Choices, execution were questionable
fourth round, the Patriots could have had a few potential No. 1 corners much earlier. Just as they passed on top linebackers, they could have had Washington’s Trent McDuffie if they didn’t trade down from their original spot in the first round. But he’s now with the Kansas City Chiefs. They also could have also taken Kaiir Elam, who landed with the Bills. So that’s also a bit baffling. Groh claimed Friday night the Patriots were “in consensus” on all of their picks.
Ultimately, they seemed to have a plan. And for the most part, they had the right idea in terms of bringing in more speed and toughness with the ten players chosen. But their execution was questionable, reaching for several players, which in turn, left some better prospects on the board.
Jets make waves
Damien Woody called this draft the “most consequential” in Jets history. And Gang Green attacked it as such, landing three players in the first round alone in premium positions.
“They had a great start to Day 1, getting guys who I think will be immediate starters and impact players on that team,” said Woody.
They added an impact corner (Sauce Gardner), an impact receiver (Garrett Wilson) and an impact edge rusher (Jermaine Johnson). Then for good measure, they added the best running back in the draft in Breece Hall in the second round.
“All of these moves look good on paper,” said Woody. “But at the end of the day, Zach Wilson’s gotta go out there and play.”
During the week, Wilson voiced optimism about what the braintrust had cooked up for the draft. But he was ready to do his part, after a topsy turvy rookie season.
“I appreciate their confidence in me,” Wilson said. “I think they understand that quarterback efficiency in this league it’s just how you win games. It’s how you get explosive on offense. And I need to do my part. I need to get better. I need to let the guys around me make the plays that they were brought in for. So I’m excited. We’re in that process of building it together and we all get to kind of ride the waves together.”
Bills snag CB Elam
Plenty of mock drafts had the Patriots taking Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam in the first round given his mancoverage skills. When the Pats traded down from No. 21, the Bills were able to get their man. He’s likely to play opposite of Tre’Davious White.
Elam was impressive in his opening press conference with the Bills media. He said he was looking forward to going up against Stefan Diggs in Bills practices.
“At University of Florida, I got boatloads of NFL receivers I went against every day in practice. You got Van Jefferson, Kyle Pitts, Freddie Swain, Kadarius Toney, the list goes on, a lot of good receivers and tight ends,” Elam said, via the Buffalo News. “So, I think going against Diggs and everybody else in the receiver corps and the tight end corps, it’s something I look forward to, you know what I’m saying? Pushing those guys, and I’m sure they’ll push me back. I don’t think it’s gonna be a cakewalk, and I don’t think it’s gonna be too hard, either. I’m confident in myself and my abilities and I can’t wait for practice ‘cause I think I’m an ultimate competitor and I’m sure those guys are too. I look forward to it.”
Colts love Gilmore fit
Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley spoke with the media on Wednesday and explained why Stephon Gilmore is a good fit for his defense.
First off, Bradley picked the brain of defensive end Melvin Ingram, who he coached with the Chargers. Gilmore and Ingram are tight, so Bradley was able to get a better feel for how the former Patriots corner would work in his system.
“I think people who have played in it or watched it, they know we like to be aggressive on the perimeter,” Bradley said. “So, to be able to play press coverage, and even in our zone coverages, we play press. That’s what we’d like to do. When you have that, you’d like to have a guy with some length. Obviously, speed is important but there’s times that we can’t always press and that savviness is going to have to come into play.
“Just his ability and his experiences around so many different systems and to come in — we had a good discussion on what we’d ask of him and what he could bring. We’re very excited just because of his past experiences and the qualities that he has physically too, I think fit us pretty well.”
Gilmore, who’s 31, signed a two-year deal worth a max value of $23 million to join the Colts earlier this month.
Kittle bullish on Lance
Niners tight end George Kittle has been a huge supporter of Jimmy Garoppolo. But he’s also a big fan of second-year quarterback Trey Lance.
“I love all of my quarterbacks. Trey has an insane ceiling,” Kittle said recently on the I Am Athlete podcast. “Just needs some reps here and there. Just gotta throw the ball a little bit more. You can’t really get better without playing games. How much better were you your rookie season to your third year? Just going against competition. Getting hit and getting back up. Dealing with adversity. How do you deal with it? Guys that come to the NFL and win their entire life and get hit in the face a couple of times, it’s different. It’s a learning process. Jimmy was a fantastic person for Trey to learn under for sure.”
Kittle compared Lance to a quarterback the Patriots have to face twice a year in the division.
“He reminds me most of Josh Allen,” Kittle said. “And Josh Allen is an established quarterback. Trey has to prove that and do it on the football field, but I think he can move the chains, whether his feet, he’s a big body, he can take hits. He wants to make plays. He’s got a cannon of an arm. It’s crazy. I mean, he can roll out to the right on the sideline and throw it diagonal like 50 yards on a line, you’re like, ‘OK yeah.’ There’s not a lot of people that can do that stuff. And, so, like I said, he’s got an insane ceiling. That’s what I’m so excited about.”
With Garoppolo still on the roster, Kittle said he’d support whoever winds up the starter in 2022, but he’s clearly torn.
“I’m kind of 50-50 right in the middle honestly,” Kittle said. “I think Jimmy is a fantastic leader, we almost won a Super Bowl, NFC champions twice in three seasons. And then you look at Trey, who I think has one of the highest ceilings I’ve ever seen before. Some of the things you see him do on the football field and you’re like, ‘Holy cow, I can’t wait ’til he throws me passes.’
“So you know, I want whoever’s going to be the better quarterback this season. And it is a business at the end of the day. I do trust Kyle Shanahan to pick the best quarterback. I don’t have a preference, I don’t. I like them both, they’re both good guys. They both bring different things to the table.”