Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Edelman, Woodard and the Draft: Discussing the New England Patriots with Mike Dussault — 4/9/2021

Episode Date: April 9, 2021

The New England Patriots have long valued the tenacity, toughness and prowess of wide receiver Julian Edelman. Amidst reports that his knee injury might keep him from participating in a full season in 2021, host Mike D’Abate welcomes Mike Dussault of Patriots.com. The duo discuss Edelman’s future in New England, as well as the return of OL Dustin Woodard. Lastly, the pair offer their thoughts on the Patriots plans for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you Foxborough faithful. You are now locked in to the Lockdown Patriots podcast. Today is the 9th of April 2021. And thank football and Foxborough, it is Friday here on your daily home for news notes and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. Greetings and salutations, Patriots Nation.

The weekend is within our sight, and I thank you for joining me here today on the pod to help close out your weekend style. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Lockdown Patriots Podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. And folks, because it's your team every day, that means your questions, your comments, your feedback, always welcomed, very much encouraged. So share that feedback, send it to the internet by reaching out to me and following me on Twitter at MDABATEFPC.

And while you're out there giving the weekend nod and saying, how you doing, to the Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Locked On Patriots account as well at LO underscore Patriots. Pats fans, I always do my best to make Fridays fun here on the pod. After all, Friday is arguably the most fun day of the week, right? What other day of the week gets its own acronym? TGIF? No other day of the week can claim that. Here on Locked On Patriots, we try to have a little bit of extra fun on Friday, whether

it be Foxborough Finance Friday with our man Miguel, a little Fox on Fridays with our good friend Tonya Rae Fox, or expert analysis from some of the amazing guests I've had the privilege of being joined by here on the pod, like Evan Lazar of CLNS Media, Bob Sose and Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Matt Chatham of Nesson, of course, the excellence of execution from USA Today's Touchdown Wire, my friend and predecessor Mark Schofield, and the list goes on and on. Well, today, we continue that tradition as I get to welcome in a guest that I've been looking forward to talk Patriots with here on the pod for quite a while. Patriots.com's own Mike Dussault joins me here today.

And anyone who's familiar with Mike's work going back to his early days with PatsProp Patriots.com's own Mike Dussault joins me here today. And anyone who's familiar with Mike's work going back to his early days with PatsPropaganda.com up to the present day, where he does amazing writing and content producing for Patriots.com and also a little podcast excellence as well on Patriots Unfiltered. Mike is among the best in the business when it comes to analysis, and it's my honor to welcome him here on the pod today. Of course, here in Patriots Nation, all eyes are on the draft, and we will be pulling on Mike's wisdom and counsel when it comes to the likelihood of the Patriots maybe making a trade up in the draft, or what surprises might be in store when it comes to Bill Belichick's

draft plan. We'll also touch upon some news from a little bit earlier this week, and an unexpected return to the Patriots lineup. Offensive lineman Dustin Woodard, who was a 7th round draft pick for the Patriots just one year ago, suddenly retired before the 2020 season before he even took an NFL snap. Well, earlier this week it became public knowledge that Woodard had indeed been reinstated to the active roster. How will his return affect the Patriots' plans at offensive line this year?

And will it affect their plans when it comes to the draft? And of course, last but certainly not least, Mike and I will both weigh in on what has become essentially the story of the day here in Foxborough, and that is the health and potential future of wide receiver Julian Edelman. And if we're being honest, Edelman's future in a New England Patriots uniform has been questioned a lot so far this offseason. Until recently, it seemed like that chatter had started to tail off a little bit. That is, of course, until yesterday, when Karen Garigian of the Boston Herald, someone whose reports I hold in the highest regard,

Karen is always accurate, always trustworthy, reported that, according to a source familiar with Julian's situation, it was, quote, doubtful that he will be able to play the entire 2021 season. Going on to further note that the knee that had hampered him for the better part of two years simply might not be ready to endure the rigors of what now is a 17-game NFL season. And none of us forget, this is New England, we're all hoping to add on a playoff run to that 17-game regular season. Bottom line folks, this is tough news to hear. It's tough news for Patriots fans as a whole. It's really tough news for a lot of you out there that are big Julian Edelman fans.

