Pats Needs? RB, WR, CB, S

[WesWelker83]

I have seen a lot of mocks with the Patriots taking players at these positions in the top 3 rounds. I understand we might have wants at all 4 of these positions but I don't view any of these positions as immediate needs for 2011. I will illustrate why here.

In 2011 at WR we have:
Branch, Welker, Tate, Edelman, Price

Where would a rookie get anytime here? I know Branch and Welker are FAs after this year but I think both will be back. Tate is in a make or break season next year. Edelman had the dropsies this year but hes solid and fits our system in the slot. Price looked awesome vs Miami but that was one game. Hes our developmental WR so I don't really see us taking a guy here at all in the draft. I could see the Pats being interested in Tandon Doss, Leonard Hankerson or Titus Young in Rd 2 but all of them have question marks and I don't see any of them playing a big role as rookies.

In 2011 at RB we have:
Green-Ellis, Woodhead

I think we definitely draft a RB but I don't think we take Ingram Rd 1 or Leshore Rd 2. After BB got burned by Maroney I don't see him drafting a RB in the top 2 rounds ever again. There is no value to it and Parcells used to say that all the time. WR and RB are the two most overrated positions in the NFL. That being said I could see Delone Carter or Stevan Ridley being taken late rd 3 or rd 4. I think Ingram will be very good but I wouldn't take him unless we trade down from 17 to 24-25 and pick up another 2nd. Then Id take Ingram at 33. I don't like Leshore, Daniel Thomas, Ryan Williams, Demarco Murray, or Jordan Todman. Kendall Hunter I like as a scat back but we already have Woodhead. I wouldn't mind having another quick and fast player though as a backup. This RB class is brutal though.

In 2011 at CB we have:

Mccourty, Bodden, Arrington, Butler, Wilhite

I think Mccourty is a star, Bodden is a solid two but aging, Arrington was alot better later in the year as a starter and is a solid 3, Butler looked much better at the end of the year and Wilhite was our best slot CB. I don't see why we would take a CB in the first 3 rounds. This position is stacked. I saw one mock with us taking 2 guys in rd 3. I don't even think they would make the roster.

in 2011 at S we have:

Chung, Meriwether, Sanders, Sergio Brown

Chung has developed nicely and should break out next yr, Meriwether is a whipping boy on this board for his occasional lapses and missed big hits but hes also a two time pro bowler who makes plays, Sanders is solid and is always in position to make a play. Meriwether and Sanders are FAs after 2011. Brown looked very good in limited time especially against SD making a huge tackle to stop a 3rd down and force them to miss the game tieing FG. If we really aren't re-signing Meriwether could we take Rahim Moore RD 2? I really like what I read and see when I watch this guy a play. Hes great in coverage as a FS and he can make plays when the ball is in the air. I like Ahmad Black as well in Rd 3 or 4 as I could see him becoming a Jim Leonhard type. He doesnt have the size but he has the head and the ability to become a good starter in this league. I think this safety class really sucks.

 

[DaBruinz]

None of those are a great need. In fact, they are lesser needs in comparison to OG, OC, DE, OLB, and OT.

 

[WesWelker83]

None of those are a great need. In fact, they are lesser needs in comparison to OG, OC, DE, OLB, and OT.

I completely agree. I rank our needs as:

1-OG
2-DE
3-OLB
4-OC
5-OT
6-S
7-RB
8-WR

 

[Deus Irae]

RB and WR are definite needs.

DE
OLB
OG
RB
WR


Top 5 needs are right there, in no particular order.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Mankins has been franchised meaning he'll likely be on the team, Neal, Kazcur and Connolly are all under contract for 2011. Matt Light is an UFA, next in line at the tackle position are Kazcur and Levoir and Ojinaka. I'd put tackle ahead of guard.

 

[mgteich]

Are you presuming the re-signing of Light or that Kaczur is to be depended on as a starting OT?

