How Many New Players Will We Actually Get From This Draft?

[ATippett56]

2012 New England Patriots potential rookies:

Offense

1 - RB
1 - WR
1 - OL

Notes:

• Danny Woodhead will be an unrestricted free agent next year.
• Deion Branch, Chad Johnson, Donte Stallworth, Anthony Gonzalez are either north of 30 or injury prone
• One interior offensive lineman to upgrade Ryan Wendell, Donald Thomas

Defense

2 - DL
1 - OLB
2 - S
1 - CB

Notes:

• Two five technique defensive lineman to upgrade Marcus Harrison, Myron Pryor
• One 3-4 outside linebacker to compete with Trevor Scott, Jermaine Cunningham, Markell Carter
• Two safeties to upgrade Josh Barrett, Sergio Brown
• One cornerback to upgrade Will Allen

 

[ay-yo]

I think there is a bit more roster flexibility than you suggest, especially on defense, but even on offense, a G/C prospect could displace Wendell, a WR could displace one of Gonzalez, Edelman or Branch etc. There are the 5 spots you have identified and probably another 5 to 8 spots where the coaching staffs wants to make some very tough decisions because an incumbent has been pushed very hard in OTAs and camps.

I agree with you that the Patriots aggregate depth is pretty good and the point of this draft is to fill in some holes and gaps in the future pipeline, especially on defense, but most position coaches could see at least one new face next season.

I agree the roster is not so set in stone and there probably are another 5-8 spots where we want a tough decision (Brace, Pryor, Harrison, Cole, WR, OL, etc.). However I don't believe drafting 10-13 guys is a good move. Hypothetically we could trade:

31 (value 600) for 49 (value 410) and 81 (value 185)

We could take an OLB at 31 and not add more competition to WR. Or:

We can pick an OLB at 49 although this is likely a prospect with a lower grade. Now that sacrifice in quality has to be made up for to make the trade down a win. That means the WR you draft should be some degree better than
2 of Stallsworth, Edelman, Ocho, Gonzalez, Branch, Underwood.

Since this WR won't get many opportunities to help the team where is the benefit? This doesn't just apply to WR either. OL and CB positions are in a similar scenario. I'd rather trust the vets we have there and get the better prospects at positions where we have serious need.

 

[DW Toys]

Okay, so you have a high discount on the future for football.

I understand that but it appears from almost every decision made by the Patriots since 2000 that the Patriots management team has a fairly low discount on the future. All available evidence suggests that the Patriots won't ruin both their salary structure and their talent pipeline for future years in order to gamble for a short window. And that is what trading multiple Top-64 picks for a 30 year old defensive end entails. They'll borrow against the future (restructures) and put a pressure on the pipeline (trades for veteran players with a couple hundred points worth of draft picks) but they won't sell out the future for today.

Expecting anything else until there is evidence to suggest a shift in philosophy such as an embrace of the Brady window is setting yourself up for disappointment as Bill B won't be doing what you want him to do.

Fair enough on your reply ...but...BB could be gone as well or out to pasture as the GM.
2007 was a year BB took a different approach to give it hell and go all in and he was less than two minutes and a miracle catch from the best season ever.

I disagree with you on the first rounder because if he gets another first this year............ he will trade it in 2013. Don't you get it? It makes no difference. He will rotate that pick forever unless someone makes a good argument on a Lardarius Webb or an Allen now to help the Team now.

Answer honestly. Do you care about 2012 or are your more cautious to guard future years two or three from now? You can't have it both ways without sacrificing one year or the other. I am alive in 2012, Brady is still healthy in 2012 so I say I want them to win now. Who knows about 2016. If we are going to use Allen as an example. hell yes I want this Pro Bowler who is playing at a very high level who is also three years younger than the "aged" Cater who by the way, played pretty darn good too.

Let's assume we can get three years out of Allen (if we use him as an example). I am not even concerned that he would not be willing to reconstruct his contact for another year or two to get to play here. Somebody else said he got 22 sacks and has big money coming the next two years so why would he want to be traded?....Wait Cousin, we are talking Vikings. No shot at any playoffs for maybe....three years.

My point is all being equal it takes three years for a high impact NFL Player to emerge on average. As I said only 18% start across the league year one. What would you suggest they do for a rush in the meantime? We got a shot to get a guy like Sheard(who BB whiffed on) who can play, great. Draft him and start him. Seymour did. But my whole thread is based on the likelihood that only two of the six Draft Choices by year three will become impact NFL players or full time starters.

