I hope we grab one of these 3 in the first two rounds, Anyone have a favorite
and are they all worth a pick early?
thanks
Per Boston Globe
According to league sources, the Patriots have plans to bring in three highly touted safety prospects: Patrick Chung (Oregon), William Moore (Missouri), and Louis Delmas (Western Michigan).
All three project as first- or second-round picks. The Patriots have six picks in the first three rounds and could easily use one on a safety with Rodney Harrison being an unrestricted free agent.
Source: Boston Globe
I would personally add Sean Smith to the list. I like all 4 a lot.
The big question to me is how much you prioritize one over the others if you love one of them but really like all 4? Thats the dilemma I'm in right now.
My order of priority:
1. Delmas. My clear favorite. I think his floor his Michael Griffen and his ceiling is Troy Polamalu. A bit on the small side at 5'1"" 203#. Needs 5-10# of muscle, but is a terrific hitter and intimidating presence with FS coverage ability. Sometimes gets overly agressive. Good leadership, was a clear leader at the Senior Bowl. Scored a 12 on his Wonderlic, but seems to have goot football smarts.
2a. Smith. I can't decide between Smith and Moore for #2. Smith is 6' 3 1/2" and 214# with CB cover skills and range and excellent ball skills. He is clearly the best FS prospect of the bunch (with Delmas 2nd). He's not especially physical, though he doesn't shy from contact. Hasn't played much S yet as he was used as CB, and he has upside there as well.
2b. Moore. The 2007 version of William Moore was possibly the best college safety I've seen in a decade. The 2008 version was terrible. The big question is how much was due to a combination of injury, weight gain, and poor use by the Mizzou coaching staff. He had a lousy Senior Bowl but looked much better at the combine, and showed a lot of his 2007 form at his pro day. At 6'1" and 215-220# he has terrific size, with good hands and coverage ability for his size.
4. Chung. This is not to diminish Chung. I like him a lot, and had my eye on him all last year as a possible 2nd round pick for the Pats. He's around 5'11" 210# (or about the size I would hope Delmas to play at). Was a late starter at football, and is still learning. High character kid, great football smarts, big hitter. Decent coverage and ball skills, but a SS first. Not as much athleticism as the other 3, but still well above average. Very high floor kid.
I would be thrilled with any of these 4 in the 2nd round. The 2 big questions to my mind are:
1. Is the one the Pats prefer worth taking at #34 when one of the others will almost certainly be available at #47, or even possibly at 58? Delmas and Smith are the most likely to go early right now. Moore could go first or last out of the group. Atlanta at 24, Baltimore at 26, Miami at 43, the Giants at 45, Houston at 46 and Denver at 48 are all possible safety destinations. All 4 seem more likely to go 2nd round than 1st, though late 1st is not out of the question.
2. What role do the Pats prefer, given their other personnel? In particular, do they prefer to use Meriweather at FS or SS? I understand that there is not the classic distinction between the 2 positions. But Chung and Moore are pretty much pure SS types, whereas Delmas and Smith have both FS and SS potential. I probably put Delmas and Smith slightly ahead because of their superior coverage skills, with Delmas 1st because of his higher floor than Smith (better hitter, more experience at the position).
Finally, some people think Rashad Johnson from Alabama should be added to the list. I like Johnson, but think that he's a pure FS and that he's got a low ceiling, having made the most of his physical abilities due to his ball skills and football smarts. Nice player, but I prefer the 4 listed here by far.
Don't know if that helps.
