Julio Jones.

[Interception]

I was reading through another thread and started thinking about this...

I've been trying to find three players we could possibly take at 17-28-33 that would be better than trading 28 and 33 for a 10-14 spot pick and taking Julio Jones.

We'd still have 17 to grab our OLB.

Saban has called Jones the hardest working player on his team.
Saban and Belichick are on good terms, and I'm guessing Saban knows what he's talking about.

So we've got a hard working vertical threat that could start right off the bat for us. With him stretching the field, Welker, Branch, Hernandez, Gronk, and Woody are going to get that much more open.
At 17, we can still get our (stud) DE/OLB/whatever, to improve our defense.

Are there any players at 17-28-33 that would improve our team better than trading up and getting Jones + our defensive player?

As far as the O-Line goes, I think there's enough depth in this draft to pick one up in the late second or even third round, but I don't think there's any other receiver later in the draft that would give us what Jones could.

Don't kill me, I'm pretty new to this drafting and football thing, but I'm just curious on why or why not this scenario isn't brought up more as a possibility?

 

[MaineMan]

Well, there's at least some merit in the notion that it might make for one less potentially great WR that our pass defense would have to deal with.

 

[Brady2Welker]

You'd be better off grabbing Hankerson or someone later on than getting Jones. His hype is kinda silly going off of his combine performance. He's a good player, certainly, but he's no where near the player AJ Green. Granted Jones' upside is similar to TO, he's not worth the pick considering he's a better fit for the west coast system than ours.

 

[supafly]

The whole prospect of taking an offensive player with the first pick this year is interesting in itself. BB has not taken a player on the other side of the ball with the first pick since '06, as this would make it 5 yrs in a row (IF we go defense, like we think will/should happen)

Since we can definitely rule out QB (obvious reasons), and TE (already addressed, no one there anyway), that leaves us OL (not the typical BB 'high' first pick draft choice, sure we took Logan Mankins in '05, but that was also at #32, and it was not the norm), WR (unlikely that either Green or Jones are around--who else is there that would justify a high pick?), or RB (if it isn't Ingram, then again...who else would it be that high?)

So by ruling everything out one by one, we can assume that :

--it will be a defensive player taken first

--we will trade UP for a top notch WR, although they'll both likely be gone in the top 10??? (lowest perecentage of an offensive player IMO)

--we will take Mark Ingram (moderate percentage of an offensive player IMO)

--we will take an OL pick (maybe Pouncey and his FLA connections again?) (highest percentage of an offensive pick, may very well trade down in this scenario)

Not that this is exactly earth shattering news, but ONE of these scenarios has to play out, and I feel that WR is unlikely.

That leaves :

--defensive pick OR Ingram/OL

 

[Interception]

We need a WR, and why not grab Jones? Sure, he's no AJ Green... but he's better than any other WR on our roster for the #1 spot. And we can still come away with Watt or Jordan, even by doing this.
GIVE ME JUUUUUUUUUUUUUULIO!

 

[randomk1]

Not sold on Jones.I definately think there is decent value later.We raped every team with our midget receivers...i'm far more concerned about the lines.

 

[A_Ghost_In_The_Machine]

Not sold on Jones.I definately think there is decent value later.We raped every team with our midget receivers...i'm far more concerned about the lines.

Agreed. I think all the analysts seem to be rushing to the conclusion that we are desperate for that "big receiver" who can take the top off a defense just because of that playoff loss to the Jets despite the fact that we didn't have a big receiver for most of the season and our offense was the best in the league. I like Julio Jones but I just don't like the idea of giving away a 1st round pick and a high 2nd (which is essentially another 1st) for what, in my eyes, amounts to a luxury pick.

 

[supafly]

Not sold on Jones.I definately think there is decent value later.We raped every team with our midget receivers...i'm far more concerned about the lines.

Agreed. I think all the analysts seem to be rushing to the conclusion that we are desperate for that "big receiver" who can take the top off a defense just because of that playoff loss to the Jets despite the fact that we didn't have a big receiver for most of the season and our offense was the best in the league. I like Julio Jones but I just don't like the idea of giving away a 1st round pick and a high 2nd (which is essentially another 1st) for what, in my eyes, amounts to a luxury pick.

