2011 Draft Thread

[UofApatsfan]

Maybe this thread might be a bit early, but since most of us are expecting a great draft with 2 first rounders and 2 second rounders, and a lot of us are expecting next year to be when the team truly comes together, I figure it's worth it.

What does everyone want them doing with the picks? I expect Oakland's pick to be somewhere between 8-14, and NE's pick to be somewhere between 18-26. One of the picks has gotta be an elite 3-4 defensive end prospect, IMO that's the highest priority. It's just repeating what has already been said, but the 3-4 defense is built on having a NT and at least one DE who consistently draw double teams and stuff the run.

My #1 choice would be Marcell Dareus. He's got great size with some experience as a 3-4 DE, and had 6 sacks as someone who only started 4 games (most notably the sack that knocked Colt McCoy out of the championship game). They would probably need to use Oakland's pick to get him since he's poised to have a huge year but he has tons of potential and fills a need.

The later first rounder IMO should be used on a receiver for several reasons.

1) The chances of Moss resigning are slim to none. There are gonna be other teams out there willing to offer more years and more money than New England will for a 34 YO receiver.
2) The NFL is becoming more pass happy every year. Just look at how the last few superbowls unfolded. The Patriots need to maintain a good passing attack after Moss leaves, and there's no way they can without replacing him.
3) Assuming most of the elite juniors enter early, there will most likely be at least one great receiver available in the later first round who would be a top 10 pick in any draft that wasn't loaded at receiver. Between Baldwin, Floyd, Green, Jones, and Posey, there will be great value at receiver if 1-2 of them fall into the 20's.



So those are just my thoughts, please feel free to contribute your own, I don't want this thread to be a critique of my ideal first round next year.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

You're new here. We have a draft forum where this stuff is discussed ad nauseum until maybe the week before the draft when it is considered fair game on the main forum...

 

[Seels]

They need Oline. They've needed Oline for years, and aside from the Vollmer pick haven't addressed it at all until late day two picks. With Light a soon to be FA, Mankins status unknown, Neal either retired or injured, and Koppen on the downside of his career, that leaves one guy you can rely on and he's had what, 8 NFL starts to this point? They need to address Oline early. It doesn't really matter where, BPA with preferably two of the first four picks. I agree that DE needs to be helped, but Oline is in the same boat.

After those two, sure, get all the secondary or offensive skill positions you can. But get the trenches first.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

and NE's pick to be somewhere between 18-26

Whoa there. Stop that right now. At this point in the season, there is absolutely zero reason for any self-respecting Patriot fan to project that pick for anything other than #32.

 

[DarrylS]

Whoa there. Stop that right now. At this point in the season, there is absolutely zero reason for any self-respecting Patriot fan to project that pick for anything other than #32.

Agreed. there is nothing else to believe...

 

[UofApatsfan]

You're new here. We have a draft forum where this stuff is discussed ad nauseum until maybe the week before the draft when it is considered fair game on the main forum...

Sorry, didn't know.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Agreed. there is nothing else to believe...

Well, if he wanted to play it safe and say 21-32, I could live with that.

But 19, them's fighting numbers! :beatingcoming:

 

[A_Ghost_In_The_Machine]

Based on his size and the (limited) footage of him I've seen I'd quite like to see us grab Jonathon Baldwin. Whether Moss stays around or not he's probably only going to be playing for another few years so either way we're in need of a receiver who poses a vertical threat.

Other than that the obvious choices of 3-4 DE and pass rushing OLB but I can't imagine BB will use one of the 1st rounders on a pass rusher

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Sorry, didn't know.

It's good, there's been a lot worse chatter on the main forum.

 

[jmt57]

Without going into specific players yet, I would think as of this moment the Pats would be looking at DE, OL, and RB with three of those first four draft picks.

The wildcard is WR: there are four or five very highly rated receivers in next year's draft; if Randy Moss leaves do the Pats draft one of them, or are they okay with Tate, Welker, Edelman, Price and the tight ends?

Part of me really wants the Pats to pick up one of those WRs - as you mentioned, due to the way officials are instructed to call the game now, the passing game is more important than ever. On the other hand if the Pats do that then only first rounder can be used on the three positions I originally mentioned (DE, OL, RB.)

I suppose a large part of it will come down to what happens in free agency. First, because of the rules in the uncapped year there were a lot of players that were RFAs rather than UFAs this past year; that should result in more unrestricted free agents in 2011. Second, because of uncertainty about the CBA and not knowing what the new cap will be, there are a lot of expiring contracts in 2010 - not just with the Pats, but throughout the entire NFL.

Assuming a new CBA is agreed upon, we could see a record number of free agents available. On one hand it could work in the Pats favor, if they could address one or two of those positions prior to the draft. On the other hand the team could find itself with such pressing needs that they cannot consider WR early: for example if Matt Light does not re-sign, and a suitable replacement is not found in free agency, the Pats have to go OL rather than WR.

