If Connor Barwin was drafted at 23......

[midwestpatsfan]

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?

 

[PATSNUTme]

There is a lot of

for Barwin on this board.

But, why would you draft someone in the first round, when you know that he will there for you in the second. Why not take Clay Mattews in the first and Barwin in the 2nd?

BTW, that

should be the official Conner Barwin symbol of patsfans.

 

[Water Boy]

Its easy for Pats fans to fall in love with Barwin because he looks like an heir apparent to Mike Vrabel. The measurables are there, however, I would be surprised if the Pats took him in the first round.

 

[mgteich]

Most of us see little difference in the players who will be available from 21-60. I would expect us to have one value board for 21-60. So, as long as the patriots want Barwin, he would not be a reach at 23.

HOWEVER
1) I don't believe that the patriots really want Barwin. I just don't see him as a starter by the end of his first season, or even close. That would be my hope for #23.
2) I believe that someone who the patriots have on their 11-20 board will drop and we will pick him, even if we need to use our 3rd or 4th to trade up. This will be even more likely if we end up with compensatory picks in the 3rd and 4th.

 

[mayoclinic]

Most of us see little difference in the players who will be available from 21-60. I would expect us to have one value board for 21-60. So, as long as the patriots want Barwin, he would not be a reach at 23.

HOWEVER
1) I don't believe that the patriots really want Barwin. I just don't see him as a starter by the end of his first season, or even close. That would be my hope for #23.
2) I believe that someone who the patriots have on their 11-20 board will drop and we will pick him, even if we need to use our 3rd or 4th to trade up. This will be even more likely if we end up with compensatory picks in the 3rd and 4th.

I personally see Barwin being taken with the #34 pick more than with #23, at least at this point. I do see him as becoming a starter by the end of the year, with Woods being a 1 year caretaker as a starting OLB.

The problem that I have is that almost all of the players that I like for the Patriots are probably somewhere in the 21-60 range: Barwin, Clint Sintim, Larry English, Clay Matthews at LB; Jarron Gilbert at DE; Sean Smith, Alphonso Smith, DJ Moore and Darius Butler at CB; Louis Delmas, Patrick Chung and William Moore at S; William Beatty and Eben Britton at OT; and Alex Mack, Mack Unger and Eric Wood at OG/C. Not to mention WR options (Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, Brian Robiskie).

There aren't that many 1-20 prospects that I see as really meeting the Pats' needs and system, and who have even a remote chance of falling. I don't really want Malcolm Jenkins or Vontae Davis. There's no safety worth a top-20 pick. I don't think Brian Orapko will be a good OLB conversion, and I'm not sure about Everett Brown, Aaron Maybin or Michael Johnson. I don't think Maualuga is worth a 1st round pick, not to mention Laurinaitis. I don't want Jeremy Maclin or Darius Heyward-Bey. We don't need a TE and I think that Brandon Pettigrew is only a slightly better version of Chris Baker anyway. We certainly don't need a QB. I don't think either Andre Smith or Michael Oher is right for the Pats.

That leaves me with 5 players that I would love to fall to somewhere within range of us: 2 OT's (Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe), 1 WR (Michael Crabtree), 1 DT (BJ Raji), and 1 LB (Aaron Curry). The chance of us even being remotely close enough to trade up for one of those 5 players is extremely remote.

So unless a minor miracle occurs, I see us either using #23 on one of those 21-60 players, or trading the pick - either trading back, trading into 2010, or trading for a player.

 

[patchick]

But, why would you draft someone in the first round, when you know that he will there for you in the second. Why not take Clay Mattews in the first and Barwin in the 2nd?

Nut, you know he'll be there in the 2nd? If the Patriots think Barwin's good enough to at least be in the mix at #23, then it's very, VERY plausible that the guy who spent #1 picks on Willie McGinest, James Farrior, DeMarcus Ware and Bobby Carpenter would target him at #25.

As for both Matthews & Barwin, personally I think the opportunity cost is too high. I'm not inclined to pass up on a top OL, DB, DL or even WR to take 2 OLBs that early.

