So many players, so little time.
Last week in this space I offered a top-to-bottom review on how Bill Belichick built the 2021 Patriots via free agency. Whether it was resigning the right Patriots free agents of the failed year prior, or grading the new additions to the team Belichick’s 2021 free agent report card is a good one, as chronicled here.
There were plenty of player acquisitions to cover from Patriots free agency, but now it’s time to grade the rookies that Belichick and his consiglieri’s brought in.
The 2021 NFL Draft.
Round 1 – Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama -- A+
Nailed it. You have seen the results for yourself. As I wrote the day the Pats cut Cam Newton, the Patriots have successfully brought back the offense they want to run. Jones functions beautifully in the Patriots system and his career arc is heading straight up. His ability to operate in the system, make quick and smart decisions and throw with timing and accuracy is well noted. His natural leadership qualities, attitude, commitment and performance under his very affordable rookie contract must make Belichick downright giddy.
Underplayed in this whole scenario with the Patriots drafting Jones with the No. 15 overall pick is how Belichick played his hand; that would be perfectly. Belichick attended exactly one pro day in the offseason that was to see Jones with his own eyes. That was his target all along. Playing that hand, he never believed the hype surrounding San Francisco’s interest in Jones at the third pick. Belichick knew the teams in front of him, their needs, tendencies and tells, then patiently waited. This wasn’t good fortune, it was strategy. Perfectly played strategy. The national pundits can moan all they want about luck or whatever. My guess is that they’d all likely refuse a friendly game of poker with Darth Hoodie if invited. Never underestimate the power of the dark side…
Round 2 – Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle, Alabama. A+
Upside alert! Holy cow. This guy is a top 10 talent in any draft and your New England Patriots drafted this guy with the 38th pick overall. This one looks Richard Seymour or Vince Wilfork-esque. It’s difficult to envision a future over the next several years without the very soon to be game-wrecking Barmore on the Patriots' very active defensive line. NFL offenses beware. I see Pro Bowls aplenty from No. 90. The Pats found a player here.
Round 3 – Ronnie Perkins, Defensive End, Oklahoma. Incomplete
The 96th overall pick in the draft was definitely amongst the "best players available" in the third round by any scouts measure. The pick made nothing but sense at the time. The talent is there, just look at some of the college highlights for evidence but the NFL proof is yet to be determined. Instinctively I’ll say this, Belichick’s history doesn’t show much tolerance for those who can’t get on the field and out of the tub. The early season inactive’s were injury related (shoulder and ankle), but the recent inactivity seems more like a coach’s decision type of thing. That said, Perkins remains. I’m betting on the talent and my guess is that this is a classic Belichick slow rookie roll. We’ll see what the future brings.
Round 4 – Rhamondre Stevenson, Running Back, Oklahoma. A.
Fourth round? The 120th pick? Are there 119 better players from the 2021 NFL Draft? I’ll wait…
This guy runs like Earl Campbell. If you’re unfamiliar with his work get on YouTube immediately. Once I got eyeballs on this kid’s rushing ability in preseason I was more than ready to say buh-bye to Sony Michel. Stevenson runs HARD. He’s got great vision, quick feet, good hands and is a perfectly violent running complement to incumbent Damien Harris. I’m forecasting and hoping for an old school Sam “Bam” Cunningham (RIP) and Don Calhoun backfield sharing situation here and have zero problem with that. When Harris is a little dinged, Stevenson can carry the load and when both are healthy, each is extremely useful and productive.
Stevenson has utility in every way that a running back can be used. Once he "got it" in pass protection and ball security he started seeing the field. In hindsight, it didn’t take long.
Round 5 – Cameron McGrone, Linebacker, Michigan. Incomplete.
Classic red-shirt rookie situation. Here’s what I can tell you; I like linebackers and Michigan and trust Belichick. That’s all I got.
The Rest of the draft. Incomplete.
· Joshuah Bledsoe, Safety, Missouri – Red-shirt.
· William Sherman, Offensive Tackle, Colorado – Practice Squad.
· Tre Nixon, Wide Receiver, UCF – Practice squad.
Three A-players in one draft class is pretty darn good and we haven’t even seen what Perkins can be in the NFL yet. Add this stable of young talent to the revamped core of veterans and second year pros from the 2020 draft class including Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, Michael Onwenu and Justin Herron and your first Place New England Patriots once again have a core to build around.
This season on the field and in the standings is a joy to watch. It’s amongst the best year over year turnarounds in recent memory thanks in large part to a really strong offseason team build in every phase.
