Drafting a Safety to replace Rodney? - New England Patriots Forums

VJCPatriot · 10-21-2008, 11:55 AM

Who looks like a good candidate? It might be worth it to take a good safety in round 2.

BritPat · 10-21-2008, 05:29 PM

Safety is a position I've not been looking at much beyond Messrs Mays, Rolle and Moore.

Looking at Walter Football, they have Kam Chancellor, Patrick Chung, Nic Harris, Michael Hamlin and Courtney Greene as round 2 SS candidates.

Might have to keep my eye on Chung. Chancellor sounds like a freak.

BritPat · 10-21-2008, 05:33 PM

Another name, Chris Clemons, SS, Clemson. 6" 1', 210 pounds, projected 40 time is 4.54, projected to go in round 4. Registered 102 tackles as a sophomore the other year.

One more as well - Chip Vaughn out of Wake Forest. 100 tackles and 14 pass breaks ups last year in his first year as a starter. Similar projected numbers to Clemons.

***KillEM*** · 10-21-2008, 09:12 PM

Courtney Greene

Kevin Ellison

Chip Vaughn

Patrick Chung

Those are the 2nd-3rd rounders we might take a look at. I think Chung could even be a 1st rounder though.

I doubt we will use a 2nd rounder on a Safety unless James Sanders signs with another team (which is unlikely).

Probably a 3rd or 4th... but not a 2nd unless someone they really like falls to them.

BradyManny · 10-22-2008, 09:00 AM

Sanders has been playing a lot of snaps, the coaching staff must have a lot of faith in him. Meriweather has been playing very well so far this year. So I'd say the starters in the base D are set, so, its just a question of a 3rd safety or a nickel back in the sub packages. I guess I wouldn't use anything higher than a 3rd on SS then, even though there are some intriguing options early. Kam Chancellor, besides having a bad ass name, is quite tall for a safety, and looks quite athletic, and might provide some value based on how they could use that height.

Taxed in Maine · 10-22-2008, 06:12 PM

I like SS Kevin Ellison out of USC also, probably in the 2-3 round. Taylor Mays gets the hype, but Ellison is one of the true leaders of that defense.

Taxed

VJCPatriot · 10-24-2008, 01:35 AM

A really good safety would improve the middle of this D from being exposed by tight ends/slot receivers/RB's out of the backfield. That's been a problem over the past 2 seasons and I'm not sure yet it has been addressed. It is particularly important if none of our LBs develop into the coverage LB type. Mayo/Guyton are rookies and Bruschi has lost a step.

Imagine how good this D would look with Weddle in the mix, and he was only a second round pick. I'm just not sure if Sanders will be anymore than a JAG at the safety position. The only thing I've been worried about is lately the Pats have whiffed on their 2nd round picks.

10-26-2008, 11:44 AM

I dont think we need to draft a safety high in the draft unless belicheck sees undeniable talent. the pats need corners and O linemen

Ochmed Jones · 10-27-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt1073

I dont think we need to draft a safety high in the draft unless belicheck sees undeniable talent. the pats need corners and O linemen

There are quite a few safeties that have been found in the 5th and 6th round that are legitimate NFL starters in the last few years.

After the failure of picks like Reid and Scott maybe BB is a bit gun shy about taking gambles later in the draft on safeties.

Vanderbilt has a safety, Reshard Langford, I think, that plays a tough game in one of the two toughest conferences in the country. If he runs well, he might work out well for the Pats.

The two safeties for Clemson, Clemons and Hamlin came into the season rated highly, but have not had a stellar season thus far.

***FreeTedWilliams*** · 10-28-2008, 11:35 AM

The kid from USC Taylor Mays will be a top ten pick, but he has the look of a Ronnie Lott type safety.

The Pats need pass rushers, and I'm hoping that they go up into the top ten to get one, but if they came out with Mays it would be great.