I'm among them. When it comes to heart, desire, and willingness to win, Julian is among the most courageous players I've ever covered. 2020 might have been a tough year for him. He spent a lot of time on injured reserve. The knee just simply gave him far too many problems to be able to get out there on the field. But in 2019, I witnessed Julian week after week fight through chest injuries, shoulder injuries, knee injuries. Any one of those injuries would have put any lesser player on the shelf. But credit to Julian Edelman. He went out there, missed minimal

time, kept getting back up, and continued to be a significant factor in the Patriots offense. If in fact there's still fuel left in the tank when it comes to Julian Edelman's spirit, there is no doubt in my mind that you will see Julian Edelman on a football field in 2021. But unfortunately folks, life is just not that simple. If the progress that Julian is making while trying to rehab his knee just is not significant enough, not just to support him being out there on the field or playing football, but playing football the way Julian Edelman wants to and loves to play football, then he truly has a significant decision to make. And so do the New England Patriots. Let's not forget that Julian is on the hook this year for approximately $6.1

million against the salary cap. According to my man Miguel, the Pats cap, Julian's 2021 salary breaks down as follows. $2.8 million in salary, $300,000 in off-season workout bonuses, $317,647 in active roster bonuses. Miguel notes that six of those are likely to be earned for 2021. And last but certainly not least, approximately $2.67 million in signing bonus proration, which Miguel notes would become dead money if Julian Edelman would retire. If Julian in fact leaves the Patriots roster before he earns his offseason workout bonus, that would create, according to Miguel, $2,567,647 in cap space. So again, folks, I think most of us here in Pat's Nation,

most of all myself, are not rooting for anything but Julian Edelman to return to the field and be productive in 2021. But as Michael Corleone once said in The Godfather, it's not personal, it's strictly business. And when it comes to Julian's potential health problems for 2021, along with the Patriots' finances, again folks, it's a decision that both Julian and the Patriots will have to make sooner rather than later. But we're just scratching the surface when it comes to Julian Edelman's future here in New England, because in just a moment, Mike DeSoto of Patriots.com will join me here on the hot seat, where we will continue to discuss Julian Edelman. What is Mike's reaction to the news of Julian's health? He'll provide that, along with his thoughts on Dustin Woodard,

and of course, Mike's amazing insight when it comes to the Patriots' potential plans in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. All this to help close out the week in style, when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. But first, Locked On listeners, football games on the field might be over, but the NBA and the NHL are in full swing. When you want to put your prognostication skills to the test, there is only one place that has you covered and one place we trust. BetOnline.ag. BetOnline is

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50% welcome bonus on your first deposit when you use the promo code LOCKEDON. Bet online, your online sportsbook experts. Locked On listeners, get all the sports news you need in under 20 minutes with the Locked On Today podcast. Host Peter Bukowski updates you on the latest news in every major sport with the help of our local experts. Follow the Locked On Today podcast on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Patriots fans, my guest today is new to the Locked On Patriots airwaves. Well, at least in my era of hosting the show, but he is certainly no stranger to any of you. Since 2010,

he's been one of the most notable and well-respected writers and content producers when it comes to your New England Patriots. Those 28 to three shirts that are a true staple for any Patriots fan. Yeah. He was the man behind the brilliance, the Belichick hoodie database. Yeah. He's the innovator there too. He is the creator of Pat's propaganda.com and currently providing top notch

Pat's content and writing for Patriots.com, including a little podcast excellence of his own on Patriots Unfiltered. Mike Desso joins me today. Mike, thanks for taking the time to join me. Welcome to Locked on Patriots. Oh, of course, Mike. Thank you for the introduction and recounting all those crazy, silly things that have happened over the years with the Patriots and me. You've got to love it.

