mgteich

This assessment could change how we view the first round, at least it should.
For example, if we believe that there will be many db prospects, especially safeties in the 3rd and 4th, then we can pass on a safety in the first. Ditto for ILB.

AzPatsFan

This is an unusual year . I think that there are four, FOUR, 4, ILBs that can play in the Patriots scheme this draft. Usually there are none. Willis might not be there at 24, but the other three will, and only DeOssie will make the third round. I'd take a pair in the first or trade down in the second to take the second and then take a DB later.

Box_O_Rocks

I don't believe there is a "value" spot in the draft for ILB. I'm on record saying there are interesting Safeties who will go undrafted. Of Murphy's top five in the thread Seneschal2 started, only Weddel appeals to me, and part of that is being a second rounder.

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Canada's #1 Pats Fan

Of the 4, you list only Willis and Deossie. Who are the other 2 so that I can research them, please.

patchick

Huh, I count 5! Willis, Harris, Siler, Bradley and DeOssie. Is Bradley off your list?

When it comes to safety and ILB, we could make good use of two of each. So even if it's David Harris in the 1st it could still be DeOssie in the 3rd, if he lasts that long. (Plus DeOssie is a potential OLB, too.) And I'd much, much rather have Eric Weddle AND Will Gulley than just Reggie nelson.

AzPatsFan

My number 1 is David Harris of Michigan 6'2.5" 245# 4.55 who I like as much or more for an ILB, than Patrick Willis Ole Miss 6-2 240 4.50 who is a MLB candidate as well as a ILB.

Paul Posluzny PSU 6'1.5" 238 4.65 is the safe pick in the first. He will play in the NFL but may not ever be anything but a red chip, very good player.

Zak DeOssie BU 6-4 250# 4.57 may turn out in three years to be better than all the others but he could bust too. I position in the third round to take him, if there was only one LB drafted before him. He can play both ILB and OLB so he is a two-fer, Mike Vrabel kind of guy...

In addition to size & speed, these four all have smarts, LB instincts and anticipation, which is critical for a good LB.

They all can follow Tedy's description of LB play "... I just go to where the hole IS GOING TO BE, and tackle the guy when he gets there..."

Ochmed Jones

Instincts (you know where the play is going) are great for LBs and most coaches covet guys that have it.

Anticipation (you think you know where the play is going) is guessing and defensive players that guess too much and get it wrong don't last long. [For defensive players that guess and get it right all/most the time, see above under instincts]

My old coach used to tell us that instincts are for defensive players and anticipation is for offensive players.

mcbee

DeOssie will probably be a 5th rounder or so. Brown University? Really good competition there. Hard to study game film when he's taking on 250 pound oL-men.

stinkypete

The value at safety is really in late round 1, the value at cornerback can be found in round 3. There is also ILB value in the 3rd round.

DaBruinz

You are so full of garbage.

DeOssie will go 3rd round, 4th at the lowest.