DaBruinz

Ok.. We all know that Belichick and Pioli draft based on perceived value to the Patriots organization. And that perceived value takes into consideration that person's tangible skills, intangibles (like leadership and instinct), and the need to the team. With that being said, here is I see the Pats top priorities based on need only.

1) Defensive End
2) Offensive Guard
3) Nose Tackle
4) Long Snapper
5) Safety - SS to Tweener
6) Pass-Rushing OLB
7) ILB
8) Cornerback
9) Offensive Tackle
10) Tight End
11) Center
12) Running back
12) Wide Receiver

Now, I KNOW people are going to go into their tirades because I have pass-rushing OLB as the 6th need on the team. That's how I see it based on the personnel they have going forward and based on how BB likes to bring in players 1 year before they will need them.

After 2009, the following players are UFA (based on the CBA being redone):
Seymour, Wilfork, Green, Vrabel, Faulk, Neal, Bruschi, Hobbs, Mankins, Kaczur, Washington, Yates, D. Thomas, Watson, Gostkowski,, LK Smith.

I expect that Mankins, Gostkowski, and Hobbs to be retained. The others are question marks either because of age/injuries (Neal, Bruschi, Vrabel, Faulk, Seymour), because they are so good that the Pats may not be able to afford them (Wilfork) or because they may not fit into the Pats plans going forward (Washington, Kaczur, Yates, Watson, LK Smith)

So, I looked at this draft and saw where the strengths were. ILB and OLB have good strengths. NT has potential. DE, not so much. Safety has good mid-round depth, but doesn't have a lot at the top end (unless several juniors declare). OT, OG, and Center are pretty good. WR is weak. RB is strong. TE isn't great.

So, I can see the Pats adding to most of the positions that I see as "need" positions and addressing them with value players.

MrBigglesWorth

I pretty much disagree.

Sure if you address those needs you maintain the status quo as of right now. and the status quo as of right now isn't good enough

sure we got guys coming back.

but the two major areas are rushers and cb's(maybe a safety)

I think it should be time for vrabel or ad to move inside and we need a stud rusher. you can never have enough rushers.

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TheKraftyOne

I assume you're NOT saying the Pats will be drafting those positions in the order you have them listed. If so, what aren't they looking for might be an easier question to answer.

Taxed in Maine

Just a few thoughts,

- I would put SS as #1 on the list. They have Brandon and Tank are the only two safeties signed for next year. Sanders is a serviceable player, and may not be returning. I like what I have seen from L. Sanders as a backup FS. I think we need two more safeties this off-season.

- OG would be #2. A young kid to groom to be Neal's replacement will be available in the 2nd or 3rd round. This is where the extra picks in the first 3 rds are looking real nice. Unger, Luigs, Canfield, or Woods maybe?

- I don't even know why Long-snapper is even on the list. Paxton is arguably the best LS in the league.

- OLB just can't be at the top of the list. The LTI is too long, and they already have 5 or 6 signed to the roster for next year. Even if the guy is a 'stud' it is still going to take one if not two seasons before he make a real difference in this defense. If Woods leaves I could maybe see another 3rd or 4th rounder to groom.

- CB is basically the same. Having just drafted 2, I doubt they go there again this year. Although I would rather see another kid over another failed FA dud like O'neal or Starks.

- DE is near the top also. As much as I would like to see another true NT to back up Wilfork, this defense seems to survive as long as it is getting good play from the DE position. If Seymour is looking for huge money next year I could see him playing somewhere else.

DaBruinz

I mention nothing about the draft. As I said, that list is what I see the Pats needs as being.

DaBruinz

Of course you disagree. You refuse to understand how Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli have runs things over the last 8 years. You prove time and again that you don't understand how their defense is run. So, I am not surprised that you disagree in the least bit.

Unlike YOU, I understand that even the great players sometimes take a bit to develop. Whether its Adalius Thomas, Willie McGinest in the 3-4 or others like Vrabel.

You want players that just don't fit the Patriots defense. You want a sack specialist. That is something this defense has NEVER had. Sorry. Yet, you believe that is the one of the keys to solving their defensive woes.

You think that they need more Corners. Good for you. But I don't discount Wilhite and Wheatley. Wilhite has been improving quite a bit over the past couple of weeks and Wheatley, before his injury, was doing well.

But neither are a priorty over building the lines. You ask Belichick and he'll tell you that games are won and lost on the lines. If they lose Wilfork without having a NT to replace him, they are screwed. Could Wilfork stay? Sure. And that would change the needs.

So, Biggs, you keep living in the la la land that you inhabit. I continue to live in reality and focus on understanding how the Patriots run their defense and build their teams.

