Draft Question - Who could start yr 1

[BlitzFritz]

A lot of chatter re the draft and what we need at SS, ILB, etc.

One thing I have heard Belichick say is that a first round draft pick has to project with strong certainty as a first year starter. And my sense is that it is MUCH easier to project beef -- OL, DL, TE, etc -- than it is to project skilled positions.

I am no expert on the college talent, but are the ILBs and DBs at the bottom of the board in Rd1 clearly starters?

Would we be all that surprised if BB drafted an offensive tackle and a tight end?!!

Just a different angle on this

[cstjohn17]

Originally Posted by BlitzFritz

A lot of chatter re the draft and what we need at SS, ILB, etc.

One thing I have heard Belichick say is that a first round draft pick has to project with strong certainty as a first year starter. And my sense is that it is MUCH easier to project beef -- OL, DL, TE, etc -- than it is to project skilled positions.

I am no expert on the college talent, but are the ILBs and DBs at the bottom of the board in Rd1 clearly starters?

Would we be all that surprised if BB drafted an offensive tackle and a tight end?!!

Just a different angle on this

Unless the Patriots trade into the top 15 I think the only spot on the roster that has an open position for a starter is ILB. And even that position is in doubt with Vrabel likely to get the nod.

A rookie could come in and be a starter but more than likely they would start as a primary backup and then be worked in to the system getting more reps as the season progresses. It shows the depth of the roster when Day 1 draft picks are your 2nd and 3rd options.

Positions I could see the potential of a rookie getting significant snaps:

• RT - players like Staley, Brown, maybe Sears, Ugoh could potentially beat Kaczur or O'Callaghan at RT
• OG - slimmer odds but maybe Sears, Grubbs or Blalock could challenge Neal but low odds
• ILB - it would take a very special rookie (and I don't see any in this draft) to be a starter in this system
  - this group could get significant reps at ILB, Willis, Harris, Beason, Pos. when used in a rotation
• OLB - Spencer, Moss could contrubute at the end of a rotation
• CB - Revis, Hall maybe Houston and Ross could play 3rd CB
• FS- Landry would start at FA. Nelson, and maybe Griffin or Merriweather could challenge Wilson as the season progresses
• RB - Marshall Lynch or Peterson could start

[Remix 6]

i doubt we start anyone..possibly RT but i think coaches could give Kazcur and O'Callaghan a chance to fight it out before bringing anyone in

[DaBruinz]

I think that someone like a John Wendling could come in and start. Eric Weddle could also do it.

I think that there are always players in the draft who could come in and start day 1. Its more of a matter, do you want them to learn in a "Trial by Fire" scenario.

[SamBamsFan]

Tackle-
Staley (who in my mind would probably be the best fit) is coming from a small school. High upside, but I wouldn't expect him to contend to start w/o injuries.
Brown- I haven't spent to much time looking @ him as I assumed he would go 8-12. My initial impression is he might be a guard long term, though I have nothing to base this on...
Ugoh- I like him, but he really hasn't pass blocked yet so I don't guess that he'd contend to start right off.

Guard-
Ben Grubbs- No worries.
Sears, Blalock could contend.
TE-
No
Center-
Kalil , or Satele might contend the first year, I wouldn't expect it out of training camp.
TE-
No
RB-
Lynch & Peterson would find plenty of playing time.
Leonard, Hunt & Bush could get 100 carries or so.

Defense-
DL-
I would expect out of those most in our range, Carricker & Harrell would find rotational time right away.
ILB-
Maybe Willis could start from day 1.
OLB-
Beason or Posloszny are the two most immediate. The rest, IMO are more developemental/ can contribute situationally 1st year types.
CB's-
In terms of beating out Hobbs the first year, Hall, Revis. Wilson, hughes, Coe, Ross & AJ Davis would all spend a lot of time on the field (and I'm probably missing someone).
FS-
Maybe Nelson. Too many to name would spent time out there. Weddle & Wendling might surprise in training camp & compete.

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Good thread, I'll need to get some time to respond...going to watch UNH v. UMASS in Hockey East semi right now. Go 'Cats!

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Originally Posted by BlitzFritz

A lot of chatter re the draft and what we need at SS, ILB, etc.

One thing I have heard Belichick say is that a first round draft pick has to project with strong certainty as a first year starter. And my sense is that it is MUCH easier to project beef -- OL, DL, TE, etc -- than it is to project skilled positions.

I am no expert on the college talent, but are the ILBs and DBs at the bottom of the board in Rd1 clearly starters?

Would we be all that surprised if BB drafted an offensive tackle and a tight end?!!

Just a different angle on this

Good points. The more I hear it and think about it, the Pats might draft an OL in the first round. It's not the sexy pick. The likelihood that Willis drops to us is slight given how many teams in front of us need an ILB. I truly believe that the Pats will get their target at 24 and depending how picks 25,26 and 27 go, they either keep it and draft their 2nd target or they trade down and pick up more picks especially at least one in the 2nd round where they may target Harris becaus eI agree the 1st round is too high for a 2 down guy.

[Fencer]

ILB -- could easily start.
CB -- could easily contend for a top-three/nickelback slot. Nickelback would probably meet BB's criterion.
S -- hmm. More likely to be the reason that Wilson isn't re-signed than to beat him out opening day. At least for the ones who will drop that low.
OLB -- NFW
DL -- NFW
RT -- Sure. We need a different one every year anyway.
RG -- Very doubtufl
Rest of the OL -- NFW
QB -- hah
WR -- Not bloodly likely
TE -- Ditto?
RB -- Ditto
FB -- See nickelback.

[SamBamsFan]

Originally Posted by Fencer

ILB -- could easily start.
CB -- could easily contend for a top-three/nickelback slot. Nickelback would probably meet BB's criterion.
S -- hmm. More likely to be the reason that Wilson isn't re-signed than to beat him out opening day. At least for the ones who will drop that low.
OLB -- NFW
DL -- NFW
RT -- Sure. We need a different one every year anyway.
RG -- Very doubtufl
Rest of the OL -- NFW
QB -- hah
WR -- Not bloodly likely
TE -- Ditto?
RB -- Ditto
FB -- See nickelback.

Think you missed the point of the post here (or I did). what draftee's could start next year?
I highlighted a couple of things:
-Who in the draft do you think might be an ILB starter?
-What makes you think that Neal won't lose his job to a more talented player?
-IMM the WR corps is 5 JAGs (though better than last year granted).

[Jimke]

I don't know if anyone we draft this year will start right away. We do need

to try and find the replacements for Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Eugene

Wilson, and maybe Asante Samuel. Hopefully, Chad Jackson will be ready to

step in for one of the wide receivers whose contract is up after 2007.