cstjohn17

I dismissed him as being too small and a poor fit for the Patriots, but maybe as a 3rd round target he could play special teams and in selected passing downs.

Note from Bunting is interestting....

" The more sources I talk with the more I get the feeling that the Patriots will not only be in the market for a rush linebacker in round one, but might be willing to buck the trend and look at a smaller/quicker rush guy, staying away from their more patented bigger build."

NFL Draft rumors: Post-Combine | National Football Post

If this is true I have to read a whole heck of a lot more scouting reports.

Box_O_Rocks

That rumor has legs because there are three such expected to go in the first couple rounds:
-- Von Miller 6' 2.5" 246
-- Akeem Ayers 6' 2.5" 254
-- Brooks Reed 6' 2.5" 263

Of course I think Ryan Kerrigan at 6' 3 7/8" 267 is the best option in range of where NE will be picking, and Ayers didn't get it done when I was watching his games. Dontay Moch in the third may be a consideration, but I think only of NE doesn't get one of the higher ranked kids and build up an extra pick or two by trading down. We know NE heavily scouted Miller the past couple seasons.

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cstjohn17

Small is in the eye of the beholder.. I place Von Miller, Moch, and the Carter Bros into the small non traditional Patriots type LB. Players like Ayers and Houston are a little on the small side compared to their usual style, others like Smith, Quinn and Kerrigan appear to be the perfect match.

I like Kerrigan, his roof may not be as high as the others but I think he could be another is a series of solid yound defensive players they continue to build upon.

Defsoul

He has become my favorite DE/OLB-tweener right now. You have to love his college production and he has the prototypical size. I also think that he showed good athleticism at the combine. I also like him, because Purdue defensive ends have been productive in the NFL in recent history. Shaun Phillips, Ray Edwards, Shawn Spencer, Cliff Avril. They all have become productive players in the NFL. I don't doubt that Ryan Kerrigan can become the next in line and will have a successful carrier in the pros.

jeffbiologist

My binky OLB Bruce Carter is a similar player with higher upside but is coming off an injury. He played against better competition and should be a ST ace as well as a situational player to start. I would love the pats to take on one of these guys, bring back the Roman Phifer role especially if rosters are expanded.

kurtinelson

Based on a lot of what I've read, I've written off Kerrigan as a 4-3 DE. I totally agree on Akeem Ayers he's JAG. I like Reed a lot. He's got suddeness, a relentless motor and has decent size at 263.

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Box_O_Rocks

From what little I could see of the Combine around the close-ups of the talking heads, Kerrigan and Reed were both about the same in Linebacker drills. I'd happily take either at OLB.

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Ochmed Jones

This is the key in my book, after Miller and Quinn, Reed is the most sudden OLB player in my book.

I think Reed needs a lot of work on setting the edge and not crashing down on running plays, but if turned lose as a pure pass rusher, he is sudden enough to make some plays for us.

Another 3-4 OLB that I really think is flying well under the radar is Keiser of Stanford. All this guy does is get to the QB. He shows up on tape all the time,you can't watch a Stanford game and not see him making opposing QB's rush throws.

West Philly Patriot

I think kerrigan has the better measurables and production but Reed is the better pass rusher. I think Reed's skills will translate to the next level . He already has more moves than TBC, and has good bend on the edge.

If this team is truly serious about making pressure a priority in this draft, I think you have to take reed over kerrigan. If they are both still on the board, I'm hoping we could trade a few spots back from 33 and grab either.

(But I would still be happy with kerrigan)

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Ochmed Jones

Yes Reed may be the better pass rusher, but Kerrigan is much better against the run, both at him and while chasing the backside.

And even though Reed is the better pass rusher, I see no need to overdraft him. I think we can get him with our first third rounder.