Then there's the whole Logan Mankins situation too. Do the Pats get a draft pick for him, and if so how high? Does Mankins sit out, become a free agent, and the Pats get nothing in return? Or does the unlikely happen, where the two sides work out a new contract?

 

[glm]

Based on his size and the (limited) footage of him I've seen I'd quite like to see us grab Jonathon Baldwin. Whether Moss stays around or not he's probably only going to be playing for another few years so either way we're in need of a receiver who poses a vertical threat.

Other than that the obvious choices of 3-4 DE and pass rushing OLB but I can't imagine BB will use one of the 1st rounders on a pass rusher

Agreed, he's my number 1 WR going into this year.

 

[borisman]

There will be a few QB's available in the first round and maybe even 3 in the top 10. NE could easily trade the pick, if a team wants one of the QB's, and receive very good value in return. They could get their 2011 1st rd pick, a 2012 1st rounder and even a 2011 3rd. Things might be different if BB is in striking range for a player he really covets. But as you know, a return on a QB will be better than most any other position. You can still get a DL (Heyward, Crick or Allen Bailey), an OL (Castonzo, Pouncey) or whatever else will be needed.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Rob Rang - NFL Draft Scout: Who I'm scouting in Boise State/Virginia Tech

Rob Rang - NFL Draft Scout: Player of the Week -- Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan

Rob Rang - NFL Draft Scout: Diamond in the Rough -- Jax St. OL Curt Porter

 

[jmt57]

There will be a few QB's available in the first round and maybe even 3 in the top 10. NE could easily trade the pick, if a team wants one of the QB's, and receive very good value in return. They could get their 2011 1st rd pick, a 2012 1st rounder and even a 2011 3rd. Things might be different if BB is in striking range for a player he really covets. But as you know, a return on a QB will be better than most any other position. You can still get a DL (Heyward, Crick or Allen Bailey), an OL (Castonzo, Pouncey) or whatever else will be needed.

That could be a great option, depending of course on who the Pats are targeting and who is available at that point.


Though based on the commentary in the main forum, if the Pats were to trade down next spring, this server may crash from the number of people commenting with displeasure.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

That could be a great option, depending of course on who the Pats are targeting and who is available at that point.


Though based on the commentary in the main forum, if the Pats were to trade down next spring, this server may crash from the number of people commenting with displeasure.

:beersign:

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Without going into specific players yet, I would think as of this moment the Pats would be looking at DE, OL, and RB with three of those first four draft picks.

The wildcard is WR: there are four or five very highly rated receivers in next year's draft; if Randy Moss leaves do the Pats draft one of them, or are they okay with Tate, Welker, Edelman, Price and the tight ends?

Part of me really wants the Pats to pick up one of those WRs - as you mentioned, due to the way officials are instructed to call the game now, the passing game is more important than ever. On the other hand if the Pats do that then only first rounder can be used on the three positions I originally mentioned (DE, OL, RB.)

I suppose a large part of it will come down to what happens in free agency. First, because of the rules in the uncapped year there were a lot of players that were RFAs rather than UFAs this past year; that should result in more unrestricted free agents in 2011. Second, because of uncertainty about the CBA and not knowing what the new cap will be, there are a lot of expiring contracts in 2010 - not just with the Pats, but throughout the entire NFL.

Assuming a new CBA is agreed upon, we could see a record number of free agents available. On one hand it could work in the Pats favor, if they could address one or two of those positions prior to the draft. On the other hand the team could find itself with such pressing needs that they cannot consider WR early: for example if Matt Light does not re-sign, and a suitable replacement is not found in free agency, the Pats have to go OL rather than WR.

Then there's the whole Logan Mankins situation too. Do the Pats get a draft pick for him, and if so how high? Does Mankins sit out, become a free agent, and the Pats get nothing in return? Or does the unlikely happen, where the two sides work out a new contract?

If the new CBA contract contains a rookie wage scale, then I can see BB using his first first round pick for my favorite WR, Green of Goergia or even Jones of Alabama. But if there is no rookie wage scale, I doubt BB uses a first round pick on a WR regardless of what happens with Moss.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

West Virginia @ Marshall

Marshall

Chad Schofield, C, 6-4/304 -- WVU's NT Neild is a pretty good DL, but Schofield is handling him one-on-one surprisingly well. NFL Draft Scout projects this kid as a UDFA, I can see NE taking an interest in him for their Big Men Dancing Academy.

Mario Harvey, ILB, 5-11/248 -- Big, slow thumper in the middle with a nose for the ball ... but NE has no interest in those kind of guys, do they?

Lee Smith, TE, 6-6/265 -- NE has shown an interest in big TEs with receiving and blocking skills. A Tennessee transfer who got in trouble and has been put back on track by Marshall.

The Marshall D-line has owned the LOS, I'm not sure if this is indicative of Marshall's players or WVUs, but something to keep an eye on as Marshall progresses through the season.