RB and WR are definite needs.

DE
OLB
OG
RB
WR


Top 5 needs are right there, in no particular order.

 

[Deus Irae]

Are you presuming the re-signing of Light or that Kaczur is to be depended on as a starting OT?

Reports are that the Patriots want Light back and he wants to return. I am, therefore, presuming that he'll return. Kaczur is someone I expect will be recovered, making him available as a backup at 4 of the 5 positions on the line, unless the team cuts him over his contract. I don't expect Neal to be relied upon at the RG position, even if he returns and wins the starting job, which is where the OG comes in.

 

[NH #1 Pats Fan]

Got to build the trenches first. OT, OG, DE, OLB, WR...base it on best available w/ our pick at the time.

 

[DaBruinz]

RB and WR are definite needs.

DE
OLB
OG
RB
WR


Top 5 needs are right there, in no particular order.

WR isn't a definite need. Not with 5 guys there already.

RB is a "need" in terms of adding someone to help spell BJGE. Especially since the Pats typically carry 5 RB/FBs on the roster.

 

[DaBruinz]

Mankins has been franchised meaning he'll likely be on the team, Neal, Kazcur and Connolly are all under contract for 2011. Matt Light is an UFA, next in line at the tackle position are Kazcur and Levoir and Ojinaka. I'd put tackle ahead of guard.

Neal has had, what, one year where he played in all 16 games. He's 35.
Kazcur has health issues and will be 32.
LeVoir has regressed since his first year with the Pats.
Ojinnaka is a UFA.

OT could be above OG IF the Pats don't feel that Maneri can handle the job.


Connolly and Wendell are JAGS and can be upgraded.

 

[mgteich]

Connolly is a jag and Maneri might be counted on as a starter (so much so that OT may not be a priority)?????????????????????????????

Our OT's are Vollmer, Kaczur, LeVoir, Maneri, and Ojinnaka (if he is re-signed). Maneri couldn't beat out Ojinnaka or LeVoir in 2010. Maneri may or may not be able to win a roster spot in 2011. IMHO, it is mildly delusional to consider that we don't have to draft an OT in the first couple of rounds because we have Maneri on the squad. Count on Kaczur to start if you must, but not Maneri. Maneri is not exactly where VOllmer was at the end of his rookie year.

Neal has had, what, one year where he played in all 16 games. He's 35.
Kazcur has health issues and will be 32.
LeVoir has regressed since his first year with the Pats.
Ojinnaka is a UFA.

OT could be above OG IF the Pats don't feel that Maneri can handle the job.


Connolly and Wendell are JAGS and can be upgraded.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

RB and WR are definite needs.

DE
OLB
OG
RB
WR


Top 5 needs are right there, in no particular order.

Do we consider centers as part of the OG group? If not, then I'd put that up there as well since I think we need to replace Koppen soon.

When we're talking about your top 3 needs, we are looking for guys who can start and contribute, and I'd agree with those. The RB/WR group is more about role players or back-ups or developmental guys. So I don't consider them "needs" so much as luxuries.

And I'm not sure WR really belongs since we play so many 2 TE sets now that only 2 WRs are on the field. Edelman is Welker's back-up, Tate and Price will compete to back up Branch, and both could develop into starters. I don't think this becomes a pressing need until next season.

Safety should probably rank above both those areas. With FA coming after the draft, we don't know if we'll be able to re-sign Page or McGowan, and Meriweather/Sanders will be in the last year of their contracts.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I have a CB in my 2 round mock ...

Many are looking at that unit as it's all set.

However ... if Bill selects one of the top 4/5 players we can go from very good to elite faster than we can improve the pass rush. We will improve the rush a bit with the DE but that DE needs to be more of an edge setter than a pass rusher. We have no player to set the edge right now.

I'm sticking with a CB in round 3 at the worst ... can't bank on an injured veteran, Butler is a ?, Arrington is good for the season and ? in the playoffs. Wilhite is ... who knows what Wilhite is - he is depth fodder.