I mean, anybody that owns a 28-3 shirt, anybody that's wondered what type of hoodie did Bill Belichick wear on this date or try to get that predictive type prognostication skill going, we owe it all to you, my friend. And I do appreciate that. And I know Pat's Nation appreciates it a lot. Yes, it's a very specific couple of things that I've got. But, no, it's a lot of fun. And, yeah, I mean, any anytime you see the 28-3, it always brings a smile to my face.

And of course, the very important work of tracking Bill Belichick's hoodies, I'm honored to have taken that. Absolutely. And the mantra is something that you wear well. And by all indications, folks, I mean, we're having fun with the 28-3, the Belichick hoodie database. I assure you, when it comes to Patriots content, Mike is second to none. I'm honored to have him here on the pod today. And Mike, I always like to say on Lockdown Patriots,

I sound like a broken record because I think I say it every single day. There's never a dull moment in Foxborough. I mean, you know that as well as anyone. It's already been a pretty wild off season here in New England. The Patriots obviously making an uncharacteristic big splash in pre-agency. They brought back some beloved faces to the Foxborough fold. And 20 days from today, the Patriots are going to join 31 other NFL teams at the 2021 NFL draft. So exciting times for a football fan, exciting times for a Patriots fan.

Mike's draft coverage, folks, has been nothing short of phenomenal for patriots.com and we will be his wisdom and counsel on that subject in just a moment but Mike arguably the news of the day is the health status of Pats wide receiver Julian Edelman yesterday Boston Herald's Karen Geregian reporting that through her sources Julian's knee might not be healing as well as we had been hoping that it would. And no decision's been made about his future with the team yet by any stretch of the imagination. So nobody's getting ahead of themselves here, folks. But the rigors of a now 17-game season look like they might be a bit too much for Julian to take.

We both know that as long as there's some fight left in the soul of Julian Edelman, he simply will not give up. But even if that spirit is willing, the flesh might be weak. Based on what you've heard, Mike, and what you know about Julian Edelman, what is your prognosis for his 2021 season and just your feelings on this story as a whole? Yeah, well, I mean, first you've got to say, I mean, Julian Edelman, what can you say about the guy? I mean, you know he's given everything he's had to this organization. I mean, you know that his desire to win and to compete is unparalleled.

So, you know, it's unfortunate when you see a guy kind of have his body start to go on him and he can't quite do it, you know, the way that he used to. And, I mean, you know, really over the years we've seen it, you know, with Welker and, you know, other guys who they – that slot position, you know, not to shoehorn Julian Edelman as a slot receiver, because I certainly think he's more than that. But, you know, the beating that he's taken over the years, it's well documented. And those guys, usually you get into the early 30s and, you know, that's kind of when all that beating starts to catch up with them. So it's a tough blow.

I mean, I think I have been operating this off season, you know, as kind of leaving a question mark besides Julian Edelman's name. You know, if he's got anything left to give, he'll try, but you know, at a certain point you wonder, is it just better to say, Hey, you know, we're kind of going into a little bit of a rebuild here. We love you, Jules. You've given us everything you could. I love the guy for, you know, wanting to come back, but I guess, you know, we're just going to have to see as for, you know, Karen's have to see. As for Karen's report, what does that mean exactly?

I think we're all kind of speculating that would at least mean he starts out on the PUP list and six weeks is sitting out, and that's maybe the best-case scenario. So ultimately, Jules has got to make the decision that's best for him, and obviously he's earned the right to do that. We'd love to have him back. Certainly the Patriots need him. I mean, we saw, you know, last year early on, even with Cam Newton, he had some, you know, productive games that game in Seattle. So we'll see what happens with Jules.

