bigdgp

I'm tired of hearing about the "depth" of this draft To me this only signifies that there isn't a better elite tier of draftees to choose from. There seems to be a lot of good (could be great) players. But the "skill players" of QBs, WRs, and CBs, seem to be overrated and having their draft value increase based on "intangibles" instead of measurable ability and potential supported by past performance. I feel this is leading people to overvalue the quality of the other positions as well. While it's certainly impossible to predict the future on a complete draft I challenge you to convince that this is anything more than an over-marketed average draft driven by the information/media age.

DGP

DaBruinz

A few things to keep in mind.

1) This draft has been said to be weak on QBs, CBs and WRs.
2) The "Skill positions" are the only positions you measure the depth of a draft by. You measure it by the number of players who rate out similarly.
3) Just because there aren't a lot of "elite" players doesn't mean that the draft isn't deep. On the contrary.
4) Who are these players who are "over-valued" at other positions because of the lack of depth at CB, WR, and QB? How many games have you watched them in?

You are being pretty damn cynical for someone with no factual information to back up your theory.

Feep50

This might be the worst draft since leather helmets and wooden goal-posts....
Hope you have some house chores you need to do cuz this draft isn't worth watching.....

Box_O_Rocks

BB rolled one pick forward to 2009 and traded a couple players for another pick in this draft...

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bakes781

This is not a top heavy draft, but there's a great quantity of prospects at that second level. That's why I'm looking forward to the 2nd round more than the 1st. The Pats haved positioned themselves perfectly for this draft.

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Seneschal2

We're still in the on-paper stage of the season where all draft eligible prospects have various degrees of potential. We always hope to find future starters in each draft -- impact players and potential Pro Bowlers are especially welcome. But Pats fans are tuned into the value of 'role players' as well. That said, with four selections in the top 60 prospects (23/34/47/58), it's very easy to find numerous players who not only fit the Pats profile, but are within reach of those slots. In addition, it's accurate to say, that any combination of four players have starter potential. For reference, see Mayoclinics' numerous posts on the various mocks, where he exhibits the many Pats options.

And if four potential starters from one draft isn't enough, logic tempered with past history tells us that rounds 3-7 is where the role players lie waiting, not to mention another potential future starter as well.

Suffice to say, upgrading the roster is the bottom line. And the quality and/or depth of this draft class will not determine the success (or failure) of the Pats draftees. For BB & Co., it's about finding players who fit the Pats system. And for the fans, having the patience to wait through the developmental process of each player.

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mayoclinic

The only metric that will really matter as to whether this is a "good" draft year is BB and how he chooses to improve the club. If he finds value, he will use picks. If he doesn't like the value, he will trade out.

2005 was probably the worst draft year of this decade, but the Pats did extremely well picking at the bottom of each round, finding starters in Logan Mankins, Ellis Hobbs, Nick Kaczur and James Sanders. 2006 was considered a much stronger draft but the Pats didn't get as much productivity out of it, and the track record of the first round prospects so far has been disappointing overall.

2007 had a very strong top 12 or so players, but thinned out dramatically. BB obviously didn't like the value, trading out at 28 and in the 3rd round and trading his 2nd round pick for Wes Welker. He managed to do very well out of the draft in the long run, though not with immediate draft picks.

Last year we had a rare top 10 pick, and all I can remember hearing was how week the top 10 was. BB moved back a few spots and came up with an impact player at a position of extreme need, plus a lot of depth.

There's a lot of talent in this year's draft. Much more depth than usual. Some thinness at the top, but some terrific players (Curry, Raji, Malcolm Jenkins, the OTs). What is unusual is that BB has so much ammo that he can basically move around anywhere in the draft that he wants to. He alluded to this "flexibility" in his presser yesterday. If he sees value in the top 10, he can go there, without sacrificing his entire draft. If he sees it later, he can accumulate it in spades. If he doesn't see adequate value at any point, he can trade out, or trade picks for players. I can't imagine being in a better position, and I'm sure we'll come out with value in some form. As BB said, the only real metric of whether it was a good draft is whether it makes the team better.

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Bring Back Antowain!

The thing about this draft is that there isn't much separation between the first 2.5 - 3 rounds.

While a round 1 player is obviously going to be graded higher than a round 3 player, or a round 2 player, there really isn't THAT much difference in this draft.

And with 23, 34, 47, 58, 89, and 97, the Patriots are positioned absolutely perfectly.

Be excited, this draft could change our franchise (hopefully keep the dynasty going after a bunch of the vets like Bruschi retire).

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bigdgp

This is really your response to my question? This is the exact type of idiotic rhetoric that I'm referring to in regards to people evaluating players for this draft. I may be being overly cynical but I believe a lot of people are being overly optimistic.

You say I don't have factual information? The factual information that supports my feelings is out there and being blatantly ignored. You've already acknowledged that the skill positions are shallow so let's move on to my next point about other positions being overrated. The number of players that are considered "safe" picks is horribly shallow.

At LB the fact that we're debating Maualuga and Barwin for the 23rd pick is brutal. Maualuga has been picked apart and is likely a 2 down backer at best. Barwin while athletically gifted is inexperienced. The fact that his stock has risen so much further illustrates my point. If this draft wasn't so weak his stock doesn't increase as much as it has.

At DE there is also no consensus top pick. Orakpo, Jackon, Ayers may be serviceable but none are locks as we've seen in the past.

At TE the fact that the "Top" TE may drop to us at 23 is laughable and the quality behind Pettigrew is an even bigger drop off.

Offensive Lineman may be the one area of the draft where there is true depth in this draft and is my guess for our 1st round pick.

Who better to illustrate my point than one of the best coaches in the league? You may recognize this quote

"Now, as you put it, who’s the top running back? Who’s the top receiver? Who’s the top tackle? Who’s the top corner? If you survey different teams and you know what’s on their boards, I think there is quite a bit of variability from team to team as to who those top guys are."

I'm not saying that there aren't NFL starter quality players out there what I'm saying is that there are less in this draft than most drafts.

I'm calling my shot and saying between our low needs and the depth of this draft we trade AT LEAST two picks from the 1st three rounds for picks next year. I combine this with the thought that we absolutely do not consolidate picks to trade up as their isn't anyone worth moving up for.

patsfan1251

The fact that you say this is not a good draft prooves to me either one of two things. 1. Ur a casual football fan (college) 2. You dont understand the importance of depth.

This is a very good draft it is deep not top heavy but deep. Look at the positions you mentioned. WR is a strong class...you have 1 headliner and about 10-15 very solid players. CB is again a deep class.

If your looking for a top heavy draft look for next year when 2 QB's (Bradford/Mccoy) and to Safteys (Erik Berry/Taylor Mays) may go in the top 5 picks. Along with other players from that Florida team which is returning all there starters like Dunlap, Brandon Spikes) and those from Oklahoma returning.