Gonzo Mapu and Boutte Foxborough's Young Thoroughbreds

     


    Lets start by looking at the Patriots defense. Going into the 2023 draft Belichick doubled down on countering the modern game in the NFL by using his first 5 picks on defense players. Of course we talked about the big splash earlier in the first round Christian Gonzales, cornerback from Oregon State. Gonzales fits in perfectly with the style Bill is trying to build, shut down the modern game, which is exhibited clearly down in south beach. Pass, pass and pass some more. Gonzales is a tall athletic corner with the best fundamentals out of the rookie corner class. He brings not just IQ but as I said solid fundamentals and length which is huge. A lock down corner is massive in a high flying offensive league. Having Gonzales as your CB 1 taking on the most important assignments 1 on 1 in a man ran defense makes the jobs of Jonathan, Jack and Marcus Jones, much easier. Along with the elite safety's you have in the backfield i.e. Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers. 

    Stopping the modern game does not just come down to building an elite secondary unit The defensive line was an elite group last year with Ja'Whaun Bentley, Barmore and of course the great weapons of Judon and Uche. The two pass rushers became an elite duo of edge rushers in the league. Through the 2023 draft Belichick potentially found a diamond in the 3rd round. Marte Mapu. In Phil Perry's article on Marte Mapu's stock watch he quotes Matthew Judon saying "He runs like a free safety" "But he stands like a linebacker or an edge rusher" Comparing the young player's potential to the likes of the great Dont'a Hightower. If this is the case and Mapu can live up to this high praise the Patriots all of a sudden have a triple threat in the defensive line. Three athletic units that are fast big and strong. They're first big test will be going up against the fierce Philadelphia Eagles offensive line. We'll have to wait and see if the addition  of Mapu can be enough to take down a thundering Jalen Hurts. 

    Its time to look at the steal of the draft. Kayshon Boutte, 6ft 195 wideout from the LSU Tigers. Heralded the next Jamarr Chase. Boutte was a projected fist round pick and potentially the number 1 receiver in the class, due to ankle surgeries he fell to the 6th round snagged by Bill Belichick. According to his combine his strengths are his athleticism, speed and separation. He raises to the occasion under the brightest lights as opposed to shrinking. The weaknesses from his combine state he doesn't extend the catch from his body. Along with poor catching technique causing drops. My point is good hands can be taught. It takes time sometimes lots of time but hands can be taught. Where as creating separation is much more difficult and its more you either get separation or you don't. See Jakobi Meyers early in his career the drops from Meyer's would drive fans crazy over the years especially his last year in Foxborough his hands were his biggest strength. The athleticism and separation from Boutte are things to get very excited about and especially learning under hopefully Deandre Hopkins Kayshon Boutte could reach his full potential of being one of the elite weapons in the conference. 

    

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