Possible early run on LB's - PFW article

[Clonamery]

Nolan Nawrocki:

What may set the run in motion is the early selection of Mississippi LB Patrick Willis. After clocking as fast as 4.35 on watches at his pro-day workout and showing rare speed, he positioned himself to be drafted in the top 10, where some evaluators had graded him even prior to his workout.

“You know exactly what you are getting with him,” one scouting director said. “I’ve heard people criticize him for his intelligence. I think naïveté is more the issue than intelligence. He can learn it. When he puts his mind towards doing anything, he finds a way to get it done.”

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...wwhi041207.htm

[cstjohn17]

Originally Posted by Clonamery

Nolan Nawrocki:

What may set the run in motion is the early selection of Mississippi LB Patrick Willis. After clocking as fast as 4.35 on watches at his pro-day workout and showing rare speed, he positioned himself to be drafted in the top 10, where some evaluators had graded him even prior to his workout.

“You know exactly what you are getting with him,” one scouting director said. “I’ve heard people criticize him for his intelligence. I think naïveté is more the issue than intelligence. He can learn it. When he puts his mind towards doing anything, he finds a way to get it done.”

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...wwhi041207.htm

Midly surprised that Beason is not expected to last past 15. I think 4 in the top 15 is highly unlikely. 4 in the first round sounds about right.

[bradmahn]

I can't say I'd be disappointed with those four going in the first 15; none of them seem to be real good fits for the Pats (with the exception of Willis, who, I believe, most people have already resigned the notion of the Pats being able to take him at 24 or 28). If those four teams do decide to go LB, it'll leave the Pats with more options at corner (potentially).

[BelichickFan]

Wow, yeah, that would be interesting if Willis, Beason and Timmons were all gone. Although I like Beason, and that article made it sound like he'll very likely be gone way before our pick, I still think it's unlikely we take a LB in the first round so the more that go early the better.

[Box_O_Rocks]

Without trades, and using my latest crackpot drafting theory, I can see an OLB at #24 if Carriker, Staley, and Lynch are off the board, and an OLB at 28 has an even higher probability.

If BB were to draft for need off "my" team needs list, Woodley, Bradley, or Harris could all go at #24. The teams most likely to compete with the Pats for a LB are NYJ #25, Philly #26, NO #27, Baltimore #29, SD #30, Cleveland #35, Miami #40, SF #42, and maybe Pit #46. At present, all have a use for the bigger LB New England prefers, the 4-3 teams at SLB, the 3-4 teams at either position, and Pit as the crazy uncle who could shift away from 3-4 to Tampa-2 is a wildcard.

If the Pats did consider Woodley the second coming of Adalius Thomas then he would make the most sense as the first Pat-LB chosen from a long term perspective. If they love him, but think his upside is less certain, then Bradley as either ILB or OLB, or Harris at ILB become the next options. I still believe the best high floor/high ceiling ratio is Stew Bradley, who does compare well with Mike Vrabel.

We don't really have a good read on Eric Alexander's progress or Pierre Wood's. Pierre had a head start on TBC coming out of college and we would hope is more advanced at this stage of his career. If either is ready to step up and consistently take reserve game reps at either ILB or OLB, then the versatile Vrabel and Thomas will get more ILB reps and take the pressure off the draft. Gardner's rehab progress is another factor affecting how much "need" will drive the LB selection this year.

The nice thing this year, there is actually 3-4 experience in this draft: two smaller backers - Posluszny/Shaw, one borderline - Harris, and three with Patriot size - Bradley/Woodley/Moore. Throw in Patriot size with MLB experience - Robison/DeOssie, and you would think the Pats would draft one of these kids with their first four picks. You would think that, if BB hadn't made us paranoid on the subject.

[sebman2112]

I've been thinking the Steelers would take Timmons, maybe I should have thought about Beason for them, as well. I think Willis is gone by the 49ers, maybe Bills. I didn't think Posluszny would get interest that high, but I've seen him climbing back up draft boards elsewhere. Maybe this will allow some very Patriot friendly players to still be on the boars at 24-28.

[Box_O_Rocks]

Originally Posted by sebman2112

I've been thinking the Steelers would take Timmons, maybe I should have thought about Beason for them, as well. I think Willis is gone by the 49ers, maybe Bills. I didn't think Posluszny would get interest that high, but I've seen him climbing back up draft boards elsewhere. Maybe this will allow some very Patriot friendly players to still be on the boars at 24-28.

I don't have a lot of players with solid 2007 round one grades I'd consider: Carriker, Revis, Hall, Okoye, Adams, Thomas, Peterson, Lynch. I'm sure the LB needy teams, especially Pittsburgh (if they go Tampa-2) and NYG have Posluszny on the scope. I really like the kid, but like Willis, I have difficulty picturing him bulking up to 250 and carrying it through a season.

SF hasn't really signaled where they are going with their LB corps, smaller and faster, or chunky monkey. If they really want a 3-4, I can't see how they would choose a Willis over Carriker or even Branch, not when they have a shot at Harris in round two. Not to mention Meachem or Bowe would be a big help to poor Smitty and they have the horsepower to move up for Harrell in the second.