VJCPatriot

So the Pats have put a lot of JAGS out there at safety in 2011 and it is one of their big weaknesses on defense. Besides Chung, who out there do we count on as a reliable safety? Are we really going to convert McCourty to safety or do we let him play his natural position and draft a safety to put back there?

There's really only one 1st rank graded safety in this year's draft - Mark Barron of Alabama. I don't know if he will last until #27 since poor safety play is such an issue in the NFL. So that means we are likely looking at options after Barron.

Those would be:

Harrison Smith, Notre Dame

Trumaine Johnson, Montana

Markelle Martin, Oklahoma St

etc.

WalterFootball.com: 2012 NFL Draft: Safety Rankings

The guy who piques my interest in the second tier is Harrison Smith. He doesn't have off the charts athleticism but appears to have good ball skills and be a good leader on the field. Could be the kind of solid player the Pats target in round 2 of the draft. He's also a physical player who supports the run well and covers enough to project to FS for us.

Share your thoughts on how you see the Pats solve the need at safety.

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Ivan

I'm not sure how they are going to do it but I can't imagine Belichick not addressing it significantly between now and opening day. Gregory is an average starter at best and they have to add at least 2 quality player's unless they plan on using McCourty or I-Dowling there. I like Smith in the 2nd but not as a 1st, but i would be fine with Martin or Iloka after the 2nd.

My pipedream is Lavonte David as a safety conversion but i rarely see such ideas happen.

dryheat44

well, I think Smith is the most overrated player in the draft. I'd take Martin over him in a heartbeat (disclaimer - limited viewings of both).

I think the key here is Dowling. If he's healthy, he seems the natural choice to slide back to safety. If he's unhealthy, I think Will Allen or Gregory gets first crack at it.

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When it's third and 10, you can have the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time. -- R.I.P. Max McGee

manxman2601

I'm not sure the value is there on Harrison Smith (he's not a first or high second rounder) and I doubt Trumaine Johnson will be the pick (small school, character concerns). If I was a betting man, I'd be betting pretty heavily on Brandon Taylor (LSU) being our pick. Along with his teammate Ron Brooks, he's one of the picks I'm most certain the Patriots are making this draft.

BelichickFan

Even with Taylor's very poor 3 cone and shuttle ? Not questioning you, just asking, his combine numbers were just about at the bottom of the Safeties for both.

manxman2601

That's a fair point - hadn't seen that. Was really going on value - he seems to represent the best possibility to offer a meaningful contribution without over-reaching too much on draft position.

ATippett56

Select either cornerback Alfonzo Dennard or cornerback Jamell Fleming with the #62 overall draft selection, and convert one of the two aforementioned cornerbacks to safety.

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Metaphors

Agree with Dennard as a slot CB and option at S if Gregory and Barrett flame out or are injured. I'm thinking it would be good to get a safety like Antonio Allen. He is slipping since he hasn't tested overly well but he has lots of good tape in the SEC to draw from.

BelichickFan

Casserly addresses this tonight. He likes Taylor, especially his physicality and competitiveness. He said Taylor did look a bit tight in his movements at the combine so he may not be a great man cover guy but he has enough straight line speed to cover the field as a Safety.

Patriot Missile

I think a lot of posters are sleeping on Dowling. He's got the size and speed and he also has the play book in hand. While not practicing during his injury, I'm sure he was a participant in meeting and walk throughs which makes him one step above any one they bring in imo. Provided he stays healthy, gets in on the otas and training camp, I think we can all hope for good things from him this coming season.

For all we know safety is not a need on BB's radar right now and may be happy with the backfield the way it is with the addition of Gregory and Dowling returning healthy. I doubt it but you never know?

Btw, is there anyone that can show me any footage of Harrison Smith that can convince me the Pats should draft this guy in the 1st or 2nd? After a long search I have found nothing. Most of the decent footage I see are against horrible QB's making terrible decision with poor throws. This guy is late to the ball a good majority of the time and seems to play chase the guy with the ball too much for my liking. These last few weeks I am on the anti-Harrison Smith bandwagon.