Grade our Draft

[Disco Volante]

Pete Prisco's draft grades...

Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon
The Patriots land a big-hitting safety who can take over for Rodney Harrison. Chung has more range.

B+

Ron Brace, DT, Boston College

Wtih Vince Wilfork set to become an unrestricted free agent, this is a good pick. He is a big power player. The Pats know what they're doing.

B+

Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

The Pats land a corner that some eyed in the first round. Wow. They nailed this pick. He could be a starter in 2010.

A

Sebastian Vollmer, OL, Houston

He's a late bloomer from Germany who happens to be a former tight end. That says something about his feet. Another good New England pick.

B

 

[reflexblue]

BB likes to buy his LB's i wasn't shocked he didn't take one today and may not tomorrow, last year was an abberation. The annuale head scrather is Vollmer. Why pick someone in the 2nd rnd that will most likely be there in the 3rd, 4th,or 5th. But i never saw mankins, light, or branch coming either.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Solid B+ and I made Sea Bass/SV my adopted rookie (so far)

 

[The Hurricane]

With the picks they had, they could have gotten the 3 defensive players and still drafted Oher. Unless tomorrow's draft pushes a lot of those picks into next year and/or upgrades at the very bottom of the draft, today will go down in my book as a failed draft due to a lost opportunity.

I'd take butler and 2 third rounders for Oher any day of the week.

 

[eagle eye]

Hi guys I'm new here. I'm a big Pats fan from Ireland. Used to live over there and love the game.

Anyways enough about me, lets talk about the draft. I think Volmer is a great pick, I think he is very special and is going to be huge in the NFL. I don't know if I can put youtubes up here so I won't even give a link but I have a great one of Volmer if its ok to put it up.
I think that Butler is a real BB type of guy, he played everywhere for Conneticut and he looks like a very talented corner.
I don't know much about Don Brace but from reading what others have said he looks very promising and I can't wait to see him in action.
I was shocked at Patrick Chung being picked so early but they obviously rate him very highly to take him that early in the draft. I just wonder though if it was a big reach and we could have gotten him a lot later on. Still he we badly needed a safety and at least we have that covered now.

I was very surprised that we took no Linebacker today. We desperately need and inside guy and I have to be honest and was licking my lips at the thoughs of either Maualaga or Laurinaitus teaming up with Jerod but Bill knows best and it didn't happen. I think that means he has spotted some guys that are not on most peoples radars. Hopefully that is the case.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'd take butler and 2 third rounders for Oher any day of the week.

I wouldn't, because Butler could have been gotten without giving up Oher. That's the whole point.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Coming into this weekend, I had settled on Chung as my #1 S. √

Ron Brace was my #1 NT. √ It get's better, Brace allows Wilfork to slide out to DE if Sey or Ty get injured, AND...should either Sey or Vince not get re-signed for 2010 and beyond, Brace has just created depth at all three positions even with Vince, Sey, and Jarvis all UFA in 2010.

Darius Butler contributes on Special Teams as Gunner and KR, and develops behind three veterans with wildly different talent and experience. Butler is a little light, but Coach Woicik can put another 10 lbs on him and he'll be capable of developing at FS too. √

Sebastian Vollmer was an intriguing OT whom I had trouble getting a firm handle on, if I'd known Dante had been sniffing around... :confused2: Suffice it to say I'm stoked that Dante will have time to develop him behind Light and Kaczur, and NE could have 6'8" Vollmer and 6'7" LeVoir as bookends in a year or two. If he develops as I hope, Light or Kaczur might even kick inside to G with the uncertainty around Mankins and Neal long term. √

No letter grade, but a very promising first day and the big coup in my mind is two earlier Third round picks to target some very promising prospects (who will likely be guys I don't have on my list ) in the third round. Which leaves that critical Fourth round pick for a Punter.

 

[Deus Irae]

Coming into this weekend, I had settled on Chung as my #1 S. √

Ron Brace was my #1 NT. √ It get's better, Brace allows Wilfork to slide out to DE if Sey or Ty get injured, AND...should either Sey or Vince not get re-signed for 2010 and beyond, Brace has just created depth at all three positions even with Vince, Sey, and Jarvis all UFA in 2010.

Darius Butler contributes on Special Teams as Gunner and KR, and develops behind three veterans with wildly different talent and experience. Butler is a little light, but Coach Woicik can put another 10 lbs on him and he'll be capable of developing at FS too. √

Sebastian Vollmer was an intriguing OT whom I had trouble getting a firm handle on, if I'd known Dante had been sniffing around... :confused2: Suffice it to say I'm stoked that Dante will have time to develop him behind Light and Kaczur, and NE could have 6'8" Vollmer and 6'7" LeVoir as bookends in a year or two. If he develops as I hope, Light or Kaczur might even kick inside to G with the uncertainty around Mankins and Neal long term. √

No letter grade, but a very promising first day and the big coup in my mind is two earlier Third round picks to target some very promising prospects (who will likely be guys I don't have on my list ) in the third round. Which leaves that critical Fourth round pick for a Punter.

If they can turn 2009 thirds into 2010 seconds, and do the same in the lower rounds, I'll start to feel better.

 

[amazinPats]

Coming into this weekend, I had settled on Chung as my #1 S. √

Ron Brace was my #1 NT. √ It get's better, Brace allows Wilfork to slide out to DE if Sey or Ty get injured, AND...should either Sey or Vince not get re-signed for 2010 and beyond, Brace has just created depth at all three positions even with Vince, Sey, and Jarvis all UFA in 2010.

