More declare:

[mcsully]

LeSean McCoy has reportedly changed his mind and will enter the draft. I'm not in favor of drafting a running back high, but he's my favorite RB in the draft if true.

Pitt's McCoy to declare for NFL Draft

I'm going to agree with you 100%. He reminds me of C. Martin.. He has great vision and can do a lot of the little things.. Plus he has some good break away speed..

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Prospect              Pos   School         Projected  Measurables
Baker, *Chris         (DT)  Hampton           [5]     6-2/308, 5.08
Britt, *Kenny         (WR)  Rutgers          [2-3]    6-4/215, 4.54
Britton, *Eben        (OT)  Arizona          [1-2]    6-6/310, 5.09
Brown, *Donald        (RB)  Connecticut      [2-3]    5-10/210, 4.49
Brown, *Everette      (DE)  Florida State     [1]     6-4/252, 4.65
Casey, *James         (TE)  Rice             [2-3]    6-4/235, 4.68
Coffee, *Glen         (RB)  Alabama           [5]     6-1/204, 4.53
Collie, *Austin       (WR)  BYU               [3]     6-2/206, 4.56
Cook, *Emanuel        (SS)  South Carolina    [4]     5-10/205, 4.52
Cook, *Jared          (TE)  South Carolina   [2-3]    6-5/240, 4.58
Crabtree, *Michael    (WR)  Texas Tech        [1]     6-3/214, 4.54
Davie, *Andrew        (TE)  Arkansas         [UDFA]   6-5/265
Davis, *Vontae        (CB)  Illinois         [1-2]    6-0/204, 4.42
Freeman, *Josh        (QB)  Kansas State     [2-3]    6-6/248, 4.86
Greene, *Shonn        (RB)  Iowa              [2]     5-11/235, 4.58
Heyward-Bey, *Darrius (WR)  Maryland          [2]     6-2/206, 4.37
Hill, *P.J.           (RB)  Wisconsin        [6-7]    5-11/236, 4.59
Isdaner, *Greg        (OG)  West Virginia    [6-7]    6-4/322, 5.19
Maclin, *Jeremy       (WR)  Missouri          [1]     6-1/200, 4.38
Marks, *Sen'Derrick   (DT)  Auburn           [2-3]    6-1/295, 4.93
McRath, *Gerald       (ILB) Southern Miss     [5]     6-3/224, 4.62
Moore, *D.J.          (CB)  Vanderbilt        [1]     5-10/184, 4.45
Moreno, *Knowshon     (RB)  Georgia           [1]     5-11/208, 4.48
Munnerlyn, *Captain   (CB)  South Carolina   [2-3]    5-09/185, 4.39
Nicks, *Hakeem        (WR)  North Carolina   [1-2]    6-1/210, 4.57
Ogletree, *Kevin      (WR)  Virginia         [6-7]    6-2/190, 4.50
Powers, *Jerraud      (CB)  Auburn           [5-6]    5-09/192, 4.49
Rolle, *Myron         (SS)  Florida State    [6-7]    6-2/218, 4.52
Smith, *Andre         (OT)  Alabama           [1]     6-4/340, 5.28
Stafford, *Matthew    (QB)  Georgia           [1]     6-3/236, 4.78
Wells, *Chris         (RB)  Ohio State        [1]     6-1/237, 4.53

 

[DaBruinz]