I agree with this thinking, and feel as though the NYJ loss was due to their terrific gameplanning and specific matchups. If the need is of a big WR to stretch the field, then one could probably be had in a different way.

 

[Interception]

I definitely understand your logic, but am I the only one that actually wants Julio?

 

[RussFrancis]

I definitely understand your logic, but am I the only one that actually wants Julio?

No, Id be all over Julio with you, should he fall to the right spot. At say, to pick 12 or 13. I dont really see MN taking him at 12 because there would be other good players there that would fill greater needs. So, if he gets past MN, he'd probably fall right by Detroit, too. They already have Calvin Johnson. Adding another big receiver for them makes little sense. And we know their history of drafting too many receivers that high. To move to pick 13 w/Detroit, coached by a man BB has a history with, it would probably only take our 74th overall pick in the 3rd round. We wouldnt have to sacrifice any of those other picks, would maintain the same flexibility we currently have. Would you trade away a 3rd rounder to move up and grab Julio Jones? I sure as hell would.

 

[mcsully]

I have no issues with Jones being a Patriot.. The only issue I would have is moving up and getting him. If Quinn, Watts/Jordan, Kerrigan and Smith are gone, then yes take him at 17

 

[Off The Grid]

Not sold on Jones.I definately think there is decent value later.We raped every team with our midget receivers...i'm far more concerned about the lines.

Agreed. I think all the analysts seem to be rushing to the conclusion that we are desperate for that "big receiver" who can take the top off a defense just because of that playoff loss to the Jets despite the fact that we didn't have a big receiver for most of the season and our offense was the best in the league. I like Julio Jones but I just don't like the idea of giving away a 1st round pick and a high 2nd (which is essentially another 1st) for what, in my eyes, amounts to a luxury pick.

I agree with this thinking, and feel as though the NYJ loss was due to their terrific gameplanning and specific matchups. If the need is of a big WR to stretch the field, then one could probably be had in a different way.

Nicely put, on all accounts.

I think that Brother Maine's analysis of BenJarvus Green's sluggish + slothfull ways ~ my words, not his ~ should be required reading: The largest problem our O Line had ~ except maybe Dan Connolly ~ was BenJarvus Green: One of our most potent advantages on Offense is that teams have very little idea, before the snap, what our deadly Hybrids ~ Rob Gronkowski, in particular ~ will be doing on that play...unless Green is in the backfield, because his utter lack of Explosiveness means that BOTH Tight Ends all too often need to stay in and block.

There are at least TWENTY Backs in this draft who could dramatically improve on Green...most of them available from the 3rd Round, on.

If we get an elite level O Guard to supplant Connolly, and pick up a few explosive Running Backs to supplant Green ~ and maybe a couple more Super Hybrid Tight Ends, to exploit and expand the tactical advantage we just seized, there ~ then I simply don't think teams are going to be able to game plan for us.

My Take​

We simply do not need another Wide Out, much though I love Julio Jones.

 

[BelichickFan]

I definitely understand your logic, but am I the only one that actually wants Julio?

He's the guy I've wanted for a long time. He's one of the few high ceiling high floor players in this draft. Welker is a FA after this year, Branch is also and he's old. Going forward, Jones, Price, Tate as a WR group (with Edelman as a slot guy) with Gronk and Hernandez is quite exciting to me and I think Jones is a perfect fit for our offense.

 

[mcsully]

If we get an elite level O Guard to supplant Connolly, and pick up a few explosive Running Backs to supplant Green ~ and maybe a couple more Super Hybrid Tight Ends, to exploit and expand the tactical advantage we just seized, there ~ then I simply don't think teams are going to be able to game plan for us.

My Take​

We simply do not need another Wide Out, much though I love Julio Jones.

U want us to draft another TE?

 

[mgteich]

If we can trade up to 10 for Jones, that's fine with me. Just BTW, I think that thre is little chance of taking an OLB at 17 as the OP hopes for.

