Let's Draft Lineman Early!

[mgteich]

I would be fine if our first three choice in no particular order were a 3-4 DE, an OG (or an OT that can be converted to OG) and a NT.

Let the passrusher(s) come from the roster of other teams.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Agreed!

There's better pass rush talent available at the end of the season than O-Line talent. Also, since Brady is the core of the franchise doesn't it make sense to make a priority of protecting him.

I'd prefer Bryan Buluga as the first pick and Toby Gerhart in the 2nd round.

 

[OldNEPatsFan]

There is more pass rushing talent available in this years draft than there has been for years now.

 

[Snake Eyes]

There is more pass rushing talent available in this years draft than there has been for years now.

Ok, so pass rushers are more available than O-linemen? Then let's prioritize getting those scarce O-linemen to protect Brady.

 

[mgteich]

So, surely a top candidate will be available with our 3rd second round pick, after we have drafted the linemen.

There is more pass rushing talent available in this years draft than there has been for years now.

 

[OldNEPatsFan]

So, surely a top candidate will be available with our 3rd second round pick, after we have drafted the linemen.

There will be at least 3 good prospects available at that spot.

 

[Kontradiction]

OG (specifically RG) in the first round, DE in the second round FTW.

 

[JoeShmoe]

OG (specifically RG) in the first round, DE in the second round FTW.

Totally agree. Lets try and get Iupati or Carimi in the first and then go after a few DE/OLB at the top of the second

This year has forcibly demonstrated just what a better team we are offensively when Stephen Neal is fit and healthy (as if we didnt know after the NYG SB and last season). Connoly isnt the answer there, Bussey is too small, who knows about Ohrnberger. Perhaps Kazcur could transition but it's a huge need

I suspect BB goes hard after a free agent OLB in the offseason to replace Thomas but some young talent there wont hurt

 

[mayoclinic]

OG (specifically RG) in the first round, DE in the second round FTW.

I'm not sure I agree with you.

I definitely want a RG in the first 2 rounds. First round, however, is a different matter. I would want to consider the following:

1. Is there a RG who is a legitimate 1st round prospect? There are a lot of good guards in this draft, and there's no need to reach. I'd like to get a legitimate blue chip prospect out of our 1st round pick, regardless of the position.

2. What other blue chip prospects are available at other positions of need? 2005 was probably the weakest draft of the decade, but we managed to get a blue chip LG in Mankins at #32. The 2010 draft will be much stronger, and there may be other blue chip prospects at positions of greater value still available.

3. How big of a step down is it to the next prospect on the board? I like Mike Iupati, for example, but I'm not sure he's any better than Gabe Carimi or Vlad Ducasse. If there are 3 guys closely grouped on the board, then it may make more sense to wait to the 2nd round.

4. How good of a schematic fit is that guy? Iupati, for example, may be a legitimate 1st round guard, but if BB doesn't feel he is a good stylistic fit for the Pats then it doesn't make sense to take him.

If the answer to those questions is that the best value on the board turns out to be an OG, then I'm fine with it. But given all of the other prospects in this draft and the depth at the guard position, I suspect that we will take an OG in the 2nd round rather than in the 1st.

 

[mayoclinic]

I could also see BB taking an OT like Brian Bulaga in the 1st round if he fell. Bulaga would probably be a pro bowl caliber RT in a year or so. Let him develop for a year, then move Vollmer to LT in 2011 with Bulaga at RT. I could argue that there would be better value to that than there would in drafting an OG in the 1st round.

I could also see BB drafting a guy like Iupati, Carimi or Ducasse and starting them at RG, and possibly moving them to RT over time depending on how Scar viewed their best skill fit.

I'd have a hard time taking an OG like Iupati (who I like a lot ) in the 1st round if guys like Carimi and Ducasse are still on the board and if there are other "blue chip" prospects available in other areas, such as DE Cameron Heyward, DT Terrance Cody, or RB CJ Spiller. But if not, as long as BB thought the player was good enough and a good schematic fit, I'd be all for it.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Totally agree. Lets try and get Iupati or Carimi in the first and then go after a few DE/OLB at the top of the second

This year has forcibly demonstrated just what a better team we are offensively when Stephen Neal is fit and healthy (as if we didnt know after the NYG SB and last season). Connoly isnt the answer there, Bussey is too small, who knows about Ohrnberger. Perhaps Kazcur could transition but it's a huge need

I suspect BB goes hard after a free agent OLB in the offseason to replace Thomas but some young talent there wont hurt

I think you have Bussey and Orhnberger confused:

Bussey: 6'2" 306
Orhnberger: 6'2" 291
Neal: 6'4" 305

Bussey was a LT his senior campaign, and played Guard in previous seasons - he was reported to be working at both G & T in Training Camp before he hurt his knee. His college coach claims he is every bit as good an OL as his line-mate, First round draft pick Eric Woods who Buffalo grabbed last season - if true Dante stole another one.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I would be fine if our first three choice in no particular order were a 3-4 DE, an OG (or an OT that can be converted to OG) and a NT.

