GBN Projection has us taking Alabama OLB/DE Courtney Upshaw and Boise DE Billy Winn

[Ochmed Jones]

OLB/DE Upshaw and DE Winn in the first round.

Not a bad first round to say the least.

 

[RJB87]

I think we can do better than that. I'd rather get another elite ILB to put with Mayo so we can use Mayo more freely and a solid OLB or Safety (we can probably get a decent Safety in the 2nd round). I'm not too big on players that come from top 5 programs like Alabama. Guys like Upshaw sometimes are only good because of all the talent around them. He's also been playing at a much lower level this year.

Also, our pick from New Orleans could easily turn into a top 20 pick. I was checking out their schedule and I could see them finishing 9-7 or potentially 8-8 if the Falcons get their act together.

 

[reflexblue]

OLB/DE Upshaw and DE Winn in the first round.

Not a bad first round to say the least.

BB has Never taken an OLB with a 1st or 2nd round pick. Why would he change now?

 

[RJB87]

He won't. Especially after last years draft. Outside of Von Miller the guys taken later are outperforming everyone else. BB likes to use high picks on ILBs and O-Linemen. Smart players, not grunts.

We take an OLB in the 2nd round or maybe in the end of the 1st if there's some insane value there.

 

[Sciz]

I think we can do better than that. I'd rather get another elite ILB to put with Mayo

Spikes.


I'm not sold on Winn as a first round DE, assuming the Pats go back to a 3-4. He's listed at 6'4" and 300, but he better be a legit 6'4" if the Pats are taking him in the first. You don't take guys that "sort of" fit the scheme in the first round.

 

[RJB87]

Spikes lacks the coverage skills to where we're comfortable enough with blitzing Mayo. I guess I see our first three draft picks as a combination of Center, ILB, and OLB based on who's available.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

We should take a TE in the 1st round while we are at it.

/sarcasm.

 

[jsull87]

He won't. Especially after last years draft. Outside of Von Miller the guys taken later are outperforming everyone else. BB likes to use high picks on ILBs and O-Linemen. Smart players, not grunts.

We take an OLB in the 2nd round or maybe in the end of the 1st if there's some insane value there.

Don't know about that. Aldon Smith has had a great start. Thats 2 OLB/DE top 10 picks who are performing off the bat.

 

[Frick]

Ochmed-agree completely on Upshaw. I know BB doesn't draft OLB this high but I keep coming back to him. I'd also go with OLB in 2nd,Chase Thomas OLB Stanford, Kevin Gemmel espn, picked him best defensive player on team & one of the scariest pass rushers in the country. 6'4", 239, 40-4.61.

Also in 2nd, Lester or Mcdonald FS (either would be fine)

Problaby 3rd Devin Still DT Penn State who projects to 3-4 DE (Warren with more sack ability)

4th trade down for a bunch of 7th rounders ( who knows what we can get)

I think we have the D-Linemen, Vince & Love, Nose- Carter,Haynesworth, Brace (if he gets it together) & a rookie ( with potential) DE. I'd like Nink as a backup.
Cunningham, say goodbye! If we could click on those 4, I think we'd be scary good & should be able to bolster picks in 2013.

 

[Sciz]

Ochmed-agree completely on Upshaw. I know BB doesn't draft OLB this high but I keep coming back to him. I'd also go with OLB in 2nd,Chase Thomas OLB Stanford, Kevin Gemmel espn, picked him best defensive player on team & one of the scariest pass rushers in the country. 6'4", 239, 40-4.61.

He needs to add at least 15 pounds, but he has length, athleticism, and experience standing up in his favor.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I think we can do better than that. I'd rather get another elite ILB to put with Mayo so we can use Mayo more freely and a solid OLB or Safety (we can probably get a decent Safety in the 2nd round). I'm not too big on players that come from top 5 programs like Alabama. Guys like Upshaw sometimes are only good because of all the talent around them. He's also been playing at a much lower level this year.

Also, our pick from New Orleans could easily turn into a top 20 pick. I was checking out their schedule and I could see them finishing 9-7 or potentially 8-8 if the Falcons get their act together.

Come on Man!! Saints 8or 9 wins?? They are 4-2. Their next 2 games are Indy at home and at St. Louis. That's 6-2 to finish the first half. Two teams that haven't won a game. I could coach them to win those games let alone Payton from the press box. This is their 2nd half sked

TB - H
Atl - A
NYG - H
DET - H
TENN - A
Minn - A
Atl - H
Car - H

I see those last three as wins. That's 9 w's A fairly tough 5 game stretch TB thru Tenn. But, 3 are at home. I say 3-2. But, let's say 2-3. That's 11-5. Only way they only win 8 or 9 is if Brees gets hurt not S. Payton. Now, you have to carry my pads back to the locker rook....just kidding

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't see the Pats drafting an OLB who only 6'1 6/8" tall. They go short at OLB when they are in the later rounds. Also, it will be interesting to see what Upshaw's breakdowns are when running since he's rumored to be in the mid 4.7s.

