Tag: second round results

Instant analysis of Patriots picking Marte Mapu in third round

How can Mapu help the Patriots?

The New England Patriots aren’t as concerned about positions as they are good defensive players, and they might have find that in versatile linebacker Marte Mapu.

When watching the tape, the versatility is the first thing that pops for Mapu, who can play linebacker, cornerback and safety. So coach Bill Belichick is going to be able to utilize him in a lot of different ways on the field.

Mapu clearly made an impact in his final year at Sacramento State when compiling 76 tackles, two interceptions and six pass deflections. His ability to make sideline-to-sideline plays is something the Patriots have been looking for in an AFC East division full of explosive offensive playmakers.

Mapu’s name didn’t really pop on the draft board, but he could be one of those hidden gems that turns into a major contributor for the Patriots. Belichick hit a home run in the third and fourth rounds of the 2022 draft by selecting Marcus Jones and Jack Jones.

Here’s to hoping the same is the case with Mapu, especially with the Patriots opting to pick him over adding more firepower to help fix their broken offense.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Twitter reacts to the Patriots’ selection of Keion White

There was plenty of excitement and a lot of head-scratching over the Patriots’ second-round pick.

The New England Patriots selected Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White in the second round with the 46th overall pick. White is the second draft selection in as many picks on the defensive side of the football for New England.

He showed potential as a rusher for Georgia Tech last season, recording 7.5 sacks in 2022. Now, he will look to add to a Patriots’ defensive unit that was among the league leaders in sacks last season with 54 total.

Twitter was optimistic about New England’s selection, especially with the Patriots having to face a plethora of solid quarterbacks in 2023.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Twitter reactions.

Patriots select Sacramento State LB Marte Mapu in third round

Another defensive pick for the Patriots. This time, it’s Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu at No. 76 overall.

The New England Patriots continued to stockpile defensive players by taking Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu with the No. 76 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft.

This is the Patriots’ third straight defensive pick of the draft behind Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Georgia Tech’s Keion White.

Mapu closed out his college career at Sacramento State with 76 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections and one forced fumble. The Patriots have been looking to get more athletic at the linebacker position, and Mapu is a player that can give them that sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability on the field.

His presence along the defensive front will make the unit even more formidable in the 2023 season.

Defense has clearly been the focus for the Patriots, and while Mapu has the potential to be a great player, one has to wonder if New England has enough firepower offensively for it to even matter.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Instant analysis of Patriots picking Keion White in second round

Another top defensive talent fell to the Patriots.

The New England Patriots didn’t waste an opportunity to beef up their defensive front (literally) by selecting a massive and insanely athletic defensive end in Georgia Tech’s Keion White.

Opposing quarterbacks on the schedule won’t be sleeping peacefully knowing they’ll soon have White, Matthew Judon and Josh Uche breathing down their necks.

White is a freakish playmaker with the ability to overpower blockers and blow past them with sudden pass-rush moves. One thing is certain: He doesn’t play like a man that weighs 286 pounds.

The Patriots needed to get more athletic up front in an AFC East division full of quarterbacks capable of making throws on the move. White lived in the offensive backfield in his final season with the Yellow Jackets. He piled up 54 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.

So he’s clearly the sort of player that can help the Patriots immediately.

The best part for New England is the fact that they already had what many would consider an elite defense last season. Adding White and first-round pick Christian Gonzalez to that mix should make the unit even scarier in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Patriots select Georgia Tech DE Keion White in second round

The Patriots stuck with defense in the second round by taking Georgia Tech DE Keion White with the 46th pick of the 2023 NFL draft.

[mm-video type=video id=01gz564a54rgy04btrkm playlist_id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz564a54rgy04btrkm/01gz564a54rgy04btrkm-72d44ae9b8d1f5d909b613a4fdf675fb.jpg]

The New England Patriots opened up Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft on Friday night by taking Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White with the No. 46 overall pick.

It’s the Patriots’ second pick of the draft after taking Christian Gonzalez in the first round on Thursday.

White was an explosive pass-rusher along the defensive front for the Yellow Jackets in 2022, compiling 54 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. He was an absolute game-wrecker when it came to blowing up offensive plays and finding his way into the backfield.

The Patriots love versatile defensive players, and White’s rare athleticism allows him to do things a person his size should never be able to do. He’s going to be quite the addition up front with Matthew Judon and Josh Uche.

