The sweet spot of the 2009 draft...

[BradyManny]

...[for the New England Patriots] is between 20-60.

My early draft board is packed w prospects within that range.

I do not see many Patriot fits in the top 15 or so, especially on defense, which is considered to be the need [Aaron Curry the main exception.] :
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Agree? Disagree?

My conclusion of course would then be that any Cassel trade will not be interested in netting us a top 20 pick in the 2009 draft. I wouldn't even mind getting out of #23 and moving back, as many of the guys that are intriguing at #23 are likely to be available in early to mid round 2.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

...[for the New England Patriots] is between 20-60.

My early draft board is packed w prospects within that range.

I do not see many Patriot fits in the top 15 or so, especially on defense, which is considered to be the need [Aaron Curry the main exception.] :
NFL Draft Scout Rankings, From Prep to Pro Coverage for Pros by Pros - Powered by the Sports Xchange



Agree? Disagree?

My conclusion of course would then be that any Cassel trade will not be interested in netting us a top 20 pick in the 2009 draft. I wouldn't even mind getting out of #23 and moving back, as many of the guys that are intriguing at #23 are likely to be available in early to mid round 2.

Well now, it happens the "sweet spot" does coincide with New England's picks, but most drafts have a nice variety in this range so I'm not overly impressed...just a touch avaricious.

As for the top 15...

1 WR, 2 OT, with 1 more OT and WR I'm not sure about.
1 LB, 1 NT, & 1 CB worth consideration, so it's more or less even.

 

[farn]

I think it's the sweet spot because BB makes it that way. I'm pretty confident that if he had #1 overall, he'd make that work too.

But yes, since he picks well, lower picks (where you mentionned) are great because a "hit" in that zone is so much better because of financial considerations.

If the Pats get extras from a Cassel trade, along with the 2nd from SD, and their scheduled picks... yikes : could be like 2003 all over again !

 

[Afterlifemobile-86]

I think it's the sweet spot because BB makes it that way. I'm pretty confident that if he had #1 overall, he'd make that work too.

But yes, since he picks well, lower picks (where you mentionned) are great because a "hit" in that zone is so much better because of financial considerations.

If the Pats get extras from a Cassel trade, along with the 2nd from SD, and their scheduled picks... yikes : could be like 2003 all over again !

I don't know about that, I haven't been all that impressed with Marhoney or Merriwheather thus far...

 

[farn]

Maroney : a rare miss. Merriweather : potential solid player for years who needs to tighten up his tackling this off-season. I think most will agree Merriweather's a keeper.

 

[BradyManny]

Well now, it happens the "sweet spot" does coincide with New England's picks, but most drafts have a nice variety in this range so I'm not overly impressed...just a touch avaricious.

As for the top 15...

1 WR, 2 OT, with 1 more OT and WR I'm not sure about.
1 LB, 1 NT, & 1 CB worth consideration, so it's more or less even.

I think I follow, but as I said, of those - the only one that really peaks my interest and fills what I perceive to be a pressing need is the LB (Curry). And with no guarantee as to how the drafting in front of us goes down, a pick in the top 15 might end up providing us the same guy #23 would, but at a higher price tag.

Curious which of those 4 high end OTs are you not impressed with?

If we had a pick early, I would think it would go OT. But I'm not feeling the need there. Ironically, last year, I wanted us to draft Clady, but Kaczur played well enough this year that I don't feel the pressure to address the position. If one of the stud OTs dropped, I would expect us to consider.

 

[BradyManny]

I don't know about that, I haven't been all that impressed with Marhoney or Merriwheather thus far...

Meriweather had a great sophomore campaign.

Maroney has flashed greatness himself, just need to see it on a consistent basis.

 

[BradyManny]

I think it's the sweet spot because BB makes it that way. I'm pretty confident that if he had #1 overall, he'd make that work too.

But yes, since he picks well, lower picks (where you mentionned) are great because a "hit" in that zone is so much better because of financial considerations.

If the Pats get extras from a Cassel trade, along with the 2nd from SD, and their scheduled picks... yikes : could be like 2003 all over again !

Last season, #7 provided a number of options I would've been OK w - and that was even with Mayo not being on my radar at that spot (foolishly). If we had #7 this season, I might feel some unrest going into the draft as to how it would unfold.

 

[farn]

Last season, #7 provided a number of options I would've been OK w - and that was even with Mayo not being on my radar at that spot (foolishly). If we had #7 this season, I might feel some unrest going into the draft as to how it would unfold.

I would be confident... with really high picks, BB has been even better : Seymour, Mayo, even T.Warren

I agree that they would maybe go OT with a really high pick (I remember BB talking about how he would've gone with Gallery #1 in the year he was taken - oops). The reason is mostly because I think they feel good about the amount you pay vs the production you get.

BUT - since we're not going that high, I have no reason to believe this won't be another solid haul.

 

[mayoclinic]

Last season, #7 provided a number of options I would've been OK w - and that was even with Mayo not being on my radar at that spot (foolishly). If we had #7 this season, I might feel some unrest going into the draft as to how it would unfold.