BB is successful today because of his Coaching prowess, certainly not his Draft eye. If that was better we wouldn't need to be asking the question who is going to rush the passer or take the top off the defense.
It's his Coaching that works.

This so called pipeline for future years is a myth. He will trade the extra first pick every year so it has no value if you never use it. Yep... it can get us a second....but the talent is different. Check this years Pro Bowl roster.
DW Toys

 

[DaBruinz]

That was a fair retort. I love the Scott move as I said, but is he enough if we go DT, CB, O line etc?
I am not the only who feels that two is the correct course.
Chances are more than 50/50 he trades out past four or next year.
DW Toys

Yes, well, you are the one who, for years said that Sanders stunk and yet he stuck around. You've been on the "Get rid of Slater" bandwagon as well, yet, the Pats made it a point to bring him back.

Is Trevor Scott the ONLY move they'll make? Who knows. You sure as hell don't and neither do I. The likelihood is that the Pats add someone. But, I have news for you, the Pats were getting plenty of pressure with the D-line of Love, Wilfork, Deaderick with Carter as the Elephant and Ninkovich on the opposite side. Scott isn't in Carter's league, but he should be as good as Anderson. Then there is the Jermaine Cunningham enigma. This is year 3. And let's not forget Markell Carter.

And your Topic was how many players would the Pats keep. Nothing you replied to me on did anything to suggest that it would be less than 6. But that is the norm for a reply from you. You don't actually respond to what is talked about. You spin around in flailing attempts to make sure you can't be wrong.. And it fails more often than not..

 

[DaBruinz]

ST: 5
Ghost, Mesko, Aiken (LS), White, Slater

Offense: 24
QB: Brady, Mallet, Hoyer - 3
RB: Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, 1 of FB’s - 4
WR: Welker, Lloyd, Gonzalez, Branch, Edelman - 5
OT: Light, Solder, Vollmer, Cannon - 4
OG: Waters, Mankins, Gallery - 3
OC: Connoly, Wendell - 2
TE: Gronk, Hernandez, Fells - 3

Defense: 19
DE: Fanene, Harrison, Deaderick, Pryor - 4
NT: Wilfork, Love, Brace - 3
OLB: Nink, Scott - 2
LB: Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher - 3
CB: McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Moore, Cole - 5
S: Chung, Gregory - 2

total: 48

Leaves us w/ 5 spots.

I don't necessarily agree w/ the logic of the OP but given our team's roster I don't want to draft a bunch of guys who won't make the team. Give me 1 S, 1 OLB, 1 DL and then 2 more defenders at any position and I'll be happy.

You might as well add Chad Johnson to that list because, unless something major happens, Chad will be on this roster come opening day thanks to his restructure.

I notice you are missing Nick McDonald from this list as well. The Pats made it a point to keep him around even when they had Wendell and Connolly healthy. Expect McDonald to be on the roster.

I don't understand you putting Marcus Harrison on the Roster when he's done nothing in the league. He's a camp body..

Marquis Cole is nothing special either. He's a guy who is going to be fighting for a roster spot. He got a 1 year deal with minimal SB..

 

[DaBruinz]

2012 New England Patriots potential rookies:

Offense

1 - RB - Don't see this happening. Not with 2 2nd year players already on the roster.
1 - WR Don't see this happening either. Not with the vets the Pats have made it a point to sign. You can go on about the age of the players, but that doesn't change the fact that there are only so many slots on the team and the Pats have committed 3 of them to Welker, Lloyd and Johnson.
1 - OL This could be a possibility if they feel that there is a player who is better than Nick McDonald. Remember, he is the one that the Pats stole from the Packers and made it a point to keep on the roster despite the fact that Wendell and Connolly were healthy.

Notes:

• Danny Woodhead will be an unrestricted free agent next year.
• Deion Branch, Chad Johnson, Donte Stallworth, Anthony Gonzalez are either north of 30 or injury prone
• One interior offensive lineman to upgrade Ryan Wendell, Donald Thomas

Defense

2 - DL
1 - OLB
2 - S
1 - CB

Notes:

• Two five technique defensive lineman to upgrade Marcus Harrison, Myron Pryor
• One 3-4 outside linebacker to compete with Trevor Scott, Jermaine Cunningham, Markell Carter
• Two safeties to upgrade Josh Barrett, Sergio Brown
• One cornerback to upgrade Will Allen

Myron Pryor is not a 5-Tech defensive Lineman. Neither is Marcus Harrison. Harrison is a potential LDE at best, but more than likely, just a camp body. The guy hasn't been able to stick anywhere. And that includes a 3 day stint with the Pats this past fall.