This is another win for the Patriots in snagging a first-round talent later on the draft board.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

5 things fans should know about Saints second round DB Alontae Taylor

5 things fans should know about Saints second round DB Alontae Taylor, via @DillySanders:

The first shocking New Orleans Saints pick of the 2022 NFL draft came in the second round when they selected former Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Alontae Taylor. He brings versatility to the secondary and offers a ton of potential for immediate special teams impact. No one really knows how the Saints plan to use him, but there is actually a lot to be excited about on paper.

Since a lot of people are unaware about just who the 23-year old from Manchester, Tenn. is; here are five things we think fans should know about who Taylor is on and off the field:

Twitter reacts to the Commanders selection of Phidarian Mathis

Best Twitter reactions to Washington’s selection of Alabama DT Phidarian Mathis.

Washington fans were not surprised when the Commanders selected a defensive tackle at No. 47 overall in the 2022 NFL draft Friday. After seeing Tim Settle leave in free agency and releasing Matt Ioannidis, Washington suddenly had depth issues behind starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

So with their second pick in the draft, Washington selected Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis. It was an interesting pick. And as you might expect, Twitter was not impressed with the choice. Not that Mathis isn’t a solid player, but fans were upset that Commanders used a day-two pick on a player who is not expected to start in 2022.

Here are some of the top reactions to Washington’s selection of Mathis.

Commanders select Alabama DT Phidarian Mathis at No. 47 overall in 2022 NFL draft

The Washington Commanders select Phidarian Mathis at No. 47 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Washington Commanders selected Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis at No. 47 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

Mathis becomes the third former Alabama defensive tackle on Washington’s roster, joining Jonathan Payne and Daron Payne. Payne is entering his fifth season in 2022 and the Commanders are not expected to offer him a contract extension.

5 things to know about Bengals second-round pick Tee Higgins

Here are some fun things to know about new Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins.

The Cincinnati Bengals turned a bunch of heads in Round 2 of the NFL draft with the selection of Clemson wideout Tee Higgins.

Higgins joins the fray in Cincinnati and looks like an immediate boost to the offense alongside weapons like A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd.

Here’s a quick, fun look at some fast Higgins facts.

 

He’s a Bengals fan!

Have to start with this one, right? Higgins made it clear in a meet with the media that he’s long been a Bengals fan.

It isn’t often a collegiate player gets to join the team they’ve rooted for — but Higgins looks like a big exception. Now he’ll play a decisive role in whether his favorite team’s next franchise passer pans out and whether his favorite team can compete for titles.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Bengals receive ‘B’ grade for Tee Higgins pick

NFL draft grades like the Bengals’ Tee Higgins pick.

[jwplayer 4wQo5mCQ-ThvAeFxT]

When it comes to NFL draft grades, it’s hard to knock the Cincinnati Bengals for standing pat at the top of Round 2 and taking Tee Higgins.

Put bluntly, Higgins is a ridiculous talent. He’s a big 6’4″ wideout with 25 touchdowns over his last two seasons for Clemson. And yeah, he played with Trevor Lawrence, but one pass on the film shows a big-play artist with big upside.

Even better, Higgins has played all three wideout spots. He’s the sort of chess piece Zac Taylor can use all over the field right away to help Joe Burrow.

And that’s the goal with this draft — helping Joe Burrow. Higgins can have an instant impact for Burrow via the fact he’s played all three spots. Ideally, he’ll be getting moved around and so will John Ross and A.J. Green — he should feast while exploiting matchups.

Keep in mind Higgins is only 21 years old. He’s a big-time player and prospect already who probably should have come off the board in Round 1. But where his ceiling actually lands is hard to say, which is wildly encouraging.

So why a B grade? It’s a minor thing, really, but one could argue Denzel Mims or Michael Pittman were better wideout prospects on the board. There were also massive talents at safety (Xavier McKinney), defensive line (Ross Blacklock) and offensive line (Josh Jones). Wideout is also arguably the deepest position in the draft.

But again, it’s a very, very minor distinction. If Burrow was a unanimous “A” then Higgins is right behind it. In the end the grades could end up not mattering at all if Burrow and Higgins is as potent as Dalton-Green was for all those years.

Grade: B

[vertical-gallery id=31147]