I would disagree with that. Consider the following drafts:

2008 - Mayo (10), DRC (16), Clady (12) and Alberts (15) would probably have been the top players left for the Pats, if not the top players altogether (I'm not sure who in the top 6 would have been rated higher except for Jake Long, as I don't think we were ever serious about Gholston or McFadden, Dorsey wasn't a fit, we didn't need a CB, and Chris Long would have been a high priced conversion project). While all of those players could have been reasonable picks at #7, all were likely to be available at 10 and I'm not sure any were screaming "value" at #7.

2007 - Patrick Willis would have been a good pick at 7. Laron Landry went #6. Not sure who else would have been worth it. Adrian Peterson was obviously a steal at #7, but I don't see how we would have gone RB.

2006 - Haloti Ngata would have been good value and fit at #7. Not sure who else. #7 would have been way too high for Antonio Cromartie at that time.

For 2009, I expect Aaron Curry will be gone before #7 but he would be good value. Malcolm Jenkins may be available, and he would probably be good value. BJ Raji will likely be available, and he would be excellent value (I would rate him comparably to Ngata). One of the top 3 OT's (Monroe, Andre Smith and Jason Smith) will likely be available, and would be solid value. If Crabtree fell because of speed issues I think he would be solid value. So there seem like a lot of potential options at #7 this year. In fact, I've listed 7 players, so that would insure that at least one of those players would be available at #7, and doesn't even include trading back a few slots and picking up Everett Brown or Brian Orapko if we felt they fit.

 

[Seneschal2]

...[for the New England Patriots] is between 20-60.

I'd extend the sweet area from 60 to 100. This will bring us to round three, where the Pats may end up with an additional pick or two.

My early draft board is packed w prospects within that range.

Mine also.

I do not see many Patriot fits in the top 15 or so, especially on defense, which is considered to be the need [Aaron Curry the main exception.] :

There's only six I like.

I wouldn't even mind getting out of #23 and moving back, as many of the guys that are intriguing at #23 are likely to be available in early to mid round 2.

On occasion, I've mentioned my comfort level with trading down from #23 or remaining there.

Using Draftscout's top 100, I have exactly 30 prospects from 20 right up to 100 of whom I'd consider as potential Pats prospects. After the Combine and workouts, the weeding out process will begin. Any Cassel trade and/or Samuel compensation may allow the Pats to do some serious shopping from the top 100 prospects.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'd extend the sweet area from 60 to 100. This will bring us to round three, where the Pats may end up with an additional pick or two.

Using Draftscout's top 100, I have exactly 30 prospects from 20 right up to 100 of whom I'd consider as potential Pats prospects. After the Combine and workouts, the weeding out process will begin. Any Cassel trade and/or Samuel compensation may allow the Pats to do some serious shopping from the top 100 prospects.

I personally feel that this draft is extremely strong in the top 100 all the way through. I feel like we could find could value top 10, top 20, 20-40, 40-60, and 60-100. This is in contrast to a number of previous drafts. The vaunted 2004 draft, for example, had terrific value for about 50 players but dropped off quickly after that. 2006 was also pretty shallow.

I could see a ton of 3rd round players that I would love to have if we had extra picks - Trevor Canfield, Eric Wood, James Casey, the list goes on and on. I can also see half a dozen late 1st-early 2nd round guys that intrigue me. And there are at least half a dozen top 15 players that I think are worth taking a hard look at - Curry, Raji, Jenkins, Orapko, Brown, ASmith, JSmith, and Monroe come to mind. I think we could do well wherever we sat. I can see potential value trading up, and value trading down.

 

[BradyManny]

For 2009, I expect Aaron Curry will be gone before #7 but he would be good value. Malcolm Jenkins may be available, and he would probably be good value. BJ Raji will likely be available, and he would be excellent value (I would rate him comparably to Ngata). One of the top 3 OT's (Monroe, Andre Smith and Jason Smith) will likely be available, and would be solid value. If Crabtree fell because of speed issues I think he would be solid value. So there seem like a lot of potential options at #7 this year. In fact, I've listed 7 players, so that would insure that at least one of those players would be available at #7, and doesn't even include trading back a few slots and picking up Everett Brown or Brian Orapko if we felt they fit.

Good points, but I'm still not quite on the bandwagon...I'm not sure about Brown/Orakpo. Raji seems a fit, but given we can control Wilfork w the franchise tag next year, I'm not concerned about the position as much anymore. The OTs would make me happy, but again, not really fill a need at this point. I'd be interested in Jenkins.

 

[BradyManny]

I'd extend the sweet area from 60 to 100. This will bring us to round three, where the Pats may end up with an additional pick or two.

On occasion, I've mentioned my comfort level with trading down from #23 or remaining there.

Using Draftscout's top 100, I have exactly 30 prospects from 20 right up to 100 of whom I'd consider as potential Pats prospects. After the Combine and workouts, the weeding out process will begin. Any Cassel trade and/or Samuel compensation may allow the Pats to do some serious shopping from the top 100 prospects.

I like the idea of stockpiling youth in the 20-100 range, going for quantity & quality. Not all draft picks in any range are going to pan out, so having some extras to take some chances is a plus. But I wonder if we have the roster spots for all the youth I'd like to see injected - keeping in mind I always see this team adding a vet or two. I think we can ultimately make room.