Grade: B+
The Patriots needed to solidify their run defense, and big Leonard Taylor was their pick in the first round. He has good size, strength, and athleticism. Out of the draft he was a 74 star dev, and ends season 1 as a 82 overall star dev. He doesn’t add much as a pass rusher right now, but his 89 block shed is very helpful in the run game.
Round 2 Pick 20: Barryn Sorrell
Grade: A+
Sorrell was the replacement for the aging Matthew Judon, to play opposite of Keion White on the edge. Sorrell was an 71 overall star dev after the draft, and is now all the way up to an 83 X-Factor. Sorrell and White appear to be the future on the edge. Sorrell is a up and coming pass rusher with 88 finesse move and 79 power move, but is also a solid run defender with 84 block shed and 83 strength.
Round 2 Pick 23: Bryson Nesbit
Grade: A-
Though Nesbit was a low overall at draft time he is exactly what the Patriots wanted at TE. He is a good athlete with 88 speed, but also is helpful in the run game with 73 run block and 82 strength. Nesbit started as a 64 overall normal dev, and is now a 73 overall star dev. He was the teams leading receiver in the regular season and tied for the team lead in yards in the playoffs as well, including 190 yards in the super bowl.
Round 2 Pick 24: Riley Leonard
Grade: A-
Leonard has almost everything you want in a quarterback. 87 speed, 88 throw power (91 with tree), ideal sense of pressure, solid-good accuracy. His biggest flaw is his throwing animation might be the slowest in the game. He started as a 69 overall normal dev and is now an 81 star dev. As of now he looks like the Patriots QB of the future. He had a great rookie season with 32 touchdowns passing and 7 interceptions, before a very shaky playoff run where some games he played great, but also had the worst game of his career in the Super Bowl.
Round 2 Pick 31: Walker Parks
Grade: C+
A shot at offensive line, but Parks had a unique skill set that the Patriots were interested in using at fullback. Fullback was not the draft plan in the second round, but I do think he added a lot to the teams run game, as well as having a receiving TD.
Round 3 Pick 5: Tyrone Broden
Grade: A+
95 speed, 93 accel, 94 change of direction and 6’7″, that’s about as good of an athlete as you can get. To draft him in the 3rd round was crazy, and his development has been way better than expected. He was a 64 overall normal dev when drafted and is now a 74 overall. 10 overall for a normal dev in one season is great. His route running is coming around. He could see a bigger role this season as well.
Round 3 Pick 17: Kris Jenkins
Grade: B
Jenkins was the 3rd piece to the overhauled defensive line, a raw but athletic DT. Jenkins started as a 71 normal and is now a 75 normal. He gained and lost a dev this season. Jenkins is a good interior pass rusher who is getting stronger in run defense. Jenkins could be a solid starter or a great depth piece for years to come.
Round 3 Pick 31: Will Shipley
Grade B-
Shipley was drafted hoping to add a big play threat but also all around back to the Patriots backfield. He was the runner up OROY, but did not feel like he had home run speed. His pass catching was underwhelming as well. He does have power to be a good between the tackles runner. Shipley improved a lot, getting a ss dev before losing it in the offseason. Not sure if Shipley is the lead back of the future, but he will be solid as a backup at worst.
Round 4 Pick 31: Aaron Lewis
Grade: C-
Pretty much no impact as a rookie, and no AR has been put in to him. Depth defensive lineman that could play inside or out.
Round 5 Pick 31: Xavier Truss
Grade: A+
A star dev starting caliber OL in the 5th round, not much more you could ask for. up 72 to 77 overall with 96 strength and kept his star dev.
Round 6 Pick 4: Donovan Smith
Grade: F
Solid development qb, but forgot to protect him on the practice squad and got hawked by the backup monster.
Round 7 Pick 30: Khyree Jackson
Grade B+
Solid tall CB/FS with decent hit power and catching, could see some time at safety this season.
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