Positions that are high priorities for high picks?

[Fencer]

At what positions do you think it is important that a guy be drafted this year with a high pick? Considerations that IMO go into the analysis include:

• How important are measurables and/or versatility at the position? If BB wants a Mr. Everything there, and is unhappy w/ role players, a high pick may be called for.
• How immediate is the need vs. how long does the position take to develop?
• In particular, what's the chance of the rookie making an immediate impact at a position of immediate need?
• How high does that position get drafted in general?

My answers include:

YES

TE -- immediate need, decent chance of making immediate impact (especially in the face of OMG Welkers HURT !?!?!!!!), we're weak on red zone receiving threats other than Moss, BB wants a no-apologies blocker, we're weak on red zone receiving threats other than Moss, we want that guy to have measurables, route-running skills, and hands to be an overall receiving threat

3-4 DE -- classic measurables position for BB, seems like a great need given Brace's first year non-performance

Pass rusher -- duh

No

WR -- OMG Welkers HURT !?!?!!!! is irrelevant, given the long odds against big WR contributions the first year. And quickness measurables aside, BB doesn't do well drafting the measurables guys at WR.

P -- don't have to draft w/ a high pick

OL -- we're set right now, even if upgrades are conceivable, so we can afford to gamble on developing lower picks more slowly

RB, ILB, DB (all) -- more or less ditto

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

DE/OLB for sure.
C/OG/WR/TE depending on which positions/players are there and when.

 

[SS37]

DE/OLB with high picks for sure, regardless if we see more of a 4-3 this year

 

[Spiral]

Guys who can get to the quarterback. Period.

Players with production in this area come off the board quickly, like LTs and QBs.

 

[jmt57]

I'd say OLB and DE are the highest priorities.
TE in tier 2
WR/C/G/CB in tier 3

In other words an OLB and DE are a must in the first two rounds.
A TE is likely but not an absolute with a high pick.
One, possibly two of those in tier 3 will be used with a high pick.

Of course the number of high picks could change in either direction; i.e., the Pats could end up with three high picks, or five high picks. It's not as if there's no history of either trading up or trading down.

 

[Triumph]

CB is a top need IMO.

Hoping Wheatley, Butler and Wilhite suddenly get it, is a recipe for disaster.

 

[The Dynasty]

#1 need...OLB/DE that can get after the QB

#2 need...TE

#3 need...WR

#4 need...CB

 

[JackBauer]

#1 need...OLB/DE that can get after the QB

#2 need...TE

#3 need...WR

#4 need...CB

Disagree.

RB is a bigger need than CB.

I'd go:

OLB/DE
TE
RB
WR
CB

 

[The Dynasty]

Disagree.

RB is a bigger need than CB.

I'd go:

OLB/DE
TE
RB
WR
CB

RB is not a need this year like many people seem to think. They have 5 decent-good backs signed for this season already. It isnt even necessary for all of them to contribute, you really only need 3 of the 5 to be true impact guys, and all of them IMO have the skills to do that. Next off season would be the time to think about a RB, all of their contracts will be up so it is a good time to reevaluate the position and see what kind of direction the team wants to go.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I think people do not understand that drafting a RB,if not 2 RBs (one high pick and one low) is a high priority this season

We have 5 RBs which most of them will be gone next year - Maroney will be gone with another mediocre season to complete his dissapointing rookie contract,Faulk could retire next year...Morris and Taylor,at least one if not both won't be on the roster in 2011 and BJGE is hanging on for dear life.

To be honest I really don't know how many of these RBs will even be on the team this year?,especially the older guys.

How some of you expect RB to not be a major draft need is beyond me,We need AT LEAST one high pick on a back and another late and hope they pan out and become worthy of starting in 2011,hopefully they get some playing time in 2010.

RBs for 2011 and beyond is something no one is really thinking about because you are looking at a roster that you think is set and just looking at 2010...you can't just sit back with what we have and hope that once the majority of our current backs are gone next season that drafting some in 2011 and picking up some Vet RB JAG will work out is pure stupidity.

We need to get the back or backs of the future on this team NOW just like the other positions of need like OLB and Pass rush,This draft has some decent RBs in which we should add someone who is capable of being a solid starter in 2011 after getting some reps in the regular season.

I would be shocked if we don't pick up a RB by the second round

 

[The Dynasty]

I think people do not understand that drafting a RB,if not 2 RBs (one high pick and one low) is a high priority this season

We have 5 RBs which most of them will be gone next year - Maroney will be gone with another mediocre season to complete his dissapointing rookie contract,Faulk could retire next year...Morris and Taylor,at least one if not both won't be on the roster in 2011 and BJGE is hanging on for dear life.

To be honest I really don't know how many of these RBs will even be on the team this year?,especially the older guys.

