* Ye Official 2012 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[Patriot Missile]

Trade: Patriots trade #27, 31, 63 (1556) for Eagles #15, 46, 115 (1554)

I've looked at most of the later first, early second targets so needed to trade up to stick to my rules.


#15 Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Taking a bit of a liberty here assuming he falls. Because this is a mock in which I can't take anyone I've previously seriously considered the options at the end of the first are severely limited necessitating a trade up. Trent Richardson is one of my favourite players coming out of college. Serious upgrade over Green-Ellis, he does everything BB requires as a minimum from a RB (blitz pickup, ball security) and adds the home run threat. I don't care about the supposed marginal value of RB's in the current passing league, TR would make our passing game better through forcing an extra defender into the box and play-action. Will most likely keep Brady's arm fresher by shouldering more of the load too. Plus we get to pick him one place ahead of the Jets thus annoying their fans. That's got to be worth it surely.

I'll say it again. I love this guy and this is probably one of the few instances I would be ok with a trade up. Everything said here is why I would be ok with it. Especially regarding play action and home run threat with the extra man in the box. Add in LLoyd and it really does make it hard to game plan against because the doubles become ineffective with this beast in the backfield.

 

[Gator Mike]

Just to throw something different out there...

TRADE: Patriots trade #28 and #63 (933) to Tennessee for #20, #115, and #180. (933.4)

20. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - Back when Jenkins and Joe Haden were at UF, members of the Florida coaching staff felt that Jenkins was every bit as good, if not better than Haden. Kid can just really, really play the game. Yes, he's got character concerns, but some of his former teammates say that getting kicked out of UF was the best thing that ever happened to Janoris. He honestly seems committed to getting his life together. If he didn't have character issues, he'd be a Top 10 pick. I think Belichick calls up Urban Meyer for the inside scoop, and Meyer tells Bill that Jenkins is basically a good kid who's made some mistakes. I think that's good enough for Bill.

TRADE: Patriots trade #31 to Houston for #58 and a 1st round pick in 2013. You know something like this is going to happen. I know it's going to happen. Everyone knows it's going to happen. How the rest of the league hasn't figured what the Pats are doing here is beyond me.

48. Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina - Just like Jenkins, I know about the negatives. But I also know that this kid pretty much terrorized the best college football conference in the country for the past two years. The Patriots' offense loves to create mismatches. Jeffrey would be a nightmare for a lot of smaller corners. Remember how effectively Brady used Randy Moss' leaping ability?

58. Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska - May never be a star, but I think he fits here, and I think he can be a solid, dependable player for a long time.

94. Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State - I think Dan Koppen's played his last game in a Patriots uniform, and while I think the odds are pretty good that we bring back Dan Connolly, I'm not sure he's the long term answer. Brewster may not be the long term answer, either... but he's got a pretty good shot.

115. Bruce Irvin, LB, West Virginia - ...and here's your pass rush specialist. Great athlete who can really, really get after the quarterback. Maybe not a three down player at this point, but he could be at some point.

126. George Bryan, TE, NC State - Admit it, we know this is coming, too. Remember Lee Smith last year? The Pats want another TE, and they want one who can run block. Bryan fits the bill.

180. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma - I just think he's a player. At this point, the Pats can gamble a little bit.

 

[Off The Grid]

Just to throw something different out there...

TRADE: Patriots trade #28 and #63 (933) to Tennessee for #20, #115, and #180. (933.4)

20. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - Back when Jenkins and Joe Haden were at UF, members of the Florida coaching staff felt that Jenkins was every bit as good, if not better than Haden. Kid can just really, really play the game. Yes, he's got character concerns, but some of his former teammates say that getting kicked out of UF was the best thing that ever happened to Janoris. He honestly seems committed to getting his life together. If he didn't have character issues, he'd be a Top 10 pick. I think Belichick calls up Urban Meyer for the inside scoop, and Meyer tells Bill that Jenkins is basically a good kid who's made some mistakes. I think that's good enough for Bill.

TRADE: Patriots trade #31 to Houston for #58 and a 1st round pick in 2013. You know something like this is going to happen. I know it's going to happen. Everyone knows it's going to happen. How the rest of the league hasn't figured what the Pats are doing here is beyond me.

48. Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina - Just like Jenkins, I know about the negatives. But I also know that this kid pretty much terrorized the best college football conference in the country for the past two years. The Patriots' offense loves to create mismatches. Jeffrey would be a nightmare for a lot of smaller corners. Remember how effectively Brady used Randy Moss' leaping ability?

58. Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska - May never be a star, but I think he fits here, and I think he can be a solid, dependable player for a long time.

94. Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State - I think Dan Koppen's played his last game in a Patriots uniform, and while I think the odds are pretty good that we bring back Dan Connolly, I'm not sure he's the long term answer. Brewster may not be the long term answer, either... but he's got a pretty good shot.

115. Bruce Irvin, LB, West Virginia - ...and here's your pass rush specialist. Great athlete who can really, really get after the quarterback. Maybe not a three down player at this point, but he could be at some point.

126. George Bryan, TE, NC State - Admit it, we know this is coming, too. Remember Lee Smith last year? The Pats want another TE, and they want one who can run block. Bryan fits the bill.

180. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma - I just think he's a player. At this point, the Pats can gamble a little bit.

Wow!! No less than FOUR guys who go back to LAST year's potential draft class!!

