mgteich

It would seem that at least one Day One pick could be used for a player that projects to help us a lot in 2009. There are plenty of picks that will be focused on the future.

Who would you put on the list to help us win the Super Bowl THIS YEAR / Of course, this player would also help us in the future since he would have a 4-6 year contract.

For example, even if we pick Barwin at 34, we still might pick Matthews or Laurinitis or Maualuga (not my choice) at 23 or trade up for Brown or Orapko.

I would hate for us to have no focus on the 2009 season.

My focus is on linebacker because I believe that a linebacker who is ready could even start. We have starters all but set at all the other positions on both offense and defense.

BelichickFan

I think it's Maualuga or one of the OT. We could upgrade over Kaczur. We also could find a place for an ILB to have a noticeable role with Bruschi/Guyton.

The OLB are interesting in a pass rush role but I'd like to think Crable could also be ready for that (if not there's a problem there) and I doubt a rookie switching positions would be more than a pass rusher at OLB as a rookie.

bakes781

The easiest position to transfer immediately from the college game to the Pros is RB. So a guy like Knowshon could have an immediate impact on this team, but then again potentially so could a Rashad Jennings in the 3rd.

If you're soley looking at OLB, then I'd say Clint Sintim is the closest to being NFL ready since he's played the position.

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Sicilian

Crable, ideally, could be a big contributor on third downs. I know he played against scrubs in preseason for the most part, but he seemed to have some instincts for both pass rush and pass coverage. If he's healthy and bulked up a bit, I think he'll contribute.

As for the draft question, I think you're right about the OT, if for no other reason than, IMO, linemen (both O and D) tend to be able to start sooner than other positions in the NFL.

mayoclinic

I don't think we want to think in terms of a rookie helping us in 2009. I think we draft for the long term. BB has clearly gone to great pains to fill holes in FA such that we specifically don't need any holes to be filled in the draft.

Consider our current roster at the different positions:

QB - no room for a rookie here.
RB - no room for a rookie here.
WR - no real room for a rookie here. Possible a more pro-ready player like Nicks could make a difference, or a situational player like Harvin, but in all likelihood they wouldn't break the starting lineup.
TE - no real room for a rookie here.
OT - no real room for a rookie here, in terms of starting. Kaczur could be upgraded at RT by someone like Smith or Oher, or possibly Britton. Beatty is likely to be a pure LT and only a backup for 2009.
DT - no real room for a rookie here, except as a backup to Wilfork.
DE - no real starting room here. Seymour and Warren are the starters. Great potential after 2009 if Seymour leaves.
OLB - potential for a situation pass rusher to make an impact here.
ILB - potential here to break the lineup with Bruschi aging fast, unless Guyton steps up.
S - probably won't start in 2009, but potential here to get significant playing time and possibly become a starter in 2010.
CB - no real room for a rookie here.

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Revman

Here are the players that would help the most right away:

1. Maualuga- ILB- Could start from day one. Would be a true run stuffer to grow with Mayo.

2. Alex Mack- Ctr- The only NFL ready interior lineman. He could start from camp, like Mayo, and contribute without a dip in o-line protection.

3. Sherrod Martin-cb-Troy- Will improve cb depth, eventually start. I am really stepping out on a limb here. You will remember this pick later. Probable Round 2-3 pick for Pat's.

patchick

Actually, I think C/OG has as much NFL-ready talen as any position in the draft. (I like Eric Wood in particular.) And I'd call that my #2 target for likely impact in 2009 -- a day-1 pick could dramatically improve the depth behind all three interior OLs.

#1 for 2009 impact: safety. Delmas, Chung, Moore, probably Johnson & Vaughn, possibly Hamlin could make an impact on the 2009 backfield.

DW Toys

Good assessment. Nice job. I think there are some who could help. I am not saying they are binkies, just feel they could help in 2009. I think TE could be a spot that could get a rookie some PT. Baker is slow and Watson is fast and cannot catch. Thomas is on the bubble and after the Colts game in the BB doghouse it would appear. I like James Casey. This is a copy cat league. The success of Dallas Clark, Whitten and Cooley spread out to almost a slot position would work well for Brady. This kid has got hands and decent speed. We do not have that TE on our roster.
I don't know how I feel about Maualuga but I think he has a chance to start or take some time from Teddy in a rotation with Guyton? He is the stuffer. Mayo was great but could be pushed head on.
No if we do not get Peppers or Taylor, I think it could be a good move to consider Michael Johnson of GT in that role.
Safety will have some playing time for a pick. I like Delmas and if we pick him I think he starts at some time during 2009 but I think that William Moore is going to be picked by the Pats. I feel that more than any other pick. But the dark horse someone else mentioned yesterday was Jason Williams, Western Illinois
Ht - 6-3, Wt - 235, 40 - 4.49
Had a great pro day. Impressed scouts with his speed and 26 reps on the bench press.
Dropped back in coverage well. Can cover. Decent hips. Knock you out hitter.
The dark horse is this dude as SS. He faster than most of our DBs. Played some Safety at WIU. Maybe the top three SS prospect in the draft as far as speed goes.
DW Toys

JoeShmoe

Who would help us most?

An OT and an OG - because if we lose Neal, Mankins and Light then we probably lose Brady

patsfan13

A couple of rookies at LB and Safety who could make an impact on our poor coverage teams from last year.

Don't see any rookies starting next year.

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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."