Darius Butler contributes on Special Teams as Gunner and KR, and develops behind three veterans with wildly different talent and experience. Butler is a little light, but Coach Woicik can put another 10 lbs on him and he'll be capable of developing at FS too. √

Sebastian Vollmer was an intriguing OT whom I had trouble getting a firm handle on, if I'd known Dante had been sniffing around... :confused2: Suffice it to say I'm stoked that Dante will have time to develop him behind Light and Kaczur, and NE could have 6'8" Vollmer and 6'7" LeVoir as bookends in a year or two. If he develops as I hope, Light or Kaczur might even kick inside to G with the uncertainty around Mankins and Neal long term. √

No letter grade, but a very promising first day and the big coup in my mind is two earlier Third round picks to target some very promising prospects (who will likely be guys I don't have on my list ) in the third round. Which leaves that critical Fourth round pick for a Punter.

Great post! I think your analysis is spot on.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

BB calls it "an interesting day"

Belichick: 'An interesting day' - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

 

[Water Boy]

Chung B+ With Delmas off the board, Chung, perhaps taken just a littler higher than you'd like, was a must pick at 34.

Brace B+ 3-4 NTs don't grow on trees. Since we already have an elite 3-4 NT, this pick is perceived as less a value for the Pats than for another team. Doesn't hurt to have a plan B if Wilfork is not resigned.

Butler A- Rated as a possible late first round talent. Hope this kid is a stud.

Vollmer Incomplete - perhaps a reach in that he could have likely been taken in the 3rd. INBBIT. Love to see this WTF pick shine.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Coming into this weekend, I had settled on Chung as my #1 S. √

Ron Brace was my #1 NT. √ It get's better, Brace allows Wilfork to slide out to DE if Sey or Ty get injured, AND...should either Sey or Vince not get re-signed for 2010 and beyond, Brace has just created depth at all three positions even with Vince, Sey, and Jarvis all UFA in 2010.

Darius Butler contributes on Special Teams as Gunner and KR, and develops behind three veterans with wildly different talent and experience. Butler is a little light, but Coach Woicik can put another 10 lbs on him and he'll be capable of developing at FS too. √

Sebastian Vollmer was an intriguing OT whom I had trouble getting a firm handle on, if I'd known Dante had been sniffing around... :confused2: Suffice it to say I'm stoked that Dante will have time to develop him behind Light and Kaczur, and NE could have 6'8" Vollmer and 6'7" LeVoir as bookends in a year or two. If he develops as I hope, Light or Kaczur might even kick inside to G with the uncertainty around Mankins and Neal long term. √

No letter grade, but a very promising first day and the big coup in my mind is two earlier Third round picks to target some very promising prospects (who will likely be guys I don't have on my list ) in the third round. Which leaves that critical Fourth round pick for a Punter.

I'm glad I read posts like these. I feel better after your analogy and it does make perfect sense. Must admit I'm a little perturbed about no pass rushers yet. I hope you go over some of the names that are still on the board that may help us in that department and list them.

Unless Crable/Woods has BB's full trust I can't imagine going through another season with the lack of pass rush which contributed to real bad 3rd down #s.

 

[amazinPats]

I think Brace will prove to be the big value of the first day. Big NT's who stuff the run are always valuable. I'm really excited about that pick the most.

 

[SamBamsFan]

B+

I love the pick of Chung- he was the top Safety on my board for his ability to play in the box.

I always advocate the taking of fat boys on the first day, so it would be hypocritical of me not to like the pick of Brace. Solid pick, though i don't see the high ceiling of most first day picks. Still, he is a true NT, and they are hard to come by.

Butler- I love his ability and talent. I believe that he might need a little more coaching. When I heard this selection all I could think was this was the beggining of the end for Hobbs.

The Vollmer pick was a WTF moment. The more I look at it the more I like it now. The back issue at his age worries me a bit.

After 8 years of watching BB pick for the Pats what I have learned is that I'll never learn... He'll never take a 1st day conversion to LB, but every year I keep putting them in my draft predictions. I guess I should file Barwin next to Lawson, and all the others...

 

[klinefan]

Don't know if Oher is their style. He needs a lot of reps and has concentration lapses. From what I've read.

 

[WhiZa]

I'd day B+. It can turn into an A+ if Brace and Vollmer shine. There are some question marks with both, but they also have tremendous potential.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Chung=A- 2nd safety behind Delmas on my oard

Brace=B Had no interest in DT but he makes sense at that pick. He may of been a large reason behind Raji's success or vice versa.

Butler=B- Show me you can play football at the next level.

Vollmer=C I'm trying to spin the pick but I can't. There was so much still on the board

 

[dryheat44]

I think it's awfully egotistical to look at the Pats picks and say "oh, we should've picked X instead of Y. What was Bill thinking?" Egotistical, preposterous, and dumb. BB's seen 100x the film on these players that we have, he knows 1000% which players fit into his system better than we do. He worked the trade-back, trade-up game masterfully, and came away with four second-round picks that provide great value at their draft slot.

I can't find any fault with this draft whatsoever.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I think it's awfully egotistical to look at the Pats picks and say "oh, we should've picked X instead of Y. What was Bill thinking?" Egotistical, preposterous, and dumb. BB's seen 100x the film on these players that we have, he knows 1000% which players fit into his system better than we do. He worked the trade-back, trade-up game masterfully, and came away with four second-round picks that provide great value at their draft slot.

I can't find any fault with this draft whatsoever.

Sure you can, now pick up the bottle and quit trying to be sober and reasonable.

 

[greerre]

He worked the trade-back, trade-up game masterfully

I personally think he gave up too much to move up in the second... just me