Let the passrusher(s) come from the roster of other teams.

I look at the 2009 draft and see a lot of average grading guys at OG, C and TE. Has any of these guys put together a tape worthy of a first round grade, not really, however a couple will get better grades from the Pats than other teams due to the blocking scheme they deploy.
So O line guys from Houston, Texas, Alabama, Penn State and a few other schools will get higher grades from the Pats than teams like Pittsburgh, Philly and Dallas might have them graded.

But I see very little separation from the top OG and the 10 ranked OG. The name of the game for drafting interior O line players in this draft is scheme vs. value.

 

[Warren94]

I could also see BB taking an OT like Brian Bulaga in the 1st round if he fell. Bulaga would probably be a pro bowl caliber RT in a year or so. Let him develop for a year, then move Vollmer to LT in 2011 with Bulaga at RT. I could argue that there would be better value to that than there would in drafting an OG in the 1st round.

I could also see BB drafting a guy like Iupati, Carimi or Ducasse and starting them at RG, and possibly moving them to RT over time depending on how Scar viewed their best skill fit.

I'd have a hard time taking an OG like Iupati (who I like a lot ) in the 1st round if guys like Carimi and Ducasse are still on the board and if there are other "blue chip" prospects available in other areas, such as DE Cameron Heyward, DT Terrance Cody, or RB CJ Spiller. But if not, as long as BB thought the player was good enough and a good schematic fit, I'd be all for it.

I agree with you on Bulaga however I think Vollmer is best suited for RT. Cameron Heyward and Cody can be had in the second round IMO. Cody is a boom or bust pick... I would be all for Spiller especially with Maroney's fumbling and Morris, Taylor long in the tooth.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Mayo,

What do you think of Mike Johnson from Alabama?

 

[mayoclinic]

Mayo,

What do you think of Mike Johnson from Alabama?

There's nothing to not like about him. Tough kid, versatile. A bit limited athletically, and I'm not sure he could play RT in the pros, but he's a very good guard who could probably step in fairly early. I think Mike Iupati and Vlad Ducasse have more upside, but I'd be very happy with Johnson in the late 2nd/early 3rd round. Earlier than that would be a reach, IMHO.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Defense first, If we dont resign Wilfork I want a NT with our first pick. If we do, I dont see a need for another DE Wright and Pryor have done fine. OT is the only position Id take ahead of over a defensive play maker at this point. (Baluga or Davis). Otherwise I want D first.

 

[mayoclinic]

Defense first, If we dont resign Wilfork I want a NT with our first pick. If we do, I dont see a need for another DE Wright and Pryor have done fine. OT is the only position Id take ahead of over a defensive play maker at this point. (Baluga or Davis). Otherwise I want D first.

Guys who I think could be difference makers regardless of position who might be available in the 20s:

RB - CJ Spiller
OT - Brian Bulaga. Possibly Anthony Davis, though I don't think he's a great fit.
DT - Terrance Cody. Possibly Dan Williams.
DE - no one that I like at 3-4 DE. I think it's too high for Corey Wootten, Arthur Jones or Jared Odrick.
DE/OLB - Carlos Dunlap, possibly Jason Pierre-Paul or Greg Hardy

That's sort of my short list right now, short of a trade up or trade back. Jonathan Dwyer and Mike Iupati are solid, but I'd trade back a bit. Rolando McClain and Joe Haden would require a big trade up.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Defense first

If they don't protect Brady there won't be an offense, he'll be injured worse than this year and soon afterwards Hoyer will be too injured to be effective.

 

[TriplecHamp]

If they don't protect Brady there won't be an offense, he'll be injured worse than this year and soon afterwards Hoyer will be too injured to be effective.

Because the only people that can protect Brady are first round picks. You should have quoted my whole post instead of just that part, I said Id take a good Tackle prospect, over some defensive prospects if they slip but you just take Willy Whistle **** a round before he should go.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Defense can be beefed up easier through free agency than the O-line, I'm really high on Buluga, not only because of his play but also because he's only 20. Anyway, if we could get Buluga in the 1st and Michael Johnson in the 2nd I think it would be great.