PonyExpress

My Favorite Players for the Pats in the 2006 draft.

These are my favorite players whom I believe the Pats have a realistic chance at in the draft. ]

1. OLB Manny Lawson: I believe the Pats greatest need is an elite pass-rusher who can win one-on-one matchups, and doesn't require schemes and stunts to get the job done, a la Vrabel and McGinest. Lawson has as much potential for that as anyone in the draft, but he's a 3-down player, not just a pass rush specialist, and deceptively strong against the run. Voted defensive MVP of his team by his teammates, not Mario Williams. Also the Wolfpack’s Special Teams Captain, showing he is not above getting down and dirty. A senior, which lowers the bust potential.

2. OLB Mathias Kiwanuka. I have been back and forth on this pick. But I believe the Pats greatest need is at pass rush, and that was the reason McGinest was released. McGinest got his sacks on schemes, on coverage, and on OL breakdowns. He rarely beat his man one on one to the passer. When Seymour was injured and the defense was getting torched in ’05, it was because Seymour’s absence made it impossible to create the mismatches where McGinest and Colvin could effectively create pressure, exposing the Pats defensive backfield. I think BB was fed up and realized he lacked a superior athlete at OLB. Is Kiwi athletic enough to play LB? Judging by combine numbers, Kiwanuka is faster (4.70 to 4.78) and just as quick (4.13 to 4.22 in the 20 yard shuttle) as Chad Greenway, a player Kiwi dwarfs in size. Kiwi is also nearly as fast and just as quick as Demeco Ryans, another player 30 lbs lighter than him. In my opinion there is no question Kiwi has the athleticism to play OLB. If he can’t manhandle an elite LT, how many times has McGinest or Vrabel done so? Vrabel at OLB used to get his sacks because of the attention paid to Seymour, gaining leverage on LTs forced to make quick kick outs or mismatched blocking RBs. Kiwanuka can do the same as a rookie.

3. WR Maurice Stovall. Stovall is not the best receiver in this draft, but he is the best receiver for the Pats in this draft. His familiarity with the Pats offense from playing for Charlie at ND means that unlike most draft eligible wide receivers, he won’t take 3 years to impact. In fact Stovall is a great investment for the Pats, since he will likely be able to comprehend and produce in year one, something extremely rare and valuable in the NFL.

4. CB Richard Marshall. This kid is the CB most likely to start and be effective in Year One in the entire draft. Michael Huff is more gifted, but hasn’t played CB in two years. Tye Hill is smaller and has poor ball skills. Cromartie only played one year and is coming off an injury. Marshall has excellent ball skills, and played in a defensive scheme where he matched up one-on-one in man coverage against the opponent’s top WR every week, and usually shut them down, except for Demetrius Williams.

5. RB Maurice Drew. Kevin Faulk is getting older and is injury prone, and the Pats have no effective Punt returner. Drew solves these 3rd down back/PR issues. His massive thighs, patient style, and blazing speed (4.39) suggest there is a chance he could become an every down RB. I believe that chance is very good, which would make him the steal of the draft.

6. ILB Daryl Tapp. I see Tapp as an interesting candidate for conversion to 3-4 ILB. He has the size, toughness, and bull dog mentality to pull it off.

I think the Pats should maneuver in the draft to acquire as many of the above 6 players as possible. An ideal draft would be taking Lawson or Kiwanuka in rd 1, Marshall in Rd 2, and Stovall and Drew in Rd 3, although I doubt all will be available at the Pats slots. Another possibility would be trading out of Rd 1 into the top of Rd 2, acquiring in the process an additional high 3rd rd pick, and then taking Marshall and Stovall in rd 2 and Drew and Tapp at the top of rd 3, using the later 3rd round pick (#86) to manuever up as necessary by trade. If Kiwanuka and Lawson are already gone in rd 1 earlier than the Pats are willing to trade up for them, and the Pats therefore can't get one of the draft's elite pass rushers, then I believe the Pats should trade down in the draft and possibly out of the 1st rd altogether.

JackPMiller

My Favorite Players for the Pats in the 2006 draft.

