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I'm with you on another safety as a primary need, I bet the Pats nab a big, hard hitting S, early in the draft.
And you're right - OLB/pass rusher is still a major weakness. We'll have AD back, but Crable, Baanta-Cain remain unknowns for next year. While there are a lot of bodies at OLB, we don't have a certified speed freak QB killer and we need one.
I disagree with your view of the RB position - I think BB will have a young RB on the team in the mold of Faulk. If we keep all the 2nds, then the new RB will come pretty early. I also believe there may be room for a FB/ST out of the draft, a guy to replace Izzo - essentially all ST with the ability to lend a hand if really needed.
I'd say you underestimate the DL needs. With so many guys possibly gone next year and obviously some questions about Seymour's true worth, the DL looks to be one of the highest priorities in this draft. Don't be surprised if we trade up for Raji.
From your lips to God's ears, I hope. I consider Raji the top prospect in the draft for the Pats, even above Aaron Curry. I started a thread on this almost 2 months ago and suggested that he would make more of a difference to the defense than any other player:
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/209694-bj-raji-hypothetical.html
I would be thrilled if we could somehow land BJ Raji, and I would give up anyone on my current list of prospects to do so in a heartbeat, but at this point I think the chance that he doesn't go top 10 is less than 10%, and I don't see us trading into the top 10. If he falls into the 2nd 10, then it's definitely a possibility.
I was just addressing immediate needs for 2009. With Seymour, Wilfork and Warren returning and Green and Wright as backups, there's not a lot of room for a DE on 2009 unless we manage to land someone really exceptional. Similarly, I just said "you can make a strong case" that there's no room for an RB. We won't carry more than 5 RB's on the roster, and Maroney, Taylor, Morris and Faulk are set unless one gets traded. I don't see much room there. I could imagine us drafting someone like Devin Moore and grooming him to be Kevin Faulk's replacement, but even that is a long shot.