If we ended up with the #3 pick...

[Box_O_Rocks]

True, Smith won't be handed the job from the get-go, but in order for him to have an opportunity to make an impact (sooner rather than later), he'll need as many reps as possible. One scenario is for him to arrive on time, receive 100% of the reps at LT during TC (Light doesn't need any time there), then a full pre-season vs NFL competition. All the while, Light is doing the same at RT. Evaluate both players throughout the process, with Nick as the backup at both RT and RG.

All draft prospects are dealing with the NFL transition, and all develop at different paces. If, as you state, his run blocking needs some work, he may have the necessary time to improve during this pre-season. We, as fans, can't put a timetable on the development of rookies -- it's individually based.

If, Smith isn't deemed ready this pre-season, return to the starting OL of '08.

Never thought I'd be speculating about the #3 pick in the draft -- twas fun...although I won't be counting chickens.

That's another way, but I'd expect the Pats to lean on Light at LT for the "franchise's" sake while giving Smitty every opportunity there was to get his reps. They could also move Mankins to RG and move Light inside next to Smitty...I don't expect to get the kid either, but it is fun to think what could happen with a prospect like that.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

its curry and everyone else

I don't believe there is any such thing as good OT value at #3 unless there you run into outstanding physical characteristics in the for of a jonathan ogden........in a league where more and more teams are going 3-4, the athletic OT may benefit getting out there on a 3-4 OLB, but he is more of a liability in trying to drive a guy like richard seymour or most 3-4 DE's

 

[bakes781]

To imagine having the #3 pick overall I'd have to think what's in it for KC? You start with Cassel and the #23 obviously, but I think you'd have to throw in a 2nd or a 3rd as well. Chief's going from 3 to 23 is a HUGE drop and will not go easy. UNLESS you can get a 3rd team involved like say a Buffalo(@11) who's shown interest in Tony Gonzalez in the past.

 

[rsd]

To imagine having the #3 pick overall I'd have to think what's in it for KC? You start with Cassel and the #23 obviously, but I think you'd have to throw in a 2nd or a 3rd as well. Chief's going from 3 to 23 is a HUGE drop and will not go easy. UNLESS you can get a 3rd team involved like say a Buffalo(@11) who's shown interest in Tony Gonzalez in the past.

If you expect the Patriots to trade Cassel #23 AND a 2nd or 3rd for #3, that's absolutely ludicrous. People way overvalue the top end of the draft by using the old draft chart "value". #3 is definitely not worth that much in reality.

 

[mayoclinic]

Smith actually needs a year of development as as three-point stance run blocker. I can see him rotating in with Light and Kaczur, then taking over the first injury opening...and moving to LT next offseason, with Kaczur being re-signed and kicked inside to RG alongside Light.

Brayd, Welker, Moss, and Crabtree would truly strike fear in NFL hearts.

Curry and Mayo...I'd still go after Barwin or English or Cody Brown to develop outside, but the youth revolution would be over.

I'm going to stick with the planet theory. If we have a top 10 pick I would like to see it spent on a 300 lb. impact player, and Jason Smith and BJ Raji would both be good values. I'm not sure we can count on any pick being an impact starter. Mayo kind of spoiled us in that regard. When we took Mayo with a top 10 pick everyone said he would be unlikely to make an impact his rookie year. Aaron Curry may be an exception like Mayo, but it may take him a year to get the hang of BB's complex defense. Jason Smith has played mainly in the spread offense. I think we could get as much value from Raji as anyone.

Brady/Moss/Crabtree/Welker would be unreal. But I want defense.

 

[Richter]

If you expect the Patriots to trade Cassel #23 AND a 2nd or 3rd for #3, that's absolutely ludicrous. People way overvalue the top end of the draft by using the old draft chart "value". #3 is definitely not worth that much in reality.

I was about to post the same thing. A guy with a year of positive experience under his belt playing the most important position is worth more than any pick in the draft. In a draft like this where there is significant depth but not a clear cut crop of guys at the top, the top picks are worth even less.

 

[JoeShmoe]

If we ended up with the #3 pick...

...I will run down my street naked .. it aint gonna happen. Period

 

[dryheat44]

What do you suppose we would do with it?

I ask because I suspect there's an above average chance a pick-swap will be part of the deal. A deal that has already been constructed, but won't go down until draft day...

I would say that there's an about-zero chance that will happen. Why would Belichick accept in a trade a pick he doesn't want? If he were offered the #3 pick, he'd be likely to counteroffer a second rounder and a first and fourth next year, or something like that.

In fact, if one team offered the #3 pick, and another team offered the #6 pick, I'm not sure Belichick wouldn't take the latter.

 

[mayoclinic]

I would say that there's an about-zero chance that will happen. Why would Belichick accept in a trade a pick he doesn't want? If he were offered the #3 pick, he'd be likely to counteroffer a second rounder and a first and fourth next year, or something like that.

In fact, if one team offered the #3 pick, and another team offered the #6 pick, I'm not sure Belichick wouldn't take the latter.

I'm sorry, but I think that is just ridiculous.