These are my favorite players whom I believe the Pats have a realistic chance at in the draft.

1. OLB Manny Lawson: I believe the Pats greatest need is an elite pass-rusher who can win one-on-one matchups, and doesn't require schemes and stunts to get the job done, a la Vrabel and McGinest. Lawson has as much potential for that as anyone in the draft, but he's a 3-down player, not just a pass rush specialist, and deceptively strong against the run. Voted defensive MVP of his team by his teammates, not Mario Williams. Also the Wolfpack’s Special Teams Captain, showing he is not above getting down and dirty. A senior, which lowers the bust potential.

Alot of teams like Lawson as well. And has been a riser

2. OLB Mathias Kiwanuka. I have been back and forth on this pick. But I believe the Pats greatest need is at pass rush, and that was the reason McGinest was released. McGinest got his sacks on schemes, on coverage, and on OL breakdowns. He rarely beat his man one on one to the passer. When Seymour was injured and the defense was getting torched in ’05, it was because Seymour’s absence made it impossible to create the mismatches where McGinest and Colvin could effectively create pressure, exposing the Pats defensive backfield. I think BB was fed up and realized he lacked a superior athlete at OLB. Is Kiwi athletic enough to play LB? Judging by combine numbers, Kiwanuka is faster (4.70 to 4.78) and just as quick (4.13 to 4.22 in the 20 yard shuttle) as Chad Greenway, a player Kiwi dwarfs in size. Kiwi is also nearly as fast and just as quick as Demeco Ryans, another player 30 lbs lighter than him. In my opinion there is no question Kiwi has the athleticism to play OLB. If he can’t manhandle an elite LT, how many times has McGinest or Vrabel done so? Vrabel at OLB used to get his sacks because of the attention paid to Seymour, gaining leverage on LTs forced to make quick kick outs or mismatched blocking RBs. Kiwanuka can do the same as a rookie.

He is the one that I can see as a possible 1st round bust. I think Tamba Hali is in the same lines. But one of my favorite players, and would love to see him in horns, is Chris Gocong DE/OLB Cal Poly. He is looked at as a possible late 2nd to late 3rd round pick.

3. WR Maurice Stovall. Stovall is not the best receiver in this draft, but he is the best receiver for the Pats in this draft. His familiarity with the Pats offense from playing for Charlie at ND means that unlike most draft eligible wide receivers, he won’t take 3 years to impact. In fact Stovall is a great investment for the Pats, since he will likely be able to comprehend and produce in year one, something extremely rare and valuable in the NFL.

I'll give you credit on Stovall

4. CB Richard Marshall. This kid is the CB most likely to start and be effective in Year One in the entire draft. Michael Huff is more gifted, but hasn’t played CB in two years. Tye Hill is smaller and has poor ball skills. Cromartie only played one year and is coming off an injury. Marshall has excellent ball skills, and played in a defensive scheme where he matched up one-on-one in man coverage against the opponent’s top WR every week, and usually shut them down, except for Demetrius Williams.

I have not seen Marshall play, so I do not know alot on him. But a CB that is rising fast is Ashton Youboty from Ohio State, and the Buckeyes have had a history at least recent history of putting in some pretty good CBs.

5. RB Maurice Drew. Kevin Faulk is getting older and is injury prone, and the Pats have no effective Punt returner. Drew solves these 3rd down back/PR issues. His massive thighs, patient style, and blazing speed (4.39) suggest there is a chance he could become an every down RB. I believe that chance is very good, which would make him the steal of the draft.

Not sure on Drew as much.

6. ILB Daryl Tapp. I see Tapp as an interesting candidate for conversion to 3-4 ILB. He has the size, toughness, and bull dog mentality to pull it off.