Prospect              Pos   School         Projected  Measurables
Baker, *Chris         (DT)  Hampton           [5]     6-2/308, 5.08
Britt, *Kenny         (WR)  Rutgers          [2-3]    6-4/215, 4.54
Britton, *Eben        (OT)  Arizona          [1-2]    6-6/310, 5.09
Brown, *Donald        (RB)  Connecticut      [2-3]    5-10/210, 4.49
Brown, *Everette      (DE)  Florida State     [1]     6-4/252, 4.65
Casey, *James         (TE)  Rice             [2-3]    6-4/235, 4.68
Coffee, *Glen         (RB)  Alabama           [5]     6-1/204, 4.53
Collie, *Austin       (WR)  BYU               [3]     6-2/206, 4.56
Cook, *Emanuel        (SS)  South Carolina    [4]     5-10/205, 4.52
Cook, *Jared          (TE)  South Carolina   [2-3]    6-5/240, 4.58
Crabtree, *Michael    (WR)  Texas Tech        [1]     6-3/214, 4.54
Davie, *Andrew        (TE)  Arkansas         [UDFA]   6-5/265
Davis, *Vontae        (CB)  Illinois         [1-2]    6-0/204, 4.42
Freeman, *Josh        (QB)  Kansas State     [2-3]    6-6/248, 4.86
Greene, *Shonn        (RB)  Iowa              [2]     5-11/235, 4.58
Heyward-Bey, *Darrius (WR)  Maryland          [2]     6-2/206, 4.37
Hill, *P.J.           (RB)  Wisconsin        [6-7]    5-11/236, 4.59
Isdaner, *Greg        (OG)  West Virginia    [6-7]    6-4/322, 5.19
Maclin, *Jeremy       (WR)  Missouri          [1]     6-1/200, 4.38
Marks, *Sen'Derrick   (DT)  Auburn           [2-3]    6-1/295, 4.93
McRath, *Gerald       (ILB) Southern Miss     [5]     6-3/224, 4.62
Moore, *D.J.          (CB)  Vanderbilt        [1]     5-10/184, 4.45
Moreno, *Knowshon     (RB)  Georgia           [1]     5-11/208, 4.48
Munnerlyn, *Captain   (CB)  South Carolina   [2-3]    5-09/185, 4.39
Nicks, *Hakeem        (WR)  North Carolina   [1-2]    6-1/210, 4.57
Ogletree, *Kevin      (WR)  Virginia         [6-7]    6-2/190, 4.50
Powers, *Jerraud      (CB)  Auburn           [5-6]    5-09/192, 4.49
Rolle, *Myron         (SS)  Florida State    [6-7]    6-2/218, 4.52
Smith, *Andre         (OT)  Alabama           [1]     6-4/340, 5.28
Stafford, *Matthew    (QB)  Georgia           [1]     6-3/236, 4.78
Wells, *Chris         (RB)  Ohio State        [1]     6-1/237, 4.53

What's interesting about all these Juniors coming out who are getting 1st round ratings is that there was already 20 something seniors who had 1st round ratings..

 

[JSn]

Exactly. Imagine getting a high first and second for Cassel, and turning that #1 into a low #1 and a #2...

There's "first-round" talent going right into the third round this time around.

Also, we'll of course be scoring the next uber-QB sometime in the 200's, hehe

 

[patchick]

What's interesting about all these Juniors coming out who are getting 1st round ratings is that there was already 20 something seniors who had 1st round ratings..

A nice turnaround from your concerns in the Fall, eh?
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/113659-2009-preview-wheres-talent.html

From a draftnik's perspective, a draft this deep is fascinatingly unpredictable. Usually we respond to a lot of mock drafts with "too unrealistic, XX will never be around at #24." This year some of those "unrealistic" possibilities will end up realistic.

 

[LuthierJr]

A nice turnaround from your concerns in the Fall, eh?
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/113659-2009-preview-wheres-talent.html

From a draftnik's perspective, a draft this deep is fascinatingly unpredictable. Usually we respond to a lot of mock drafts with "too unrealistic, XX will never be around at #24." This year some of those "unrealistic" possibilities will end up realistic.

I'm excited about lots of quality players falling as we have a bunch of early-ish picks. Throw in one or two extra for Cassel and this draft could be huge for the franchise. Of course we will most likely trade one or so around for more next year, but never the less we are sitting in a good situation!

 

[DaBruinz]

A nice turnaround from your concerns in the Fall, eh?
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/113659-2009-preview-wheres-talent.html

From a draftnik's perspective, a draft this deep is fascinatingly unpredictable. Usually we respond to a lot of mock drafts with "too unrealistic, XX will never be around at #24." This year some of those "unrealistic" possibilities will end up realistic.

