mayoclinic

I'd take him 2nd round if I thought he could make that conversion. I thought Robert Ayers and Larry English would also have made good SILBs and would have considered either in that range as well. But it all depends how confident the Pats are that he could make the switch.

Do I suspect someone will take him higher as a 4-3 DE? Yes. Would I take him higher as a 3-4 OLB? No.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

BlackFrancis

I really like Graham as a 3-4 OLB and even after his impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, I have to agree with you. He might be a holy terror as a pro but you just do not take conversion projects in the first round of the draft.

alvinnf

I think if you start him off as a 43 end and transition him upright he would be great. In sub packages he's got his hand on the ground in the 34. We don't have a 5 tech. on weakside, so you reduce the front on that side and let him play with his hand down. I think the major concern people have with an end his height is getting swallowed up in the run game. This guy does such a good job turning everything inside. He's aggressive and relentless. We could find work for that. Personnel wise we are as close to a 43 team as a 34 team at this point. So I don't see it as a project. I see it as getting a player.

The_Riddler

This kid is Dwight Freeney Part 2. Edge talent like this cannot be projected as any kind of an NFL project. Let's drop the "project" tag right now. He showed the world that he has a motor that won't stop now and won't stop at the next level. He is Mr. Freeney and we all know what Freeney means to that Colt defense.

Here's the problem though: He has just played himself right out of our area code at 22. He is now in the 12-17 range and he would literally have to roll over, suck his thumb, hug his Pooh blankie and take a nap at the combine during the cone drills for that to go any lower.

We have to do whatever it takes (and yes that means parting with the top of the 2's) to get this talent into our young defense, he is the missing piece.

On another note: Mayoclinic, I think everyone on the site is pretty thankful for your unbelievable insight on the draft, college talent and the Pats. I'm serious when I say this, the Pats have been losing scouts left and right, you might want to consider a career change at some point under the BB apple tree. We all know alot of the media (radio and tv) come to this site for print ideas, radio topics (on the ride home - wink,wink and late night Sports shows), but I truly believe a couple of the apples that I just mentioned come to the site also and it's insight like yours that makes this a desired "check point" for many. Thanks !

mayoclinic

That's not a problem. We let him go 12-17 or wherever else he goes. I wouldn't take him at 22.

Graham doesn't have Freeney's elite speed or 1st step, and he just doesn't project well to our system. He's a nice pass rushing DE, and will probably go top 20, but I wouldn't take him for the Pats before #42. I certainly don't think he's the "missing piece", and I think he's worth more to other teams than to the Pats. If I were Tampa Bay, for example, I'd try to trade my 2nd and 3rd to move up and get him.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

MaineMan

Absolutely agree. Well stated!

DaBruinz

One of the things that impressed me about Graham is that he seemed to be in position for the plays on his side and he never gave up backside pursuit on plays away from him.

He also seemed to diagnose the plays well so he was in the position he needed to be in.

MaineMan

FWIW, I've been following seven different guys reporting independently from Senior Bowl practices and each has remarked on Graham's "phenomenal, tremendous, explosive" first step.

Secondly, I'm no longer certain "our system" is what it used to be. I genuinely feel that 2009 represents BB "tinkering" and moving the defense much closer to a 43/34 hybrid that will feature DE/OLB tweeners like TBC, for example - or Brandon Graham.

chris66

I dont know if you guys watched any of the senior bowl practices, but Graham beat every olineman in the one on one drills this week. The guy has a motor and can flat out play. With all the 3-4 teams in the back of the draft. I dont think he makes it to the second round.

cstjohn17

That is part of the problem, the Pats system needs adjusting. This is the same bs we have been hearing forever. Back to Woodley / Merriweather / Mayo, all have been good picks:
Mayo - Defensive Rookie of the year
Merriweather - probowl
Woodley - probow

Of the three only Woodley has been a game changer, but this is related to his position. OLB/DEs are impact players, game changers. Safeties and ILBs rarely are. That is why I would have drafted Woodley ahead of Mayo / Merriweather, all things being equal some positions Safety, ILB, TE, Guard have less value than premium positions QB, OT, OLB/DE, CB. The premium positions cost more in free agency and if players are about equal it is better to take the player at the premium position.