Lombardi: First full Rd 1 Mock Draft

[BPF]

The National Football Post | Notes From Lombardi: First Round Mock

23. New England Patriots: Larry English OLB/DE Northern Illinois: Has the potential to be a real force off the edge.

 

[patchick]

Interesting that he has Jarron Gilbert going to the Colts at #27.

 

[BelichickFan]

I think I'd try to trade out for a high #2 and a good pick next year. I can't get my arms wrapped around any of these DE/OLB conversions that high and we don't have any specific needs to stop me from trying to turn one pick into two.

 

[mayoclinic]

Interesting that he has Jarron Gilbert going to the Colts at #27.

I would agree, I don't see Gilbert fitting their scheme as much as Peria Jerry, Ziggy Hood, or Sen'Derrick Marks,

I actually could see Gilbert being a good gamble for Tennessee. He has the frame to support an extra 20 lbs. and play around 310, and with his athleticism he might be a nice replacement for Haynesworth in 2 years.

 

[mesoslo]

The chargers picking a RB and the vikings picking a WR seems odd to me. With the vikings running game and defense, they probally wont waste a 1st rounder on a WR. The chargers will probally pick a WR, their WR core could use an upgrade.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I think I'd try to trade out for a high #2 and a good pick next year. I can't get my arms wrapped around any of these DE/OLB conversions that high and we don't have any specific needs to stop me from trying to turn one pick into two.

He has Crabtree falling to 13. I think he's the best player in the draft. I know it's a risk to take him in top 5 because of injury. But, he shouldn't fall that far.

 

[BadMoFo]

I wouldn't mind this if No. 34 was Rey Rey.

 

[Spiral]

In today's follow-up post, Lombardi explains why Maualuga didn't make it into the first round in his mock.

I did not include Rey Maualuga of USC because he doesn’t play on third down. Additionally, when a team is in a three-receiver set on first down, he’s also not in the game. He will only play about 40 percent of the time, and no matter how effective he is in that 40 percent, it’s still very hard to draft someone in the first round who cannot affect third down. I know he’s a good player, but the first round requires you to pick players who can play full time, not part time.

I wonder if BB is thinking the same way.

 

[BritPat]

If that's how all scouts are thinking about Maualuga, he'll be lucky to go in the top 50 picks.

Someone will take a chance on him though.

 

[Rossmci90]

I would agree, I don't see Gilbert fitting their scheme as much as Peria Jerry, Ziggy Hood, or Sen'Derrick Marks,

I actually could see Gilbert being a good gamble for Tennessee. He has the frame to support an extra 20 lbs. and play around 310, and with his athleticism he might be a nice replacement for Haynesworth in 2 years.

Those in bold had already been picked, so he could hardly put them there.

 

[BelichickFan]

In today's follow-up post, Lombardi explains why Maualuga didn't make it into the first round in his mock.

I did not include Rey Maualuga of USC because he doesn’t play on third down. Additionally, when a team is in a three-receiver set on first down, he’s also not in the game. He will only play about 40 percent of the time, and no matter how effective he is in that 40 percent, it’s still very hard to draft someone in the first round who cannot affect third down. I know he’s a good player, but the first round requires you to pick players who can play full time, not part time.

I wonder if BB is thinking the same way.

There's definitely mixed opinions on Maualuga playing on passing downs, I have read a good number which say he's a decent, underrated pass defender.

 

[BritPat]

About the Gilbert pick - the Colts have only taken 3 defenders in the first round in Polian's time there, and they tend to pick smaller, very fast and very agile D-linemen. Never say never, but Gilbert doesn't fit their MO in my opinion. I think they're more likely to go WR/OT/DB unless Peria Jerry is there, who fits their scheme like a glove.

 

[mcsully]

On the other hand, pats play a lot of 3-4 when teams come out in the 3 WR set.. Offenses are trying to spread you out and let the RB do the damage.. This is why the pats perfer LB's who can be multi dynamic..

 

[pats_premi]

Interesting that he has Jarron Gilbert going to the Colts at #27.

I would like the Patriot to draft this guy at #23. On the draft highlight video's he appears to be pushing the O-linemen around to get to the QB/HB. His play on the field reminds me of Reggie White.

 

[Spiral]

There's definitely mixed opinions on Maualuga playing on passing downs, I have read a good number which say he's a decent, underrated pass defender.

