My Early Choices For Round One: C Peter Kronz, OLB/DE Nick Perry or DE Jared Crick

[mgteich]

I see no safety worth drafting in the first. I expect that WR will be addressed in free agency and with a 3rd or 4th round pick.

#27 C Konz
#31 OLB/DE Perry or DE Krick

 

[dryheat44]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I see no safety worth drafting in the first. I expect that WR will be addressed in free agency and with a 3rd or 4th round pick.

#27 C Konz
#31 OLB/DE Perry or DE Krick

If Konz is the best player available at #27, I sincerely hope we trade the pick.

Unless you believe Konz is a starting center (or guard) this year, better than Connolly and Wendell (assuming Koppen leaves), this makes little sense to me. I think Barron makes a lot more sense at #27 if available -- and I don't love Barron as a first rounder.

If you do evaluate Konz as a first-year starter along the line, then it's a good pick. If you're wrong, we just used a 1st round pick on a likely gameday inactive.

 

[IllegalContact]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I'd need to see who is available first.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

If Konz is the best player available at #27, I sincerely hope we trade the pick.

Unless you believe Konz is a starting center (or guard) this year, better than Connolly and Wendell (assuming Koppen leaves), this makes little sense to me. I think Barron makes a lot more sense at #27 if available -- and I don't love Barron as a first rounder.

If you do evaluate Konz as a first-year starter along the line, then it's a good pick. If you're wrong, we just used a 1st round pick on a likely gameday inactive.

I thought we went too much offense last year. We started the draft with two firsts, two seconds, two thirds and a 4th. End up with one def. player. Ras-I Dowling. I even had Solder going to us at 28. So, not surprised and am even happier with his play than expected. Our first pick is lower this year, and so is our 2nd rounder. We have to wait for the board to come to us. Other teams can trade down too like Cincy and St. Louis(I think they get both Cleve first in RG3 trade).

My top 26 right now might look like this
QB Luck, Griffin, Tanneyhill
RB Richardson
WR Blackmon, Floyd and K. Wright
TE None
OL Kalil, Rieff, Martin, Decastro and Glenn
DT Poe, Still, F. Cox and M. Brockers
DE Coples, Ingram, Mercilus
LB Kuechly, Upshaw, Hightower
CB Claiborne, Kirkpatrick and J. Jenkins
S Mark Barron

We could choose from
P. Konz - C
C. Fleener - TE
A. Jeffrey - WR
S. Hill - WR
A. Branch - olb/de
N. Perry - olb/de
J. Worthy - DT ? if can 2-gap
Z. Brown - LB
S. Gilmore - cb
A. Dennard - cb
J. Robinson - CB
H. Smith - S


Not crazy about that group at all. I'd try to trade up to late teens. 18 or 19. I'd deal 31 and 63 to do. In order to get F. Cox or D. Still. At 27 you could go with Branch or Perry to help pass rush. If we whiff on a safety in free agency. You could take S. Gilmore - cb and move McCourty to FS.

 

[mgteich]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

It's not a matter of what I believe.

I do indeed agree with your analysis.

Konz should be drafted only if he is expected to be the starting center. Presuming the re-signing of Connolly, it would make no sense to draft a center early if he didn't project to be better than Cannolly.

If Konz is the best player available at #27, I sincerely hope we trade the pick.

Unless you believe Konz is a starting center (or guard) this year, better than Connolly and Wendell (assuming Koppen leaves), this makes little sense to me. I think Barron makes a lot more sense at #27 if available -- and I don't love Barron as a first rounder.

If you do evaluate Konz as a first-year starter along the line, then it's a good pick. If you're wrong, we just used a 1st round pick on a likely gameday inactive.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

It's not a matter of what I believe.

Are you trying to (A) say who YOU would choose, or (B) who you think the PATS will take?

If the former, then it DOES matter what you believe. If the latter, then your title should be changed.

 

[mgteich]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I apologize for the title.

These are my early guesses with regard to who the patriots might pick.

I don't think folks care much who I might pick if I were GM.

Are you trying to (A) say who YOU would choose, or (B) who you think the PATS will take?

If the former, then it DOES matter what you believe. If the latter, then your title should be changed.

 

[mgteich]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I have no problem at will with us getting 2 of that group. If we have addressed center in free agency, then choosing between Branch and Perry seems to be a good choice.

I thought we went too much offense last year. We started the draft with two firsts, two seconds, two thirds and a 4th. End up with one def. player. Ras-I Dowling. I even had Solder going to us at 28. So, not surprised and am even happier with his play than expected. Our first pick is lower this year, and so is our 2nd rounder. We have to wait for the board to come to us. Other teams can trade down too like Cincy and St. Louis(I think they get both Cleve first in RG3 trade).

