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Ok.. We all know that Belichick and Pioli draft based on perceived value to the Patriots organization. And that perceived value takes into consideration that person's tangible skills, intangibles (like leadership and instinct), and the need to the team. With that being said, here is I see the Pats top priorities based on need only.
1) Defensive End
2) Offensive Guard
3) Nose Tackle
4) Long Snapper
5) Safety - SS to Tweener
6) Pass-Rushing OLB
7) ILB
8) Cornerback
9) Offensive Tackle
10) Tight End
11) Center
12) Running back
12) Wide Receiver
Now, I KNOW people are going to go into their tirades because I have pass-rushing OLB as the 6th need on the team. That's how I see it based on the personnel they have going forward and based on how BB likes to bring in players 1 year before they will need them.
After 2009, the following players are UFA (based on the CBA being redone):
Seymour, Wilfork, Green, Vrabel, Faulk, Neal, Bruschi, Hobbs, Mankins, Kaczur, Washington, Yates, D. Thomas, Watson, Gostkowski,, LK Smith.
I expect that Mankins, Gostkowski, and Hobbs to be retained. The others are question marks either because of age/injuries (Neal, Bruschi, Vrabel, Faulk, Seymour), because they are so good that the Pats may not be able to afford them (Wilfork) or because they may not fit into the Pats plans going forward (Washington, Kaczur, Yates, Watson, LK Smith)
So, I looked at this draft and saw where the strengths were. ILB and OLB have good strengths. NT has potential. DE, not so much. Safety has good mid-round depth, but doesn't have a lot at the top end (unless several juniors declare). OT, OG, and Center are pretty good. WR is weak. RB is strong. TE isn't great.
So, I can see the Pats adding to most of the positions that I see as "need" positions and addressing them with value players.
1) Defensive End
2) Offensive Guard
3) Nose Tackle
4) Long Snapper
5) Safety - SS to Tweener
6) Pass-Rushing OLB
7) ILB
8) Cornerback
9) Offensive Tackle
10) Tight End
11) Center
12) Running back
12) Wide Receiver
Now, I KNOW people are going to go into their tirades because I have pass-rushing OLB as the 6th need on the team. That's how I see it based on the personnel they have going forward and based on how BB likes to bring in players 1 year before they will need them.
After 2009, the following players are UFA (based on the CBA being redone):
Seymour, Wilfork, Green, Vrabel, Faulk, Neal, Bruschi, Hobbs, Mankins, Kaczur, Washington, Yates, D. Thomas, Watson, Gostkowski,, LK Smith.
I expect that Mankins, Gostkowski, and Hobbs to be retained. The others are question marks either because of age/injuries (Neal, Bruschi, Vrabel, Faulk, Seymour), because they are so good that the Pats may not be able to afford them (Wilfork) or because they may not fit into the Pats plans going forward (Washington, Kaczur, Yates, Watson, LK Smith)
So, I looked at this draft and saw where the strengths were. ILB and OLB have good strengths. NT has potential. DE, not so much. Safety has good mid-round depth, but doesn't have a lot at the top end (unless several juniors declare). OT, OG, and Center are pretty good. WR is weak. RB is strong. TE isn't great.
So, I can see the Pats adding to most of the positions that I see as "need" positions and addressing them with value players.