WhiZa

The Patriots will draft someone who will start right away or part-time this year full-time next year. Based on that, are there any players at #24/28 who could beat out a current starter? The weakest positions seem to be at RT (Kazcur/O'C), MLB (Bruschi), and maybe OG (Neal)

Who will be around at 24/28 in those positions?
RT: Joe Staley / Tony Ugoh / Arron Sears
MLB: David Harris / Buster Davis / Paul Posluszny
OG: Justin Blalock / Ben Grubbs / Josh Beekman
Do any of these players upgrade the position?

Secondly, you have to think of starters who only have one year left with the team. FAs next year include: WR Caldwell/Gaffney/Stallworth (his deal is setup like a one year tryout), CB Samuel, LB Bruschi, FS Wilson. It looks like there is a good opportunity for a WR to come in take over kick return duties and possibly start next year as WR position is volatile again.

who could start next year (this year if needed)?
WR/KR: Ted Ginn Jr. / Anthony Gonzalez / Craig Davis
CB: Darrelle Revis / Chris Houston / Marcus McCauley
MLB: David Harris / Buster Davis / Paul Posluszny
S: Michael Griffin / Reggie Nelson / Brandon Meriweather


Looking at this it is very likely we will draft a MLB in the first round based on Bruschi's decline and possible last year (see Dillon scenario last year). Secondly I see the Patriots drafting an OL. With a new zone blocking scheme we will need talented OL who can adapt.

#24: David Harris
It does not look like Seau's coming back, but Harris will be able to fill the void nicely. This will also allow Vrabel to stay outside more and AD to play whatever position he wants
#28: Joe Staley
Zone blocking requires fast and agile linemen to hit the zone quickly. This guy is the fastest OL in the draft and a perfect upgrade at RT. Kazcur can now go focus on playing guard.


Feel free to critique as I reserve the right to change my mind later

sebman2112

I don't think they actually draft for year one starters but generally part time players in year one, and full time players in year two.

I'd take Harris and Meriweather.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Metaphors

I think you need to look at the worst case scenario for 2008 and make sure you are prepared to deal with it:

Samuel leaves as FA (entirely possible)
Wilson leaves as FA (certainly won't franchise him)
Gay leaves as FA (does anyone not see him as a Jet in 2008?)
Bruschi retires (I'm 50-50 on this one)
Harrison retires (possible if he has another injury-filled year)
Only Welker and Jackson return at WR (unlikely that all the rest wash out)

Given this set of possible situations (there are others I'm not thinking of), I think you have got to turn #24 and #28 into at least one corner that is capable of starting in 2008. I don't think you can count on getting a starting-caliber corner in FA. I also think that would be a lot to ask a rookie corner drafted in 2008...let's face it, we won't have a high draft pick then either.

I think you can get value at linebacker later (would like to see #28 traded back into the 2nd round for this purpose) and safety is a position where value could be found in the middle rounds.

As for WR, there should be lots of veterans available in FA and as I said, I think there is a strong chance that at least one of Caldwell/Gaffney/Stallworth/Washington click with Brady this year and survive to 2008.

So I can see the Pats moving up from #24 (using the 2nd day non-comp picks) to get a CB like Revis, using #28 (or trading back into the 2nd round) and picking up a LB like Harris and using #91 to get a safety like Gattis, Wendling or Piscitelli. I'm using the names as examples...substitute a similar caliber of player that the Pats like better and the result is the same.

So I see CB, LB and S at the end of the first day, in that order.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

It's looking more and more likely that the Pats take David Harris somewhere in the first round. If he can start from day 1, that would awesome. At safety, you can make the case between Merriweather, Griffin and Nelson.

As of right now, it seems the Pats are leaning towards ILB and possibility taking a S in round 1. I hope the Pats can get two guys that start on defense right away.

sebman2112

If Revis is on the board at 24 I'd take him, but I'm not sure he's there. I dont want any other CB's at 24.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

VJCPatriot

Staley looks like he will be gone well before Harris and Harris looks like he'll still be around in round 2.

__________________

Remix 6

congrats..u didnt figure anything out. dont all teams who draft a guy in first round expect that player to start sometime soon?

sebman2112

If they draft Harris and Meriweather I would be happy because Meriweather is good against the run, tackles well, has leadership skills, plays bigger than his size, is great in coverage, and can play CB, if needed.

Harris is good against the run, has leadership ability, has good size, and is an intelligent player. His coverage skills are a little better than some think, so he could be more than just a run stuffer. A lot of people see him in the Ted Johnson/Ed Hartwell role, and that's the type of LB that has been missing from NE's defense since Johnson left.

I still like Woodley and Spencer, though.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

sebman2112

Don't forget if you trade down into the second you loose a year off the contract length. So NE could take Harris,Woodley, Spencer, Meriweather at 24-28 and sign them to 5 year contracts, but if they traded down they would only be able to sign them to four year deals. Pioli himself said trading down into the second round has lost it's value because of this.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Metaphors

Point taken but you balance that against what you gain by trading back into the 2nd round which from #28 could be a #2 in 2008 and the salary cap flexibility of getting the guy you want at a reduced price (granted you need to deal with contract negotiations a year earlier). Draft picks are like gold and I think you accept the downside to accumulate 1st day picks...