tombonneau

I can't put my finger on it, but I really like the look of this class, a lot more than the last two anyway.

The previous two drafts, after they were done I felt so-so, not too good, not too bad.

But this one I'm really liking. Maybe it's because the players all seem to really fit BB's system. Not sure.

Anyway, anyone else a little more than cautiously optimistic about this crop?

KontradictioN

I'm marking out for this draft class. I really wanted to see the defense get younger and faster, and a burner on the special teams, and that's exactly what I got. Love Mayo and Crable, and I'm highly optimistic on our cornerbacks now and like the pick-up of Slater who is a big hitter, but also has great speed. I'm not high on the quarterback but if he can be used to get more draft picks in next year's draft then I'm all for it.

Our defense should be better next year.

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CREDIT - Sicilian

tombonneau

The QB pick is about the only one that elicits a shoulder shrug from me. At first I thought it was a total waste, but the more I thought about it the more I was ok with it. Reiss rationalized it rather well, saying it was end of the 3rd and almost the fourth, and had he been picked only 10 spots further back in the fourth, it would have raised a lot fewer eyebrows.

IcyPatriot

Unlike past years I see every pick making the team this year all the way down to Ruud. I like what they did and the speed they were looking for they received. Meyo is going to be the hybrid for the next generation of LB because of his combination of play and intelligence coupled with the new defensive communication being allowed. I think in a year or 2 he will be able to play all 4 LB positions which means he can stay on the field on all downs and be productive at the same time.

Crable will not play alot this year but I think we'll see him on enough 3rd downs to get to enjoy his pass rushing. The downs where he and AD go for the QB will be fun and a change for us ... something we have not really seen since Andre Tippet was around causing headaches for QB's.

NEPatriot

i feel good after pats drafted 3 LBs. it's a good start.

BradyToMoss

Kevin O'Connell was a great pick, his upside is huge and he can just sit back, soak it all in and learn. Whether he's a trade chip or the future, it doesn't matter, it was great value and it will pay dividends later on.

amazinPats

I'm very happy with the draft. Mayo looks like a real stud, and Crable has good potential. I'm fine with O' Connell and the two corners. Nice to have a ST ace. Plus we've pocketed an extra second rounder for next year. Nice draft.

Dino 6 Rings

I'm very happy with my team's draft. Many folks wanted us to get Oline help, but with the 23rd pick and picks just as deep in the later rounds, we went for the best players available and weapons to improve our offense. Very satisfied.

The one thing about the draft, if you're picking in the top 5, its usually because you sucked the previous season. And if you're picking early often, its because you've sucked for a long time. Raiders, Rams, Dolphins. Yeah...nice teams.

Rob0729

Compared to last year's draft, of course. The Monday after the draft last year, I said to myself that the Patriots hated that draft and were doing anything they could to get out of it. It seemed pretty clear that the Pats couldn't get rid of their of their picks fast enough whether it was trading into next year or trade for players (Moss and Welker).

I got a much better feel about this year's draft. I think Mayo was the Pats' number 1 target. They were able to make a good trade with their third rounder and still get the player with their next third round pick in Crable. They addressed their two biggest needs - LB and CB. Generally, I am happy.

fillylabinga

I don't remember the 2006 draft so well, but I certainly feel light-years better about this draft than I did 2007.

Last year the approach seemed to be quantity over quality--the team drafted a ton of players in round 5 and below. That strategy seemed really questionable given the overall strength of the team and the lack of open competitive spots.

Sure enough, for all intents and purposes Merriweather was the only pick who made the team. Even there he was the last of the top tier of 4 safeties who was available when the Pats drafted--I'm sure they were hoping one of the other ones would have slipped further. Getting a good safety is still an accomplishment (and not having to pay too much for him), but even with Merriweather coming on in the playoffs the 2007 draft still looks pretty bad in retrospect.

Now, generally, I would prefer drafting the best-player-available instead of drafting for need, but this year we had some REALLY BIG NEEDS! Actually, we had the exact same list of needs last year, IMO, it's just that this year we actually tried to fill them--it was a minor miracle that Bruschi and Seau were able to play as much as they did last year.

So what a relief that we actually draft players at LB and CB in the first few rounds. I'm guessing that 3-4 of them will make the team and some might even get a few starts this year. I only wish we had this draft last year so that they players would be ready to step into starting roles at the beginning of the season!

Anyway, good draft...and next year we can go back to drafting the best-player available.