How some of you expect RB to not be a major draft need is beyond me,We need AT LEAST one high pick on a back and another late and hope they pan out and become worthy of starting in 2011,hopefully they get some playing time in 2010.

RBs for 2011 and beyond is something no one is really thinking about because you are looking at a roster that you think is set and just looking at 2010...you can't just sit back with what we have and hope that once the majority of our current backs are gone next season that drafting some in 2011 and picking up some Vet RB JAG will work out is pure stupidity.

I see what you're saying but the team has too many needs this off season, that need to be addressed for this season that the team cannot afford to start thinking about next season with this draft in terms of their high picks.

I think that Maroney will have a big season and I would expect the Pats to resign him. Taylor and Morris, you dont really know how many years they have left. I would say if they were to come back it would only be for one season. Faulk, I am assuming him only signing a one year deal means that this year will most likely be his last.

Next off season the RB position will probably be a top priority. There will be a good amount of RBs available in the draft and we have 2 first round picks. I would imagine one of them would be used on a RB. Ingram from Alabama, Ryan Williams from VT, Royster from Penn State, Noel Devine from West Virginia are some that come to mind, so it isnt like there wont be good RBs available.

With the many needs that the team has for THIS season the Pats cannot be using their top picks when thinking in terms of next season. Next off season would be the time to think about using a high pick on a RB.

 

[bakes781]

I think people do not understand that drafting a RB,if not 2 RBs (one high pick and one low) is a high priority this season

We have 5 RBs which most of them will be gone next year - Maroney will be gone with another mediocre season to complete his dissapointing rookie contract,Faulk could retire next year...Morris and Taylor,at least one if not both won't be on the roster in 2011 and BJGE is hanging on for dear life.

To be honest I really don't know how many of these RBs will even be on the team this year?,especially the older guys.

How some of you expect RB to not be a major draft need is beyond me,We need AT LEAST one high pick on a back and another late and hope they pan out and become worthy of starting in 2011,hopefully they get some playing time in 2010.

RBs for 2011 and beyond is something no one is really thinking about because you are looking at a roster that you think is set and just looking at 2010...you can't just sit back with what we have and hope that once the majority of our current backs are gone next season that drafting some in 2011 and picking up some Vet RB JAG will work out is pure stupidity.

We need to get the back or backs of the future on this team NOW just like the other positions of need like OLB and Pass rush,This draft has some decent RBs in which we should add someone who is capable of being a solid starter in 2011 after getting some reps in the regular season.

I would be shocked if we don't pick up a RB by the second round

I'll counter that last statement by saying I'll be disappointed if we draft a RB before round 3 with the one exception being the guy in my avatar. I see McCluster filling the role of Wes in the 1st half of the 2010 season and eventually taking over Faulk's in the long term. The other top RB prospects have a lot of mileage on them already and I don't think it makes for a smart move to invest big $ in a position that likely won't finish the end of that contract. The average lifespan of an NFL RB is 5 years so to make a huge investment on a player at that position who has yet to prove a thing at the next level and is already damaged goods is nonsense IMO. There's plenty of history showing that RBs can be had late in the draft Terrell Davis and Curtis Martin immediately come to mind. Fact of the matter is a RB is only as good as the OL in front of him. And that brings me to why interior OL should be considered just about as high a priority as WR/TE and DE/OLB.

 

[The Dynasty]

I'll counter that last statement by saying I'll be disappointed if we draft a RB before round 3 with the one exception being the guy in my avatar. I see McCluster filling the role of Wes in the 1st half of the 2010 season and eventually taking over Faulk's in the long term. The other top RB prospects have a lot of mileage on them already and I don't think it makes for a smart move to invest big $ in a position that likely won't finish the end of that contract. There's plenty of history showing that RBs can be had late in the draft Terrell Davis and Curtis Martin immediately come to mind. Fact of the matter is a RB is only as good as the OL in front of him. And that brings me to my why interior OL should be considered just about as high a priority as WR/TE and DE/OLB.

Saying that a rookie running back in McCluster could fill the role of an all-pro receiver, is a pretty ridiculous statement. McCluster is a running back, not a WR and Welker was an all-pro while McCluster was in college.

Then saying that an interior linemen is even more of a need than a DE/OLB also falls into the category of a ridiculous statement. Did you watch any of the 2009 season? Clearly, getting after the QB was the biggest problem that the Pats had last season. The need of an OL doesnt even come close.

 

[Deus Irae]

.....I would be shocked if we don't pick up a RB by the second round

This team drafting a running back in the first two rounds would be a sign that the stupid decisions of last year might not be over. There is almost no need at all for a running back and, if the need is there next year, there will be two first round picks which can be looked at to fill the position. This team desperately needs help at DE and OLB, and ILB, OG, TE and CB are also much bigger concerns than the running back position.