But I think it just kind of underlines that even with the free agency additions that they made with, you know, Bourne and Aguilar, still a big need at receiver. They need those guys. You know, those quick open kind of slot guys kind of run a little bit light on them now. And if Edelman isn't able to go, I think it only reinforces, you know, coming up in the draft, trying to find one of those guys. Yeah, without question. I think you hit the nail right on the head. And look, when it comes to the heart of Julian Edelman, I mean,

no one can question it. I always remember Julian sitting on the sideline in a game that we know very well, 28 to three Patriots are down and he's telling Tom Brady, no, we're going to win this one. We're going to win this one for your mom, bro. And that's something that really, I think, inspired Brady in that game, obviously for a lot of other reasons, not just Julian's words, but that's just the type of guy that he is. He'll look at an insurmountable circumstance, and rather than say we need a bigger boat,

he'll start to build a bigger boat and do whatever he needs to do to get to that level. So in a lot of ways, I think he's going to try to give it everything he has if the spirit is willing even if the flesh is a little bit weak at this point but I thought you brought up a great point on the slot and Julian's fit in this offense and there is still very much a place for Julian Edelman especially now knowing that John O'Smith and Hunter Henry are going to be in town. That 12-man personnel that the Patriots could not have run a few years ago, even up to last year, definitely is something where Julian can fit right into that, having that slot receiver to be able to take some pressure off.

Because when you run that one running back with the two tight ends, you know as well as anyone that that 12-man personnel always runs a little more efficient and a little smoother when you have a competent slot receiver. Maybe Jacoby can do it, being Jacoby Myers, folks. Maybe Aguilar or Bourne, they both played in the slot before. They could slide in there. But Julian Edelman did it with two of the best that played the game at the time, and obviously Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as well. He did it there, so he might be able to to help these guys out there as well.

So from our lips to God's ears, my friend, we're hoping that, you know, whatever decision Julian makes, he makes the right one for his family and for his long term health. Oh, you know, I was just going to say, I thought you touched on something that I think is something we didn't really mention. Maybe enough is just, you know, the leadership aspect of it too. And, I mean, you look at such a young receiving group and, you know, you mentioned Jacoby Myers who, you know, you see some of those workouts going on out west right now. And Jacoby Myers is now the guy kind of helping guys out, you know, helping the new guys out.

So I think that's just, you know, another element that goes into obviously as you, you know, sadly put together with Edelman and just his tone that he sets, but, you know, his knowledge of the system, all that stuff, it certainly would be valuable to those new guys and probably, you know, a rookie or two as well. Absolutely, without any question. And that's such a great point. And you talk about the impact that it's going to have on guys on the field and returns and players that maybe you couldn't count on in 2020 that you

can count on in 2021 and we now transition from a possible departure to an unlikely return so to speak at least it was unlikely in my opinion mike and that's learning earlier this week that 2020 seventh round draft selection for the pats offensive lineman dustin woodard had been reinstated to the Patriots roster. And we all know Dustin surprisingly retired prior to the 2020 season before he even took an NFL snap. Mike, Dustin was expected to provide some stability, maybe some help to the interior of the offensive line last season.

A lot of people were calling him a potential diamond in the rough simply because the Patriots got him in the seventh round. But a mobile type lineman that could thrive in this system was definitely not out of the realm of possibility um I remember thinking very highly about Dustin when the Patriots drafted him especially with the uncertainty surrounding David Andrews health at the time he was only a year removed from coming back from blood clots in his lungs. We didn't know how well he was going to be able to hold up in this type of environment, especially with COVID, so much uncertainty last year. But I'm looking at Dustin's return right now as kind of low-key good news

because I think that he can provide a little bit of depth on the offensive line, even with the addition of Ted Karras. Mike, what was your reaction to Dustin's return, and do you think this could affect the Patriots' plans for the O-line in 2021? Yeah, you know, as you said at the top, it's never really a dull moment. And, you know, not to say that this is as exciting as the free agency period was, but it's just, you know, another week, another bit of news that's a little bit different, a little bit outside of the box. So, you know, I'm with you, Mike. I think, you know, you look at the depth that they have. I mean, they certainly brought, you know, re-signed Andrews.