Unfortunately, the Pats are not going to find TWO "Five-Tech" DEs in this draft. Not with where they are picking. Heck, they are going to be lucky if there is ONE available who can come in and be effective by mid-season.

The rest i can basically agree with you on..

 

[supafly]

You claim the Pats need 2 pass rushers.. What do you base this on? I look at the Pats and I see that they added Trevor Scott to replace Mark Anderson. Scott is actually a better run defender than Anderson was and Anderson was actually pretty decent at the end of the year in his run defense. Scott was a decent pass rusher in Oakland in the 3-4 when he was used at OLB and not at DE in the 4-3. Something that Anderson hadn't had the benefit of in either Chicago or Houston.

The pass rush was better last year than people gave it credit for. And it was better during the entire season. I can remember numerous threads of people whining and moaning that the Pats didn't have a pass rush because they weren't getting sacks. But what they ignored was the pressure they were getting on QBs.

With 6 draft picks, the fewest since 2005, I would expect that all 6 would make the team. Especially if all of them are taken without any trades.. BB has yet to cut a draft pick of 4th round or higher in TC during the players rookie year.

The fact that Anderson was a much better run stopper during the end of the season seems to fall by the waistside for some of our 'expert' posters. I certainly agree with you.

I also agree that I don't see all of this gloom and doom with excessive needs and replacements.

The thought of adding a blue chip guy on the DL, and also a pure edge rusher with an additonal high pick would significantly boost this team tremendously. I see no reason that these 2 guys won't be chosen.

One more in the secondary would be nothing more than icing on the cake, although I'm not counting on it.

I don't see anything but additions from last yr, and potential high draft picks. We're already solid up the middle with Wilfork, Mayo/Spikes, and Chung. That's a fact. Another fact is that the secondary (biggest problem by far on the defense) has already been improved right off the bat with a healthy Chung, the return of Dowling, a full season by Moore, the addition of Gregory, and the addition by subtraction of Molden, Ihedigbo, and Brown.

With a ton of time left for free agency and roster cuts + high draft picks, I am not even coming close to seeing all of this doom/gloom about the defense somehow getting worse.

 

[ay-yo]

You might as well add Chad Johnson to that list because, unless something major happens, Chad will be on this roster come opening day thanks to his restructure.

I notice you are missing Nick McDonald from this list as well. The Pats made it a point to keep him around even when they had Wendell and Connolly healthy. Expect McDonald to be on the roster.

I don't understand you putting Marcus Harrison on the Roster when he's done nothing in the league. He's a camp body..

Marquis Cole is nothing special either. He's a guy who is going to be fighting for a roster spot. He got a 1 year deal with minimal SB..

- We've restructured players and then cut them in camp, at least that's what I've read on here. Regardless of Chad I don't expect us to keep more than 5 WR's given our TE's and Slater's ability to play WR if needed.

- Do you bump off Wendell for McDonald? If not who? I wouldn't want to go any more than 24 players on offense.

- I put Harrison on because they went and got him early in FA. Says to me they wanted him. He could easily be cut though.

- Yes Cole is nothing special. But between Cole, Will Allen, Ross Ventrone, Malcolm Williams, Antwan Molden and UDFA's we can find a competent 5th CB. I just picked a name.

 

[supafly]

You might as well add Chad Johnson to that list because, unless something major happens, Chad will be on this roster come opening day thanks to his restructure.

I notice you are missing Nick McDonald from this list as well. The Pats made it a point to keep him around even when they had Wendell and Connolly healthy. Expect McDonald to be on the roster.

I don't understand you putting Marcus Harrison on the Roster when he's done nothing in the league. He's a camp body..

Marquis Cole is nothing special either. He's a guy who is going to be fighting for a roster spot. He got a 1 year deal with minimal SB..

I fully agree with the thought that Chad Johnson will be on the roster. He still has tremendous talent, and we will see if the longer period of time to learn and improve can bring that out a bit.

I would also agree with the thought on Cole as a CB. If anything I would list my 5 CB's as Dowling, McCourty, Moore, Arrington, and Allen..although I also believe that Will Allen may not be anything more than a camp body too.

I see one potential upgrade needed at CB, although it's not anywhere as high as most have the need on their list. If the right CB comes along, fine. If not, we'll take our chances with an improved group anyway as it is. Increased safety play will help the CB's too, obviously.