Patchick - Is it really a turnaround? Look at the 2nd sentence of my post in that thread...

Unless there is the largest junior class in NFL history to enter, this draft is going to be particularly thin on talent at the top of the draft.

And that is what its taking to make this a deep draft..

 

[sg14]

Seems like there are alot of players declaring that are ranked for the 4th round and on.

Why would you do that??

Not a good sign in my mind.

 

[DaBruinz]

Seems like there are alot of players declaring that are ranked for the 4th round and on.

Why would you do that??

Not a good sign in my mind.

Money. Remember that even a rookie who makes the team will bring in over 230K in a year.

Now, one player who is ranked low is Myron Rolle. But he's ranked low because he's accepted a Rhodes Scholarship and is going to Oxford for a year.

Others are falling lower because of the number of underclassmen that are coming out. It has a waterfall affect. The more that come out, the lower down they are going to be..

 

[AzPatsFan]

Florida State's Rolle to accept his Rhodes Scholarship, bypass senior season

Just the kind of smart, level-headed athlete that Belichick aspires to acquire. Pick him in the 2nd or 3rd, sign and let him study abroad, as a red-shirt equivalent.

Help him into Bsoton are medical school, like Harvard or Tufts Medical School, with Kraft's connections. Let him QB their defensive backfield for a decade, as he becomes another Dr. Peter Brock.

 

[lostjumper]

Sources: Texas Tech Red Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree to enter draft - ESPN

Crabtree and Maclin are both coming out. This draft is looking freakin stacked at this point.

 

[JSn]

Sources: Texas Tech Red Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree to enter draft - ESPN

Crabtree and Maclin are both coming out. This draft is looking freakin stacked at this point.

Chad Jackson. Chad Jackson. Chad Jackson.

I hope they draft NO receivers. Better to stick with proven commodities and draft defense.

 

[BradyManny]

Chad Jackson. Chad Jackson. Chad Jackson.

I hope they draft NO receivers. Better to stick with proven commodities and draft defense.

I can understand the sentiment, but at this point, I can almost guarantee we'll draft receiver this season. The depth behind Moss is non-existent. I can't see them filling up the WR depth chart with special teamers again, and I don't think K. Wash or Aiken did enough at ST this season to guarantee themselves roster spots next year. Beyond Moss & Welker, its open.

There are mid round guys we can take chances with. I like Deon Butler. Quan Crosby. But honestly, I can see us drafting a wide receiver as high as the first round or second round. They just have to perform their due diligence a little bit better this time around.

I know drafting skill positions have everybody a little nervous...but watching Chris Johnson gash the Ravens as we speak, I feel like there is a type of player at RB or WR that feels "safer". Smaller, quicker, shiftier guys, who didn't rely on their size to get by in college. Guys who can cut on a dime (Deion Branch), guys who have high football IQs.

 

[DaBruinz]

I can understand the sentiment, but at this point, I can almost guarantee we'll draft receiver this season. The depth behind Moss is non-existent. I can't see them filling up the WR depth chart with special teamers again, and I don't think K. Wash or Aiken did enough at ST this season to guarantee themselves roster spots next year. Beyond Moss & Welker, its open.

There are mid round guys we can take chances with. I like Deon Butler. Quan Crosby. But honestly, I can see us drafting a wide receiver as high as the first round or second round. They just have to perform their due diligence a little bit better this time around.

I know drafting skill positions have everybody a little nervous...but watching Chris Johnson gash the Ravens as we speak, I feel like there is a type of player at RB or WR that feels "safer". Smaller, quicker, shiftier guys, who didn't rely on their size to get by in college. Guys who can cut on a dime (Deion Branch), guys who have high football IQs.

There are numerous free agents available this year who could do more than most of the rookies coming out. Someone like Bryant Johnson or Antonio Bryant. Shaun McDonald would provide more than adequate production as a Welker type player.