 

[cstjohn17]

There is a lot of

for Barwin on this board.

But, why would you draft someone in the first round, when you know that he will there for you in the second. Why not take Clay Mattews in the first and Barwin in the 2nd?

BTW, that

should be the official Conner Barwin symbol of patsfans.

Great points, I am now taking him at 23, 24, 47 & 48!

I don't consider it out of the realm of possibility, he seems like a round 1-2 tweener to me. Same general range as Merriweather, Maroney and Mankins.

The 40, bench, short shuttle, short long shuttle and shuttle shuttle times were great but I was most impressed that he weighed 255. That means he can pretty much play in the NFL at OLB from day 1, he doesn't need a red shirt year like Crable did or like Matthews will.

In some ways Barwin seems like a safe pick, I don't expect Ware numbers but he should be a solid contributor with some potential to be a very good starter.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nut, you know he'll be there in the 2nd? If the Patriots think Barwin's good enough to at least be in the mix at #23, then it's very, VERY plausible that the guy who spent #1 picks on Willie McGinest, James Farrior, DeMarcus Ware and Bobby Carpenter would target him at #25.

As for both Matthews & Barwin, personally I think the opportunity cost is too high. I'm not inclined to pass up on a top OL, DB, DL or even WR to take 2 OLBs that early.

Agreed. If BB think that Barwin is value at #23 and won't last till #34, then he won't care where anyone else rates him.

I also don't see 2 LBs with our first 2 picks. Perhaps in some scenarious we could take one OLB and one SILB, such as Barwin and Sintim/English. But even that is unlikely, as we have other areas to address.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Nut, you know he'll be there in the 2nd? If the Patriots think Barwin's good enough to at least be in the mix at #23, then it's very, VERY plausible that the guy who spent #1 picks on Willie McGinest, James Farrior, DeMarcus Ware and Bobby Carpenter would target him at #25.

As for both Matthews & Barwin, personally I think the opportunity cost is too high. I'm not inclined to pass up on a top OL, DB, DL or even WR to take 2 OLBs that early.

I think that Barwin is a better OLB prospect than Matthews. So I wouldn't have a problem with drafting Barwin in the 1st round. My big concern is that Parcell's Dolphins draft #25, right after us. So we're taking a big risk that another 3-4 team doesn't take Barwin before we get to our 2nd round pick.

There will still be an excellent DB available at the top of the 2nd round, so why NOT take your #1 OLB prospect in round 1? Some suggest taking an offensive lineman in the 1st round, but I think there are plenty of good OL available in round 2 as well where we have THREE picks. If Barwin goes, I can settle for Sintim in round 2, but those two are worlds apart in terms of athleticism and I see Sintim as an ILB anyways.

 

[patchick]

...I was most impressed that he weighed 255. That means he can pretty much play in the NFL at OLB from day 1, he doesn't need a red shirt year like Crable did or like Matthews will.

The thing about Matthews is that it took him years of intense work in USC's NFL-caliber training program to bulk up to his current 240. In the words of NFLDraftScout, "dedication in the weight-room is obvious in his physique." So 240 is likely where he tops out.

 

[cstjohn17]

The thing about Matthews is that it took him years of intense work in USC's NFL-caliber training program to bulk up to his current 240. In the words of NFLDraftScout, "dedication in the weight-room is obvious in his physique." So 240 is likely where he tops out.

I agree, going from 180 to 240 scares be a bit, plus he looks lean. I see him as a 4-3 OLB or a pure pass rushing end. He does seem to have a good burst as a rusher but I think Barwin brings more to the table.

 

[DaBruinz]

Most of us see little difference in the players who will be available from 21-60. I would expect us to have one value board for 21-60. So, as long as the patriots want Barwin, he would not be a reach at 23.

HOWEVER
1) I don't believe that the patriots really want Barwin. I just don't see him as a starter by the end of his first season, or even close. That would be my hope for #23.
2) I believe that someone who the patriots have on their 11-20 board will drop and we will pick him, even if we need to use our 3rd or 4th to trade up. This will be even more likely if we end up with compensatory picks in the 3rd and 4th.