I see the 'need' for 2 front seven picks, and a safety. That is my wish list for the draft.

3 players. Anything else is gravy. Many seem to be forgetting that we will be picking up on a team cut or two, at the very least further down the road.

 

[supafly]

- We've restructured players and then cut them in camp, at least that's what I've read on here. Regardless of Chad I don't expect us to keep more than 5 WR's given our TE's and Slater's ability to play WR if needed.

- Do you bump off Wendell for McDonald? If not who? I wouldn't want to go any more than 24 players on offense.

- I put Harrison on because they went and got him early in FA. Says to me they wanted him. He could easily be cut though.

- Yes Cole is nothing special. But between Cole, Will Allen, Ross Ventrone, Malcolm Williams, Antwan Molden and UDFA's we can find a competent 5th CB. I just picked a name.

You may be right about cutting players in camp who've been restructured, etc...but there's no doubt that they are trying to make the Chad Johnson signing worth something.

He obviously has a lot of talent still, and the team obviously feels that he deserves the benefit of the doubt with a full offseason and continued learning.

Just witnessing that tape footage that was going around last week, where he actually looked way better than BOTH Brown and Wallace in certain areas should say something.

We can definitely go 25 on offense if needed, it's not out of the realm of possibility. Who do we need to bump to fit in McDonald? I don't think we need to bump anyone personally. I'll have to look at your projection again to see what you mean.

I would also lean towards the feeling that Harrison is here for camp fodder, with the high end potential of increasing depth and competition, but there will be others added. Don't worry about that. We've signed a lot of DL before early in FA, only to cut them. That's what I expect with both CB Cole and DL Harrison, although one of them could stick.

Allen is probably a much better choice at this point, although I'm nowhere near sold on him either.

The current roster is nothing more than the April version of the defense. It will change dramatically by August/September.

 

[supafly]

.

I disagree with you on the first rounder because if he gets another first this year............ he will trade it in 2013. Don't you get it? It makes no difference. He will rotate that pick forever unless someone makes a good argument on a Lardarius Webb or an Allen now to help the Team now.

Belichick effectively and successfully chooses to GAIN additional high round picks every year by "trading down," as you say.

It's like someone borrowing 5 dollars from me at 10:00 AM, so that they can give me back 8 or 9 dollars at 10:15 AM. What is not to like?

He's successfully increasing our odds at selecting good players...since after all, many of us are smart enough to realize that the draft is a gamble. It's a crapshoot. You quoted numbers in your OP yourself, you are one of many who are smart enough to realize that it is a crapshoot.

It's like going out to the farm and trying to choose the best cattle. You can research what the ate, you can research the stock that they come from, you can research the specific wheat grass that they ate....but at the end of the day, you are simply there with a bunch of other "cattle pickers" hoping to get lucky. There is no exact science to it. There is no guarantee to the NFL draft. That is why choosing more players in the high rounds (1-3) will probably give you more good players. With those players you will also have the Butlers, Braces, Jacksons, and Prices of the world. It's common sense.

Not only does it add to the odds of our success, it also sets the team up for the future. Maybe you'd rather have a coach who robs the future to pay for the present? That's not smart thinking.

By Belichick choosing to move down a bit to continue to secure high picks every year, he is basically guaranteeing that this team remains in competition both now and in the future for yrs to come.

We picked more players in 2 yrs (24) in the yrs of 09 and 2010 than the NYJ picked in 5 total yrs, over the span of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Doesn't that equate to having a better chance at success to you? He's playing the odds at a game that is basically a gamble, and I think it's brilliant.

That said, he has missed on some players too, and even though that's frustrating, it's also to be expected.

 

[Metaphors]

1 - RB

4 RBs seems like a good number and they sure seem to want a FB to go along with the returning 3.

1 - WR

The Pats are already instituting "Hunger Games" for the spots behind Welker/Lloyd. Not an ideal situation for a rook.

1 - OL

No doubt. Also no pressure if the draft doesn't fall just right or if the rook needs a year of seasoning.

2 - DL

Fanene signed a 3-year deal so they won't draft the same skill set as long as Pryor is healthy (sorry Wolfe). Wilfork, Deaderick and Love return to their natural 3-4 roles (or at least it looks that way) so one rook DE feels about right.

1 - OLB

I have a hard time with this position. I could see a complete rewrite (save Ninkovich) or sticking with the guys on the roster (Cunningham 2nd life, Scott finds a niche, Carter/Silvestro/Lavarias emerge) or anything in between. So I'll just go along with you on a single spot.