They brought back Ted Karras. You know, I think we're all kind of expecting Michael Unwenu to slide over to left guard and, you know, that Andrews and Unwenu and Shaq Mason to be your top trio and Karras to kind of be the interior swing backup. But, you know, really after those guys, when I was looking at the depth chart last week, you know, you see Najee Toran and who opted out last year and Ross Reynolds and,

you know, not, not, not, not great depth. And so that, that was why I welcomed the move. You know, I think the first two years he played left guard the junior year, he played right guard and then he played center his senior year. So he's, you know, played all over the line. I'm sure there's an interesting story there, whether he, you know, entered the workforce, like, you know, the rest of us stiff and you know, I said, geez, I could be making a lot more money playing football. I'm sure there's a story there and hopefully we get to hear it at some point.

You know, it's hard to say, hey, I feel like, oh, this seventh rounder is going to, that just took a year off, is going to, you know, change much. But I don't think it's out of the question for him to, you know, I think he's in, you know, maybe a Ted Karras to David Andrews injury and training camp away, you know, from, from maybe having an opportunity to, to come in and, and, you know, be a role role player on this offensive line. So I think it's a welcome addition. It was certainly a spot that I was looking at in the draft thing, man, they, they need some depth there. And, you know,

and that's of course assuming that that on when you does go to guard, which, you know, maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. I don't know. An injury to one of the tackles could change that quickly. So I think it's a nice little depth piece. And as we said, here we are kind of in this void between free agency and the draft. And there's always a little bit of Patriots news to discuss. Absolutely. And I think you, again, hit the nail right on the head when it comes to Woodard and what he brings to the table.

He's an athletic lineman, and I think that that can provide some stability. That can help him provide some solid depth. He's very tenacious, very intelligent, and very durable. That's something that I think a lot of people would love about Dustin Woodard. Saw action in 54 games. He started 52 of them. He holds the Memphis record for most starts by an offensive lineman. You're right. Hopefully we will get that story about the 2020 sitting out and obviously trying to come

back in 2021 and making the choice to once again play pro football. Folks, Mike DeSoto dropping all kinds of knowledge here on today's pod. It's exactly what we need to close out the week here in style on Locked On Patriots. But the question on everyone's mind out there, mine included, is what will Bill Belichick do in the draft? Specifically, is this the year he finally trades up for the quarterback of the future? Well, Mike has done his homework on this subject as well as anyone out there in NFL media, and he will share his thoughts on it when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues.

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Patriots fans, Mike DeSoto of Patriots.com joins me today helping us close out the week in style on Locked On Patriots. And Mike, 20 days from today, all eyes will be on Cleveland, Ohio. The 2021 NFL Draft, every NFL fan of every NFL franchise will be glued to their sets, will be glued to their tablets, listening devices, laptop. However they're consuming the draft coverage, they're going to be hanging on every word. But here in New England, there's an anticipation for the draft that we haven't seen in quite

some time. All eyes are on the potential plans of Bill Belichick. What exactly will Bill do? And the need a quarterback is something that I think is driving more speculation than we've seen in recent memory. The 49ers obviously made their move up a couple of weeks ago. They're number three in the draft. They're almost certain to select a quarterback there. The Carolina Panthers now assumedly might be out of the quarterback market,

learning earlier this week that Sam Darnold is now going to be their quarterback, takes one potential suitor for a quarterback in the NFL draft, apparently off the board. I think it's great that we have the innovator of the 28-3 t-shirt here today, folks, with us to talk about the impact that the Atlanta Falcons might have on the Patriots draft plans. See, Mike, it all comes full circle. It's all part of the cosmic scheme here, I assure you. But I digress, folks. Mike, for all of the speculation surrounding Bill's plans for the draft, how do you see the Patriots approaching it? And what do you think the New England Patriots are best primed to do when it comes to the 2021 NFL draft? Yeah, I think it's a great point. I mean, after, you know, San Francisco traded up, it really kind of puts the Falcons there