 

[The Dynasty]

This team drafting a running back in the first two rounds would be a sign that the stupid decisions of last year might not be over. There is almost no need at all for a running back and, if the need is there next year, there will be two first round picks which can be looked at to fill the position. This team desperately needs help at DE and OLB, and ILB, OG, TE and CB are also much bigger concerns than the running back position.

For once me and Deus actually agree...too bad he cant see this because I am on his ignore list

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I'll counter that last statement by saying I'll be disappointed if we draft a RB before round 3 with the one exception being the guy in my avatar. I see McCluster filling the role of Wes in the 1st half of the 2010 season and eventually taking over Faulk's in the long term. The other top RB prospects have a lot of mileage on them already and I don't think it makes for a smart move to invest big $ in a position that likely won't finish the end of that contract. The average lifespan of an NFL RB is 5 years so to make a huge investment on a player at that position who has yet to prove a thing at the next level and is already damaged goods is nonsense IMO. There's plenty of history showing that RBs can be had late in the draft Terrell Davis and Curtis Martin immediately come to mind. Fact of the matter is a RB is only as good as the OL in front of him. And that brings me to why interior OL should be considered just about as high a priority as WR/TE and DE/OLB.

Did you see McCluster interview on the ESPN set yesterday?

He seems like an awesome kid who won't let his short stature get in his way of being a pro - Sounds like another MJD which we should have had in 2006

He also has a future as a singer...he sang and was pretty good!

 

[bakes781]

No I missed that interview

Saying that a rookie running back in McCluster could fill the role of an all-pro receiver, is a pretty ridiculous statement. McCluster is a running back, not a WR and Welker was an all-pro while McCluster was in college.

Then saying that an interior linemen is even more of a need than a DE/OLB also falls into the category of a ridiculous statement. Did you watch any of the 2009 season? Clearly, getting after the QB was the biggest problem that the Pats had last season. The need of an OL doesnt even come close.

Well if you studied the reviews of McCluster many believe he'd be a very good slot WR. I would never suggest that he'd be as good as Wes.

I didn't say more, so don't misquote me. Another factor when addressing the need at OLB is understanding that we'd almost likely have to take a DE converting to OLB if we stick with the 3-4, so you'll need to expect a learning curve with almost whomever is selected.

With that said I'd be in favor of selecting a Dez Bryant if he were to fall to #22 as some draft experts are anticipating over a Graham, Kindle or Hughes. The object of the draft IMO is to maximize value at the same time addressing need. And to the original poster's statement that WRs don't make an immediate impact I counter with Harvin, DeSean, Holmes and Jennings.

 

[patsinthesnow]

(================ Worthy of the #53rd pick.

 

[The Dynasty]

No I missed that interview

Well if you studied the reviews of McCluster many believe he'd be a very good slot WR. I would never suggest that he'd be as good as Wes.

I didn't say more, so don't misquote me. Another factor when addressing the need at OLB is understanding that we'd almost likely have to take a DE converting to OLB if we stick with the 3-4, so you'll need to expect a learning curve with almost whomever is selected.

With that said I'd be in favor of selecting a Dez Bryant if he were to fall to #22 as some draft experts are anticipating over a Graham, Kindle or Hughes. The object of the draft IMO is to maximize value at the same time addressing need. And to the original poster's statement that WRs don't make an immediate impact I counter with Harvin, DeSean, Holmes and Jennings.

I didnt misquote you...you said that McCluster could fill the role of Welker. You cannot draft a rookie RB and expect him to be able to start at slot receiver to begin the year. Drafting McCluster would not solve of problems at WR.

If Des Bryant falls to #22 I would be all for the Patriots drafting him because the position of OLB/DE is very deep and the Patriots could still get an impact guy at that position in the 2nd round. I do agree with your statement that the object of the draft is to maximize value at that time in order to address the needs of your team. If Bryant is gone at #22 I would hope the Pats to take Kindle or Graham providing they are available.

 

[bakes781]

I didnt misquote you...you said that McCluster could fill the role of Welker. You cannot draft a rookie RB and expect him to be able to start at slot receiver to begin the year. Drafting McCluster would not solve of problems at WR.

If Des Bryant falls to #22 I would be all for the Patriots drafting him because the position of OLB/DE is very deep and the Patriots could still get an impact guy at that position in the 2nd round. I do agree with your statement that the object of the draft is to maximize value at that time in order to address the needs of your team. If Bryant is gone at #22 I would hope the Pats to take Kindle or Graham providing they are available.

I was refering to your 2nd point that I said OL was more important. I haven't seen many fan mocks that address OL prior to day 3 and I think that's a big mistake. Matt Light is pretty much toast IMO. I would love to see Vollmer moved to LT and have a top prospect take over at either RG or RT. This would solidify the pass protection which has been average at best and should greatly improve the run game everyone seems to be so worried about.