 

[Joey007]

I say you can't go wrong if Donta Hightower's on the board at 27, I just think he's a beast. Maybe even trade up a few spots for him.

 

[captain stone]

Y fronts

That isn't me honest.

Thanks for the clarification...I think.

 

[jmt57]

FYI, the NFL did their coin flips this morning to decide the final order (not including compensatory picks) of the NFL draft. The Dolphins will pick 8th and the Panthers will pick 9th; the Chiefs 11th and the Seahawks 12th.

Here's the official first-round draft order:

Colts
Rams
Vikings
Browns
Buccaneers
Redskins
Jaguars
Dolphins
Panthers
Bills
Chiefs
Seahawks
Cardinals
Cowboys
Eagles
Jets
Bengals (via Raiders)
Chargers
Bears
Titans
Bengals
Browns (via Falcons)
Lions
Steelers
Broncos
Texans
Patriots (via Saints)
Packers
Ravens
49ers
Patriots
Giants

 

[VrabelJr]

Doesn't matter if we have Barry Sanders in the backfield. This is not a running team.

RIP Run game. 1994 - 2006.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Doesn't matter if we have Barry Sanders in the backfield. This is not a running team.

RIP Run game. 1994 - 2006.

That is a some serious revisionist history in that timeline. In 1994, 1995, and 1996, Bledsoe (and NE) threw the ball more than Brady ever has. They also had two years in there where they ran for fewer than 1500 yards, while the "non-running" post 2006 team has never run for less than 1750.

"Golden Running Era Years"
Year Passes Runs Rush yds Opp. Passes Opp. Runs
1994 699 478 1332 545 422
1995 686 474 1866 549 448
1996 628 427 1468 596 434


2007 586 526 1849 451 360
2008 534 513 2278 474 415
2009 592 466 1921 512 398
2010 507 454 1973 611 409
2011 612 438 1764 619 405

 

[VrabelJr]

Looking at raw numbers doesn't tell the whole story. Recently we've run the ball only in situations where we're up. We used to run the ball to help get up.

 

[manxman2601]

Looking at raw numbers doesn't tell the whole story. Recently we've run the ball only in situations where we're up. We used to run the ball to help get up.

The Viagra offense.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Brewster's arm length bothers me. He is off the binky list.

It's 31.5" BTW

 

[manxman2601]

Brewster's arm length bothers me. He is off the binky list.

It's 31.5" BTW

Is that a problem for interior linemen?

 

[Off The Grid]

Brewster's arm length bothers me. He is off the binky list.

It's 31.5" BTW

What, me worry??

 

[borg]

Doesn't matter if we have Barry Sanders in the backfield. This is not a running team.

RIP Run game. 1994 - 2006.

No SB Vs since Air Brady arrived in '07. Love the 3 down back concept....but instead of trading up for the Bama RB.....I'd offer Carolina a 2nd for the last year of Jonathan Stewart's contract....Big bruiser, great hands.

 

[captain stone]

Is that a problem for interior linemen?

Not as much of a problem, anyway. For an OT, it would be a career-ender; for a C/G,
while not ideal, the difference can be compensated-for with superior strength & footwork.

 

[patsfaninpa]

No SB Vs since Air Brady arrived in '07. Love the 3 down back concept....but instead of trading up for the Bama RB.....I'd offer Carolina a 2nd for the last year of Jonathan Stewart's contract....Big bruiser, great hands.

NYG were 32nd in rushing this past year. Just sayin.

 

[Joey007]

NYG were 32nd in rushing this past year. Just sayin.

And then they got Ahmad Bradshaw back.....

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Is that a problem for interior linemen?

For what I wanted, a developmental high-upside type center? Yes.

 

[Off The Grid]

Brewster's arm length bothers me.

He is off the binky list.

It's 31.5" BTW

Is that a problem for interior linemen?

For what I wanted, a developmental high-upside type center? Yes.

This is actually an extremely interesting Point of Discussion, to me, and I'm praying that I can persuade you gents and the other fine minds, hereabouts, to chime in on this.

I'm speaking of Leverage Versus Size, of course.

***

I have been interested in The Draft for about 30 years...but it's been only in the last 24 months that my interest has CAUGHT FIRE. As such, there've been many educational enlightenments I've undergone, with many, doubtlessly, yet to come.

One such has been the Leverage Versus Size Aspect.

***

I'ave come to prefer SQUATTER O Guards than O Tackles, and SQUATTER Centers than O Guards...The reasons are obvious, and yet mercurial: Exactly ~ exactly??? ~ HOW important are these divergent Attributes ~ Size and Leverage ~ the close you get to the Center??

Opinions??

 

[VrabelJr]

This is actually an extremely interesting Point of Discussion, to me, and I'm praying that I can persuade you gents and the other fine minds, hereabouts, to chime in on this.

I'm speaking of Leverage Versus Size, of course.

***

I have been interested in The Draft for about 30 years...but it's been only in the last 24 months that my interest has CAUGHT FIRE. As such, there've been many educational enlightenments I've undergone, with many, doubtlessly, yet to come.

One such has been the Leverage Versus Size Aspect.

***

I'ave come to prefer SQUATTER O Guards than O Tackles, and SQUATTER Centers than O Guards...The reasons are obvious, and yet mercurial: Exactly ~ exactly??? ~ HOW important are these divergent Attributes ~ Size and Leverage ~ the close you get to the Center??

Opinions??

I like to read your posts like it's the speech from The Breakfast Club.