Because we have to assume Graham won't be back - although I hope he is.

Other than DBs and LBs, my order is :

WR - Unless Gabriel re-emerges or one of Jackson or Gaffney emerges, we need another talent to compete next year. Of course, I expect a better Jackson next year but this is an issue. Also, Caldwell, Gabriel and Gaffney's contracts all expire after next year.

That's actually about it for actual needs. I would then list, though :

TE - As noted above.

RB - To take some carries off Lawrence, I'm guessing next year might be Corey's last.

DL - Belichick will always draft them. We don't have a true NT guy to help Vince (I know several have played there). I bet Bill would love a solid backup NT and even a developmental DE.

RT - Unsure if they think Kaczur or O'Callaghan is the definite answer.

QB - Yes, I expect Cassel to be traded after the 2007 season.

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Don't Give Me a Defensive Player Who Can't Tackle . . . What Am I Going to Do With Him ? --- Bill Belichick

They only have 5 or 6 quality picks. They are so deficient at CB (if Samuel leaves, that leaves Hobbs and Gay and 30 something Chad Scott) and LB they need alot of picks there.

RBs are a crapshoot and there are always a few guys floating around the league or undrafted. DL is an idea, except LeKevin Smith doesn't get playing time...maybe they could give him some time before drafting another. Eventually they'll need a replacement for Warren when he comes up.

Basically their needs are so great they need to draft DB/LB with the top 5 or 6 picks this year, IMO.

I'm not seeing backup NT as a huge concern.

When Vince came out for a play against the Bears, Wright took his spot at NT. Also Warren could just as easily slide inside and that would get Green on the field.

The back eight of the Pats is paper thin, especially with Wilson, Seau and Harrison all out. It's hard to imagine BB ignoring the back eight for another year. I'd expect some reinforcement through either FA and/or the draft.

I know RB is a concern for most astute Pats followers, but if there is one kid in the offensive backfield in this draft that BB needs to jump all over, it's Brian Leornard of Rutgers. I'm not sure he's fast enough to play RB, but this kid is a perfect Patriots player. Smart, Versatile (Run. block and catch) and extremely hard working.

The more I see Chris LEak play QB for Florida, the more I think he might work for the Pats as the 3rd QB next season. He's still not reading defenses very well, but he has the intangibles, the "it" factor if you will.

Amen. I would jump for joy if the Pats take Leonard. [Though I probably can't jump as high as Leonard can. ]

I'm not as sold on Leak--b/c while he might make a good 3rd QB next year, do you think he could mature enough to be Brady's main backup in '08?

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I did a quick rating of the players on the signed roster plus ERFAs (I will share this later, should be good for a laugh). No real surprises, it showed the following ratings.

LB, CB - High priority
WR, TE, Safety, Oline - Medium priority
DL, RB, QB - Low priority

2007 offseason
-my wishes, not necessarily what I think they will do. Although I did try to stay somewhat in reality
- expect this is the year that at least 2-3 new faces are brought in at LB. Personally I am tired of hiring how good Izzo and Davis are on special teams when we tend to be worse than average in coverage


Veteran FAs
CB - Clement or Samuel - Patriots spend money on a good young CB to serve as foundation for next 5 years
ILB - mid tier player, EJ Henderson (MIN), Kawika Mitchell (KC)
TE - Graham resigned, I found it interesting he was added as a captain

Draft
1) CB - Antoine Cason, Arizona, Jr. or Darrelle Revis, Pitt, Jr.
1) LB - Brandon Siler, Florrida (takes over for Bruschi)
2) WR\KR\PR- Johnnie Lee Higgins, Texas-El Paso

Top need for me is a playmaker in the secondary. Be it a solid cover corner or a ballhawking safety, we need a difference-maker back there. We have a potentially dominant DL, and while that unit remains signed and intact, let's give them some quality support.

At LB, I don't expect an ILB to be drafted early (if at all). We may go the veteran FA route again. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see us grab an DE/OLB early (with some pass rush skills). Hoping to find a diamond-in-the-rough this draft.

My take on this as following either by Draft or FA

First -are DBs and LBs.. 2 of each imo

WR - Even if Jackson shows more we need a Top receiver
OL- We need a stud to open holes no matter who we are playing. Hard to find another John Hannah
RB - To help Maroney and Dillion is getting older
ST- When was the last time we returned a kick for a TD

sure, move the experienced tackle to the strong side, and put an inexpereienced rookie to cover brady's blind side....logic anyone?

We need a pro-bowl OL imo... This will take care of Brady and help all O all around

And how does one go about getting a Pro-Bowl O-lineman? Can you please let me know how many Pro-Bowl O-linemen have been taken in the draft the last 3 years?

Or how many have changed teams in the last 3 years?