for in the power position. And, you know, could they consider a quarterback or could they consider trading it? I mean, you know, they're probably looking at getting the best non-quarterback in the draft if they want. I mean, Kyle Pitts, forget about it. I mean, you know, throw him with Matt Ryan. I don't know. Maybe it's putting off replacing the quarterback for a little bit,

but, I mean, that's a pretty potent combination when you consider the weapons he already has. So, no question, that kind of changed the dynamic. And then with the trade of Sam Darnold, which kind of, you know, revealed the intentions of the Jets, that they're definitely probably going to take a quarterback at two. And then, as you mentioned, you know, maybe taking Carolina out of the running.

So, I know everybody wants to trade up and get a quarterback at two. And then as you, as you mentioned, you know, maybe taking Carolina out of the running. So I know everybody wants to trade up and get a quarterback. There's been, you know, plenty of speculation around Justin Fields, which I, you know, kind of chalk up to silly season talk. And, you know, all of a sudden you're hearing things about a guy that you'd never heard before in the last couple of weeks before the draft. So, you know, when I, when I look at it, I think that the quarterbacks are really, and I don't want to say overvalued because it's hard to say, can you really overvalue a quarterback?

I mean, if you draft a quarterback and he's your quarterback for 10 years, is there a draft spot that is too expensive for that? You know, it's just such a hard position to find. But I think the position they're in, unfortunately, they're, you know, a little bit out of range. Could they get up to eight if, you know, Trey Lance or Mac Jones were to maybe fall to that point? Possibly.

But I also think knowing what I've seen from Bill Belichick, what I think they're probably going to do is sit at least at 15 and see what kind of trickles down to them. Because I think there could be a top 10 talent there. I think, you know, unfortunately, tackle is a need. You know, you have neither of the starting tackles are under contract for next season. You know, both guys have had some injury issues in recent years.

There's no real certainty at tackle. You know, I know it's not what any Patriot fan wants. It's not what's going to get anybody excited. But I think cornerback and tackle right now, if they were to stay put at 15, you could get a guy like J.C. Horn. Even Caleb Farley, who, you know, started kind of the offseason as a top-ranked corner. Now he, you know, had back surgery.

So he's fallen a little bit after Sertain and Horn lit up the their pro days so I think there's some value there I just think that the the one bigger piece of it for me is that you know they currently have with with Woodard now they have 80 guys on the roster so that's you know 10 roster spots usually last couple years they've been drafted 9 10 guys and you can go back to 2017 when they drafted four but you know not only drafting 9 10 guys but signing nine, 10 undrafted free agents. So, you know, that really can't happen this year. And I would say after what they did in free agency, I, you know, I think they need to be targeted. I think they need to be specific. And I don't think they can just, you know, take an approach where, Hey, we're going to,

we're going to draft dying guys and then try, you know, and then are you going to be able to sign anybody? It's a difficult position to be in. So I think they need to be wise with their draft capital. I think they need to be selective. I think they need to find impact players. You know, I think last draft is a little bit, you know, the jury's a little bit still out on that, but I think they've got some promising players.

And, you know, to allow guys like Uche and Jennings and Winovich, you know, to continue to develop some of those young players. I think that would be where, you know, the benefit could be long-term to the team. I know there are plenty of needs. They need a quarterback. I think it's going to be tough. I do think they got to get at least one quarterback in the draft. Heck, I'd take two just to see, because you never know. But it's certainly a fascinating draft. And as you said, you know, right from the get-go, it's going to just be fascinating as things start to unfold for the Patriots sitting there at 15. Yeah, I think you make some excellent points, especially when it

comes to the Patriots' needs going beyond the quarterback position. The tackle position to me is definitely interesting. There are some talents that are available. Obviously, Sewell is someone that is going to garner a lot of attention. He'll be the first tackle selected in the draft without question. Darasaw, to me, is someone that I love in terms of versatility. I've loved scouting this kid and watching what he can do. Rashawn Slater, I think, might be the most complete offensive lineman in the draft, saying a lot when it comes to the talent that he's going to be competing with. Even going a little bit lower into maybe around someone like a Samuel Cosme from Texas.

