The OL situation

[OhExaulted1]

At LT-M. Light UFA 2010 6-4 311 31
RT-N. Kaczur UFA 2009 6-4 319 30
T-M. Levoir UFA 2009 6-7 306 27
T-W. Britt UFA 2009 6-8 314 27
T-R. O'Callaghan UFA 2009 6-7 344 26

At LG-L. Mankins UFA 2009 6-4 307 27
RG-S. Neal UFA 2009 6-4 290 32
G-R. Hochstein UFA 2009 6-4 305 31
G-B. Yates UFA 2009 6-2 305 29

At C-D. Koppen UFA 2011 6-3 297 31
C-A. Johnson UFA 2009 6-5 305 30
C-D. Connolly UFA 2009 6-3 313 27
C-R. Wendell UFA 2009 6-2 275 23

With only Koppen and Light signed beyond this season, does anyone expect an OL heavy draft? Just looking at the roster I see enough evidence to conclude interior line will be a priority in the draft since it wasn't addressed in FA.

Games are won in the trenches.

 

[supafly]

It seemed like just yesterday that they were all signed for the next 3-4 yrs, boy how time flies!

Yes, I would expect a day one and maybe a couple day two OL's. May as well because what do they have to lose, especially in this yrs draft. Only a handful of players will make this team anyway, may as well take some shots and see if anything sticks. It's just my guess but I expect at least 2-3, if not 3-4 total.

 

[OhExaulted1]

It seemed like just yesterday that they were all signed for the next 3-4 yrs, boy how time flies!

Yes, I would expect a day one and maybe a couple day two OL's. May as well because what do they have to lose, especially in this yrs draft. Only a handful of players will make this team anyway, may as well take some shots and see if anything sticks. It's just my guess but I expect at least 2-3, if not 3-4 total.

I just can't see them skipping over the line situation. Too many FA's at the end of the year and too many FA's signed that retire within a month. They need to get younger and meaner along the line to protect Tom and make the running game work.

To me, this is a potential spot of vulnerability and needs to be addressed. It's good to know somebody else see's it.

 

[mayoclinic]

At LT-M. Light UFA 2010 6-4 311 31
RT-N. Kaczur UFA 2009 6-4 319 30
T-M. Levoir UFA 2009 6-7 306 27
T-W. Britt UFA 2009 6-8 314 27
T-R. O'Callaghan UFA 2009 6-7 344 26

At LG-L. Mankins UFA 2009 6-4 307 27
RG-S. Neal UFA 2009 6-4 290 32
G-R. Hochstein UFA 2009 6-4 305 31
G-B. Yates UFA 2009 6-2 305 29

At C-D. Koppen UFA 2011 6-3 297 31
C-A. Johnson UFA 2009 6-5 305 30
C-D. Connolly UFA 2009 6-3 313 27
C-R. Wendell UFA 2009 6-2 275 23

With only Koppen and Light signed beyond this season, does anyone expect an OL heavy draft? Just looking at the roster I see enough evidence to conclude interior line will be a priority in the draft since it wasn't addressed in FA.

Games are won in the trenches.

Nice summary. Obviously, many of those guys will stay beyond 2009. But your list makes a compelling case for addressing OL in this year's draft.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Neal is listed at 305 on the Patriots.com unofficial roster.

Mankins, Kaczur, LeVoir, O'Callaghan, Britt, Connelly, and Wendell are all RFA/ERFA in an uncapped 2010. That leaves Neal, Hochstein, Yates, and Johnson as UFA. It is my impression that NE is planning for an uncapped 2010, I expect they will be able to retain any of the RFAs who stick on the 2009 roster. Neal shouldn't be an issue re-signing.

I would like to see NE draft a quality interior OL prospect to compete with Hochstein, Yates, and Connelly to be the primary back-up inside. There's a number of good LT prospects from the third round on who could develop nicely behind Light and Kaczur, competing with LeVoir, Britt, and O'Callaghan. I'm looking for two OL in this draft, and two more as UDFA.

 

[Hok]

I think Alex Mack will be the surprise pick at #23.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Neal is listed at 305 on the Patriots.com unofficial roster.

Mankins, Kaczur, LeVoir, O'Callaghan, Britt, Connelly, and Wendell are all RFA/ERFA in an uncapped 2010. That leaves Neal, Hochstein, Yates, and Johnson as UFA. It is my impression that NE is planning for an uncapped 2010, I expect they will be able to retain any of the RFAs who stick on the 2009 roster. Neal shouldn't be an issue re-signing.

I would like to see NE draft a quality interior OL prospect to compete with Hochstein, Yates, and Connelly to be the primary back-up inside. There's a number of good LT prospects from the third round on who could develop nicely behind Light and Kaczur, competing with LeVoir, Britt, and O'Callaghan. I'm looking for two OL in this draft, and two more as UDFA.

I figured Neal was more than 290, but he's not on the field that often and he's 32. No offense, but we need G/C players, not tackles. Holding on to Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell as ERFA's is not going to solve our problems along the Offensive Line.

We need guys in the trenches who are young and durable and mean,..... not old, worn out and ready to retire.

 

[OhExaulted1]

I think Alex Mack will be the surprise pick at #23.

I was waiting to spring that on people just before the draft. Thanks for blurting it out this early. I hope Max Unger corner's you in a dark alley.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No offense, but we need G/C players, not tackles. Holding on to Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell as ERFA's is not going to solve our problems along the Offensive Line.

