How does this draft rate as far as quality? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

Ochmed Jones · 03-17-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

I'm having the same feeling I had last year as far as worthy NE picks early beginning to thin out as more data trickles in, but I'm starting to like the later rounds more, especially in areas I'd like to see improve for depth. I do think you get deeper into the projected first round before you start feeling the need to trade back, if at least two QBs go Top 15 I'm confident there will be a quality player for NE, or quality trade bait for a move down

I agree, lots of Pats player specific kids later in the draft, they all have warts, but also tons of upside if they can pick up the scheme quickly.

I'm seeing more teams ahead of us starting to zero in on QB's and it could cause a bit of a feeding frenzy. If 4 QB's go in the top 15, (Carolina, Buffalo, Washington, Tenn.) someone of value will fall to us.

***jmt57*** · 03-17-2011, 04:37 PM

If I recall correctly at this time a year or so ago many were projecting there to be as many as five WR taken in the first round and as many as four WR going in the top half of the first round. At the time the train of thought was to not use a 2010 draft pick on a WR to replace Randy Moss, and instead use one of the two first in 2011 for that purpose. Back then people saw the 2011 draft class to be exceptional at WR, but average at other positions - including DL.

Similarly people were saying teams such as Tampa Bay should hold off on drafting a QB in 2009 and wait until 2010, when the QB class was supposedly going to be much better.

Interesting to see how much this draft class has changed a year later - and to a lesser extent, the team's needs as well.

Seneschal2 · 03-17-2011, 05:38 PM

Very few "A" players in round one -- too many warts.

However, lots of potential Pats prospects scattered throughout the draft. Not w/o warts themselves -- and not expected to be. Not ballyhooed either -- just real football players. BB & Co. will find them, select them, and create roster competition because:

Quote:

"What we want to try to do is maximize each spot on the roster; we want to be stronger at No. 1 than the opponent, stronger at No. 25 than they are, and stronger at No. 53 than they are, we're always looking to upgrade the talent level on the team, and play together to be functional."

NewFeep · 03-17-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurtinelson

If not for the mulitple high round picks BB has stockpiled, I'd be pretty tepid on this draft.

Given the draft ammo the Pats have I think its very reasonable to expect that we get:

A potential stud pass rushing OLB (Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan, Brooks Reed, Justin Houston etc.)
A high quality 3-4 DE (Watt, Wilkerson, Heyward, etc.)
At least 2 starting caliber O-Linemen. (Carimi, Pouncey, Watkins, Sherrod, Boling, Wisnewski, Ijalana etc.)
A decent RB to add to the committee (Powell, Vereen, Murray, etc. etc.)
Possible depth upgrades at the CB/S position. (Gilchrist, Shilo Keo, etc.)

Awesome post! Well said, sir, well said....