fester

One of my thoughts on the draft is to think two years out. The Patriots definately draft for immediate need, but they also attempt to draft for second year need. This post is an attempt to look at the current roster and current contract situations to project what the 2013 Opening Day starting line-ups look like and to see where there are obvious holes.

I am projecting rookies and 2nd year players to continue to improve if they have already shown NFL competence.

Offense
QB: Brady with Mallet as a back-up, no worries.
RB: Ridley/Vereen --- minimal worries.
LOT: Solder --- no worries
ROT: open
LG: Mankins --- no worries
C: open
RG: Cannon --- let's see if he develops
TE1: Gronkowsi no worries
TE2: Hernandez no worries
WR1: Ochocinco --- MASSIVE worry
WR2: Price --- MASSIVE worry
WR3: open

Defense assuming a 4-3 base
NT: Wilfork --- no worries
DT: Deadrick --- mild worries/injuries
DE (power): open
DE (pass-rush): open
WLB: open
MLB: Spikes --- no worries
SLB: open
LS: open
RS: open
LCB: McCourty mild worries
RCB: Dowling medium worries/injuries
NB: open

Several open starting spots for the 2013 will be address this off-season by resignings (Welker for WR1, Vollmer for RT, Mayo for WLB, Chung for a safety spot), and sevearl of the big worry spots (WR2, 3, safety, OLB should be addressed by double-dipping in FA and the draft over the next two years.

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patsfaninpa

ROT and WR2 are no worries. We will keep Welker and Vollmer. You have 12 players on offense. Only glaring needs on offense are WR1 and C. I'm thinking back to 07 when we traded for Welker. We added Donte Stallworth in free agency. I think we will make a move like that in free agency. Someone with speed to stretch the field. And, I think we'll take a wr in the 2nd this year. Not sure about C. I think we probably re-up Koppen for next year and try to groom a replacement.

On defense, you have Spikes no worries. I'm guessing you mean Mayo. I think Chung stays and we stick with the 4-3. I see the need for 2 de's, 2 olb's and a FS. I think Wilfork/Love/Deaderick/Brace/Pryor give us pretty good play at DT. We're not going to get all of that this year. But, I'd like to see DE and OLB if we stick with the 4-3. Seem to be about 3-4 pretty good lb prospects; Kuechly, Burfict, Te'o and Z. Brown for the 4-3. Upshaw and Hightower are great for the 3-4, not sure about 4-3. Unless you consider Upshaw a de. Draft a DE to play opposite A. Carter.

1a Zach Brown - OLB - UNC
1b Vinny Curry - DE - Marshall
2a Kendall Wright - WR - Baylor

Wheel and deal with the rest of the picks. Sign a premium FS if possible. Michael Griffin of Tennessee would be my target. If we don't, gonna have to draft one. Work on that c, de and another olb in 2013 draft.

fester

I went 12 deep on offense and defense to account for a common 3 WR look that the Patriots have employed in the past, albeit not so much this year on offense, and to account for the fact that the defense is in nickel or greater a majority of the time.

I agree wtih you that Welker/Vollmer are highly likely starters for 2013 BUT they are not currently signed to this point.

The same with Mayo --- he is the projected 2013 starter but his current contract is out at the end fo 2012. Spikes is the only Game 1 2011 starting LB who is signed through 2013 at this time. As for the secondary, I am assuming Chung will be resigned, but he has not been yet.

That will most likely change by March 1, 2012, but it is a decent way to isolate what moves the Patriots will need to make by resigning their own, finding good vet FAs, and/or drafting replacements.

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ay-yo

For all the posts hoping for a 2nd wr who can stretch the field, idk many teams whose 3rd / 4th option is on pace for 62 catches, 800 yards and 6 td's. I'm not against drafting a WR high but I doubt we go after one in FA. Seems to me Branch will produce more than anyone else we bring in.

ay-yo

No love for Nink (resigned and currently a starter) or Arrington (unsure of contract status, he deserves the NB spot)?

Overall nice job. I like how you did 12 on each side. It's clear resigning our own players before the draft (Branch, Welker, Carter, etc) is going to make a significant impact on our draft approach.

Patriot Missile

Definately starting to rethink the safety position lately. I do advocate drafting one or two this upcoming draft but recently I've seen some positive signs of progress at the position. James Ihedigbo is starting to get it and I can't say how much I've been impressed with Sterling Moore so far.

Moore is like a sponge and to see the progress he's had in the very short time at the position makes me think he will keep getting better and better. I'm going to wait it out and see how much these guys improve as the season goes on.

Arrington, McCourty and Dowling are locks for next year. Dare I say Arrington is turning into a stud. Not for just his interceptions that can somewhat inflate how good a cb really is. But him being where he is supposed to be and the level of safety play alongside him is really starting to set him apart from other CB's in this league.

Mayo and Spikes in the middle is a given. Ninko is seriously making a name for himself and is starting to cement himself on this team. Actually he already has, he goes quietly about his business ad does his job and that's all that BB's asks of his players. Definately want to draft a LB regardless. Want one that strikes fear into the opposing defenses and has to be gameplanned against.

DE is becoming a strength for this team and big reason for the improvement lately. I'm not sure how long Carter is signed for whether it was a 1 or 2 year deal but he seems to not be slowing down and a better run stopper then I originally thought. Anderson is a lot more versatile then I gave him credit for as well, watching him play OLB and DE and contributing from both spots has been a credit to him. Both have done well enough that when they are free agents they will get decent offers, maybe even overpaid for. Those will be tough decisions when the time comes. Would love to see another End drafted as well.

My hope by the end of the season going into the playoffs that the team we have now will have the added experience and confidence to stop an elite passing attack. BB seems to be letting the dogs loose so to speaks lately and it really is helping all around. Better coaching on his part along with players finding their place and understanding what they are trying to do has made this team better as of late.

Tasco

According to Miguel's page Carter is signed only through 2011.

Patriot Missile

Well that's unfortunate. If someone is crazy enough to offer him 3 or 4 years than I can't blame him for leaving. His body of work so far has been outstanding.

I'll enjoy the hell out of him the rest of the season and hope he brings us to the promised land. I'll let mangement figure out the tough decisions later on down the road.

Ochmed Jones

I would replace brown with a big de, that can also slide inside when we go 4-3. Still is rising on my board for this key spot on our defense.

I like curry.

Wright is hard to evaluate because of baylor improv offense, but i doubt he can read defenses or run an option route. I would replace him with taylor of sc or upshaw of alabama.

SirApropos

Where's the "Kyle" Love?

He will be a Restricted Free Agent in 2013 so should be with the team. He is the current starter next to Wilfork in the middle of the 4-3. Deaderick is playing LDE in the 4-3.