Who is your early Devin McCourty?

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Most would say that the OL, DL and OLB is our biggest needs heading into the draft. (though free agency, if it has started by then, could change that)

In the 2010 draft, CB was not the top priority set by most fans. To some, it's importance dropped further down based on who was left on the board when our pick was up. I let out a disappointed sigh when Goodell announced McCourty's name and I'm sure a lot of fans reacted much worse than that. McCourty turned into the AFC's best rookie and one of the most important players on this team this past season and going forward.

Who is your early choice for a player the Pats could get in the McCourty mold? Who's the guy at a position that isn't the biggest need but could turn into a very important player for us?

Having not focused on the draft much yet, I really can't pick a specific player. Position-wise, I can see a CB that can cover like McCourty really helping us on defense by allowing us to take more chances with blitzes and coverage looks.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

Lol, probably some guy that is, as of now, projected as a late 2nd rounder.

 

[Sciz]

Julio Jones or another WR

 

[Dufflebagz]

Julio Jones or another WR

I have to say Julio Jones too

 

[upstater1]

I have to say Julio Jones too

Julio Jones is regarded by almost everyone as a top 20 pick. McCourty was not.

 

[Dufflebagz]

Julio Jones is regarded by almost everyone as a top 20 pick. McCourty was not.

He's asking for a guy in a position that we don't need, I don't think how highly they are rated matter....does it?

 

[BelichickFan]

I'll throw out Torrey Smith, he's a potential 1st round WR but, like McCourtey, far from a certainty. Depending on our young WR, we could be needy there soon.

Also Stefen Wisniewski, a little smaller than I'd like but he could play Guard for a year before replacing Koppen and has the smarts to make the line calls consistently.

 

[Patspsycho]

That's assuming McCourty ever happens again.

 

[BelichickFan]

That's assuming McCourty ever happens again.

McCourty happened before with Mankins who was thought to be a reach on draft day. There's no reason to think it won't happen again in the next few years as our #1 picks are usually good with Maroney being the closest to a bust.

 

[upstater1]

He's asking for a guy in a position that we don't need, I don't think how highly they are rated matter....does it?

Well, I think it does, because the board was almost totally in agreement that if, for some reason, Joe Haden fell all the way to the Patriots because of his poor 40 time, then almost everyone said we should grab him.

In other words, when a talent drops to you and you aren't fully set at that position, it makes sense to grab him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

McCourty happened before with Mankins who was thought to be a reach on draft day. There's no reason to think it won't happen again in the next few years as our #1 picks are usually good with Maroney being the closest to a bust.

And even Maroney delivered far, far, far more than Vernon Gholston.

 

[Dufflebagz]

Well, I think it does, because the board was almost totally in agreement that if, for some reason, Joe Haden fell all the way to the Patriots because of his poor 40 time, then almost everyone said we should grab him.

In other words, when a talent drops to you and you aren't fully set at that position, it makes sense to grab him.

That's true, but I was basing it off the way he had it worded.

 

[Anj]

Cameron Heyward from OSU. He is a beast of a DL that's a senior and just kinda a guy I can see in a pats uniform. I watched the OSU-Arkansas Sugar Bowl this year and he seemed like a had a good head on his shoulders, like McCourty does.

He's 6'5", 290. A very good size for playing a 3-4 end, and I think that is the most glaring need for us now. This is a pretty good draft for DL.

Highlights from sugar bowl YouTube - Ohio State vs Arkansas 2011 Sugar Bowl Highlights

go to: 1:19, 1:50, 2:16, 3:56, 4:49, and 5:10.

He was also injured for this game. lol

 

[part-timer]

Dontay Moch OLB 6'1" 242 lb. 4.38 40 speed

This is unherd of speed for an OLB who is known for getting into the offensive backfield pileing up tackles for loss and sacks. In terms of getting pressure on the passer he provides us with speed we have never had in our system. Pair him with a guy like J.J.Watt and you have a deadly combination.
Dontay Moch - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN[/url

http://packerchatters.com/?p=22296

 

[Sciz]

Dontay Moch OLB 6'1" 242 lb. 4.38 40 speed

This is unherd of speed for an OLB who is known for getting into the offensive backfield pileing up tackles for loss and sacks. In terms of getting pressure on the passer he provides us with speed we have never had in our system. Pair him with a guy like J.J.Watt and you have a deadly combination.

Moch weighed in at 229 earlier this week. That's literally 37 pounds lighter than Cunningham. JJ Watt won't get picked by the Pats because they refuse to work with his agent.

 

[RHbT76]

Most would say that the OL, DL and OLB is our biggest needs heading into the draft. (though free agency, if it has started by then, could change that)

In the 2010 draft, CB was not the top priority set by most fans. To some, it's importance dropped further down based on who was left on the board when our pick was up. I let out a disappointed sigh when Goodell announced McCourty's name and I'm sure a lot of fans reacted much worse than that. McCourty turned into the AFC's best rookie and one of the most important players on this team this past season and going forward.

Who is your early choice for a player the Pats could get in the McCourty mold? Who's the guy at a position that isn't the biggest need but could turn into a very important player for us?

Having not focused on the draft much yet, I really can't pick a specific player. Position-wise, I can see a CB that can cover like McCourty really helping us on defense by allowing us to take more chances with blitzes and coverage looks.

Personally I think the Pats should go the free agency route for another CB this year. Asomugha and Champ Bailey are likely to be available. I think Asomugha would will cost far to much, and while Bailey is old at 32 he is still playing at a high level and would add veteran depth to our secondary. Imagine Mccourty, Bailey, Bodden and Arrington as our corners next year. I think that would take some of the pressure off of our pass rush.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Mikel Leshoure looks like Corey Dillon 2.0. 6' 230 lbs. He could be a surprise pick at a position that is not really a 'need' per se. If the Pats can run the ball in the playoffs that increases their chances of success and opens up play action.
Mikel LeShoure, Illinois, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

 

[patsinthesnow]

At #17 Julio Jones would be the same type of surprise but the difference is instead of WTF most fans would be like WAHOOOOOO!

 

[jah]

Personally I think the Pats should go the free agency route for another CB this year. Asomugha and Champ Bailey are likely to be available. I think Asomugha would will cost far to much, and while Bailey is old at 32 he is still playing at a high level and would add veteran depth to our secondary. Imagine Mccourty, Bailey, Bodden and Arrington as our corners next year. I think that would take some of the pressure off of our pass rush.

Bailey would be awesome, but he's going to show his age someday. He wants to extend his career by playing FS, but I feel like the Patriots would only want him as a CB. The FS position on this team isn't exactly certain, with Meriweather falling out of favor. I don't think it will happen, but I agree with the people here who say Arrington should be moved to FS. We're probably going to have a lot of CBs above him on the depth chart and he's serviceable enough to deserve at least a rotational spot on the roster. Bailey would be an upgrade no matter how you look at it, but I don't know if it's really plausible.

 

[randomk1]

I don't care..whoever the 1st round picks are they better step in and step the **** up.

We need a successful draft to take the next step.