DaBruinz

Taxed - thanks for the feedback. Bear in mind that these are the needs as I see them today. How they address them is another story. Some will be the draft. Others will be via FA. And some could be via trade.

1) Even though the Patriots only have Meriweather signed beyond this season, I don't feel that SS is a bigger need than the Lines. Yes, it is a need, but the Patriots have always built from the lines up. And, with Wilfork, Seymour, Green and LK Smith all UFA next season along with Mike Wright this season, the Pats need to focus on the D-line some. Otherwise, all the talent in the world behind that line won't matter. As was proven in 2002.

2) OG - We both agree here

3) Unless something has changes, Paxton is a UFA at the end of the season. Like you, I agree that Paxton is one of the best. But long-snapper is a need until they either re-sign him or bring in someone else.

4 & 5 - I believe we are on the same wavelength here.

Taxed in Maine

I was looking at your list taking in FA and the Draft.

I agree with the concept of building a team from the inside out, until you get to the point where you inside depth is reasonable and outside is non-existent.

Then there is the fact that the prototype DE or NT is for this D is very hard to find.
I see only 4 or 5 DE types in the draft- T. Jackson, Moala, Oghobaase, maybe Hood, and late D. Boldin. The only one in FA that really stands out is Chris Canty.
Basically the same with NT- Raji, Taylor, Brace and Sammy Hill.

Throw in the fact that if a 1st rd DL were taken it would be a huge statement towards who would be re-signed between Wilfork and Seymour??

At SS, Unless the position has already been addressed with a high end FA,
if Will Moore is on the board I run to the podium. That would be one heck of a young S tandem.

BradyManny

Interesting list. Mine is very different, but that is b/c I am going to work on the assumption that we can extend some of the important FAs-to be (mainly Wilfork, Mankins and maybe Seymour). That's what makes evaluating DE/DT so tricky, its either a huge need, or not much of a need at all. Which is why I would hope the FA has locked up Wilfork by draft time.

I disagree that Wilfork has played too well to be retained. He has more value to the 3-4 teams, and surprisingly, many of the 3-4 teams are set with their own NTs comparable to Wilfork. Wilfork loves it here, and he doesn't seem like a guy who is going to try to get every last dollar at the expense of uprooting what he has built here.

Assuming that, NT drops down the list. DE then is dependent on what happens w Seymour, I doubt we lock him up, even with his great play this season, in this instance, it makes sense for both sides to let it play out.

On my list, I would move ILB up. Guyton is promising, but if we can get a 3rd guy to go into that mix with him and Mayo, that would be ideal. I would prefer it be a big SILB who can be a run stuffer, likely a college OLB. Or I would just take Spikes who seems like an all around great player, a 3-down guy along with Mayo who could go in every package.

Personally, I have wide receiver up higher as well, b/c Gaffney can be upgraded, and also long term it is a bit of need now that Chad Jackson failed to develop and there isn't much in the pipeline there. Of course, I'd take back Deion Branch if he's a cap casualty and I'd look at other cheap FA vets as stopgaps. So its not a pressing need in that sense.

Box_O_Rocks

Moala's write-up in NFL Draft Scout doesn't encourage me for 3-4 DE, maybe NT if he puts on some additional ballest.

I agree with Jackson, Oghobaase (if he comes out), and Hood. Boldin seems worth a late round flyer, hopefully he's just a late bloomer. Clemson's Scott Dorell has prototypical size and will be worth monitoring. I like San Jose State's Jarron Gilbert - I caught portions of a couple of their games and his name kept coming up (think Jarvis Green). Georgia Tech's Darryl Richard is a Draddy Award Finalist, a three year starter, and sounds like a BB kind of kid. Michigan's Will Johnson is another later round consideration.

Looking deep into the UDFA prospects: Florida Atlantic's Jervonte Jackson has the size and had a string of 40 consecutive starts (his brother is an Iggle). Temple's Terrance Knighton is another to consider. Ra'shon Harris (Oregon) and Nader Abdallah (Ohio State) both have the size and football factory background. Northern Iowa's Everette Pedescleaux will probably be in someone's camp for a look with his size and lower division performance.

If BB likes where some of the OLB prospects are going, he might also throw us a curve and let Woicik bulk up Vince Redd.

BradyManny re: Seymour

I expect Seymour to be extended, especially as 2010 is a non-cap season (if the two sides allow it to get to that). To paraphrase BB, 'good big men are as rare as hen's teeth, collect them whenever possible.' I don't see any Seymour-equivalent talents in the next couple draft classes.

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