When Should We Expect To Draft A Safety? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***Mark Morse*** · 04-09-2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilfork#75

I don't see us drafting a pure Safety at all in this draft. I think the market values for all of the top guys (which there are not a lot of) is way too high. Barron looks to be a lock to go top 16, where I see him more as a late 1st/early 2nd rounder. Harrison Smith will likely go late 1/early 2 where I think he is more of a mid to late 2nd, and the rest of the guys I don't really see as good enough to have much of an impact. I think the best option is to go the CB conversion route and the guy that is really starting to grow on me is Alfonzo Dennard from Nebraska at 48. I really like his physicality, instincts and tackling ability, and I think he has the potential to be an elite FS. I also like Trumaine Johnson, who like Dennard could also offer the versatility to also be a press man corner as well as a safety. I also really like Justin Bethel in the 5th/6th round as a developmental DB and STer. He has the versatility to play CB and S, and his elite special teams skills could allow him to make the roster and give him time to develop.

I agree with you, the price is too high to trade up or the players drafted at safety will be taken too soon as compared to his talent. I see a scenario where the Patriots duble up on CB's in this draft and move McCourty permanently to safety. They may also move Moore to safety. I would take Josh Robinson CB UCF and Ron Brooks CB LSU. You get an immediate boost in secondary speed. Robinson may also switch to Safety.

ATippett56 · 04-09-2012, 03:30 PM

Either select Markelle Martin, FS - Oklahoma State or Brandon Taylor, SS - LSU in the bottom of the third round.

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot · 04-09-2012, 07:57 PM

Move up to 15 to get Barron, a pro bowl left safety for the next 10 years. And/Or then draft some big and fast zone or off man corners that can tackle tight ends and running backs, and make them safeties. Justin Bethel, Trumaine Johnson, and Donnie Fletcher come to mind.

WhiZa · 04-09-2012, 07:59 PM

I like the thought of taking a CB who could play safety. Reminds me of when we took Meriweather and more recently McCourty. Anyone have a list of CBs that could play safety or have played safety?

AzPatsFan · 04-09-2012, 08:31 PM

When should we draft a Free Safety?

Next year in 2013...

manxman2601 · 04-09-2012, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

Move up to 15 to get Barron, a pro bowl left safety for the next 10 years. And/Or then draft some big and fast zone or off man corners that can tackle tight ends and running backs, and make them safeties. Justin Bethel, Trumaine Johnson, and Donnie Fletcher come to mind.

What I don't think some people understand is just how much Mark Barron will help Devin McCourty. With Barron's instincts in providing over the top help, McCourty can do what he does best and cheat underneath the receiver much like the way Barron worked in tandem with Dre Kirkpatrick last year. Like McCourty, Kirkpatrick is weakish in man but he can be confident that, with Barron over the top, he's in a much better position to break on the ball or defend the screen and edge running plays.

Drafting Barron could get us our first round corner back - a two for one deal.

***Sciz*** · 04-09-2012, 09:37 PM

In the first 3 rounds, Kirkpatrick at 27 or none at all. In rounds 4-7, probably some guy I've never heard of.

Patriot Missile · 04-09-2012, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

Move up to 15 to get Barron, a pro bowl left safety for the next 10 years. And/Or then draft some big and fast zone or off man corners that can tackle tight ends and running backs, and make them safeties. Justin Bethel, Trumaine Johnson, and Donnie Fletcher come to mind.

I might be in the minority here, but I would want to smash my tv to bits if they traded up to get Barron at 15.

There are only two safeties the last 10 years in hind sight off the top of my head worth a trade up in the first round and they were Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. If you think Barron is going to be in their caliber one day than be my guest. I just think there have been too many mediocre safeties drafted in the first and second rounds in that span to justify such a risk.

***Sciz*** · 04-09-2012, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patriot Missile

I might be in the minority here, but I would want to smash my tv to bits if they traded up to get Barron at 15.

This, except I'll add 27 and 31 as well. DO NOT WANT!

manxman2601 · 04-09-2012, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patriot Missile

I might be in the minority here, but I would want to smash my tv to bits if they traded up to get Barron at 15.

There are only two safeties the last 10 years in hind sight off the top of my head worth a trade up in the first round and they were Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. If you think Barron is going to be in their caliber one day than be my guest. I just think there have been too many mediocre safeties drafted in the first and second rounds in that span to justify such a risk.

There have been a lot of mediocre players at a number of positions taken in the first round on hindsight - safety isn't exclusive there. It's about value. Who else is there after pick 6 or 7 that would improve the Pats on defense overnight and in the long run? Dre Kirkpatrick - yes but not a position of need like Barron (Gilmore is the same). Brockers? - For now he's a 2 down run stuffer, nothing more. Sure there's potential there but that's quite a risk. Hightower. like him loads but does he improve the team as much as Barron? Nope. Fletcher Cox - great player but he's looking like a top 10 lock. Kendall Reyes, Devon Still, Harrison smith, Jerel Worthy and all the pass rushers - Marginal first round talents who aren't guaranteed to start for the Pats. Upshaw? looking more and more like a 4-3 DE only.

The way I see it, if you want to improve this defense you either do a big trade up for Barron (position of need, long-term starter) or Michael Brockers (Ideal fit, lots of potential), a smaller trade up for Dre Kirkpatrick or Dont'a Hightower (quality players who'll start and do a good job) or you get the hell out of the first round altogether. There's a massive levelling off of talent between 25-50.