Maybe, but assuming BB was (is) disgusted with the Patriots' 3rd down and RZ defense last year, I think the Patriots will be focused on players who can make a difference on third down.

 

[DaBruinz]

The chargers picking a RB and the vikings picking a WR seems odd to me. With the vikings running game and defense, they probally wont waste a 1st rounder on a WR. The chargers will probally pick a WR, their WR core could use an upgrade.

They Chargers have invested a lot of time and money into their WR corps over the Pats few years. The trade for Chambers. Vincent Jackson is a 2nd round pick. They also have Malcom Floyd and Chris Davis who they are very high on. I see them looking at a DE, though a RB to replace LdT isn't out of the question. They don't have a true 3rd RB.

I could see the Vikings going WR or Oline.

 

[Sicilian]

Maybe, but assuming BB was (is) disgusted with the Patriots' 3rd down and RZ defense last year, I think the Patriots will be focused on players who can make a difference on third down.

Maybe, but I don't see BB drafting someone expecting them to contribute to that degree in year 1. He likely feels he has addressed (to some degree anyway) the 3rd down situation with the additions of Springs and Bodden to the secondary, so he'll take the best player available according to their board.

 

[PatsandTrojans55]

In the comments section on the follow-up to the Lombardi Mock, I read this gentlemen's comments and he makes a great point about Maualuga.

Thanks for the read Mike.

Two things though.
1st- You have a number of 3-4 teams drafting DE converts to OLB, who will be learning to drop into coverage and it will take time to learn. So it\’s safe to assume they won\’t be 3 down players yet and might not pan out period.

I say this to bring up Rey Maualuga. Your opinion is he\’s not a 3 down player and I couldn\’t disagree more. Rey is known for his ability to blitz from the ILB position. In fact, I would argue that he\’s the best blitzing LB in this draft. So imagine if you have a passing situation on 3rd down and long. Why would he be on the bench when at the very least he could blitz the QB forcing a quick pass to the hot read and enabling the defensive backs to make the quick stop and force the punt.

The Steelers are masterful at getting the offense in predictable 3rd down passing situations and pouncing on the opportunity to cause turnovers. Rey would be a perfect fit to a 3-4 team looking to disrupt a QB\’s opportunity to set his feet and step-up in the pocket on 3rd down to deliver the 1st down throw. I believe he would struggle to perform deep drop backs at first but how often would you need him to do that when you have a better coverage LB next to him.

He would be a perfect fit next to Jerod Mayo in the Patriots 3-4 defense in my opinion.

Thanks Again,
And keep up the work.

Does this mean the Patriots draft Maualuga? Not at all but

 

[Spiral]

One thing I find interesting is last year's draft analysis. When talking about ILBs last year, a lot of people were saying that if Maualuga or Lauranitis had come out last year, they would have been the top ILB(s) selected. Now there's a chance that one or both will be there at 23. What happened?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

In the comments section on the follow-up to the Lombardi Mock, I read this gentlemen's comments and he makes a great point about Maualuga.

Thanks for the read Mike.

Two things though.
1st- You have a number of 3-4 teams drafting DE converts to OLB, who will be learning to drop into coverage and it will take time to learn. So it\’s safe to assume they won\’t be 3 down players yet and might not pan out period.

I say this to bring up Rey Maualuga. Your opinion is he\’s not a 3 down player and I couldn\’t disagree more. Rey is known for his ability to blitz from the ILB position. In fact, I would argue that he\’s the best blitzing LB in this draft. So imagine if you have a passing situation on 3rd down and long. Why would he be on the bench when at the very least he could blitz the QB forcing a quick pass to the hot read and enabling the defensive backs to make the quick stop and force the punt.

The Steelers are masterful at getting the offense in predictable 3rd down passing situations and pouncing on the opportunity to cause turnovers. Rey would be a perfect fit to a 3-4 team looking to disrupt a QB\’s opportunity to set his feet and step-up in the pocket on 3rd down to deliver the 1st down throw. I believe he would struggle to perform deep drop backs at first but how often would you need him to do that when you have a better coverage LB next to him.

He would be a perfect fit next to Jerod Mayo in the Patriots 3-4 defense in my opinion.

Thanks Again,
And keep up the work.

Does this mean the Patriots draft Maualuga? Not at all but

He has a point, especailly if Tank Williams or A Thomas can come in on third and long and handle TE's and RB's in coverage.