[Mick]

The supposed "experts" who publish predictions about the round a player will be drafted are not the people who actually pick. And the people who actually pick have no good reason to tell the truth about what their intentions are. In fact, they have an incentive to lie. Who knows what the actual consensus of NFL teams was regarding Richards.

Different sport, but I remember hearing Don Nelson mention that a number of different general managers asked him about Latrell Sprewell.  Nelson always confirmed that he felt that Sprewell was no better than a second round choice, then picked him with the #24 pick in the first round.  Sprewell ended up a four time all star.  Nelson would brag about how he kept his interest quiet.

True, Sprewell is one of the all time bad guys in the NBA.  But he could definitely play.
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/ostler/arti...508631.php

[Mick]

The supposed "experts" who publish predictions about the round a player will be drafted are not the people who actually pick. And the people who actually pick have no good reason to tell the truth about what their intentions are. In fact, they have an incentive to lie. Who knows what the actual consensus of NFL teams was regarding Richards.

Different sport, but I remember hearing Don Nelson mention that a number of different general managers asked him about Latrell Sprewell.  Nelson always confirmed that he felt that Sprewell was no better than a second round choice, then picked him with the #24 pick in the first round.  Sprewell ended up a four time all star.  Nelson would brag about how he kept his interest quiet.

True, Sprewell is one of the all time bad guys in the NBA.  But he could definitely play.
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/ostler/arti...508631.php

[CowboyIndian]

I guess he's off "feeding his family" these days.

[CowboyIndian]

I guess he's off "feeding his family" these days.

[g1313]

Belichick is considered a draft genius largely because he is very disciplined about trading down and getting more picks, an acknowledgement that the success in the NFL is hard to predict and quantity (multiple mid-round picks) is better than "quality" (first rounders). (Long article on this here if you are interested: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/bill-b...-patriots/)

However his record on picking DBs in the first few rounds is actually surprisingly poor. Patriots pass D has been shoddy for a few years, and  has been shored up largely through FA signings (Talib, Revis).

Peter King pointed this out a few years ago: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/09/02/kevin-turn...terback/3/

"Belichick drafted seven defensive backs in the first two rounds of the six drafts between 2007 and 2012, and of those seven, only one is a starter today: Devin McCourty, and not at the position he was drafted to play."

[g1313]

Belichick is considered a draft genius largely because he is very disciplined about trading down and getting more picks, an acknowledgement that the success in the NFL is hard to predict and quantity (multiple mid-round picks) is better than "quality" (first rounders). (Long article on this here if you are interested: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/bill-b...-patriots/)

However his record on picking DBs in the first few rounds is actually surprisingly poor. Patriots pass D has been shoddy for a few years, and  has been shored up largely through FA signings (Talib, Revis).

Peter King pointed this out a few years ago: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/09/02/kevin-turn...terback/3/

"Belichick drafted seven defensive backs in the first two rounds of the six drafts between 2007 and 2012, and of those seven, only one is a starter today: Devin McCourty, and not at the position he was drafted to play."

[Mick]

I just read that Green Bay has made defensive selections in 8 of 10 drafts since they took Rodgers, but their points-against ranking hasn't been better than 13th in the NFL since 2010.

[Mick]

I just read that Green Bay has made defensive selections in 8 of 10 drafts since they took Rodgers, but their points-against ranking hasn't been better than 13th in the NFL since 2010.

[stupac2]

Belichick is considered a draft genius largely because he is very disciplined about trading down and getting more picks, an acknowledgement that the success in the NFL is hard to predict and quantity (multiple mid-round picks) is better than "quality" (first rounders). (Long article on this here if you are interested: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/bill-b...-patriots/)

However his record on picking DBs in the first few rounds is actually surprisingly poor. Patriots pass D has been shoddy for a few years, and  has been shored up largely through FA signings (Talib, Revis).

Peter King pointed this out a few years ago: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/09/02/kevin-turn...terback/3/

"Belichick drafted seven defensive backs in the first two rounds of the six drafts between 2007 and 2012, and of those seven, only one is a starter today: Devin McCourty, and not at the position he was drafted to play."

With such a small sample size that could just be bad luck.

[stupac2]

Belichick is considered a draft genius largely because he is very disciplined about trading down and getting more picks, an acknowledgement that the success in the NFL is hard to predict and quantity (multiple mid-round picks) is better than "quality" (first rounders). (Long article on this here if you are interested: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/bill-b...-patriots/)

However his record on picking DBs in the first few rounds is actually surprisingly poor. Patriots pass D has been shoddy for a few years, and  has been shored up largely through FA signings (Talib, Revis).

Peter King pointed this out a few years ago: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/09/02/kevin-turn...terback/3/

"Belichick drafted seven defensive backs in the first two rounds of the six drafts between 2007 and 2012, and of those seven, only one is a starter today: Devin McCourty, and not at the position he was drafted to play."

With such a small sample size that could just be bad luck.

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

With the exception of Trent Murphy (also a second round pick last year), Jordan Richards is the highest drafted defensive player in the last thirteen years from Stanford.  There's a reason the Patriots win Super Bowls and I am first-string armchair quarterback, but that is staggering to think about with some of the talent we have had on the defensive side of the ball in recent years. 

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

With the exception of Trent Murphy (also a second round pick last year), Jordan Richards is the highest drafted defensive player in the last thirteen years from Stanford.  There's a reason the Patriots win Super Bowls and I am first-string armchair quarterback, but that is staggering to think about with some of the talent we have had on the defensive side of the ball in recent years.