The New England Patriots ended the 2019 NFL draft by making five total picks between rounds four and seven. Let’s collect some reactions from around the league and the media about the world champions’ haul.
Hjalte Froholdt reacts to getting drafted
The moment Hjalte Froholdt became a Patriot: pic.twitter.com/UutmnkT8MM
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) April 27, 2019
Jake Bailey reacts to getting drafted
— Jake Bailey (@jakebailey___) April 27, 2019
Ken Webster reacts to getting drafted
I thank god !!!! It’s a blessing pic.twitter.com/g2ez2OicYk
— Ken Webster (@Duece_KD) April 28, 2019
Draft grades
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter
Days 3 grade: A-
Froholdt is an athletic and tough-minded Dane who fits the Patriots’ Way. Bill Belichick hopes that he can work Stidham into another strong-armed pocket passer; choosing him was a solid value in the fourth round. Cowart and Webster add depth to the defense. Ryan Allen had the 19th-ranked net punting average in the league last year, so his days are numbered with Bailey in the fold.
USA Today’s Nate Davis
New England Patriots: A
[...] And succession plans, perhaps, at quarterback (Jarrett Stidham) yet almost certainly at punter, Jake Bailey evidently so alluring that Bill Belichick was able to overlook the fact he’s not left-footed.
Fansided’s Cody Williams
118. New England Patriots – Hjalte Froholdt, OG, Arkansas
Froholdt is an underrated interior offensive lineman in this class who played well against top competition. With the Patriots, he’s a great fit that will develop him. Grade: A-
133. New England Patriots – Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
Could this actually be the successor to Tom Brady? Jarrett Stidham has plenty of tools, but needs development. But with Brady playing, he’ll have that opportunity. Grade: B+
159. New England Patriots – Byron Cowart, DE, Maryland
Cowart isn’t a game-changer by any means, but he has moments on film. Has the makings of a situational guy that Bill Belichick can deploy a bit for the Pats defense. Grade: B-
163. New England Patriots – Jake Bailey, P, Stanford
Bailey is the top-rated punter in the class and we know Belichick loves his special teams. This shouldn’t surprise us. Grade: B-
252. New England Patriots – Ken Webster, CB, Ole Miss
Webster’s injuries hurt his once high stock, but the small corner has a lot of talent and can be a good player. Grade: B+
Bleacher Reports’ Steve Silverman
New England Patriots: A
Best Day 3 selection: Quarterback Jarrett Stidham of Auburn has the look and tools to be an outstanding passer. The Patriots appear to have gotten excellent value from this late fourth-round pick.
Pro Football Focus
Hjalte Froholdt, a Danish guard that thrived in pass protection, was a steal for New England at pick No. 118. Froholdt played both center and guard during his tenure with the Razorbacks. This past season, he was one of the nation’s best pass protectors, allowing five pressures all season long. He finished the pre-draft process ranked 55th on PFF’s final big board.
DRAFT GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso
Hjalte Froholdt, G, Arkansas This is such a classic Patriots pick. Underrated, experienced, high-caliber athlete in the trenches to add depth to the offensive line. Froholdt had an awesome game against Quinnen Williams and has outstanding feet. Length and lower-body strength are slight issues. Grade: A-
Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn Stidham has a live arm and good athletic gifts. However, he really struggles under pressure, often leaving the pocket instead of stepping up, and his accuracy to all levels of the field is subpar. But never count the Pats out when it comes to QBs. Grade: C
Byron Cowart, DE, Maryland Cowart was a highly sought after recruit who had a disappointing college career until his senior season at Maryland, when he flashed a bit because of his first step. He doesn’t have pass-rushing moves and can get washed out against the run. Not sure he’s worth a trade up.Grade: D+
Jake Bailey, P, Stanford Bailey can boot the ball a mile into the air but isn’t the best directionally. Trading up for a punter is not good, though the Pats have the capital to do it. Grade: D+
Ken Webster, CB, Ole Miss Webster battled injuries at Ole Miss yet recovered remarkably to put on a show at the combine. He has outside corner and safety versatility and has great size. A nice sleeper for the Patriots at the end of the draft. Grade: B-
Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit
[...] The rest of the draft was focused on finding depth at O-line and quarterback. And out of sheer principle, we should bump the Patriots up a half-letter grade for not looking for Tom Brady’s replacement. That six-time World Champion horse is worth riding to the very, very end.
GRADE: B+
Other reactions
SB Nation’s Christian D’Andrea
Patriots select OG Hjalte Froholdt (118th overall)
Any time you can draft a giant Dane, you do it. Froholdt ranked 55th on PFF’s predraft rankings thanks to his solid track record at Arkansas, but it’s his combination of size (6’5, 309 pounds) and athleticism — his quick feet made him a top seven performer among offensive linemen in both agility drills at the Combine. He’s raw, but the Patriots have a track record of spinning Day 3 blockers into gold. This also probably means the team isn’t interested in paying Joe Thuney in free agency next year, too.
Patriots select QB Jarrett Stidham (133rd overall)
New England gets a quarterback it can trade away as soon as he shows flashes of competence, allowing Tom Brady to play until age 50. Stidham isn’t great, but he was better in college than Daniel Jones despite being selected 127 picks later.
Patriots select DE Byron Cowart (159th overall)
Cowart was a five-star recruit at Auburn, but he played in just 14 games with the Tigers in three seasons before finally beginning to realize his potential after transferring to Maryland. He put in work as a 3-4 defensive end in 2018, recording the only three sacks of his college career in the process. He’ll move to the interior of New England’s 4-3 setup, where his lack of speed (a 5.2s 40) won’t be an issue and his size/strength will allow him to bully centers and clog gaps up front. He’s still got a ways to go as a player, but his raw talent gives him a chance to stick with the Pats.