My top 26 right now might look like this
QB Luck, Griffin, Tanneyhill
RB Richardson
WR Blackmon, Floyd and K. Wright
TE None
OL Kalil, Rieff, Martin, Decastro and Glenn
DT Poe, Still, F. Cox and M. Brockers
DE Coples, Ingram, Mercilus
LB Kuechly, Upshaw, Hightower
CB Claiborne, Kirkpatrick and J. Jenkins
S Mark Barron

We could choose from
P. Konz - C
C. Fleener - TE
A. Jeffrey - WR
S. Hill - WR
A. Branch - olb/de
N. Perry - olb/de
J. Worthy - DT ? if can 2-gap
Z. Brown - LB
S. Gilmore - cb
A. Dennard - cb
J. Robinson - CB
H. Smith - S


Not crazy about that group at all. I'd try to trade up to late teens. 18 or 19. I'd deal 31 and 63 to do. In order to get F. Cox or D. Still. At 27 you could go with Branch or Perry to help pass rush. If we whiff on a safety in free agency. You could take S. Gilmore - cb and move McCourty to FS.

 

[Why?PJ]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

i'd rather the pats never trade again, we have too many d holes.

I would rather everyone in New England die than the Pats take another offensive lineman in the first round. We don't need a center, we had four that played great last year.

I'd love if the Pats took both Gilmore and Jeffrey. Then more D. And more D.

The O will be great if we resign our own people and add a FA WR and 1 draftee. The rest needs to focus on the D. We need help at every D position.

 

[MP-Logick]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I hope we trade out of the first round completely.

 

[DW Toys]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I see no safety worth drafting in the first. I expect that WR will be addressed in free agency and with a 3rd or 4th round pick.

#27 C Konz
#31 OLB/DE Perry or DE Krick

mg, I have some thoughts about this Safety thing. I have a player that could be one of BB's mad scientist new way to construct a defense. We were all amused when he put Kyle Arrington in a DE in 2010. I think it was an interesting experiment. If you think about this BB can revolutionize the S position much like LT did at LB.

I have a player that can run a 4.46-4.5, has ball skills, will play all over the field and be what I call a hybrid "rover". I think we might be able to get him in round one. Some Mocks have him as a Pat. It has been said he is a hair small for an OLB, but his coverage skills are superb. Your new staring NE Pat Safety. Zack Brown! Thoughts?

Tremendous speed (4.50 40 time)
Has shown improved read-and-react skills
Athleticism allows him to keep up in pass coverage
Very productive tackler - sound, rarely misses
Plays just as well in the box as he does in space
Good enough size to become 4-3 weakside linebacker
All-around production (5.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles in 2011)
Incredible upside
Displays good vision working his way through traffic
Reliable special teamer

Are these not the same attributes we look for in the Draft for a Safety? We have a Safety on our roster who is bigger than Brown. Brown is faster than Chung with better coverage skills. I know this is out of the box, but think of what you could do with him.

Here is what you get as a Safety for our D-a quality cover guy with some speed and sideline-to-sideline type range.

He's noted for rare athleticism - fluid movement, quick burst, and excellent change of direction skills. That just might be the skill set needed to compete with the new breed of NFL tight ends

Why not!
DW Toys

 

[mgteich]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I agree that Belichick likes to have hybrid/flexible players. However, I think that you are asking a lot in expecting Zack Brown to be a starting 2012 free safety. We really need to have someone who can play center field, someone with strong cover skills. This allows the other safeties to be active in run support and on blitzes. So, I am on the other end of this. I am fine with a corner playing free safety in many of of our defensive sets.

mg, I have some thoughts about this Safety thing. I have a player that could be one of BB's mad scientist new way to construct a defense. We were all amused when he put Kyle Arrington in a DE in 2010. I think it was an interesting experiment. If you think about this BB can revolutionize the S position much like LT did at LB.

I have a player that can run a 4.46-4.5, has ball skills, will play all over the field and be what I call a hybrid "rover". I think we might be able to get him in round one. Some Mocks have him as a Pat. It has been said he is a hair small for an OLB, but his coverage skills are superb. Your new staring NE Pat Safety. Zack Brown! Thoughts?

Tremendous speed (4.50 40 time)
Has shown improved read-and-react skills
Athleticism allows him to keep up in pass coverage
Very productive tackler - sound, rarely misses
Plays just as well in the box as he does in space
Good enough size to become 4-3 weakside linebacker
All-around production (5.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles in 2011)
Incredible upside
Displays good vision working his way through traffic
Reliable special teamer

Are these not the same attributes we look for in the Draft for a Safety? We have a Safety on our roster who is bigger than Brown. Brown is faster than Chung with better coverage skills. I know this is out of the box, but think of what you could do with him.

Here is what you get as a Safety for our D-a quality cover guy with some speed and sideline-to-sideline type range.

He's noted for rare athleticism - fluid movement, quick burst, and excellent change of direction skills. That just might be the skill set needed to compete with the new breed of NFL tight ends

Why not!
DW Toys

 

[DW Toys]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I agree that Belichick likes to have hybrid/flexible players. However, I think that you are asking a lot in expecting Zack Brown to be a starting 2012 free safety. We really need to have someone who can play center field, someone with strong cover skills. This allows the other safeties to be active in run support and on blitzes. So, I am on the other end of this. I am fine with a corner playing free safety in many of of our defensive sets.

