kas

Just trying to take a rough stab at what we might be looking at.

First of all, I believe we will tag-and-trade Cassell, but the picks will be more of the 2010 variety (I think something similar to the Bledsoe deal). I will also assume a 3rd round comp pick for Samuel.

1) TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
BB loves TE's, and Pettigrew is as well-rounded a TE prospect as you will ever see. There is a bit of a character flag, but if that gets settled and he checks out well in interviews I think he'd be a nice fit. The Patriots have brought on players with character flags before when they were sure their issues were in the past. Pettigrew is an excellent blocker and should serve well as underneath option. Great hands too, something Watson could only dream of. Besides, Watson only has 1 year left, so Pettigrew can take his time developing. Every time I've seen this guy he has impressed me.

2a) S Rashaad Johnson, Alabama
My favorite player in the draft as of now. Walk-on who has exceeded all expectations. Leader and top producer for an amazing defense. Great instincts, great tackler. Good STer too. Not the biggest or the fastest, but with him and BM back we should have some great safety play.

2b) DT Evander Hood, Missouri
BB loves to draft a year in advance. Well, in 2 years, Seymour/Green/LeKevin Smith are all FA's. Hood has prototypical size for our system (6'4 300). He is athletic and technically sound. He's been productive. I'm fairly certain Wilfork will re-sign long term in the near future, so NT isn't as much of a need. This system relies on top notch DL play, so we should feed the pipeline. Might need a bit of a trade up.

3) ***traded for 2010 2nd***
As BB has done numerous times before, he'll ship a late 3rd for a 2nd next year. Along with the Cassel trade, NE will have some nice picks available for future years as well.

3-comp) OG/C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Neal and Mankins are both approaching UFA status, and there doesn't appear to be any quality players in the pipeline. I believe Hotchstein is also a UFA this year, so Luigs can also back up Koppen.

Note: I purposely left out corner and LB as I believe we are very young at these positions and are much more likely to go the FA route if an upgrade is desired. I also think that we will use FA for a WR, although a draft pick is possible here (I'd like Joaquin Iglesias from Oklahoma in round 3). Not a sexy draft, but restocking the lines should go a long way to keeping NE on top.

slash83

OLB is the teams #1 need in my opinion. Whether its a DE or OLB they need more of a pass rush.

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kas

While I don't necessarily disagree, I don't see BB investing a first round pick in a conversion project. If that's the case, I think a FA is a much more likely route.

billdog3484

i fear we actually might draft a TE first. ya never know. i just hope we learned our lesson. while graham and watson were good for us, i dont think they were half of what we had hoped for.

slash83

Whether its through free agency or the draft it needs to be upgraded.

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Metaphors

While I could see a TE taken, there should be relative value in the 3rd/4th range. Watson is still around making good coin and Thomas is a solid player. I expect Thomas to break out next year with Brady. Cassel's development has been nothing short of amazing, but he has not gotten comfortable throwing to the TE.

No complaints here and agree with your assessment. Seems like a Belichick player.

Will admit ignorance here. Have seen Missouri play a couple of times and Hood didn't stand out. Since the entire defense was unimpressive (especially against Kansas), not sure that is an accurate way to evaluate Hood. Color me unconvinced but persuadable.

Certainly possible depending on free agent addition/losses by draft day. If a boatload of underclassmen declare, this might be a good place for a luxury pick...like a slipping RB. This is the spot (80-90) where I see the best TE value (Coffman, Cook, etc.).

Didn't see Arkansas play but like the position thinking.

While you may not want to address the LB position, there may be too much talent sitting there in the 1st round to ignore. Laurinaitis, Spikes, Cushing, Michael Johnson, Greg Hardy may all be sitting there when the Pats are on the clock (unless the Pats are still playing in February of course).

As for WR, I like Iglesias as well. Bey is my early draft binky, but he isn't likely to drop enough to be considered by the Pats. Iglesias has the hands and YAC to be productive early. Maybe I need to consider him for binky status.

DaBruinz

I'm going to be honest. I don't see Pettigrew being on the Patriots list. Maybe they'll surprise me, but the reality is that the reports of Pettigrew's arrest were actually tamed down. He was booked on a felony of assault and battery of a police officer and of public intoxication. They could have added disorderly conduct, but didn't. I believe that the incident is what kept Pettigrew from declaring last year.

I see TE as a lower priority in the draft than DE, OG, ILB, OLB, and safety. But, if he grades out higher than any of the other players available at the time and higher than the Watson and Thomas, then I can see the Pats taking him.

Everyone has their binkie *GRIN* It just seems a bit early to be taking someone who is expected to be a 3rd or 4th round pick. Will Moore or Taylor Mays would be better options.

No qualms here.

I don't see this happening. Its much more likely that they will use this pick than trade it. Particularly if they have gotten picks in 2010 in trade for Cassel.

I can understand why you left out corner and LB. The thing to remember is that the players currently on the Patriots roster are graded out in the same fashion that the draft prospects are graded out. So, if a player with a higher grade at LB (be it OLB or ILB) or CB is available then the Patriots will take him because he adds value to the team.

DaBruinz

Or the young players need to continue to develop. People shouldn't be so quick to over-look them. Particularly when you look at the history of some of the better 3-4 OLBs, such as Adalius Thomas. Thomas played in all of 3 games as a rookie. He started to break out as a sophomore, but didn't earn a full time starting position until his 3rd year as a pro.

People should also look at Matt Cassel's development before being too hasty. A good majority on this board had Cassel being CUT coming out of training camp. Yet, not only did he make the team, he's developed into a legitimate NFL starter and possibly one of the most sought after commodities during the upcoming free agency.

BritPat

Really nice mock that simply because it addresses the needs we seem to have, or will have shortly.

If we're going Safety in round 2 though, I'm in the Patrick Chung camp.

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Creator of the Pats must draft Jason Verrett in 2014 no matter the cost fanclub.

DaBruinz

I'm not real keen on Chung because he reminds me of James Sanders.. We need an upgrade over Sanders. I don't believe Chung is that.