As the NFL Draft is nearly one month away, the New England Patriots have hit the Pro Day circuit while they continue to host prospects to Gillette Stadium and make minor free agent additions.
So with the free agency dust still setting and draft season in full force, let’s get into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
The Doubs signing has been met with more widespread acclaim locally than his production would seem to merit. Is it based on projection after he escaped a crowded WR room? Or are there untapped
traits that suggest a breakout? I like the player, but the reporting has tended toward the breathless. – Cskiliin
I get the hesitancy to buy-in for a player who has never eclipsed the 750-yard mark in the regular season. But when watching Doubs’ film there are signs he can bring more to the table — which is where the projection comes into play.
In Green Bay’s West Coast system, Doubs played 82% of his snaps out wide as a primary X receiver. He showed good ability to separate from man coverage — with his full route tree on display in his 124-yard performance in Wild Card weekend — and has a strong feel for finding space in zone.
Those skills project him well in an inside role in Josh McDaniels’ offense — similar to which Diggs played last season. Doubs’ tape has many examples of him winning on staple New England concepts and his limited metrics while in the slot were among the most efficient in football last season (139.8 passer rating when targeted).
And as he showed again in that playoff loss, Doubs can stretch the field better vertically when playing inside — his alignment on just 18% of his routes in Green Bay.
Beyond projecting better production in a new, perhaps more high-volume role, Doubs should also continue to make a big impact in the red zone. New England struggled inside the 20s last season and their new receiver has recorded 20 of his 23 career touchdowns inside the red zone.
There is always risk with replacing a known commodity with an external addition (Hello, JuJu Smith-Schuster). But when watching Doubs it’s easy to see the vision for more production and at 25 years old, he has the opportunity to grow with Drake Maye through his prime.
This isn’t a deep draft for receivers, but are there any the Patriots should take a chance on if they are available? – jpd985
I don’t love the idea of adding another middle round receiver to an already crowded depth chart. If they do take one, I’d hope it’s someone with a differing skillset from the current group to allow them too to get on the field quicker. That preference would be a bigger body, outside receiver with vertical speed. North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance, Georgia State’s Ted Hurst, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell, and Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling are some top-100 options.
If we had to get like a fun pick in free agency or the draft- for example a two-way player or a specialized deep threat- who would it be? – JulianStevens3
Some of those receivers discussed above are big-time deep threats with their speed. As for fun, unique players, Clemson’s Adam Randall fits the bill as a 6-foot-3, 230 pound running back who converted from wide receiver. New England hosted him on a 30 visit.
Any chance we trade up to get a high caliber TE or DE ? – 7i165
With 11 picks at their disposal New England will be able to slightly move around the board (8 are outside the top 100 lowering their value). If someone starts to slip into the 20’s (Jordan Tyson or Kenyon Sadiq?) they could get aggressive. A model could be from their own 2022 trade down, where they sent pick No. 22 to Kansas City for No. 29, 94, and 121.
I could see a more likely trade up from No. 63 into the 50’s or from No. 95 into the 70’s. That would be a very good range to target either a tight end — Ohio State’s Max Klare or Georgia’s Oscar Delp being two favorites — or pass rusher on day two.
do u think they should trade Dobbs and promote devito to 2nd string and draft or sign a developmental qb for 3rd string.i like devito better and though he did well as a giant considering the awful team they had,God bless all – jy
Don’t think there would be a very robust trade market for the 31-year old Dobbs. But, as Dobbs does enter the final year of his contract I can see a world where DeVito beats him out in training camp and a late-round/UDFA rookie is added at some point to serve as the emergency QB. They also might not be in any rush to change up the room.
What’s the plan if Dre’Mont Jones, Barmore, Williams, Landry, Spillane, Ellis, Gonzo, CD3, Marcus, Woodson, and Byard aren’t 100% healthy on 100% of the defensive snaps next year? The lack of depth is troubling, and while I’m sure they’ll get some guys on that side of the ball in the draft, are there guys available in the second wave of free agency who could widen the margin of error in terms of defensive personnel? – slunkywontergreen
If any team in the league’s entire starting defense isn’t healthy then they would be in trouble. I think New England still has some solid depth on defense — particular along the defensive line — and would expect the plan is to continue to add with their 11 draft selections. I do wish they retained cheap, proven depth like Anfernee Jennings and Jack Gibbens for the time being, but they are clearing the way for rookies to maintain those roles.
What free agent that is left on the market do you believe would make the biggest impact on the Patriots this year? I believe David Njoku would create the biggest positive impact this year out of who’s left. – sjamesbossports
Based off of needs on the roster, it would probably be Njoku or one of the veteran pass rushers (Cam Jordan, Jadeveon Clowney). Either addition would make it tough for a rookie to consistently see the field, however, which is why it’s hard to see New England making the move.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines and @PatsPulpit as well.