2 - S

Gregory also got a 3-year deal so he is going to get a good number of snaps. Already have a number of ST DBs on the roster. In a poor safety class, 2 spots seems a bit much.

1 - CB

Totally agree with this. Would love to see Arrington providing quality depth (emphasis on deep) and focusing on being a ST ace. A guy that is quick and physical between the numbers would be ideal.

So I see a rush end, base 3-4 DE and slot CB being the top areas of opportunity. Interior OL, base 3-4 OLB and safety are also in play if the draft falls right. RB and WR are possibilities but more for developmental or injury reclamation types (meaning gameday inactives in 2012). Other positions only if the value is too good to pass up.

I can see 4-6 drafted rooks make the roster and no room at the inn for UDFAs, which breaks with tradition. I would also be shocked if the Pats don't emerge with 1 or 2 extra top 100 picks in 2013.

 

[Mystery Pats Fan]

Over on NFL.com I just saw a video where they show some "safe" draft picks, and one was a local kid from Boston College that I was not familiar with. And as I watched and listened to the video I became impressed with him/

Does anyone know anything about BC linebacker Luke Kuechly?

 

[supafly]

Over on NFL.com I just saw a video where they show some "safe" draft picks, and one was a local kid from Boston College that I was not familiar with. And as I watched and listened to the video I became impressed with him/

Does anyone know anything about BC linebacker Luke Kuechly?

Yep. Likely the best ILB prospect in the entire draft.

He is projected to go in the top 20, possibly in the top 15.

 

[ATippett56]

So I see a rush end, base 3-4 DE and slot CB being the top areas of opportunity. Interior OL, base 3-4 OLB and safety are also in play if the draft falls right. RB and WR are possibilities but more for developmental or injury reclamation types (meaning gameday inactives in 2012). Other positions only if the value is too good to pass up.

To a certain extent, I disagree. 3-4 defensive end, 3-4 outside linebacker, safety are the three top draft priorities for the New England Patriots defense in 2012.

As for the slot cornerback position, Kyle Arrington and Will Allen will compete for the aforementioned position.

Running back is a higher priority than wide receiver or interior offensive line due to Danny Woodhead's contract expiration in 2013 and the lack of halfbacks currently on the roster.

I can see 4-6 drafted rooks make the roster and no room at the inn for UDFAs, which breaks with tradition. I would also be shocked if the Pats don't emerge with 1 or 2 extra top 100 picks in 2013.

I have seen enough of Josh Barrett and Sergio Brown at safety to realize neither will improve the New England Patriots defense. In addition, Myron Pryor is injury prone and has totaled one career quarterback sack. An upgrade is warranted on the defensive line for not only Myron Pryor but also Ron Brace. For the defense alone, I can foresee five to six upgrades:

2 - Defensive Lineman
1 - Outside Linebacker
2 - Safeties
1 - Cornerback (depends on Dowling's health and McCourty's revival)

 

[Mystery Pats Fan]

Yep. Likely the best ILB prospect in the entire draft.

He is projected to go in the top 20, possibly in the top 15.

If he is available at 31 is he worth a pick? I am not sure if ILB is one of our main needs. We have Mayo and Spikes. If Spikes can stay free of injury I have always said that he will be a beast - one of the best IMO.

 

[DW Toys]

Belichick effectively and successfully chooses to GAIN additional high round picks every year by "trading down," as you say.

It's like someone borrowing 5 dollars from me at 10:00 AM, so that they can give me back 8 or 9 dollars at 10:15 AM. What is not to like?

He's successfully increasing our odds at selecting good players...since after all, many of us are smart enough to realize that the draft is a gamble. It's a crapshoot. You quoted numbers in your OP yourself, you are one of many who are smart enough to realize that it is a crapshoot.

It's like going out to the farm and trying to choose the best cattle. You can research what the ate, you can research the stock that they come from, you can research the specific wheat grass that they ate....but at the end of the day, you are simply there with a bunch of other "cattle pickers" hoping to get lucky. There is no exact science to it. There is no guarantee to the NFL draft. That is why choosing more players in the high rounds (1-3) will probably give you more good players. With those players you will also have the Butlers, Braces, Jacksons, and Prices of the world. It's common sense.

Not only does it add to the odds of our success, it also sets the team up for the future. Maybe you'd rather have a coach who robs the future to pay for the present? That's not smart thinking.