The team to challenge Green Bay next year will need an elite DB unit ... ELITE.

 

[MaineMan]

I have a CB in my 2 round mock ...

Many are looking at that unit as it's all set.

However ... if Bill selects one of the top 4/5 players we can go from very good to elite faster than we can improve the pass rush. We will improve the rush a bit with the DE but that DE needs to be more of an edge setter than a pass rusher. We have no player to set the edge right now.

I'm sticking with a CB in round 3 at the worst ... can't bank on an injured veteran, Butler is a ?, Arrington is good for the season and ? in the playoffs. Wilhite is ... who knows what Wilhite is - he is depth fodder.

The team to challenge Green Bay next year will need an elite DB unit ... ELITE.

Hadn't you heard? We're going to sign Asomugha for more money than Brady's making. And move Bodden to Safety. And trade Meriweather to DAL for their 2012 1st rounder. [/SNARK]

 

[Deus Irae]

WR isn't a definite need. Not with 5 guys there already.

We disagree

RB is a "need" in terms of adding someone to help spell BJGE. Especially since the Pats typically carry 5 RB/FBs on the roster.

We disagree again.

 

[DaBruinz]

Connolly is a jag and Maneri might be counted on as a starter (so much so that OT may not be a priority)?????????????????????????????

Our OT's are Vollmer, Kaczur, LeVoir, Maneri, and Ojinnaka (if he is re-signed). Maneri couldn't beat out Ojinnaka or LeVoir in 2010. Maneri may or may not be able to win a roster spot in 2011. IMHO, it is mildly delusional to consider that we don't have to draft an OT in the first couple of rounds because we have Maneri on the squad. Count on Kaczur to start if you must, but not Maneri. Maneri is not exactly where VOllmer was at the end of his rookie year.

MG - I suggest you go back and actually read what was said. You clearly didn't because your over-reaction is proof of that.

No where did I say that OT wasn't a priority. I said it could be ABOVE OG if the Pats felt that Maneri couldn't handle the job. I didn't say STARTING job. I just said job. As in, the job of being one of the 4 OTs on the team. You also need to remember that Maneri is a project so expecting him to beat out LeVoir or Ojinnaka in his rookie year is what is delusional.

 

[DaBruinz]

We disagree



We disagree again.

Good. You disagree... Why? Why do you think that RB is a need beyond having someone to spell BJGE and the fact that the Pats normally carry 5 RB/FBs on the team?

Why do you feel that the Pats NEED to add another WR beyond Welker, Branch, Edelman, Price, and Tate? Especially when they've moved away from using 4 or 5 WRs in their spread to using the TE more in those same formations?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Do teams even carry 6 WRs on the depth chart? They usually carry 5 and a ST only WR (Slater).

So if a WR is drafted in round 1 or 2, wouldn't 1 of tate or edelman have to be cut?

 

[DaBruinz]

Do teams even carry 6 WRs on the depth chart? They usually carry 5 and a ST only WR (Slater).

So if a WR is drafted in round 1 or 2, wouldn't 1 of tate or edelman have to be cut?

Tate, Edelman, Branch or Slater would be cut, yes..

 

[Deus Irae]

Good. You disagree... Why? Why do you think that RB is a need beyond having someone to spell BJGE and the fact that the Pats normally carry 5 RB/FBs on the team?

Why do you feel that the Pats NEED to add another WR beyond Welker, Branch, Edelman, Price, and Tate? Especially when they've moved away from using 4 or 5 WRs in their spread to using the TE more in those same formations?

I've posted on both in numerous threads, and it's getting repetitive, so I'll keep this brief. The team needs a wide receiver, because it doesn't have one that can consistently get separation on medium and deep routes against good corners. The team needs RBs because Faulk, Taylor and Morris are aging out of the league and need to be replaced, and BJGE is not good enough as a #1 RB.