The #3 pick has tremendous value in BB's hands. The Pats have had a top 10 pick twice in his tenure as coach, and have done very well out of it with Seymour and Mayo. There are impact players available who could make an enormous difference to this already extremely talented team. The Pats have been extremely successful in finding value at the latter part of the first round, but that's totally different from saying that they would turn down the chance to acquire a true stud, or to trade back a bit and still get an impact player whom they would have no chance at with #23.

2 years ago we had #24 and #28, and a lot of people were wishing that we could trade them both to move up and get either Laron Landry or Patrick Willis. How things have changed. Passing on #3 for #6 is laughable. With 2 QBs clearly well ahead of the rest of the class, 2 apparent franchise OTs, and a number of other compelling players, the Pats would either find value, trade back, or, most likely, do both.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I do think that people tend to undervalue high draft picks here. But the only negative to a high draft pick are the financial ramifications, the pick itself being high isn't a negative in and of itself. Because obviously there are advantages to getting an impact/higher quality player at an early pick. IE See Mayo and Seymour.

IMO the sweet spot in the draft from a talent/cash perspective start at pick #10. I said as much last year before the draft, and lo and behold the Pats traded down from #6 to #10. The contract that the #10 pick gets compared to the top 9 is pretty reasonable. So the teams that pick from the #10-16 area probably get the best deal. They are high enough up to have a reasonable chance of getting a blue chip/impact player, the salary demands for their picks are not exorbitant, AND they have the option of signing their pick to an extra year.

If the Pats traded with KC it would be #3 for Cassel and #23 with nothing additional from the Pats or it would be KC's 2nd and 2010 1st. Those are the only scenarios I can see working. Some people want Gonzalez as a throw in. I'm not so enthused about that. And I'm absolutely opposed to picking up LJ as a throw in. We don't need an injury prone 30 year old RB with a BIG SALARY whom his team wants to dump anyways.

USATODAY.com

 

[StyLeZ X]

Aaron Curry

 

[mgteich]

The best OT would be the best pick at #3, but it's not happening.

 

[bakes781]

I was about to post the same thing. A guy with a year of positive experience under his belt playing the most important position is worth more than any pick in the draft. In a draft like this where there is significant depth but not a clear cut crop of guys at the top, the top picks are worth even less.

Yeah and that 1 year is all teams have to go on. So to expect the equivalent of two mid 1st round picks in return is just silly.

We have no idea how this draft class will turn out in 5 years from now. As far as I'm concerned the value stays relatively the same each year because we're talking about unrealized potential. 6 months ago the majority of this board wanted Cassel dropped! Now these same people expect teams to cough up two 1st round picks for him?

 

[Synovia]

In fact, if one team offered the #3 pick, and another team offered the #6 pick, I'm not sure Belichick wouldn't take the latter.

I am.


The #3 is worth more than the #6. Maybe not by as much as the draft value chart, but certainly more. And YES, you CAN trade these picks down, you just can't get "draft value chart" values.

If you can't find a trade partner for the #3, you just wait and let your time expire and pick at 6.

 

[Synovia]

Yeah and that 1 year is all teams have to go on. So to expect the equivalent of two mid 1st round picks in return is just silly.

And yet, some team is going to give up a top 10 pick on Sanchez, who has one year OF COLLEGE.

 

[BradyManny]

And yet, some team is going to give up a top 10 pick on Sanchez, who has one year OF COLLEGE.

Its asinine how high Sanchez will go, that said, even if Cassel's price is deemed top 10 - I'm with DryHeat, I think BB would rather not move up that high this year (at least before draft day when he knows who would be available and where).

If we're going to trade for a high 1st, I'd go for 2010 when they may have worked out the issue w the absurd contracts for top 10 picks. So I'd rather trade for Detroit/KC's 2nd + a 2010 first.

 

[bakes781]

And yet, some team is going to give up a top 10 pick on Sanchez, who has one year OF COLLEGE.

Yeah but in a pro style system which has been successful at grooming future NFL QBs clearly. Sanchez also didn't have 2 of the best WRs in the game to throw to OR the #3 rushing attack.

I'm not saying Cassel doesn't have value. I'm simply saying we should probably temper the expectations of two 1st round picks.

 

[Richter]

Yeah but in a pro style system which has been successful at grooming future NFL QBs clearly. Sanchez also didn't have 2 of the best WRs in the game to throw to OR the #3 rushing attack.

I'm not saying Cassel doesn't have value. I'm simply saying we should probably temper the expectations of two 1st round picks.

Who said two first round picks? People said that the Pats should be able to trade Cassel for a first rounder without giving anything else up.

 

[bakes781]

Who said two first round picks? People said that the Pats should be able to trade Cassel for a first rounder without giving anything else up.

Lots of people if you read the main board. And I qualify the #3 overall pick as being the equivalent to two 1st round picks as well.

 

[Synovia]

Its asinine how high Sanchez will go, that said, even if Cassel's price is deemed top 10 - I'm with DryHeat, I think BB would rather not move up that high this year (at least before draft day when he knows who would be available and where).

If we're going to trade for a high 1st, I'd go for 2010 when they may have worked out the issue w the absurd contracts for top 10 picks. So I'd rather trade for Detroit/KC's 2nd + a 2010 first.

I agree with all of that, but its absurd for someone to say the #15 is worth more than the #3 to Belichick. Its not.