By Belichick choosing to move down a bit to continue to secure high picks every year, he is basically guaranteeing that this team remains in competition both now and in the future for yrs to come.

We picked more players in 2 yrs (24) in the yrs of 09 and 2010 than the NYJ picked in 5 total yrs, over the span of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Doesn't that equate to having a better chance at success to you? He's playing the odds at a game that is basically a gamble, and I think it's brilliant.

That said, he has missed on some players too, and even though that's frustrating, it's also to be expected.

I agree with what your saying. When you Draft you pick a player on the potential he can play in the NFL. There are no guarantees. When you trade like a Welker or a Moss or pick up a FA like a Cater, the body of work about the ability to compete is complete. .....But,,,,What I am saying is BB turns over that first round pick year to year and just carries it over.

Here is my analogy. You have a weekly poker game. You pick up an ACE. There is an ACE down staring at you. Instead of playing it, you hold it. You didn't capitalize on the ACE to perhaps go all in to win the pot right now. The guy next to you then picks up three Deuces and in your hand, the ACE is now worthless. He would have folded. You let him keep on adding to his hand.
Holding the ACE doesn't guarantee you can win now unless you at least try for the play. What in the name of everything holy does BB think that in 2013, surely the guy we Draft in the first round that we passed in 09,10,11 and now in 13 form our same old endless carry over scheme, he is much better than the guy they could have played in 2012? Just sayin.

If you sit and analyses this it makes no sense. It's not like we lose our 2013 first rounder for spending our "forever and ever" extra first round pick this year. BB would make you think that. Great Coach. Metza Metz Drafter. Does he have a crystal ball that says the guy we pick at #27 or #31 in 2012 will certainly not be as good as the guys we pick hopefully in 2013 at #32 and whatever. Like you say, a crapshoot. One day he has to play that ACE.

So it goes back to the Thread. If we have six and he lowers the standard of said pick by dropping it down to a round that states it is of less talent and in the meantime send the added pick we will surely get to 2013, the opportunity that the 2nd or 3rd round player does not work out is greatly enhanced. I said use a term of three years. For every Hernandez or Koppen, there is a Butler, or this year Brace, who signify failure in the top end of the Draft but traded down from round one to get. Most were proven to be failures at or directly after three years of service to the Pats.

That being said the higher the Draft pick, the better the player as a rule. Look at the first and second Team 2011 NFL Pro Bowlers.

Its quality versus quantity in BB's Draft. This "value" is political talk and they don't believe it either.
DW Toys

 

[DaBruinz]

- We've restructured players and then cut them in camp, at least that's what I've read on here. Regardless of Chad I don't expect us to keep more than 5 WR's given our TE's and Slater's ability to play WR if needed.

No. The Patriots have never, ever cut a veteran who restructured their contract to stay on the team. It's bad business. The Pats have re-signed vets only to cut them in camp, but they have never restructured and then cut them in camp.

- Do you bump off Wendell for McDonald? If not who? I wouldn't want to go any more than 24 players on offense.

What you want and what will happen are two totally different things. In all likelihood, the Pats will open with Mankins on the PUP because of the torn ACL .

- I put Harrison on because they went and got him early in FA. Says to me they wanted him. He could easily be cut though.

The Pats could have signed him at any time since he was a street FA. So, to say that they signed him early in FA is a serious misnomer. In fact, I think that, considering they released him in October and didn't sign him to a future's contract or prior to the start of free agency, it lends itself more to him being a camp body than someone to seriously consider.

- Yes Cole is nothing special. But between Cole, Will Allen, Ross Ventrone, Malcolm Williams, Antwan Molden and UDFA's we can find a competent 5th CB. I just picked a name.

Molden isn't part of the team, currently..

 

[DaBruinz]

Its quality versus quantity in BB's Draft. This "value" is political talk and they don't believe it either.
DW Toys

This shows that you have absolutely no understanding of how the Patriots approach the draft at all. Not to mention it goes directly against anything and everything that BB, Pioli, Dimitroff and Caserio have said about the Patriots and how they draft.

Nice job, DW.

 

[DaBruinz]

If he is available at 31 is he worth a pick? I am not sure if ILB is one of our main needs. We have Mayo and Spikes. If Spikes can stay free of injury I have always said that he will be a beast - one of the best IMO.

In a word, yes. If Kuechly is available, he'd be worth it. However, it's extremely unlikely that he'd last that long. I can foresee teams like the Giants trying to move up to grab him if he lasts past the 20th pick.