Fair enough
DW Toys

 

[patman52]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I thought we went too much offense last year. We started the draft with two firsts, two seconds, two thirds and a 4th. End up with one def. player. Ras-I Dowling. I even had Solder going to us at 28. So, not surprised and am even happier with his play than expected. Our first pick is lower this year, and so is our 2nd rounder. We have to wait for the board to come to us. Other teams can trade down too like Cincy and St. Louis(I think they get both Cleve first in RG3 trade).

My top 26 right now might look like this
QB Luck, Griffin, Tanneyhill
RB Richardson
WR Blackmon, Floyd and K. Wright
TE None
OL Kalil, Rieff, Martin, Decastro and Glenn
DT Poe, Still, F. Cox and M. Brockers
DE Coples, Ingram, Mercilus
LB Kuechly, Upshaw, Hightower
CB Claiborne, Kirkpatrick and J. Jenkins
S Mark Barron

We could choose from
P. Konz - C
C. Fleener - TE
A. Jeffrey - WR
S. Hill - WR
A. Branch - olb/de
N. Perry - olb/de
J. Worthy - DT ? if can 2-gap
Z. Brown - LB
S. Gilmore - cb
A. Dennard - cb
J. Robinson - CB
H. Smith - S


Not crazy about that group at all. I'd try to trade up to late teens. 18 or 19. I'd deal 31 and 63 to do. In order to get F. Cox or D. Still. At 27 you could go with Branch or Perry to help pass rush. If we whiff on a safety in free agency. You could take S. Gilmore - cb and move McCourty to FS.

If those are the players, I want to drop back again and pick up Reyes.

 

[Water Boy]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I'm bearish on this draft. I would be absolutely shocked if BB used both first round picks in this draft, and given the scenario above I could definitely see BB trading out of the first all together. Maybe St. Louis would be a good trade partner for future 1st round picks.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I'm bearish on this draft. I would be absolutely shocked if BB used both first round picks in this draft, and given the scenario above I could definitely see BB trading out of the first all together. Maybe St. Louis would be a good trade partner for future 1st round picks.

St. Louis is picking 33 and 35. They won't give up a future 1st to move up a couple of slots at that point in the draft. It's going to be harder to do with 3 teams having multiple first round picks. If Tanneyhill falls to 27, maybe Seattle would move up for him. My hunch this year is Philly. They have 2 2nd rounders 46 and 51. We move back from 31 for their 2nd this year 46 and a 2nd rounder in 2013.

 

[rdf63]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

If Konz is the best player available at #27, I sincerely hope we trade the pick.

Unless you believe Konz is a starting center (or guard) this year, better than Connolly and Wendell (assuming Koppen leaves), this makes little sense to me. I think Barron makes a lot more sense at #27 if available -- and I don't love Barron as a first rounder.

If you do evaluate Konz as a first-year starter along the line, then it's a good pick. If you're wrong, we just used a 1st round pick on a likely gameday inactive.

I think Konz can be a good center but also think he is being overvalued at center because the draft is so weak. The combine problems centers have dropped Ben Jones and Mike Brewster into 4th round level players which already had David Molk, Philip Blake in that category. I think the Pats will do their usual great homework and may find a steal (Blake...?) at center in the 4th round.

 

[b72s]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

Really a weak talent pool for round 1 and drops off in about mid to late teens.

Either we trade up or get out maybe both picks.

with new CBA rookie contracts I could see a move up if we see someone we like

If light and Koppen iffy could see OL but not konz that high

 

[charlie2]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I am not a fan of Z. Brown at all. Sure he is big, fast, and looks pretty running around out there but he is incredible soft and a poor tackler. Heck, I don't think he would even be able to a strong contributor on special teams early on as he will get absolutely flattened out there. I would take a flyer on him with the later second round pick but there is no chance he drops that far.

As of right now I am really coming around to Hightower with one of the first round picks. Granted, he plays a position that is not a huge need with the emergence of Spikes and solid play of Fletcher but I think he would be too good for BB to pass up. Oustanding SEC linebacker with versatility that is absolutely perfect for our scheme. He is a real thumper (w/ better speed than Spikes) and is also capable of putting his hand in the ground and rushing off the edge.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Re: My Early Choices For Round One

I think Konz can be a good center but also think he is being overvalued at center because the draft is so weak. The combine problems centers have dropped Ben Jones and Mike Brewster into 4th round level players which already had David Molk, Philip Blake in that category. I think the Pats will do their usual great homework and may find a steal (Blake...?) at center in the 4th round.

I think the best Center "prospect" is a Amini Silatolu, he can be had for less because he's a Guard but if you look at all his attributes he's absolute prime raw material to be groomed at Center. He's dense and strong enough to take on the elite nose tackles in the league, and TFB definitely needs that protection in the middle.