Let's review the 1st round picks the Pats have made. Seymour, Graham, Warren, Wilfork, Watson, Mankins, Maroney, Meriweather, Mayo.

Graham wasn't a full time starter during his 1st season. Neither were Warren, Wilfork, Meriweather, or Maroney. But they did contribute. And that is something that someone as athletic as Barwin can do. Contribute. Both on special teams and I believe as a 3rd down pass rusher. And I wouldn't be surprised to see Barwin starting at OLB during his 2nd season. Here is a guy who played TE when he entered college and then switched to DE and still put up more sacks than a lot of other players. Barwin is a football player. And it would be silly to sell him short.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Let's review the 1st round picks the Pats have made. Seymour, Graham, Warren, Wilfork, Watson, Mankins, Maroney, Meriweather, Mayo.

Graham wasn't a full time starter during his 1st season. Neither were Warren, Wilfork, Meriweather, or Maroney. But they did contribute. And that is something that someone as athletic as Barwin can do. Contribute. Both on special teams and I believe as a 3rd down pass rusher. And I wouldn't be surprised to see Barwin starting at OLB during his 2nd season. Here is a guy who played TE when he entered college and then switched to DE and still put up more sacks than a lot of other players. Barwin is a football player. And it would be silly to sell him short.

Mike Mayock was on Total Access tonight talking about Pat White and Barwin being able to play multiple positions in the NFL. He said while most of the NFL is looking at Barwin as a DE or OLB if he were to draft him he would plug him in right away at TE. He thinks his toughness playing on the DLine will help him and with his size and speed would be able to get deep and fight SS and FS for the ball and be more athleatic then LB's who would have to cover him.

I think that if we get Barwin we get him to focus on OLB as I think he has the intangibles to be great there. Maybe have some goal line TE reps but mostly get him to focus on OLB and let him grow.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

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.

 

[billdog3484]

There is a lot of

for Barwin on this board.

But, why would you draft someone in the first round, when you know that he will there for you in the second. Why not take Clay Mattews in the first and Barwin in the 2nd?

BTW, that

should be the official Conner Barwin symbol of patsfans.

haha because you never know

 

[JoeShmoe]

Im not entirely up to speed on all the class but is Barwin better than say English or Cushing? What if Sean Smith is there at #23 and one of Barwin, Sintim, English etc is still there at #34

 

[aaron spacemuseum]

Well, let's look at the roster situation first:

---- The starting foursome for LB is still up in the air, but does anyone expect to draft a starting LB at #23?

Sintim.

He's started in what essentially is BB's defensive system for the last three years and thrived. That doesn't include two years spent learning and absorbing it. Barwin might turn into a better player down the road, but Sintim has the smallest learning curve of any OLB prospect in the draft and that makes him an immediate asset.

 

[DocE]

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.

I agree that Barwin has a ton of qualities that the Patriots tend to look for in a draft pick. I would say that Clay Mathews has many of the same qualities as Barwin. Mathews is a "special teams demon" and appears to be an ascending player just like Barwin. Mathews would seem to have just as much of a football IQ as Barwin does. The combine results for these players were remarkably similar with the biggest difference being Barwin weighing 16 lbs more than Mathews.

What both players lack (and the Patriots tend to love in draft picks) is a history of production. Barwin and Mathews both came on strong as Seniors (Barwin moreso than Mathews in the stats department), but neither even started on defense prior to their Senior years.

I like both guys, but I am not sure I like either at no.23. Ideally, I'd like to solve the OLB need through FA/trade and look elsewhere at no.23. I'd consider both Barwin and Mathews in the 2nd round (and be happy with either) under that scenario.

 

[slash83]

I can't wait till the draft. I think the pats are gonna come out with some real players.

 

[JSn]

I'm not feeling the love for Barwin, personally. I think Kraft should throw some coin at a negative PR capaign on Aaron Curry so we can get him at #23.