Is Connor Barwin now a 1st round pick?

[VJCPatriot]

The buzz for this kid was building around these forums even before the combine. When Barwin got to the combine he simply blew everyone away. Barwin looked like the most athletic OLB/DE prospect out there and possibly the best linebacker prospect not named Curry. Previous to the combine, I had Barwin ranked as a late second round pick. But now? It's quite possible that he sneaks into the 1st round.

All that said, would you now be willing to spend pick #23 on one Mr. Connor Barwin?

YouTube - DE Connor Barwin Highlights Cincinnati 2008

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...rry-english-patriot-material.html#post1277581

 

[zero]

All that said, would you now be willing to spend pick #23 on one Mr. Connor Barwin?

Yes, is draft him at #23 or lose him (and right now I'm not sure he will be at #23)

 

[Warren94]

Absolutely Yes. I think he would definitely contribute right away and has the smarts and instincts on both sides of the ball.

 

[VJCPatriot]

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...rry-english-patriot-material.html#post1277581

So do you think that Barwin is worth a 1st round pick or not?

 

[alvinnf]

So do you think that Barwin is worth a 1st round pick or not?

Hell no....

 

[mayoclinic]

Barwin's been my binky since before BOR started touting him. But as of today, no, I wouldn't use #23 on him. That may change by the draft, but he has to show us that he can step in and contribute right away.

If I were 100% convinced that he would be a long-term starter at 3-4 OLB or SILB then yes. But despite his incredible athleticism and intangibles, that's still very much up in the air.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

So do you think that Barwin is worth a 1st round pick or not?

Worth NE's #23? Yes. Best Patriot Value at #23? That is yet to be determined.

 

[WhiZa]

I'm not sure how you can project him as a 1st rounder when he doesn't do anything great, just everything good. A 1st rounder you want someone who can come in and start with minimal learning curve. This guy has some learning still to do. Great potential if he's used right, but it's hard to project him contributing much beyond ST year 1. That's what will drop him out of the 1st round.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm not sure how you can project him as a 1st rounder when he doesn't do anything great, just everything good. A 1st rounder you want someone who can come in and start with minimal learning curve. This guy has some learning still to do. Great potential if he's used right, but it's hard to project him contributing much beyond ST year 1. That's what will drop him out of the 1st round.

As long as you represent the other 31 teams thinking it's cool.

 

[jsull87]

i was going to start a thread like this too. he won the vert board and came 2nd in the 40 yard. that is some pretty good athletic ability.

 

[juxtapoz15]

I'm not sure how you can project him as a 1st rounder when he doesn't do anything great, just everything good. A 1st rounder you want someone who can come in and start with minimal learning curve. This guy has some learning still to do. Great potential if he's used right, but it's hard to project him contributing much beyond ST year 1. That's what will drop him out of the 1st round.

I wonder what his football IQ is and how good his natural instincts show up on film. With him only playing one year on D that might be the big difference in BB's eyes if he is a 1st round pick or not.

 

[jeffbiologist]

i was going to start a thread like this too. he won the vert board and came 2nd in the 40 yard. that is some pretty good athletic ability.

Example: Last year Wesley Woodyard was my Binkie.
He came in 2nd to Guyton in the 40, led the SEC in tackles, and made a name for himself at the senior bowl too! He is not the "prototype", and went undrafted. He caught on, made the team, and even started a few games for the Broncos. What does this say?? There has to be a team that LIKES you, more than one is very good too. Too many times we get all caught up in the players when the truth is BB can likely beat you with his guys.....walk across the sidelines and beat his team with yours~! Football is a team/scheme sport.

 

[Metaphors]

I only saw one Cincy game this past year (at UConn) and he was almost invisible (more on this later). The UConn QB was a freshman making his first start in a big conference game. I don't recall a lot of pressure being applied and Donald Brown ended up having a huge game.

Has anyone seen game film that shows Barwin wouldn't be a complete liability on off-tackle plays in the NFL? I'm honestly asking since the UConn game gave me almost nothing to go on.

By the way, I actually like Barwin. In that UConn game, he had a sweet blocked punt that set up a score. He really showed his closing speed and timing and he looked like a ST stud. Can't have enough of those on your roster, but he better be able to hold his ground in the running game to go #23.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

barwin will not get past the browns in the 2nd round (36)

 

[BPF]

Strong combine and great athlete but I don't think you can take a player in the 1st Rd and plug him in at OLB, a position he has never played, and expect immediate results. With this year's deep draft class I believe the player the Pats take with that pick should be able to come in and contribute immediately. I like Barwin a lot but not at 23. We need to wait for things to shake out because coming off his combine performance people will have you believe he has moved up to the top 20 but that simply is not the case. You don't draft a player that high based simply on projections and combine performance. I think the tape tells a bigger story and there is no tape of Barwin playing OLB.

 

[mmasterkillah]

If Larry English was preparing to be an OLB, he would have run better.
I still have English ahead of Barwin. I would NOT take Barwin at 23, but Belichick obviously won't care if it is a consensus pick, whoever he selects (see Ben Watson and Mankins).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I only saw one Cincy game this past year (at UConn) and he was almost invisible (more on this later). The UConn QB was a freshman making his first start in a big conference game. I don't recall a lot of pressure being applied and Donald Brown ended up having a huge game.

Has anyone seen game film that shows Barwin wouldn't be a complete liability on off-tackle plays in the NFL? I'm honestly asking since the UConn game gave me almost nothing to go on.

By the way, I actually like Barwin. In that UConn game, he had a sweet blocked punt that set up a score. He really showed his closing speed and timing and he looked like a ST stud. Can't have enough of those on your roster, but he better be able to hold his ground in the running game to go #23.

Check the props thread Jays started.

 

[bakes781]

Not for the Patriots.

I just can't see BB taking a guy who has ZERO experience at a position of immediate need in the 1st round. The fact that he was a combine freak only scares me off more because I know how other teams will over value him now.

 

[patchick]

With this year's deep draft class I believe the player the Pats take with that pick should be able to come in and contribute immediately.

That's an interesting comment with a lot of implications. For instance, it virtually rules out a DL at #23 -- how is a Tyson Jackson or Jarron Gilbert going to contribute significantly year one behind Seymour, Warren & Green? It raises Sintim above almost every other OLB candidate (and precludes him moving in to SILB). It makes experienced safeties like Delmas and Chung good bets, even if they're questionable "value" on most boards, and puts them ahead of an athletic specimen like Sean Smith who would be changing positions. I'm not certain I agree with any of those choices.