Just trying to take a rough stab at what we might be looking at.
First of all, I believe we will tag-and-trade Cassell, but the picks will be more of the 2010 variety (I think something similar to the Bledsoe deal). I will also assume a 3rd round comp pick for Samuel.
1) TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
BB loves TE's, and Pettigrew is as well-rounded a TE prospect as you will ever see. There is a bit of a character flag, but if that gets settled and he checks out well in interviews I think he'd be a nice fit. The Patriots have brought on players with character flags before when they were sure their issues were in the past. Pettigrew is an excellent blocker and should serve well as underneath option. Great hands too, something Watson could only dream of. Besides, Watson only has 1 year left, so Pettigrew can take his time developing. Every time I've seen this guy he has impressed me.
2a) S Rashaad Johnson, Alabama
My favorite player in the draft as of now. Walk-on who has exceeded all expectations. Leader and top producer for an amazing defense. Great instincts, great tackler. Good STer too. Not the biggest or the fastest, but with him and BM back we should have some great safety play.
2b) DT Evander Hood, Missouri
BB loves to draft a year in advance. Well, in 2 years, Seymour/Green/LeKevin Smith are all FA's. Hood has prototypical size for our system (6'4 300). He is athletic and technically sound. He's been productive. I'm fairly certain Wilfork will re-sign long term in the near future, so NT isn't as much of a need. This system relies on top notch DL play, so we should feed the pipeline. Might need a bit of a trade up.
3) ***traded for 2010 2nd***
As BB has done numerous times before, he'll ship a late 3rd for a 2nd next year. Along with the Cassel trade, NE will have some nice picks available for future years as well.
3-comp) OG/C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Neal and Mankins are both approaching UFA status, and there doesn't appear to be any quality players in the pipeline. I believe Hotchstein is also a UFA this year, so Luigs can also back up Koppen.
Note: I purposely left out corner and LB as I believe we are very young at these positions and are much more likely to go the FA route if an upgrade is desired. I also think that we will use FA for a WR, although a draft pick is possible here (I'd like Joaquin Iglesias from Oklahoma in round 3). Not a sexy draft, but restocking the lines should go a long way to keeping NE on top.
First of all, I believe we will tag-and-trade Cassell, but the picks will be more of the 2010 variety (I think something similar to the Bledsoe deal). I will also assume a 3rd round comp pick for Samuel.
1) TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
BB loves TE's, and Pettigrew is as well-rounded a TE prospect as you will ever see. There is a bit of a character flag, but if that gets settled and he checks out well in interviews I think he'd be a nice fit. The Patriots have brought on players with character flags before when they were sure their issues were in the past. Pettigrew is an excellent blocker and should serve well as underneath option. Great hands too, something Watson could only dream of. Besides, Watson only has 1 year left, so Pettigrew can take his time developing. Every time I've seen this guy he has impressed me.
2a) S Rashaad Johnson, Alabama
My favorite player in the draft as of now. Walk-on who has exceeded all expectations. Leader and top producer for an amazing defense. Great instincts, great tackler. Good STer too. Not the biggest or the fastest, but with him and BM back we should have some great safety play.
2b) DT Evander Hood, Missouri
BB loves to draft a year in advance. Well, in 2 years, Seymour/Green/LeKevin Smith are all FA's. Hood has prototypical size for our system (6'4 300). He is athletic and technically sound. He's been productive. I'm fairly certain Wilfork will re-sign long term in the near future, so NT isn't as much of a need. This system relies on top notch DL play, so we should feed the pipeline. Might need a bit of a trade up.
3) ***traded for 2010 2nd***
As BB has done numerous times before, he'll ship a late 3rd for a 2nd next year. Along with the Cassel trade, NE will have some nice picks available for future years as well.
3-comp) OG/C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Neal and Mankins are both approaching UFA status, and there doesn't appear to be any quality players in the pipeline. I believe Hotchstein is also a UFA this year, so Luigs can also back up Koppen.
Note: I purposely left out corner and LB as I believe we are very young at these positions and are much more likely to go the FA route if an upgrade is desired. I also think that we will use FA for a WR, although a draft pick is possible here (I'd like Joaquin Iglesias from Oklahoma in round 3). Not a sexy draft, but restocking the lines should go a long way to keeping NE on top.
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