patchick

I was just looking at the interactive mock happening as we speak on this board, and it hit me:

1. Miami- Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
2. St. Louis- Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta- Jake Long, OT, Michigan
4. Oakland Baron Patriot- Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City Handel- Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
6. New York Jets- Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
7. New England- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
8. Baltimore- Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
9. Cincinnati- Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
10. New Orleans- Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
11. Buffalo- Keith Rivers, LB, USC
12. Denver- Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
13. Carolina- Chris William, OT, Vanderbilt
14. Chicago- Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
15. Detroit- Trevor Laws, DT Notre Dame
16. Arizona- Kenny Philips, S, Miami
17. Minnesota- Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn

Halfway through the 1st round, there's now exactly one player left who you might expect to have a significant impact on the Pats lineup at OLB (Avril). Meanwhile at CB you still have a good half-dozen very strong prospects. Add in BB/SPs history of drafting DBs with pedestrian measurables (but great field awareness and ball skills), and springing CB at #7 looks like very poor use of resources.

Fire away, of course.

ayjackson

Referencing our interactive draft isn't very wise - there's some questionable stuff going on. Also, I would say that most mocks out there only project 2 corners to go in the top 16, but usually around 10 by pick 62. So in that regard, the interactive is playing to form.

patsfaninpa

I think watching the first 6 will fascinating. We could get lucky and someone falls to us like; J.Long or Gholston. Especially, if M.Ryan and D.McFadden go early. But, I don't see that happening. We might want to dance(trade out of 7). But, you need to find a willing partner.
Teams are leery of tying up a lot of money into a top 10 pick if they can get value at 13 or 14. We have to hope someone is giddy about S.Ellis,R.Clady or possibly Ryan. I'd say better than 50/50 we can trade out. But, it may not all be for picks this year. We would get their 1. But, who knows what other picks would be. I don't think we'll take a cb at 7. We can trade pretty high into the 2nd round if we use 62 and 69. The value chart would put that pick at 38.

ayjackson

I think Jake Long and Vernon Gholston are going one-two.....and I'll bet anyone an imaginary fiver on it.

ctpatsfan77

I'll say this much--I, at least, would have no problems with a trade along the lines of 2008 #7 for 2008 #10 and 2009 2nd round.

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patsfaninpa

I'll take you up on that Jackson. Chris Long will be drafted before Jake Long.

patchick

It's not so much the details of that mock as watching it unfold...it really sunk in that the chances of nabbing an impact pass rusher are mighty slim if you pass on the position in round 1.

IMO, if there's one kind of player who could make a real difference on this team it's the Ware/Merriman kind. And of course, Ware & Merriman were top-12 picks. If the Pats think Groves comes close to Ware/Merriman potential, to heck with even the best CB.

gomezcat

I'll take that bet as well. I am far from certain that Ryan will go at #1, even though I picked him there in the mock. I personally prefer good decision makers and leaders to strong-armed athletes at QB. Parcells may, however, not be impressed with Ryan.
However, from what I have heard, Jake Long is good but not another Joe Thomas and Vernon Gholston has a pile of potential, but has never played OLB.
Part of my doubts about the #1 pick came down to this: Miami will probably play 3-4 next year. I can imagine that Gholston and Chris Long could make great 4-3 ends.
However, I am not sure that I would want to spend #1 money on players who *project* to OLB in the pros.
What has struck me is how little I know about these players. It would be interesting to see if Miami works out Gholston and Long, getting them to cover speedy running backs and TEs, as well as testing their lateral movement. If they do, and pass such a test with flying colours, then Chris Long/Gholston would be good bets to go at #1 or #2.

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gomezcat

I would agree and always take a pass rusher over a corner. A good pass rusher keeps QBs and Linemen awake at night. A good corner can help to shut down one side of the field (if they are Champ Bailey) but a great pass rusher can do even more damage, IMHO.

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NePatriots

Right Tackles don't go #1 or #2 very often, and that is what Jake Long is in the NFL. I'd bet an imaginary Benji on that one.

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