Somebody in the 136th overall pick was going to get robbed, and it turned out to be the rest of the league. The Patriots sat still while T.J. Tampa, the No. 39 name on the board, slid all the way to them, then sprinted to the podium. A near-flawless weekend of work, and a A- to cap it.
The edge rusher hole is the one line item this class does not answer. Spending an early pick on cornerback with edge rusher, quarterback and other spots open is the decision the grade keeps circling back to.
A modest surplus at the table, banked quietly. Wide receiver is handled and the depth chart looks a good deal healthier for it.
Bottom line, with Malik Nabers leading the way, this is a class that should pay off fast and rarely be regretted.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.14
· Pick 14
· Malik Nabers
· WR
· rank 4
In No. 14 they get a No. 1 receiver at a price that makes it sweeter. Exactly the need they had to hit.
R1.27
· Pick 27
· JC Latham
· OT
· rank 18
In slot 27 they get a plug-and-play piece up front, and a steal at that.
R2.4
· Pick 36
· Byron Murphy II
· DL
· rank 21
Byron Murphy II slipping to pick 36 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
R2.14
· Pick 46
· Amarius Mims
· OT
· rank 22
Amarius Mims at the Round 2 slot is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
R3.4
· Pick 68
· Terrion Arnold
· CB
· rank 20
Terrion Arnold in the 68th pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
R4.3
· Pick 103
· Kamren Kinchens
· S
· rank 34
Kamren Kinchens in the 103rd overall pick is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
R4.4
· Pick 104
· Xavier Legette
· WR
· rank 36
They will replay Xavier Legette at pick No. 104 for years; that is how good the value is. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
R4.18
· Pick 118
· Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
· CB
· rank 38
Of all the spots to shop, they chose cornerback. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in Round 4, Pick 18 leaves edge rusher, quarterback and other spots for later.
R4.36
· Pick 136
· T.J. Tampa
· CB
· rank 39
Hard to square with the roster. With positions of obvious need still on the board, T.J. Tampa adds a cornerback and leaves edge rusher, quarterback and other spots untouched.
R6.7
· Pick 182
· LaDarius Henderson
· OT
· rank 163
They robbed the room for LaDarius Henderson here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R7.9
· Pick 229
· Blake Watson
· RB
· rank 226
A reasonable price with a little left over, Blake Watson in the Round 7 slot. The roster fit checks out.