These are all options that I think the Patriots might go ahead and take a look at. But at the end of the day, Bill is going to do what he believes is best for the team. We've heard him say several times that he's going to take the best player that he believes can fit into his system and succeed. Reminds me a lot of what Herb Brooks said when he was putting together the 1980 Olympic team. I'm not looking for the best player that he believes can fit into his system and succeed reminds me a lot of what herb brooks said when he was putting together the 1980 olympic team i'm not looking for the best players i'm looking for the right ones and ultimately that served him pretty well for the last 20 years up here in new england he's got some great talent but a lot of times it's taken maybe some of the lesser known players to come in play a role and, and play a role. Last but certainly not least, Mike,

the hoodie almost always has something up his cutoff sleeve when it comes to the draft. We always think we know what he's going to do. Sometimes we predict it well. There are other times where we get caught a bit off guard. So in your opinion, when you look to the 2021 NFL draft, I know you mentioned the possibility of corner. I know you mentioned the possibility of corner. I know you mentioned the possibility of tackle. I would say those would be maybe minor eyebrow raisers, but not complete surprises.

Do you believe that the Patriots might have a surprise in store when it comes to what Bill has planned for the draft? And what might it be? Yeah, I mean, I think it would just relate into, you know, maximizing the picks. And, you know, I said on the radio this last week, kind of half joking of, you know, give me four guys, you know, and maybe that's a little light. And certainly you don't want to come out of the draft with only four selections. But I think that's where my head's at. And I don't want to really tap into, you know, future picks. I mean,

I see all these, you know, kind of projections of, you know, I mean, we saw, you know, what teams are giving up to get into the top 10. You know, do you want to give up your next one or two first rounders for the fourth or fifth best quarterback in this draft? Like, you know, so I think that's what scares me a little bit. But at the same time, I think if you can somehow manage to get your draft capital, you know, and that might involve trading down a little bit from 15, if you can maximize this draft capital that you have this year and just really go around the board, and maybe that does include going up a little bit. You know, I think go back to 2012 when they, you know, targeted Chandler Jones, they targeted

Dante Hightower. Those were, you know, two picks that really set the foundation for the next three Super Bowls that they were going to win. That kind of aggression, going up, getting the players that they really want, not worrying about taking flyers on XYZ special teams players or this slot corner who might feel like safety too. It's like they've got a good bunch of guys. I mean, they have such a free agent hall.

I just think it comes down to being highly selective. If it involves trading up, I'm all for it. I just would be real wary of, you know, giving up too much in the future, you know, to try to get a player that, you know, maybe it's not worth that kind of hall. If they're sure of it, they should go do it. But, but I I'm rooting for aggression. I'm rooting for targeted selections. And, you know, if we come out with, you know, not the usual nine or ten,

but maybe four or five, six guys that, you know, we all kind of really feel good about that fill the needs, you think, man, we should get something out of at least a couple of these guys. I think they'll be in real good shape. And they'll have kind of a good balance of veterans that they brought in via free agency and also, you know, some draft picks over the last few years. And I know, you know, he gets knocked for some of these drafts, but, you know, I think there are certainly players on Wenyu, Duggar,

you know, that have shown real promise. So I think those guys need to play more. I think you just find some other rookies to kind of compliment what you're missing, and I think they should be in business. Patriots fans, Mike Douceau of Patriots.com has definitely not disappointed in his appearance today on Locked On Patriots, bringing the knowledge the way only he can. Mike, I can't thank you enough for taking the time out today to provide your insight, not just when it comes to the NFL draft and the great work that you've been doing leading up to

