Beetle: Why the Patriots calling on A.J. Brown gives me hope
On Friday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, Marc “Beetle” Bertrand explained why the Patriots calling on A.J. Brown gives him hope moving forward.
Is it false hope? Maybe.
Mark Dondero: What are you giving up for AJ Brown? What are you comfortable giving up for him?
Marc Bertrand: First of all, I would focus on future year picks. I would not want to give up this year’s picks. I would try to focus on next year. And if it required a second rounder, I would do it.
Mark Dondero: For another year. A different year.
Marc Bertrand: Not this year.
Phil Perry: How about a first rounder?
Marc Bertrand: I’m not doing a first rounder.
Phil Perry: He’s probably out then.
Marc Bertrand: I don’t know that anyone would give up a first rounder for him.
Phil Perry: Didn’t he just get traded for first rounder? Just got traded. Still in his prime. He just got traded for first round pick. That’s the kind of player he is. If you want to be realistic about it, let’s talk about it. Realistic terms. I know you’d want to give up a first rounder. I know you want to build through the draft. The Patriots themselves, they want to draft and develop. You want AJ Brown. You’re given up a first round pick in all likelihood. He just got traded for a first draft pick, Mark.
Mark Dondero: The only reason I would do that is if I’m a team on the precipice of winning now, and that could be the missing piece.
Phil Perry: So that’s not saying he ain’t worth a first round pick or that’s not what he would garner in a trade. That’s saying for the Patriots specifically, he’s not worth a first round pick to you. And I would lean in that same direction. If you have to give up a first round pick for that guy, for this team that hurts a little too much.
Marc Bertrand: Yeah. I don’t think that makes sense for them.
Phil Perry: That’s going to be a high first rounder I think again next year.
Marc Bertrand: As do I. Which is why I want to call it a second round and not a first rounder. And because I think first rounders are too valuable. That’s what I think it is too.
Phil Perry: So you’re not going to get AJ Brown, unfortunately for you.
Marc Bertrand: What about someone else that is again worth doing a trade for? Not a guy who’s got issues or has burned out. We’re talking, you know, high end talent.
Phil Perry: Brandon Aiyuk. Is that high enough for you?
Marc Bertrand: I’m not giving up a first rounder for Brandon Aiyuk.
Phil Perry: What if you could get him for a second? Or a future first or future second because he only has one year left on his deal?
Marc Bertrand: I’d be in interested in that. Not a future first, a future second. But you got to pay him. But just the fact that they’re in on these types of names tells me if they’re calling on AJ Brown, they’ve called on Brandon Aiyuk, they’ve called on Tee Higgins. They had to have made at least these calls. Which leads me to believe we might actually see this team do a deal for a real receiver. They might be able to recover from blowing it with Calvin Ridley this offseason. I have hope for them, and I don’t have a lot of hope with the Patriots these days. I have a little bit of hope on this particular item.
Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) breaks up pass intended fro Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) during first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Listen to the full segment!
Barth’s 2024 Felger & Mazz Big Board reactions: Defensive backs
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 07: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. #11 of the LSU Tigers catches a pass against defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. #2 of the Missouri Tigersin the first half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Rakestraw is a bit of a tweener at the cornerback position. He played mainly on the boundary at Missouri, but at 5-foot-11, 183 pounds will likely be used more in the slot in the NFL. That may not be an issue for the Patriots, especially with Jonathan Jones on an expiring contract.
However, Rakestraw is expected to be among the top cornerbacks taken in this year’s class. He’s a first-round talent, but could fall into the second round due to lack of production (just one career interceptions in college) and injury history.
S Calen Bullock, USC
Sep 2, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans safety Calen Bullock (7) against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bullock is the kind of free safety the Patriots need. He’s been a regular producer for the last three years, beginning when he was a true freshman in 2021. Bullock has the high-end athleticism and ball skills needed to play in the deep part of the field. As he heads to the NFL the biggest thing he’ll need to work on his improving his instincts and diagnosing the plays in front of him.
Having just turned 20 in late April, Bullock’s significant experience at such a young age suggests tremendous upside. A fringe top-100 pick, he could be in play for the Patriots if they want to add a free safety and truly believe in his ceiling.