West Virginia

Chris Neild, DT, 6-2/306 -- Decent late round/UDFA 4/5-tech prospect.

Jock Sanders, WR, 5-07/180 -- If NE needs another slot receiver ...

Noel Devine, RB, 5-08/180 -- If Laurence Maroney gets people's goat, this kid will bring home a small flock as he runs backwards trying to make a big play. Lots of talent, but he's not content to get what's there.

Big East is getting off to a rocky start this year.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Oregon State vs. TCU

Oregon State

Stephen Paea, DT, 6-1/311 -- NE, amongst others, have been taking a close look at this kid. He's a bit short, but I believe he would be an effective DE in the NE defense. Round one talent.

James Rodgers, WR, 5-7/188 -- Quick enough for the slot, fast to play outside. I don't see him as a great fit for NE, he's not as physical as a Welker or as sudden as Edelman.

Aaron Nichols, WR, 6-0/185 -- Possible camp fodder option.

TCU

Andy Dalton, QB, 6-3/220 -- UDFA camp fodder prospect, mobility, decent arm strength, decent judgment.

Marcus Cannon, OT, 6-6/350 -- RT last year, LT this one. TCU's OL is doing a good job with Stephen Paea, worth keeping an eye on them for late round/UDFA prospects. TCU started taking control of the game with when they started riding the hawgs in the run game.

Jake Kirkpatrick, C, 6-3/305 -- TCU's OL is doing a good job with Stephen Paea, worth keeping an eye on them for late round/UDFA prospects. TCU started taking control of the game with when they started riding the hawgs in the run game.

Zach Roth, OT, 6-6/316 -- RT, first year starter. TCU's OL is doing a good job with Stephen Paea, worth keeping an eye on them for late round/UDFA prospects. TCU started taking control of the game with when they started riding the hawgs in the run game.

Josh Vernon, OG, 6-2/300 -- RG. TCU's OL is doing a good job with Stephen Paea, worth keeping an eye on them for late round/UDFA prospects. TCU started taking control of the game with when they started riding the hawgs in the run game.

Jeremy Kerley, WR, 5-10/192 -- WR/KR, UDFA camp fodder option.

Wayne Daniels, DE, 6-2/250 -- Hughes replacement, got some pressure to start, haven't seen much of him since, just someone on the edge to be aware of for now.

Bart Johnson, WR, 6-0/195 -- Slot receiver looking kid with some outside capability, nice hands.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Navy @ Maryland -- Sloppy game where Navy beat themselves with mistakes. The two most impressive players in the game were the Navy SS and FB.

Maryland

Da'Rel Scott, RB, 5-11/198 -- He can run a bit (All ACC), but in this game there's no chance to know if he can receive or pass protect.

Alex Wujciak, ILB, 6-3/246 -- He was flying around, but seemed to have trouble reading the Navy offense or staying disciplined, someone to monitor before writing off.

Davin Meggett, RB, 5-08/215 (Jr) -- He had some nice runs.

Paul Pinegar, C, 6-4/290 -- Maryland was making some progress in the run game and he was noticeable in that effort.

Navy

Wyatt Middleton, SS, 6-1/192 -- Team Captain, all over keeping their defense in the game.

Andre Byrd, RB, 5-7/153 -- Another Shun White, just not as burly and I didn't get to see him as a receiver.

Vince Murray, FB, 6-1/217 -- He's no Eric Kettani, but he's not bad.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

South Florida @ Florida

South Florida: If you enjoy watching O-line play, South Florida vs. Florida has been fun. None of the USF OL are projected as draft picks by NFL Draft Scout, but these are experienced kids who look technically solid - Scarnecchia Academy material.

Sampson Genus, OC, 6-1/315 -- Nice looking Center wrestling with Florida's DL. He has looked good getting out to the second level. USF marched the length of the field on their first drive to score, that O-line looked strong.

Jamar Bass, OT, 6-3/283 -- LT, looks like a good prospect to move inside. Pulled like a Guard and sprung his QB for a nice gain; USF pulls their OT to lead block. USF marched the length of the field on their first drive to score, that O-line looked strong.

Jacob Sims, OT, 6-5/290 -- RT, looks like a good prospect to move inside or bulk up a bit and stay outside. USF pulls their OT to lead block. Color man Andre Ware singled him out for a nice block, one of several I've been noting. USF marched the length of the field on their first drive to score, that O-line looked strong.

Florida

Nobody is really standing out to me. The O-line is okay in pass protection, but they aren't moving people at the LOS. As soon as I write that LT Marcus Gilbert finally shows up blocking at the next level. If USF's QB used his head less as a battering ram, as he was over 100 yds rushing in the 3rd Qtr, and more as a tool to evaluate throwing lanes and defenses, Florida gets spanked. Urban Meyer needs to send the USF QB roses and aspirin.