I think the Pats should maneuver in the draft to acquire as many of the above 6 players as possible. An ideal draft would be taking Lawson or Kiwanuka in rd 1, Marshall in Rd 2, and Stovall and Drew in Rd 3, although I doubt all will be available at the Pats slots. Another possibility would be trading out of Rd 1 into the top of Rd 2, acquiring in the process an additional high 3rd rd pick, and then taking Marshall and Stovall in rd 2 and Drew and Tapp at the top of rd 3, using the later 3rd round pick (#86) to manuever up as necessary by trade. If Kiwanuka and Lawson are already gone in rd 1 earlier than the Pats are willing to trade up for them, and the Pats therefore can't get one of the draft's elite pass rushers, then I believe the Pats should trade down in the draft and possibly out of the 1st rd altogether.

The only problem with Tapp, is he supposedly has some character issues.

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Jack P. Miller

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ayjackson

kamerion wimbley may be an option in the first round as well....OLB

a CB in the second

and in the third and fourth: an ILB, RB, WR, OL (one of each, order to be determined by talent available)

Box_O_Rocks

Jack P,

Where did you hear Tapp has character issues? That is a new one for me.

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JackPMiller

I remember on the Herd Boards(Rams boards), that someone posted an article about it, but I can't find it, becaue it was way back in February, and it is too far gone to try and find. I do know it talked about he has some off the field problems with his anger. If you can get a coach and a team that can work on his anger problems, he'll be a real good one.

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LetsGoPats36

Mo Drew is my favorite player in this years draft. I don't care if he is 5'7", he has all the tools and ability to be a very dangerous playmaker in the NFL. He averaged over 20 touches a game in 2005 at UCLA, so don't tell me he's to small to be depended on. I realize that we wouldn't want him having any more than 15 or so carries per game, and thats fine because he is dangerous is so many ways. he has great hands and is a dynamic return man. Not to mention, hes a great guy character wise as well

stinkypete

My top 5:

(1) Chad Greenway - OLB - Iowa
In my mind, the Wilfork of this draft. It's not likely, but if enough teams pass up on this guy, he could fall to #21. If he does, there's no way we don't pounce. Imagine if Mike Vrabel had the physical "measurables" to match up with his smarts, toughness and leadership. If he did, he'd be Chad Greenway.

(2) Joseph Addai - RB - LSU
Yes, LenDale White looks like the next Jerome Bettis, and DeAngelo is a productivity machine, but Addai is still the most complete back in the draft. He has top level speed, hands to rival Reggie Bush, he's the best blocker of the bunch, and he's as hard working as any guy in the draft. Imagine Kevin Faulk with 15 more pounds on his frame and no fumbles.

(3) Kelly Jennings - CB - Miami
Despite weighing in at under 180 lbs, Jennings has what it takes to fit right in with the Patriots. He's blazing fast with fluid hips. Start him alongside Ellis Hobbs and youwon't see Patriots CB's getting burned by faster WR's any more. Plus, he is a team guy, a hard worker with top intangibles. Would not be surprised if we "reach" for him at #21, and he proceeds to play a big role as a rookie.

(4) Darryl Tapp - DE/OLB - Virginia Tech
His measurables leave much to be desired. He's precieved as slow and undersized, but he was crazy productive in college. He has top intangibles; work ethic, leadership, and an attitude that can't be beat. This guy's a winner, physical number be damned. I see a little Bruschi in him.

Ryan Cook - C/T - New Mexico
Should Koppen completely heal, as expected, we'll have our starting Oline intact. But we all witnessed what happens when you have backups starting 3 positions against a top pass rush. We need a rotation guy who could start at all positions, and Cook is that guy. He's 6'7", and rated as a top 4 center on most boards. He has the body and the athleticism to play tackle as well. He's a bit of a project, but could provide a big return, as well as insurance should Koppen not fully heal or bolt in free agency.

mavfan2390

My Top Three:

1. Antonio Cromartie- I've said it before, I'll say it again, in five years who will be the best player from the draft? Cromartie.

2. Maurice Drew- Helps us with returns, and makes Faulk expendable. I won't say he is a Barry Sanders, but I do believe he has the potential to become a Brian Westbrook. They're the same height but Drew is just as fast, and has about ten or so pounds on him.

3. Terna Nande- He's a versatile OLB/ S tweener who's builts like Derrick Brooks, and is fantastic in coverage.