NFL Network's Mike Mayock is a big fan of New England's first round draft moves. A big, big fan.
On Rich Eisen's Thursday podcast, Mayock lauded the Patriots for trading up, not once but twice, to select DL Chandler Jones at 21 and linebacker Dont'a Hightower at 25.
I love those two moves and part of the reason is I love the two players they got. If I didnt love them, Id probably be killing the Patriots," he said in the draft recap. "Atypical of Bill Belichick, everybody assumes hes moving down and out. If you look at that offense, it is obviously Super Bowl-ready; it carried them to one last year. That offense is ready to go; theres not a whole lot more necessary even with the retirement of left tackle Matt Light
"Defensively is what they had to augment and I went on the record before the draft in saying I thought that the defensive end from Syracuse, Chandler Jones, who was number nine on my boardthree years from now he might be the best defensive end in football. I believe that strongly: he might be the best defensive player that comes out of this draft.
"I love that pick and the Donta Hightower thing was a no-brainer. You want to talk about somebody who is right up Bill Belichicks alley its this kid. Anytime you can get two starters in your front seven on a defense that needs help, thats a huge win.