Um, you may have missed or misinterpreted this line...

I would like to see NE draft a quality interior OL prospect to compete with Hochstein, Yates, and Connelly to be the primary back-up inside.

Neal is on the roster, and when he's not injured he's as good a RG as we could ask. This class isn't deep at "Guard," but there are some quality Centers and Tackles capable of playing Guard whom I'm expecting BB to choose amongst. Recall that Mankins was a LT, a good technician with a "nasty" onfield demeanor. Three Tackles whom I think could develop nicely as starters at Guard are T.J. Lang, Augustus Parrish, and Robert Brewster. Centers Alex Mack, Max Unger, Eric Woods, Jonathan Luigs, Antoine Caldwell...Guards Kraig Urbik, Trevor Canfield, Tyronne Green... The Pats can pick up someone to groom behind Neal/Koppen/Mankins with one of their seconds and still find some solid prospects in the UDFA pool.

 

[mgteich]

One question is how good a guard Mack would be. If we draft an interior lineman in the first three rounds, I would expect him to be the game day backup at C, LG and RG. It is not essential (Hochstein could continue in these roles, but of if the draftee doesn't do this, he won't be active.

Unger, Wood, Canfield, Luigs and a couple of others meet this requirement.

I was waiting to spring that on people just before the draft. Thanks for blurting it out this early. I hope Max Unger corner's you in a dark alley.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with Box that the situation isn't as bad as was indicated by the OP. However, I also agree with him that we will be bring in a couple of draftees and a couple of UDFA's to join our two free agent additions.

I agree that a quality interior lineman should be drafted early (in the first three rounds, preferably in Round 2). I am still intrigued with a RT at 23, but would prefer a DE. After the first round, I agree with Box, that a 3rd round or later swing tackle would be a value pick.

Neal is listed at 305 on the Patriots.com unofficial roster.

Mankins, Kaczur, LeVoir, O'Callaghan, Britt, Connelly, and Wendell are all RFA/ERFA in an uncapped 2010. That leaves Neal, Hochstein, Yates, and Johnson as UFA. It is my impression that NE is planning for an uncapped 2010, I expect they will be able to retain any of the RFAs who stick on the 2009 roster. Neal shouldn't be an issue re-signing.

I would like to see NE draft a quality interior OL prospect to compete with Hochstein, Yates, and Connelly to be the primary back-up inside. There's a number of good LT prospects from the third round on who could develop nicely behind Light and Kaczur, competing with LeVoir, Britt, and O'Callaghan. I'm looking for two OL in this draft, and two more as UDFA.

 

[JoeShmoe]

I've said already I hope we get Beatty at #23, one of the OLB's and the Safeties in the second and then an OG such as Wood/Luigs

IMHO - Beatty at OT is a bigger priority to the team long term than Barwin , when there's others you can pick up who may do equally as good a job (Maybin, Sitntm etc) and who knows if Barwin isnt still there at #34 anyway

The drop off in OT's from round 1 to 2, is more than the drop off in a deep OLB draft and its a part of the team we desperately need to groom quality. We must make the most of the Brady years as he wont be around forever

 

[mayoclinic]

I've said already I hope we get Beatty at #23, one of the OLB's and the Safeties in the second and then an OG such as Wood/Luigs

IMHO - Beatty at OT is a bigger priority to the team long term than Barwin , when there's others you can pick up who may do equally as good a job (Maybin, Sitntm etc) and who knows if Barwin isnt still there at #34 anyway

The drop off in OT's from round 1 to 2, is more than the drop off in a deep OLB draft and its a part of the team we desperately need to groom quality. We must make the most of the Brady years as he wont be around forever

Do you prefer Beatty at 23 and Barwin at 34 to Barwin at 23 and Delmas at 34? I'm not sure. In the first scenario you probably get one of the other safeties at 47 (Moore, Chung or possibly Sean Smith). In the second scenario you get one of the other OL options at 47 (possibly Jamon Meredith, Eric Wood or Max Unger). Or do you trade up from 47 and hope to get all 3 with the trifecta?

Tough decision. If Detroit takes Stafford #1 they could easily take Beatty off the board at #20 (as could Philly at 21), so it may be a moot point.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Do you prefer Beatty at 23 and Barwin at 34 to Barwin at 23 and Delmas at 34? I'm not sure. In the first scenario you probably get one of the other safeties at 47 (Moore, Chung or possibly Sean Smith). In the second scenario you get one of the other OL options at 47 (possibly Jamon Meredith, Eric Wood or Max Unger). Or do you trade up from 47 and hope to get all 3 with the trifecta?

Tough decision. If Detroit takes Stafford #1 they could easily take Beatty off the board at #20 (as could Philly at 21), so it may be a moot point.

I think Delmas, Chung and Moore are all good prospects (hence why were seeing all of them). So id be happy to take Beatty at 23, Barwin at 34, one of the Safeties at 47 and one of the OG's after that

 

[JSn]

Light, Kaczur with LeVoir behind them should have a good year.

The interior seems a little more suspect at times. But how do you draft high and get value? Take a starting LT or RT and shuffle the guys around?

Kaczur and Light can both play LT, and both would probably be excellent guards.

It's definitely not a glamour spot when you first do a mock for the Pats, but I'd agree we need OL. What are the chances of nabbing guys who can make strides toward starting roles next year who are UDFA's?

I still feel (unpopularly so) that we could upgrade centre, though maybe tape junkies would see that Koppen covering for weakness at guard was affecting his game this past season.