2010 Prospects effect 09 Draft?

[TealSox]

The scouting department should be doing their job and Bill Belichick should know what players are going to be on the shelf in the 2010 draft. And if they are, I think they will find that some players/positions can be passed on in 2009 and some players/positions can't.

For example, defensive tackle seems like an extremely stacked position in 2010. Seems like there are at least 5 first rounders, including Suh (Nebraska), McCoy (Oklahoma), Marsh (Florida) and Cody (Alabama). 2009 has Raji and Perry that are, IMO, legitimate first round prospects. Brace, Hood and Gilbert look like they have huge upside, but it is funny how upside tends to burn teams that draft with that logic.

As for CB, I don't really see a prospect that screams first round. I guess Vonte Davis, but because of his relations to Vernon Davis, I wouldn't pass gas in his direction. Jenkins should probably move to safety, but it all depends on the team I suppose. 2009 seems loaded with 2nd-3rd round talent at the corner position and I bet that at this time next year, it will seem that the same will be true for the 2010 draft.

As for ILB, I think 2009 has some legitimate prospects. They all might be overrated, but they have all put in their time with their teams and are considered leaders and winners. Laurinaitis, Maualuga, and Beckworth. Spikes and McClain make 2010 an option to fall back on. With lack of depth next year, 09 might be the time to make a splash to find Mayo a younger sidekick.

Tackle should be just as deep next year as it is this year, Safety should be a bit stronger with Taylor Mays and Kam Chancellor coming out, Guard will be the same, and QB will be stacked next year, including McCoy, Bradford and maybe Clausen (which is great because that will allow 3-4 prospects to drop the Pats way).

If I were to guess, 09 would be the year to get that OLB like Barwin or Sintim.

Drafting a DT seems questionable to me this year when there are going to be a bunch of them in 2010.

WR is relatively deep this year with a couple sleepers that should be worth a look see. Obviously free agents (like Gaffney, Patten, etc) have sufficed in the past.

As for Safety, I would have to have Taylor Mays. So if Bill can trade a couple second rounders or the 23rd pick for a top pick next year, I'll be very pleased. And if the Pats don't get Mays, they can grab Cody, the DT from Alabama.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm sure BB and the scouting department is looking ahead to the 2010 class, but there are no sure bets. We will hopefully have #32 and #64 next year, unless we trade one of our picks back into 2010.

At this point, 2010 appears to be weaker than 2009 at OT, and deeper at DL. There are a lot of potential 3-4 DE's out there: McCoy, Suh, Arthur Davis, Vince Oghobasse, and possibly more. That is certainly relevant given Seymour's contract being up after 2010, with Wilfork and Mankins also needing to be re-signed.

I think it's great to be looking ahead, but it would be foolish to pass up on a talent who the Pats think is good value just because someone else might be in the pipeline.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm sure BB and the scouting department is looking ahead to the 2010 class, but there are no sure bets. We will hopefully have #32 and #64 next year, unless we trade one of our picks back into 2010.

At this point, 2010 appears to be weaker than 2009 at OT, and deeper at DL. There are a lot of potential 3-4 DE's out there: McCoy, Suh, Arthur Davis, Vince Oghobasse, and possibly more. That is certainly relevant given Seymour's contract being up after 2010, with Wilfork and Mankins also needing to be re-signed.

I think it's great to be looking ahead, but it would be foolish to pass up on a talent who the Pats think is good value just because someone else might be in the pipeline.

I didn't read that as pass up a Gilbert or Brace if they're the best option, but making a concerted effort to draft a DL in this draft may be a less effective strategy than trying to add some of the strong LB or WR talent.

 

[mgteich]

I guess I don't understand the argument being made. Say I am in the third looking at Hood as a backup DL. Why do I care that there are five first rounders next year, when I play to draft in the bottom of the first round and therefore not be able to get any of the DL's without a trade up.

It might be of more interest to know what positions are available in the 2nd and 3rd round in 2010. But even then, if I am looking for 2010 contributers, I think that I need to secure them now.

Perhaps for OT, I might be interested in knowing the expected possibilities in the 2nd-4th rounds next year.

Perhaps, the ONLY position where I might panic this year if there is little available next year is at OG. I expect to need a starter next year.

 

[mayoclinic]

I didn't read that as pass up a Gilbert or Brace if they're the best option, but making a concerted effort to draft a DL in this draft may be a less effective strategy than trying to add some of the strong LB or WR talent.

That would be correct. I've listed Gilbert at #58 as an option on several of my mocks or other scenarios if he lasts that long, as a possible BVA. I wouldn't pass up a sure thing based on possibilities next year. But I wouldn't necessarily make a concerted effort to go after him, or any other DL in this draft (except possibly Raji, who will likely be way out of our range anyway).

 

[WhiZa]

At this point, 2010 appears to be weaker than 2009 at OT, and deeper at DL.

Do you have the Pats taking OT early in this draft?

 

[TealSox]

Do you have the Pats taking OT early in this draft?

I've have a feeling that they might be the direction with either the 23rd pick or the 34th pick. This whole draft has the same vibes I got after the Pats took Mankins. So yeah, because Jason Smith, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, and Monroe, a guy like Britton, Beatty, and Jamon Meredith might be options on the shelf.

Personally, I don't mind next years crop of offensive tackles. Let a bunch of teams draft those guys in the first two rounds and that will likely take them off the urgency to get one next year. As of now, I'm a fan of Sam Young (ND), Adam Ulatoski (Texas), Russell Okung (OSU) and Ciron Black (LSU).

So could the Pats afford to pass on a Clay Matthews or Brian Cushing given the fact that next year doesn't offer the caliber of names from big schools?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I've have a feeling that they might be the direction with either the 23rd pick or the 34th pick. This whole draft has the same vibes I got after the Pats took Mankins. So yeah, because Jason Smith, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, and Monroe, a guy like Britton, Beatty, and Jamon Meredith might be options on the shelf.

Personally, I don't mind next years crop of offensive tackles. Let a bunch of teams draft those guys in the first two rounds and that will likely take them off the urgency to get one next year. As of now, I'm a fan of Sam Young (ND), Adam Ulatoski (Texas), Russell Okung (OSU) and Ciron Black (LSU).

So could the Pats afford to pass on a Clay Matthews or Brian Cushing given the fact that next year doesn't offer the caliber of names from big schools?

I am expecting the Pats to pass on Cushing and Matthews, good kids whom I project to be better options in a 4-3.

For OT, I like Sebastian Volmer on Day Two. For a Day One OL, I'd prefer to grab C/G Eric Wood.