At this point, I think its unlikely that the Patriots will draft a WR in the 1st 3 rounds.

 

[Seneschal2]

There are numerous free agents available this year who could do more than most of the rookies coming out. Someone like Bryant Johnson or Antonio Bryant. Shaun McDonald would provide more than adequate production as a Welker type player.

At this point, I think its unlikely that the Patriots will draft a WR in the 1st 3 rounds.

I don't know if it's unlikely, but with this particular draft crop of those who fit, I'm not very confident we'd draft one early. There's only two WRs I like early (Heyward-Bey and Iglesias), and they may be tough to get. There are a couple I like on day two.

I do like the idea of at least addressing the position with a solid talent, as I'm uncomfortable with the lack of quality depth. And by adding someone w/ experience, the phobia of investing another high pick on a rookie while we wait out the developmental process -- would all be avoided. Not up on the FAs available, but I'd choose this route first.

As always, BB teaches us to keep the door open to all possibilities.

 

[mmasterkillah]

Antonio Bryant was TB's #1 this season and they have like $40+ million free in cap this offseason. I doubt he leaves.

Shaun McDonald is actually not very similar to Welker naturally. He is more of a sprint speed type of runner than a quick and agile guy... I wouldn't really want him as anything more than a #4 guy on our team, especially based on what he'll likely get on the open market.

I doubt we'll draft a WR early, but it seems like there are a lot of guys who are available who can be versatile in the NFL (returns to pair with natural skills). I think the era of the small but quick, fast is coming back in vogue at all levels of football with guys like DeSean Jackson, Sproles, Roscoe Parrish etc. doing so well. Guys like Harvin, D. Williams, Maclin (and eventually Jacquizz Rogers etc.) and more should benefit from this.

Also, Quan Crosby is too old to be taken on the first day, and honestly I don't think he will be anything in the pros. I doubt he is the type of natural athlete that will shine on pro day.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

There are numerous free agents available this year who could do more than most of the rookies coming out. Someone like Bryant Johnson or Antonio Bryant. Shaun McDonald would provide more than adequate production as a Welker type player.

At this point, I think its unlikely that the Patriots will draft a WR in the 1st 3 rounds.

Yup, and Free Agents are more expensive - which is going to be a major consideration with Cassel expected to be Franchised. Drafting a Day One WR is a greater risk, but it's also a much less expensive way to acquire a quality WR for the long term. Moss is signed through 2010, NE can't plan on getting their hands on another Randy Moss with a 4th round pick anytime soon, drafting a youngster to develop behind Moss has to be a consideration for a team with a reputation for looking ahead.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Chad Jackson. Chad Jackson. Chad Jackson.

I hope they draft NO receivers. Better to stick with proven commodities and draft defense.

NE drafted and developed two decent WRs who had an impact when they won a couple of those Super Bowls. Yes, Chad Jackson was a bust, one that cost NE two draft picks - I would hope the lesson from that has been absorbed by the Player Personnel staff.

Mike Shanahan reached the point where he no longer trusted his personnel people to find him Defensive Linemen - he stopped drafting them and started buying up other teams castoffs. You or I can afford to sit here and fear WRs in the draft, BB can't. Bill has to trust that he and Pioli have corrected the flaws that led to Chad Jackson, and to evaluate WR prospects in this draft not as an automatic rejection due to fear & past frustrations, but as tools necessary for the team's success.

 

[VJCPatriot]

If Percy Harvin declares, I'd consider him with our early 2nd round pick. The guy is a playmaker and can line up at multiple positions. I could see the Pats using him the way the Saints use Reggie Bush. More as a receiver than a RB.

 

[PJM]

I wouldn't mind a possession receiver (good hands and route runner) in the second or third round if one was available. You can never have enough of those guys and they often fall because their speed and height don't excite the scouts. All teams draft a few busts, Jackson was one of our worst but you can't let it worry you.