carolinatony

If we get a top 10 pick is there a player out there that you think we should take? Any Impact guy you like?

BB will try to trade down but the value may not be there for us.

Patsmaniac

Of course it has a lot to do with what happens in FA, etc., but I can comment on a few players I have watched a number of times. Jake Long would be a definite. You can't have to many OLineman. Kenny Phillips is a complete safety in every sense of the word. I will put my money on the line and say that there is no way we choose Laurinitis in the top 10. Our LB's require an amazing amount of knowledge to play the postion and I dont think BB will pick a guy with only 3 years of college exp that early. This guy may have all the talent but I think he would need a few years to understand what is needed in order to be an asset and not a liability out there. Looking at the others, with our depth, I think a trade down is the most likely.

cstjohn17

Good question, I guess if we are 'stuck' with the pick I would shoot for one of the studs Jake Long (OT), McFadden (RB), Phillips (Safety). Assuming they are gone I would look at these players (in this order):
Malcolm Jenkins (CB) Ohio State
Campbell (DE/DT) Miami
Stewart (RB) Oregon
Harvey (DE/OLB) Florida
Groves (DE/OLB) Auburn
Whoever their top ILB is (Laurinitis, Connors, etc.)

patchick

Precious few are worth it, IMO, especially if the pick inches toward the top 5. For that kind of pick at that kind of money you're not just looking for a great talent, but a position where the upgrade will make a major impact on your team's composition...and a position that's generally highly paid. With a strong veteran team you can't come close to saying "BPA" because you'd be paying megabucks for a benchwarmer, terrible cap management.

At first pass, I'd say the positional requirements for the Patriots rule out QB, RB, OG, C, TE, WR, S, DE, DT and possibly ILB. What does that leave? An elite cornerback, a Merriman/Ware-type pass rusher, and a franchise left tackle. Uh-oh. OT Jake Long is the only guy who fits the bill, and he's likely to go in the top few picks.

dryheat44

That mirrors my thinking almost exactly. We need a roster upgrade, and a position where there's a low bust rate.

Jake Long is the safe pick, and if we can't trade out of #5, I'd be cool with trading up to #3 or so to grab him.

__________________
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

Patsmaniac

I agree. We have a 2nd and 2 thirds and can hopefully get some defensive players with talent who we can give a little time to, to learn the ropes. I just think that with Pioli and BB using that much money on a top pick it will be a position with a low BUST rate. Who knows.

patchick

I wonder how hard it really is to trade down if you're not shooting for the moon. Say #5 for #12 & #43 to a team eyeballing a McFadden, or their choice of QBs. That would leave the Pats with 5 day-1 picks and plenty of flexibility.

everlong

Cleveland gave up their second rounder to move up from 7 to 6 to draft Winslow. I think that's the exception though not many teams are willing to do that.

__________________
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There's only two conclusions for Patriots fans on rookies. They are either a bust or being fitted for their bust in Canton.


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cstjohn17

I like both the suggestions to trade up, or trade down (my preference). The Patriots made a big mistake trading two Day 1 picks for Chad Jackson. It is simple risk management, 5 B grade players may turn into 2 starters, 2 quality reserves and 1 bust.

But if we are 'forced' to pick at #5,6,7 or 8 then we should be adding a high quality starter or at worst some world class depth. Outside of QB and maybe D Line** there isn't a single unit that wouldn't be improved by a top 10 pick. I don't understand the positional requirements argument, the Patriots have only had one top ten pick (Seymour) and he started in the first year and became a pro bowler. I don't think any draft pick would be expected to start so I don't see why an elite player at any position couldn't come in and become the top reserve and eventual starter.

*Day 1 is only 2 rounds now, but that is another story
** Similar argument to Carriker last year, can you ever have enough quality D linemen? maybe

PatsCanada

I'd love McFadden, but i can't see us picking him, with Morris' play the way it is, we have three soild RBs as is.

Since we picked Merriweather last year, i dont know about going for safeties two years in a row in the first round, possibly Jenkins if Samuel jumps ship in the offseason. I have seen some Mock drafts out there which have us picking as high as 3 and picking Calais Campbell, not sure how i feel about that pick, would much rather have Jake Long, if he doesn't go top two (The Falcons or Phins should pick a QB, or trade down to pick one, so thats the hope im clinging to so Long drops to three). I like Laurinaitis a lot, and would probably be my pick anywhere outside of the top 5.