve this unit.  It should no longer be a weakness but youth generally requires some time to gel and learn.

Short Range offense is addressed by fullbacks, tight ends and big possession receivers.   The team added an excellent fullback for this via free agency.  The draft added two picks towards Tight End solutions.  They did not get the stellar sized receiver but in the immortal words of Meatloaf: Two out of Three Ain't Bad.

Cornerback:  The secondary received three of the picks.  A clear effort by the team including what many, myself included, feel was a reach for Brock Williams.   He has all the physical tools but reminds too much of Chris Canty.  In the third round he's a steal if he can outperform Shaw but he's a thief when you factor in the quality Linebackers and Receivers still on the board at his pick.

Pick by Pick review:
The first pick had a desperate need overtake a chance for greatness at a high need.   David Terrell falling to the Pats was a chance to greatly upgrade an offensive unit which often needed help at this very style of play brought by Terrell.  Sadly the need at DT was too great and we had to pick a high engine workhorse who will get steadily better over a few years but is not likely to dominate in the early part of his career.   He also still leaves the team needing some help at DT.  Hopefully Patten or Emmanuel will stand out to aid the receiving corps.  So the pick was necessary but lacked the panache it could have held with the position and players available.

The second pick had us trade down to get a needed fourth round pick - despite the availability of key Linebackers and Tight Ends.  There was an attempt to trade up with Baltimore for Todd Heap but the Ravens wouldn't go for it.  Several high quality linemen remained even after the trade down.  So while the trade down was worthwhile, the subsequent trade up cost us to pick Light over Kareem McKenzie who was rated higher and still available.  A good player for certain but perhaps a risk and cost which the team did not need to incur.  Not an awful selection but not one to earn praises when all the factors are in consideration.

The third pick involved more trade downs to get an additional fourth round pick - a good move.  A trade with Denver fell short which might have yielded a quality veteran running back (Anderson).  Cover linebackers and size receivers still remained on the board but New England opted for a small corner who had off-field problems and barely made many initial draft boards.  This was a reach at best and concluded the first day poorly.  It left a sour taste in the mouth of most.

The second day began with an excellent move.  The Pats traded up at a reasonable cost to grab Kenyatta Jones.  Though the wrong Kenyatta from the wrong Floridian school, he is an excellent lineman and will add depth and competition which shows a dedication to the feeble Offensive Line corps.  An excellent pick.

Jabari Holloway was also a very good pick value in the fourth round.  He fills a need with one of the top players in the draft at Tight End.  He'll add competition and depth and have a high probability of adding impact immediately. 

Akbar was the best value for pick position in the draft.  How he fell this low is a mystery but the Pats wisely waited no longer as he joins their ranks to add safety depth and even challenge Tebucky for the free safety position.  Milloy, Jones and Akbar give New England the hardest hitting secondary trio in the league.  A talented steal and a great pick to continue a very good second day's selection.

As we get into the later rounds the expectations must lower.  Love is a project with some considerable potential.  Many compare his talents to those of Ben Coates.   Unlikely he will shine as well as Ben but in the sixth round he was good value and provides H-back potential to aid Weiss' offense which likes to use such a back.

Myers was a gamble corner who handles the run well as his good strength allows.   His speed isn't quite up to par but he plays smart and may help cover as a nickel or dime.

Zip's Draft Party Review:

The party was an excellent experience for my first run at it.  Lower numbers for the mock kept us quite busy and entertained but at a slower pace than we needed.   Good discussion kept us barely through the first round when the draft officially began.  A good crowd enjoyed the draft but the Pats performance for day one left many wishing for more than they received.  Folks remained late into the afternoon and much fun was had indoors and outside but the draft wasn't earning enough points of it's own so it took the fine company of many folk to make it worthwhile.  Pictures and more details should eventually reach this page.

The seeming worst pick of the second day came next as Pochman, a kicker, was drafted.   Kicker's without some stellar accumen are more typically free agent signings.   Pochman doesn't have tremendous range although he is fairly consistent and accurate.  He is much like Vinatierri but will have less proven and thus a lower price tag.  It is unlikely he will supplant Adam and thus seems a wasted pick at this point since challengers could be had for the signing after the draft.  A very questionable pick at this juncture.

Finally the draft concludes with an enormous middle linebacker.  Size can hamper him as well as be his strength.  He could very well aid the team with good conditioning as he could fill in the middle nad free Katzenmoyer for the outside.   His run stuffing ability will be very good but his pass liability will be worse than Ted Johnson.

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