Knowing how the Pats need a RDE, I could see BB trading both picks to try and get Couples. But, beyond that, I think that BB will keep us guessing..

As many have mentioned, DE/OLB, Safety and CB continue to be issues. The Pats could look at WR this year since Branch and Welker will be free agents, though everyone hopes Welker is re-signed.

Overall, though, the Pats will have plenty of flexibility to draft the player they feel offers the highest value. Particularly after round 2..

 

[RJB87]

Upshaw misses plays from time to time. But to be honest, I'm skeptical of all Alabama players. Why? Go through the last 3 drafts and use your browser's find option and type in Alabama. How many players have you seen perform well in the NFL? I think their players benefit from being around a lot of top level college talent but don't have the star power to play at a high level in the NFL. I used to call it the "USC Effect" but recent drafts might prompt me to change it to the "Alabama Effect."

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I don't see the Pats drafting an OLB who only 6'1 6/8" tall. They go short at OLB when they are in the later rounds. Also, it will be interesting to see what Upshaw's breakdowns are when running since he's rumored to be in the mid 4.7s./QUOTE]

Upshaw's build reminds me a bit of Adalius "Locker room chemistry wrecker" Thomas, only Upshaw makes more plays in a half than Thomas made for us altogether.

However if Upshaw only chugs down the line at 4.7, it is hard to see BB taking him.

I also wonder how long Upshaw's arms are?

 

[patfanken]

The more I think on it the more I have come to the conclusion that DE/OLB is NOT going to be in the cards for us next year. I think the OL is set except for possible late round depth. So too is the DL. With Brace, Pryor and Deadrick providing young maturing blood to a solid group of Vets, I don't see much of a priority there either. All set at QB and RB. We COULD take another shot oat a blocking TE, but that's a late round need. So where will the Pats go with their first 4 picks in the first 2 rounds. Well I see us trading away one of the firsts for a first next year and 2nd this year.

So we'll probably end up with the following. More DB's - In the league today, you CANNOT have to many quality DBs, so I wouldn't be surprised to see BB walk out of the 2nd round with a big S, a big CB, a speed WR, and a high pick for 2013, as well as picking up the best FA FS available,

In this era, I'm convinced that the teams with the best secondaries are the teams with the best chance to stop today's best offenses.....NOT the teams with the best forcing units. Teams that can, on occasion play tough physical man coverage as well as zoning it up.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The more I think on it the more I have come to the conclusion that DE/OLB is NOT going to be in the cards for us next year. I think the OL is set except for possible late round depth. So too is the DL. With Brace, Pryor and Deadrick providing young maturing blood to a solid group of Vets, I don't see much of a priority there either. All set at QB and RB. We COULD take another shot oat a blocking TE, but that's a late round need. So where will the Pats go with their first 4 picks in the first 2 rounds. Well I see us trading away one of the firsts for a first next year and 2nd this year.

So we'll probably end up with the following. More DB's - In the league today, you CANNOT have to many quality DBs, so I wouldn't be surprised to see BB walk out of the 2nd round with a big S, a big CB, a speed WR, and a high pick for 2013, as well as picking up the best FA FS available,

In this era, I'm convinced that the teams with the best secondaries are the teams with the best chance to stop today's best offenses.....NOT the teams with the best forcing units. Teams that can, on occasion play tough physical man coverage as well as zoning it up.

Clearly safeties have to be high on the BB list of position needs. I see a situation where BB signs a veteran retread or two and also drafts a player on day two.

James I'vebeenaho and Josh the banana Barrett are JAGs and Sergio Brown is best as a ST demon.

But at the end of the day, no matter how good the secondary, you need pass rushers to make the QB get rid of the ball early or while under pressure.

PS: I think Stanford plays USC this week. Great chance to see FS McDonald against a quality QB.

 

[fester]

BB has Never taken an OLB with a 1st or 2nd round pick. Why would he change now?

Cunningham :bricks:

 

[sbpatfan]

Cunningham :bricks:

Its a weak argument anyways. BB never took a cornerback before McCourty or a guard before Mankins.

 

[patsfaninpa]

GBN has a new Top 100 out.

Great Blue North Draft Report

A couple of board binkies pretty low. Courtney Upshaw 33 and Vinny Curry 61. I have read Dontari Poe is shooting up many boards into the 1st. They have him at 64. Mike Brewster 79. Some pretty good wr's in that 3rd round area Fuller - 69 , K. Wright 72 and Dwight Jones - 80.

 

[RJB87]

That has to be one of the worst draft evaluations I've ever seen. Hugely over-valuing guys like Trent Richardson and Nick Toon. RBs don't go that high anymore unless you're GM is crazy. There are a lot of better WRs than Nick Toon that he's ahead of. I've watched a lot of Nick Toon this year and he only takes what the QB gives him. You never see him looking back for the ball, making adjustments or coming back to the ball.