So, ahem, what is the outlook for Safeties in this draft class?

[jmt57]

Possibly but I suspect that they were more interested in pass rushers and OL'ers.

Remember that the Patriots only scout certain positions. As far as Safety they were probably targeting lower-round prospects.

If the Pats scout punters (Mesko last year) then I'm guessing they scout safeties too.

If you're implying they're spending more time this year scouting positions other than safety because there is a bigger need at other positions, then I can see that - up to a point. But since part of Belichick's philosophy is 'we want our 10th player to be better than their 10th player, we want our 25th to be better than their 25th', etc., then I am confident that there is at least some scouting done on safeties too - despite this draft class being very weak at that position.

Just because some draft expert says there are no safeties worth drafting in the first three rounds, it's not as if the Pats are going to read that and say 'well let's not waste our time scouting any safeties this year'.

 

[IllegalContact]

UDFA's ....... that's about it......


not worth using a pick on anyone since they would not be any kind of upgrade any time soon.....

better off using that pick as bait to move up earlier in the draft

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Remember that the Patriots only scout certain positions. As far as Safety they were probably targeting lower-round prospects.

According to Patriot Reign, scouts are tasked with producing reports on every draft-eligible player they watch. [Yes, there are certain players the Pats spend more time on (e.g., Vollmer, Edelperson).]

 

[DW Toys]

I'd love to pick up Weddle from the Chargers...what would he cost in terms of picks and money?

Good call....I believe #33 would work. There is your top 50 safety in this Draft class who is pretty good as well.
DW Toys

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Good call....I believe #33 would work. There is your top 50 safety in this Draft class who is pretty good as well.
DW Toys

He can't be traded now, and once there's a new CBA, he should be a UFA (since he has four years under his belt).

So there's no point at all in coughing up any draft pick for him. Plus $7M/yr seems a bit steep, if that's what it takes.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I think you're off your rocker.

Then Michael Holley is also since that is where I got it from. It was in Patriots Reign.

As far as being off my rocker that is quite possible but not on this point.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

If the Pats scout punters (Mesko last year) then I'm guessing they scout safeties too..

They scouted punters since they needed a punter. I am pretty sure they did not spend any time this year on punters.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

They scouted punters since they needed a punter. I am pretty sure they did not spend any time this year on punters.

I'm pretty sure they did. Scouting reports on youngsters NE does not expect to draft has value beyond the immediate draft day expectations, it's part of the file used to prepare for an opponent ... and you never know when Zoltan is going to awaken in a suite in Las Vegas next to some poor hooker he wore out and find his actions exceeded the Kraft family's good will. Be prepared Boy Scout.

 

[sg14]

I would think they scout all positions, seems like every year they pick up someone that was drafted a couple of years prior and we always hear "The Pats were interested in this guy during the draft process".

Now they may concentrate more on a given position of need in any given year, but would rank all prospects. This would also help them figure out what they think other teams may be picking.

I'm pretty sure they did. Scouting reports on youngsters NE does not expect to draft has value beyond the immediate draft day expectations, it's part of the file used to prepare for an opponent ... and you never know when Zoltan is going to awaken in a suite in Las Vegas next to some poor hooker he wore out and find his actions exceeded the Kraft family's good will. Be prepared Boy Scout.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Good call....I believe #33 would work. There is your top 50 safety in this Draft class who is pretty good as well.
DW Toys

The pure safety draft is very weak this year, but it doesn't mean that New England can't move a physical bigger CB to safety, ala Allen of the Citadel as a late round/UDFA draftee.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I would think they scout all positions, seems like every year they pick up someone that was drafted a couple of years prior and we always hear .

That's what I assume also it is what other teams do but a number of years ago I was surprised then I learned that they did not scout all the positions. I think it was Patriot Reign but I may be mistaken.

You are probably right that they give at least cursory looks at all position but the most of their research is directed to need areas. Safety was probably not an area of urgent need but probably is now. Patchick did note that two of the Patriots safeties are in their last year so there must have been some interest.

Right now I would not be too shocked if the Patriots first or second pick was a CB/S prospect.

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

Hybrid defensive backs, who have the athleticism to play all over the field, are the future. I'd love a guy like Cortez Allen or Ras-I Dowling.

 

[patchick]

Hybrid defensive backs, who have the athleticism to play all over the field, are the future.

That's really the meat of this DB class, too. Only 1 of the top 10 CB prospects on NFLDraftScout is under 6 feet, which is extraordinary. (Last year it was 7 out of 10!) I think Amakamura could be a spectacular hybrid FS.

I'd love a guy like Cortez Allen or Ras-I Dowling.

Agreed, Dowling in particular makes most of my Patriots mocks. I also like that you don't name Aaron Williams or Jimmy Smith, who I think are overrated.

 

[MaineMan]

That's what I assume also it is what other teams do but a number of years ago I was surprised then I learned that they did not scout all the positions. I think it was Patriot Reign but I may be mistaken.

You are probably right that they give at least cursory looks at all position but the most of their research is directed to need areas. Safety was probably not an area of urgent need but probably is now. Patchick did note that two of the Patriots safeties are in their last year so there must have been some interest.

Right now I would not be too shocked if the Patriots first or second pick was a CB/S prospect.

I'd be inclined to guess that the Pats' scouting operation runs pretty close to 24/7/365 and encompasses not only all levels of college, but all pro players including those in the CFL and UFL. If they're not spending a lot of time right now scouting DBs for this draft, it may not be because our needs are relatively light, but because they've already compiled pretty solid dossiers on all these kids (and will continue to add to the dossiers of those who go on to employment with a pro team in any league, just in case).

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'd be inclined to guess that the Pats' scouting operation runs pretty close to 24/7/365 and encompasses not only all levels of college, but all pro players including those in the CFL and UFL. If they're not spending a lot of time right now scouting DBs for this draft, it may not be because our needs are relatively light, but because they've already compiled pretty solid dossiers on all these kids (and will continue to add to the dossiers of those who go on to employment with a pro team in any league, just in case).

I would think the Patriots have several departments in scouting. Pro scouting, college scouting and advance scouting (as in scouting the next weeks scheduled opponent.)

I would think that during the off season they all work on college scouting to some degree along with the quality control guys that put together tons of film on all the players.

My best guess is that all reports and revised reports, including all known medical issues and off the field incidents will be completed by April 7th (which should be close to the last day of pro days).
Then the team spends the next two weeks bringing in guys for more evaluation and medical updates.
Followed by a final week of in house mock drafts, potential draft day trade groundwork and finalizing the big board.