Preliminary Mock Draft

[Ochmed Jones]

I like your thinking, only I would add a wrinkle to that and say that if we draft a CB like A Smith of Wake in the first round, I would like to eventually see a healthy Wheatley and Smith as our starters with Hobbs playing the slot receiver and Whilhite/Richardson battling for the dime.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

High on Iglesias too. Keep an eye on a sleeper pick of mine - Kenny McKinley, S. Carolina (round 3-4).

Proceed with caution when scouting Spurrier receivers. They are taught to run to a spot and look for the ball. They are not taught how to read defenses and have no expereince with option routes.

I think Rice of Minneasota is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to Spurrier receivers.

 

[makoute]

I go back and forth with Pettigrew as well. We drafted Meriweather who had issues with the law. as well as bringing in Corey Dillon. I prefer Bear Pascoe from Fresno State. Runs good routes, likes to block. Gives 110% from the games I saw including the NM Bowl.

I am fine with Johnson playing in the SEC. Great Leader, solid tackler. It should be interesting to see what direction they choose to go in.

Merriweather didn't have issues with the law. He was involved in a shooting, in which he was defending himself and his friend legally.

 

[Warren94]

I stand corrected. he did kick the tar out of that FLA Atlantic player.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I stand corrected. he did kick the tar out of that FLA Atlantic player.

Yup, scared a bunch of us off him, but BB/SP do the due diligence on these questions and he's been pretty good for NE.

 

[mavfan2390]

My ideal draft would go something like

1. Vontae Davis
1b. (from Cassel trade ) Clint Sintim
2. Patrick Chung
2b. Javon Ringer


Davis is IMO going to be better than Jenkins.
Sintim is a raw but would upgrade the pass rush
Chung is a 4 year starter, and IMO would be the number 1 safety in any other draft, he's smart, strong, fast, experienced. I'm really high on him.
Ringer would add a different dimension to our offense. Right now we're all power running, Ringer would be a great change of pace back.

 

[mgteich]

I don't know what positions to pick until we know who is re-signed or extended. Given the quality available, I do think that we will draft an ILB on Day One, soldifying that positition. Beyond that, we'll know a lot more in a few weeks, likely by the end of March.

As is usually the case, I expect that Belichick will meet as many needs as possible before the draft.

The secondary is a good example. Right now, there are serious needs. However, I expect that we will have four safeties before the draft: Meriweather, James Sanders or a free agent replacement, Tank Williams or a free agent replacement, and Lew Sanders (who is also a backup corner to compete with Hobbs, Wheatley and Wilhite for reps). This is a reasonable core secondary of seven, likely considerable stronger than this year. Add a couple of special teamers (choose among Spann, Richardson, Slater and Ventrone) and we are ready for the season, and also ready for draft upgrades and/or draft competition if the value is there.

The biggest question for me will be our draft need on the lines. If there are no extensions or re-signs, we will be vulnerable in 2010 at DE, DT, OG and even at OT. Although there is not much immediate need (except for re-signing or replacing backups Wright and Hochstein), this becomes a major draft set of priorities if there are no extensions or re-signs.

SIGNED BEYOND 2009 (NINE OPEN ROSTER SPOTS IN 2009)
DE (4) Warren, Smith (assumed to be re-signed in 2010 as an RFA)
DT (2) Wilfork
OG (4)
OT (4) Light, LeVoir (would e-signed as a 2010 ERFA)

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I don't know what positions to pick until we know who is re-signed or extended. Given the quality available, I do think that we will draft an ILB on Day One, soldifying that positition. Beyond that, we'll know a lot more in a few weeks, likely by the end of March.

As is usually the case, I expect that Belichick will meet as many needs as possible before the draft.

The secondary is a good example. Right now, there are serious needs. However, I expect that we will have four safeties before the draft: Meriweather, James Sanders or a free agent replacement, Tank Williams or a free agent replacement, and Lew Sanders (who is also a backup corner to compete with Hobbs, Wheatley and Wilhite for reps). This is a reasonable core secondary of seven, likely considerable stronger than this year. Add a couple of special teamers (choose among Spann, Richardson, Slater and Ventrone) and we are ready for the season, and also ready for draft upgrades and/or draft competition if the value is there.

The biggest question for me will be our draft need on the lines. If there are no extensions or re-signs, we will be vulnerable in 2010 at DE, DT, OG and even at OT. Although there is not much immediate need (except for re-signing or replacing backups Wright and Hochstein), this becomes a major draft set of priorities if there are no extensions or re-signs.

SIGNED BEYOND 2009 (NINE OPEN ROSTER SPOTS IN 2009)
DE (4) Warren, Smith (assumed to be re-signed in 2010 as an RFA)
DT (2) Wilfork
OG (4)
OT (4) Light, LeVoir (would e-signed as a 2010 ERFA)

MG: do you consider Richardson a good ST player?

 

[cstjohn17]

As is usually the case, I expect that Belichick will meet as many needs as possible before the draft.

I agree, this is the key. The roster should be generally set prior to the draft, this allows the team to stick closer to BPA versus need (always a balance). The draft is used to improve depth and/or get younger and cheaper. Considering past history a good draft would produce:

• 1 starter (at most)
• 2 quality backups
• 2 4th stringers / special teamers
• 2 practice squad players

Safety is the only position that doesn't even have enough bodies, although you could consider Merriweather, Spann, Vetrone, Slater your Safeties (gulp).