End of regular season 2 round mock: Upshaw, Cox, Barron, Judie - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

patfanken · 12-17-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

Of course injuries, the bowl games, all star games and combine/pro days will alter this but as of today, I am thinking a defense heavy draft with an Alabama flare.

I also think we are a 3-4 base team next year, but will still flex to a 4-3 as needed:

1stA - OLB Upshaw Alabama. Playmaker! A little short but very good against the run and as a pass rusher. If he runs well at the combine, he will skyrocket up draft boards.

1stB = DE Fletcher Cox Miss State. Very solid agaisnt the run and can push the pocket as a pass rusher. Discplined, strong but needs much work on technique. pepper is going to turn this kid into a force.

2ndA - SS Barron Alabama. Smart, hard hitter who is excellent in run support and decent in coverage. Makes plays on the ball.

2ndB - CB Judie Texas A&M - Pure zone guy who drops because of his hammy injury. Should work very well opposite McCourty.

I don't know the players that well, but will make some comments anyway based on some of my positional biases.

1. I don't want to pick a SS that high. James Iheadabu is an example of a decent SS you can get as an UDFA, Rodney Harrison was a 4th rounder IIRC. Now if you are talking about getting a FS type, then I'm on board 100%. I'd love to wind up with either McDonald or Lester with one of our first 4 picks.

2 I don't know anything about this kid Judie. But I love the idea of getting another big physical CB. However, even though we are primarily a zone team, I'd like that CB to be one who excels at man to man coverage. The reason being is that the way NFL passing offenses have evolved its becoming apparent that quality NFL QBs can pick zones apart regardless of who is out there on D. Thus I think in the future, CBs who excel at man coverage will have more value (ie Minnefield, Jenkins)

3 So I think you were pretty much right on the money with the areas of the team you covered, my ideal draft (at the moment) would be similar but different.

Upshaw,
Cox
Minnefield
Lester

Aside; In a lot of drafts, I would have picked a WR with one of the first 4 picks, but I think this one is deep enough that we can pick one up in the 3rd round.

everlong · 12-17-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patfanken

I'd love to wind up with either McDonald or Lester with one of our first 4 picks.

I'm warming to McDonald I just wish he took better angles and didn't bite on play action as much. Both lead to big plays.

NinjaZX6R · 12-17-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everlong

I'm warming to McDonald I just wish he took better angles and didn't bite on play action as much. Both lead to big plays.

He's a Meriweather clone.
H2h hits, bad angles, whiffs on tackles. Pass.

everlong · 12-17-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinjaZX6R

He's a Meriweather clone.
H2h hits, bad angles, whiffs on tackles. Pass.

I didn't get that impression watching him. Markelle Martin I thought was more like Meriweather. I felt McDonald could play in a scheme and be coached up but that he definately bit too much. When he took the right angle McDonald was a sure tackler.

NinjaZX6R · 12-17-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everlong

I didn't get that impression watching him. Markelle Martin I thought was more like Meriweather. I felt McDonald could play in a scheme and be coached up but that he definately bit too much. When he took the right angle McDonald was a sure tackler.

No. 7 FS-SS TJ McDonald, USC vs Stanford - YouTube

State · 12-24-2011, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

If Upshaw is off the board by the time we pick, I doubt BB takes any of the other options available at DE/OLB so maybe he waits and picks up a Curry in round 2 or 3.

I'm inclined to disagree if the leading sacker in the nation comes out as a junior, Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus.

He lacks the elite athleticism but is a productive player and has the big wingspan on a 6'5" body to knock down passes. I view him as a poor man's Willie McGinest, whose athleticism was freakish in college.

What do you think of this guy for a 2b pick?

patsfaninpa · 12-24-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by State

I'm inclined to disagree if the leading sacker in the nation comes out as a junior, Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus.

He lacks the elite athleticism but is a productive player and has the big wingspan on a 6'5" body to knock down passes. I view him as a poor man's Willie McGinest, whose athleticism was freakish in college.

What do you think of this guy for a 2b pick?

I saw him a few times this year. I think we'd have to take him in the first if we want him. Looks like a 4-3 de to me. I'm ok if we stick with that and draft him and re-up Carter and Anderson. Gives us multiple pass rushers. Which is what you need. Depth in order to get that all-important pressure in the 4th quarter.

State · 12-25-2011, 05:30 AM

Hey, thanks for the info.

He's certainly got the prototypical size of an end in the 4-3. He may be the McGinest replacement we've never found.

And it's all about production. And the Big Ten offensive lines are not as bad as people might think. I don't think the SEC olines are that much better, its the defensive big men who are.

Ochmed Jones · 12-25-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by State

I'm inclined to disagree if the leading sacker in the nation comes out as a junior, Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus.

He lacks the elite athleticism but is a productive player and has the big wingspan on a 6'5" body to knock down passes. I view him as a poor man's Willie McGinest, whose athleticism was freakish in college.

What do you think of this guy for a 2b pick?

I see him as a late first or very early second prospect. As an elephant backer, he is a perfect fit.

He will need a year to learn technique and improve as a run stopper/edge setter.

But as far as getting after the QB, he could work very well in our defense as a third and long rusher.

State · 12-26-2011, 05:54 PM

Ochmed, did you mean to sound musical? I like what you have to say about the Illinois DE/OLB elephant.

He sounds like a perfect fall back guy if BB's favored choices aren't available and we're not able to trade up.

I'd take him in a heartbeat with one of our firsts.