My draft strategy after watching the combine

[upstater1]

I want Brandon Graham and Terrence Cody.

If people are of the opinion that Cody will be gone in the first round, then I trade our first 2 second rounders for a late first and get a 3rd rounder back.

So now I have one second rounder left. I target Eric Norwood to play a Ted Johnson role at ILB and Mardy Gilyard to be the new Deion Branch at WR. Norwood is all downhill and has a nose for the ball, but at the Senior Bowl he showed he was weak in coverage. He plays kind of stiff going back in coverage. That's OK. He can rush the QB from the inside and he showed at the combine that his top line speed is pretty good.

Gilyard is just a solid football player. I want both of these guys.

I trade Adalius Thomas for a 4th, then use that 4th and package it with my 3rd rounder to move up in the 3rd and grab Norwood/Gilyard.

With my fourth rounder, I take the best available tight end or guard. With my fifth rounder, I take the best available WR and then I keep alternating between TEs and guard.

So, I end up with:

Brandon Graham
Terrence Cody
Mardy Gilyard
Eric Norwood
Aaron Hernandez
Mitch Petrus
Emmanuel Sanders

 

[patsfan-1982]

what would you do with wilfork, DE ? or trade him.

 

[Big-T]

what would you do with wilfork, DE ? or trade him.

I'd move him to DE, it'd be hard for teams to run on that D line and a fast group of linebackers will stop them bouncing it outside too. A big D-line means more linebackers would be unblocked making the pass rush better too Draft Cody!

 

[upstater1]

what would you do with wilfork, DE ? or trade him.

Wilfork to DE.

I just realized though that I may need to readjust my plans to draft Norwood. I think he did excel at pass rushing at S Carolina but he was playing outside. I know the guy can stuff the run well, but you might need more pass rushing from the interior if the middle of your line is dedicated to occupying blockers to free up the likes of Graham and Mayo.

Darn, I might have to sign Julius Peppers now just to address this situation.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

I want Brandon Graham and Terrence Cody.

If people are of the opinion that Cody will be gone in the first round, then I trade our first 2 second rounders for a late first and get a 3rd rounder back.

So now I have one second rounder left. I target Eric Norwood to play a Ted Johnson role at ILB and Mardy Gilyard to be the new Deion Branch at WR. Norwood is all downhill and has a nose for the ball, but at the Senior Bowl he showed he was weak in coverage. He plays kind of stiff going back in coverage. That's OK. He can rush the QB from the inside and he showed at the combine that his top line speed is pretty good.

Gilyard is just a solid football player. I want both of these guys.

I trade Adalius Thomas for a 4th, then use that 4th and package it with my 3rd rounder to move up in the 3rd and grab Norwood/Gilyard.

With my fourth rounder, I take the best available tight end or guard. With my fifth rounder, I take the best available WR and then I keep alternating between TEs and guard.

So, I end up with:

Brandon Graham
Terrence Cody
Mardy Gilyard
Eric Norwood
Aaron Hernandez
Mitch Petrus
Emmanuel Sanders

I think Cody will be available in the 2nd and probably the late 2nd. No way Hernandez is available that late.

 

[SanAngeloState]

Cody is useless, of limited intelligence and discipline and will probably fall to the 3rd/4th.

The problem with having a unique, hard to fill defense is that is extremely hard to staff it...then you have to trade up to make sure you get "your player". That's where BB is screwing up. He can't find an OLB to draft or develop so he gets some high priced vets who are terrible. Great defense there with Burgess and AD.

We'd be better off with a 4-3 and BB's inventiveness and creativity would carry the day, I believe.

 

[WhiZa]

I think Cody will be available in the 2nd and probably the late 2nd. No way Hernandez is available that late.

I think Hernadez is falling after not participating at the combine

 

[WhiZa]

Cody is useless, of limited intelligence and discipline and will probably fall to the 3rd/4th.

The problem with having a unique, hard to fill defense is that is extremely hard to staff it...then you have to trade up to make sure you get "your player". That's where BB is screwing up. He can't find an OLB to draft or develop so he gets some high priced vets who are terrible. Great defense there with Burgess and AD.

We'd be better off with a 4-3 and BB's inventiveness and creativity would carry the day, I believe.

Cody wont fall that far just based on the hype that surrounds him. Though I agree he is more of a 3rd or 4th value based on being one-dimensional and the other value in this draft.

 

[BadMoFo]

So after watching the combine, in which Brandon Graham didn't finish participating, you want to draft him first.

Actually, I like what I see from him also, even before he tweaked the hamstring. I would not be disappointed if we drafted him in the first round.

 

[upstater1]

So after watching the combine, in which Brandon Graham didn't finish participating, you want to draft him first.

Actually, I like what I see from him also, even before he tweaked the hamstring. I would not be disappointed if we drafted him in the first round.

Yes.

I was waiting for someone to jump out.

It didn't happen.

Quite frankly, some of those tweeners became second round values for me. I wouldn't touch Jean-Francois and Morgan with a ten foot pole.

I'd go safe with Odrick instead.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Not one runningback to keep the legs young and compete with Maroney. Our core of RBs we have isn't working well.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Not one runningback to keep the legs young and compete with Maroney. Our core of RBs we have isn't working well.