 

[Off The Grid]

I think that Brother Maine's analysis of BenJarvus Green's sluggish + slothfull ways ~ my words, not his ~ should be required reading: The largest problem our O Line had ~ except maybe Dan Connolly ~ was BenJarvus Green: One of our most potent advantages on Offense is that teams have very little idea, before the snap, what our deadly Hybrids ~ Rob Gronkowski, in particular ~ will be doing on that play...unless Green is in the backfield, because his utter lack of Explosiveness means that BOTH Tight Ends all too often need to stay in and block.

There are at least TWENTY Backs in this draft who could dramatically improve on Green...most of them available from the 3rd Round, on.

If we get an elite level O Guard to supplant Connolly, and pick up a few explosive Running Backs to supplant Green ~ and maybe a couple more Super Hybrid Tight Ends, to exploit and expand the tactical advantage we just seized, there ~ then I simply don't think teams are going to be able to game plan for us.

My Take​

We simply do not need another Wide Out, much though I love Julio Jones.

U want us to draft another TE?

Absolutely.

In fact, I want us to draft at least TWO.

This game, as always, is changing.

I believe that Super Hybrid Tight Ends ~ Wing Backs like Rob Gronkowski and Wing Ends like Aaron Hernandez ~ offer an IMMENSE tactical advantage against an increasingly smaller and quicker Defensive LandScape.

So, yeah: With Alge Crumpler and Hernandez both having health questions, I'd like to see us draft a couple of Mid Round BEASTS ~ Lance Kendricks and Jordan Cameron, to be exact ~ and stock up with a couple of P Squad guys, like Will Yeatman and Brett Brackett.

There's a unique Opportunity, here...and I want to see us POUNCE on it.

 

[Don Kipines]

I'd love Julio Jones if he fell to 17, which he won't, though. If we're going to trade up, I'd rather grab Jordan or Watt or even Aldon Smith.

But if it happened, if we went up to get Jones, I'd be happy. After 2007 we're always going to wonder if we're just one home run hitter on the outside away from a 50-TD season for Brady. Especially now, with Gronkowski and Hernandez manning the middle, it's enticing to think how explosive this offense could be with a serious deep threat outside.

But with all our problems on defense, and the traditionally high bust rate of first-round wideouts, I'd rather take a chance that you could get an outside threat later, with an Edmund Gates or Torrey Smith or even Greg Little.

 

[mcsully]

Absolutely.

In fact, I want us to draft at least TWO.

This game, as always, is changing.

I believe that Super Hybrid Tight Ends ~ Wing Backs like Rob Gronkowski and Wing Ends like Aaron Hernandez ~ offer an IMMENSE tactical advantage against an increasingly smaller and quicker Defensive LandScape.

So, yeah: With Alge Crumpler and Hernandez both having health questions, I'd like to see us draft a couple of Mid Round BEASTS ~ Lance Kendricks and Jordan Cameron, to be exact ~ and stock up with a couple of P Squad guys, like Will Yeatman and Brett Brackett.

There's a unique Opportunity, here...and I want to see us POUNCE on it.

I'm curious, how would you use 4 or 5 te's in this offense and at the same time?

Are you planning on rotating the players or run a 4 TE set with 1 rb? Maybe a 5te set?

 

[VJCPatriot]

If Julio Jones fell all the way to 17 AND the Pats could move up from 28 and still get their DE, I -might- consider it. But giving up #17+28 or even #17+#33 to move up for Jones would be nonstarter moves imo.

You don't give up two 1st round picks for anyone in the draft.

The bust rate on receivers is high. Not to mention you can get some good WR prospects in rounds 2-3 that won't cost such a heavy investment - Hankerson, Torrey Smith, and Gates to name a few.

 

[BelichickFan]

If Julio Jones fell all the way to 17 AND the Pats could move up from 28 and still get their DE, I -might- consider it. But giving up #17+28 or even #17+#33 to move up for Jones would be nonstarter moves imo.

17+60 would get us to the 10-12 range that's all that should be needed. Otherwise he's too costly even for me.