Patriots select P Jake Bailey (163rd overall)
New England could have had a kicker/punter nicknamed the Scottish Hammer and settled for this guy instead. You’re dead to me, Pats.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah
Want to know more about @Jarrett_Stidham?@MoveTheSticks breaks down the QB selection at no. 133.#PatsDraft | Today on NFLN/ABC/ESPN pic.twitter.com/xTm5L6Xp8z
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 27, 2019
Pro Football Focus
New England Patriots – G Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas
No. 29 overall grade among the draft class’ guards.
Tied for 7th in pass-blocking grade among draft-eligible guards.
Tied for second-best pass-blocking efficiency among guards.
New England Patriots – QB Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
The Patriots grab QB Jarrett Stidham out of Auburn in the 4th round. Stidham’s grades have actually gone down each year in his collegiate career culminating in a 62.3 in 2018. The Pats have the luxury of sitting Stidham for a few years to see if he can develop at the next level while learning from Tom Brady.
No. 5 passer rating on deep passes among class QBs.
No. 19 passer rating on play-action passes.
45th overall grade in the class.
New England Patriots – Edge Byron Cowart, Maryland
T-101st overall grade among edge
T-89th pass-rush grade among edge
T-66th win rate among ED (11.9)
New England Patriots – P Jake Bailey, Stanford
Punting grade 92.4
New England Patriots – CB Ken Webster, Mississippi
PFF grade 76.7
Position rank 53
Beat Writer Reactions
The Patriots select Arkansas C/G Hjalte Froholdt with their initial fourth-round selection (No. 118). He is 6-foot-4 5/8 and 306 pounds. Played under current Patriots assistant Bret Bielema, so probably some excellent intel for New England staff. Team captain in 2018.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 27, 2019
So what made Hjalte Froholdt a perfect Patriots fit? He hit almost every Combine average they draft – height, 40, vertical, bench, broad jump, 3-cone and shuttle.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) April 27, 2019
More on Froholdt - he started at left guard and center last season. He didn't allow a sack in 2018. He's from Denmark.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) April 27, 2019
Froholdt is the fourth Arkansas player drafted by the Patriots since 2015 (Trey Flowers, AJ Derby, and Deatrich Wise).
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) April 27, 2019
Patriots take a lottery ticket at quarterback. Smart move. Need to keep trying to develop someone. https://t.co/BSAZ2r7ccr
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 27, 2019
In the fourth round, with pick 133, the Patriots selected QB Jarrett Stidham of Auburn. Stidham is a 6-foot-2, 218-pound QB from Auburn. He's a good athlete said to have good football IQ and mechanics.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) April 27, 2019
Stidham has torn the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, broken his right (throwing) hand and his right ankle but did not miss a game over the last two seasons.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 27, 2019
Patriots should look to trade Hoyer. I could see him having value to a team with a young QB as a backup/mentor. And he costs only $3m this year
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) April 27, 2019
The Patriots have now drafted four quarterbacks in the last six drafts – Jimmy Garoppolo (second round in 2014), Jacoby Brissett (third round in 2016), Danny Etling (seventh round in 2018) and Jarrett Stidham (fourth round in 2019)
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) April 27, 2019
The Patriots go with Byron Cowart from Maryland at pick No. 159. Made our list of "Prototypes" as an interior lineman. More Lawrence Guy than Mike Pennel at about 300 pounds. One of the best high school recruits in the country. Auburn transfer. https://t.co/HdSxDtgX9B
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 27, 2019
The Patriots have selected right-footed Stanford punter Jake Bailey with their other fifth-round pick, No. 163. Incumbent Ryan Allen just re-signed to a one-year deal. Bailey could also help with kickoffs, if desired.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 27, 2019
Patriots trade up to take DE Byron Cowart* out of Maryland in the 5th round. Had 7 sacks from the DT two years ago. 3 this past season. Pats met with him at the Senior Bowl (this is my 3rd attempt at this tweet)
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 27, 2019
In my opinion, using a 5th-round pick to draft a long snapper whose eligibility for NFL play was not yet certain was Belichick's finest "Hey how's ya mock draft doin?" move of all time.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) April 27, 2019
But trading up to draft a punter in the 5th? A very close second.
I love it.
Selection of a punter/specialist in the 5th round is standard operating procedure for the Patriots. They took coverage whiz Matthew Slater in 2008, P Zoltan Mesko in 2010, LS Joe Cardona in 2015. Fifth-rounders no locks for roster spots, so club sees value for specialists here.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 27, 2019
Like this Ken Webster pick. Highest SPARQ score of any CB at the combine. An injury stalled his development after a good start at Ole Miss. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 27, 2019
Ken Webster fit with what the Patriots look in CB across the board. He hit marks on height, weight, 40, vertical, bench, broad jump and 3-cone. He had an up and down career at Ole Miss, but he's an athlete.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) April 27, 2019
The Patriots took Ole Miss CB Ken Webster as their final pick in the seventh round. Prototypical Patriot this year. 5-11, 203 pounds.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 27, 2019
Had a 58.1 QB rating allowed last season, per @PFF. Crazy athlete. Recorded a 4.43 40, 43-in vert, 133-in broad. https://t.co/c9zVnQXKDi
Patriots reactions
Congratulations @HFroholdt & Welcome to the team!!!! Its time to work now!!! GoPats!! GoHogs!!!
— Deatrich wise (@wisehog94) April 27, 2019