They are working well just not optimal, IMO we'd be better off with 2 main backs and a third down back as opposed to 3 or 4.

 

[CGH TX PATS]

I'd move him to DE, it'd be hard for teams to run on that D line and a fast group of linebackers will stop them bouncing it outside too. A big D-line means more linebackers would be unblocked making the pass rush better too Draft Cody!

Does this have any free agents in mind? Julius Peppers?!?!?! Anquan Boldin?!?!?!

 

[CGH TX PATS]

Not one runningback to keep the legs young and compete with Maroney. Our core of RBs we have isn't working well.

Very good point.

 

[Boston Boxer]

I'd move him to DE, it'd be hard for teams to run on that D line and a fast group of linebackers will stop them bouncing it outside too. A big D-line means more linebackers would be unblocked making the pass rush better too Draft Cody!

i have never seen a 380lbs DE...that is rediculous

 

[upstater1]

Not one runningback to keep the legs young and compete with Maroney. Our core of RBs we have isn't working well.

Running backs are a dime a dozen.

If we need one that badly, we can grab one like Ced Taylor in free agency. I don't want to see us grab a RB up high ever again. It's the most overrated position in football.

 

[captain stone]

I want Brandon Graham and Terrence Cody.

If people are of the opinion that Cody will be gone in the first round, then I trade our first 2 second rounders for a late first and get a 3rd rounder back.

So now I have one second rounder left. I target Eric Norwood to play a Ted Johnson role at ILB and Mardy Gilyard to be the new Deion Branch at WR. Norwood is all downhill and has a nose for the ball, but at the Senior Bowl he showed he was weak in coverage. He plays kind of stiff going back in coverage. That's OK. He can rush the QB from the inside and he showed at the combine that his top line speed is pretty good.

Gilyard is just a solid football player. I want both of these guys.

I trade Adalius Thomas for a 4th, then use that 4th and package it with my 3rd rounder to move up in the 3rd and grab Norwood/Gilyard.

With my fourth rounder, I take the best available tight end or guard. With my fifth rounder, I take the best available WR and then I keep alternating between TEs and guard.

So, I end up with:

Brandon Graham
Terrence Cody
Mardy Gilyard
Eric Norwood
Aaron Hernandez
Mitch Petrus
Emmanuel Sanders

With all due respect, that is a terrible strategy, IMHO.

I would have little problem with Graham, depending on who's still available;
Why trade a draft pick for Cody, when Wilfork can be re-signed and those 2 picks used to address other needs, like WR, OL & DE?
I would have little problem with Gilyard, depending on which WR is still available;
Norwood is a poor fit here, at any LB position;
Why draft Hernandez, when Watson can be re-signed?
Petrus is strong, but can he pull, trap, set screens and play Center?
There should be more WRs available better than Sanders.

 

[sbpatfan]

I couldn't even imagine Wilfork trying to play DE, you guys can't be serious.. can you? Either way, I think it's a bad sign if the Patriots draft Cody because it would most likely mean Brace is a lost cause.

 

[DocE]

I hope we can fill at least one need in FA (Peppers, Dansby, Burleson, are on the top of my list).

Here's what I would like to see assuming no trades:

22. Carlos Dunlap- I know Bill will know all there is to know about him from his relationship with Urban Meyer. He's going to bring the most speed to the front 7, which I think is critical. Others in contention: Jared Odrick, Rolando McClain (becoming a possibility), Everson Griffin-blew up the combine and is the only guy with all the measurables desired to play OLB for Belichick

44. Arrelious Benn- I said no trades and most of the guys I'd like here seem to have risen above this spot. I'd look at Jahvid Best here if his concussion is not a medical concern, Sapp, Graham, Weatherspoon, Earl Thomas, and Pouncey if any happened to drop.

47. Vladimir Ducasse- Again this area is where the value doesn't look as appealing to me. Good players will be here, it's just hard to know who. I also considered CB Kareem Jackson, ILB Brandon Spikes and OT/OG Rodger Saffold

53. Jimmy Graham- Probably a reach, but I really liked this kid at the combine. 6'6 TE who ran under 4.6, without a 3rd round pick it is now or never. Can he learn the Patriots offense with his limited football background? That's my main concern. I also considered Lamarr Houston, but considered him too short to play the 5 technique.

4th round. Clifton Geathers- can this kid play football? That is the question. His measurables are off the chart for a DE in a 3-4 system: 6'7 299lbs with the longest arm length of any DL by far at 37 3/4 and the largest hands at 11 1/8. Geathers ran the 40 in 5.00 and 4.95 and his brother is Robert Geathers who's had some good years with the Bengals. I have a feeling Geathers goes in round 2 by the time the draft rolls around.

6th round. Crezdon Bulter- Clemson CB has decent size at over 5'11 and had 11 picks in his career.

7th round Javarris James- some young legs at RB

7th round Van Eskridge- FS from East Carolina not invited to the combine, but was really productive

 

[DaBruinz]

Not one runningback to keep the legs young and compete with Maroney. Our core of RBs we have isn't working well.

They were 9th in the league last year... Despite the issues with the O-line.. But, I keep forgetting that people like yourself don't view the O-line as having an influence on how the RB does..