ctpatsfan77

Right now, I'm not at all convinced they will. If there are two outstanding players, they might, and obviously, they will if no one will trade with them. But, assuming they find a partner, I expect them to push a pick into 2009, and pick up some more "interest" in the process.

__________________
"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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

dryheat44

The Patriots, especially if they win in February, could be facing a lot of retirements. Harrison, Bruschi, T Brown, and maybe a guy like Faulk could use the opportunity to retire as champions. Then we have the Moss and Stallworth deals, which look to be one year contracts. Wilson and Samuel will be UFAs.

I guess what I'm saying is that since I expect the Patriots to win the Super Bowl, I expect them to have a lot of holes to fill. Therefore, at this time, I expect them to use both picks. If they trade one, I think it will be for 2nd-4th rounders in 2008, not pushing back into 2009.

__________________
When it's third and 10, you can have the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time. -- R.I.P. Max McGee

cstjohn17

I say yes they use both. For the past 5 years in a row I have predicted that they take a LB or CB in round 1. This year I will continue the trend and predict both a CB and LB.

A lot of potential holes next year:
QB - Cassell will be in the last year of his deal (not a first round priority but a position that will warrant some consideration)
OLine - Light and Neal are a year older, 08 looks to be a very strong class for OT
WR - Moss signed a 1 year deal and Stalloworth has a high ticket price to extend. Caldwell / Gaffney if they make the team are free agents. Jackson is a question mark.
CB - Hobbs is the only relevant CB signed beyond 07
S - Pretty solid, even if Harrison retires the unit has ok depth.
DL - Very strong, unless an absolute beast is available (someone in the Seymour mold) unlikely that a day 1 pick will be spent on DL
LB - Bruschi is on last legs, Vrabel is a year older, Colvin has a 9.5M hit in 08. I would focus 1-2 day 1 picks on LB.

Ochmed Jones

When the Pats win it all in February, they will lose a considerable amount of depth due to retirement. C and T Brown, Vinny, Seau, Bruschi, K Brady, and James. But I seriously doubt Harrison will retire, not with another year left on his contract. He's not leaving the field until they throw him off it.

With that being said, it is real easy to see BB using both first rounders in 2008. And even though everyone comtinues to harp on the needs at LB, I doubt BB moves on that. Instead I expect him to loook at shoring up the secondary and OT. (If the 49ers fall flat on their faces, we could wind up with Baker or Long, both of which would have been selected before Staley had they come out for the 2007 draft.) It would leave him clear to take an offensive skiil player in the second round, this draft is deep at RB, but mediocre at WR and weak at TE.

BelichickFan

Obviously the actual answer now is . . . Who the F knows, it depends on how FA goes, the players who are there at the time and any trade offers they get.

Gut feeling is they'll trade out again if a good opportunity arises so I'll say that I don't expect them to use both . . . but who the F knows.

patriot lifer

I hope cleveland (or another bad team) trades their first round pick again like they did with the Cowboys. Dallas is going to have a nasty pick next draft.

ctpatsfan77

Given everything the Pats have said, I am firmly convinced that if their top two choices in April had been:

* SF's 1st in 2008 and 4th in 2007 or
* OAK's 1st in 2008 and 3rd in 2007,

the Pats would still have traded with SF, not OAK. The cost of a top-10 pick is far more than the Pats want to pay; the value starts to build around pick 13 or so.

__________________
"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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

BelichickFan

No way, if you end up in the top ten you can always trade down. Even if you get a below market offer you can get out of the top ten with at least a little something extra.

ctpatsfan77

I don't think that's as true as it used to be, in part because of the huge salaries those top picks command right now. Heck, a JEST executive once quipped, when another team asked if he'd like to trade up in the draft, "What else are you going to give me?"

I think if the Pats felt there was a can't-miss player up there (a la AJ Hawk, according to dryheat), they might do it, but I really think they'd rather be picking at 15 or 16 than 5 or 6.

__________________
"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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

BelichickFan

I would put money that WORST CASE you could trade #6 straight up for #16. I simply don't believe you wouldn't find a taker to give you at least a little something despite what a Jest guy may have said.