Would you be mad because right now he is rated more in the early to middle of the second round, so this would be considered a reach by most of the professional draftniks out there.
For me, I do not really have a problem with it. I would love to think I could have him at the 47th pick, but after his combine, that seems unrealistic.
Thoughts?
Well, let's look at the roster situation first:
- What is NE's greatest "need?"
---- With Shawn Springs signed they have a veteran CB to push the youngsters on the roster.
---- With James Sanders signed they have their starting Safeties returning.
---- The starting OL are back.
---- The RB depth is good.
---- #3 WR is still up for grabs, but the competition has gotten a little better.
---- RB seems pretty deep.
---- TE depth is looking good.
---- The starting foursome for LB is still up in the air, but does anyone expect to draft a starting LB at #23?
---- Long Snapper is still unsettled.
---- There's room for some depth at S.
---- There's room for some competition behind the OL, CB, & WR starters.
Based on that assessment, there's no 'critical' need that has to be addressed at #23. That leads to 'Best Patriot Value.'
- Is Connor Barwin a Patriot Value?
---- He's got prototypical size for OLB and TE.
---- He's got the athletic ability for either position.
---- He's a Special Teams' demon.
---- He seems to have the intelligence and football IQ necessary for a Patriot.
- Is he the "best" value?
---- He seems to have a high ceiling.
---- He can contribute immediately on Special Teams.
---- He can contribute as a reserve TE.
---- He'll need time to develop at OLB, but that's mostly a matter of learning technique for pass rushing and setting the edge (he has the size and spirit for the job), he has an understanding of routes to speed along his coverage training.
I'm open to anyone offering another option (PATSNUTMe's Matthews lust is for an undersized option who like Crable would have to bulk up before he could handle the job, it would also help if he hadn't been trained as a block avoiding wimp by ol' Petey), as long as they don't mind me "discussing" their choices.
Frankly, BB has four picks where he can take the players who have the highest upside as 'Best Patriot Values.' I consider Barwin to be the option with the highest upside, take it from there.