it and will continue to do leading right into the draft, but also your insight on the offensive line when it comes to Dustin Woodard. And of course your information and opinion when it comes to Julian Edelman before I let you go today, my friend, please let all of our listeners know where they can find you, your great work and what you have coming up on the horizon between now and the time where we hear the pick is in for the new England Patriots on April 29th. I appreciate it. Well, you know, Twitter, Mike, you so 19 and you know, now and the time where we hear the pick is in for the New England Patriots on April 29th. I appreciate it. Well, you know, Twitter, MikeDusseau19, and, you know, I just released my top 50 big board, which is the 11th year in a row that I've compiled, you know, 50 prospects

that I feel are, you know, realistic fits for the Patriots. Unfortunately, I left Justin Fields off of there because I think he's going third overall. uh, caught some guff for that, but, uh, it's a lot of fun to put together. And I always kind of challenged myself to see, you know, how many of the Patriots picks can I actually get first year? I did it. I got four of them. Uh, haven't gotten four yet. I got three, a couple of times more.

I got three last year, but a little way to challenge myself. So if you're into the draft, you want to read, you know, 50 guys go, go ahead over to Patriots.com. You can see that was posted yesterday. Just, just don't yell at me for not putting Justin Fields on and we'll be live Patriots unfiltered all three nights for the draft. So really looking forward to it. You know, just so much excitement, especially for a team where the Patriots are right now, it's a critical draft.

They've got a high pick, a lot of intrigue at the top, so it should be a great time. And I know all of us are excited to get some new toys and see how they fit in the Patriots. Absolutely, without any question. And the draft will be interesting this year, to say the least. Folks, I encourage you not to give Mike any guff for leaving Justin Fields off. I think it's a gutsy move. I think it's probably a smart move.

And I think it's probably the way this is going to happen as well. So you've got a sympathetic ear, my friend. I'm in your corner on that one because I think it's going to be tough for the Patriots to pull it off. Of course, if they can do anything to make it happen, I'd be all for that as well. Mike, thanks again for coming on today. We look forward to talking ball with you again here, maybe post-draft, and talking about the moves the Patriots did make and how right or wrong we all were when trying to predict what the hoodie has to do. But in the meantime, please stay safe, stay well.

My best to you. And again, thank you so much for joining me here today on Locked On, Patriots. Oh, thanks, Mike. Happy to. And yeah, anytime. Always happy to jump on and talk some past the gift. Absolutely. Thank you very much. And so, Patriots fans, Always happy to jump on and talk some past with you. Absolutely. Thank you very much.

And so, Patriots fans, we put a ball on the week that was here on the Locked On Patriots podcast. And as always, I hope you enjoyed the stellar wisdom and counsel of the great guests that I had the privilege of welcoming here to the pod this week. From Locked On Murph with Thomas Murphy on Monday to our weekly Dose of Reason on Tuesday with Steve Balistrieri, crossing the streams and getting to know a little bit about the former Philly connection now in Foxborough with Louis DiBiase of Locked On Eagles,

and of course, talking tight endage with our resident expert on the position, Claire Klazzi Claire Cooper. Last but certainly not least, Mike DeSoto of Patriots.com joining us here today to help us close out the week in style. But fear not, Patriots Nation, because this coming Monday, Interactive Mock Draft Monday is back.

And because Mondays are made for Murph here on Locked On Patriots, the Count of Murphy, Fisto, and I will be sharing, evaluating, and grading the amazing mock drafts that you have all submitted to Locked On Patriots. So to ensure that you do not miss a single second of the action, follow the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as the Odyssey app, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts, just make sure that you are staying locked in to Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate.

I thank Mike DeSou of Patriots.com for his time, his insight, and his appearance on today's pod. But most of all, I thank you so much for listening and for continuing to make Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until Monday, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, always be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone, and a great weekend.