This draft sucks...

[supafly]

Just one guy's opinion of course, but in my opinion it's been a while since it's been this pathetic. This may be epic suckage, as in 2007 terms.

Although I was not initially, I'm fully on board now with the thought of packaging picks and moving up.

The more I think about it, the more I don't see more than 4-5 players actually being kept for the 53 man roster anyway.

Hopefully we can come out of this with some kind of front seven depth, and an additional guy on the backline. Other than that, it's going to be the ultimate guessing game. The only WR I really like besides the obvious early guys is the kid from Illinois, AJ Jenkins. 90 catches last yr, and ran a 4.36 at the combine.

The TE's suck, the S's suck (besides Barron), there are very limited guys in many positions including RB too.

Sorry for the negativity, just wondering if anyone else sees it quite this badly?

 

[Blackluck]

When 1st round guys have the same grades as 3rd round guys, yeah it's looking bleak.

On Jenkins, I think he might go earlier than expected. If St. Louis takes Cox at six I would look for them to take him with their first pick in the second round.

 

[supafly]

Kid from Vandy (CB) may be worth a shot.

I also think that T.Johnson or M.Martin may be one of our safeties.

Regardless, they'll probably all go within the second round, after that it's a total crapshoot.

I also think there's going to be the usual amount (or more) of first/second round bust picks too. Finding them is undoubtedly the obvious key, but that may be harder than it looks.

Which Jenkins are you talking about? I'm referring to the WR AJ Jenkins, I assume that you are too. I agree that he will go higher than expected, definitely in the second round.

Janoris Jenkins is another guessing game, as someone may take him in the late first/early second, while he could also slide a lot too.

 

[reflexblue]

Just one guy's opinion of course, but in my opinion it's been a while since it's been this pathetic. This may be epic suckage, as in 2007 terms.

Although I was not initially, I'm fully on board now with the thought of packaging picks and moving up.

The more I think about it, the more I don't see more than 4-5 players actually being kept for the 53 man roster anyway.

Hopefully we can come out of this with some kind of front seven depth, and an additional guy on the backline. Other than that, it's going to be the ultimate guessing game. The only WR I really like besides the obvious early guys is the kid from Illinois, AJ Jenkins. 90 catches last yr, and ran a 4.36 at the combine.

The TE's suck, the S's suck (besides Barron), there are very limited guys in many positions including RB too.

Sorry for the negativity, just wondering if anyone else sees it quite this badly?

While I haven't been paying attention to the draft like i have in the past from what ive read i agree. Unless someone falls I can see trading both first round picks.

 

[Blackluck]

Kid from Vandy (CB) may be worth a shot.

I also think that T.Johnson or M.Martin may be one of our safeties.

Regardless, they'll probably all go within the second round, after that it's a total crapshoot.

I also think there's going to be the usual amount (or more) of first/second round bust picks too. Finding them is undoubtedly the obvious key, but that may be harder than it looks.

Which Jenkins are you talking about? I'm referring to the WR AJ Jenkins, I assume that you are too. I agree that he will go higher than expected, definitely in the second round.

Janoris Jenkins is another guessing game, as someone may take him in the late first/early second, while he could also slide a lot too.

The WR.

J. Jenkins I think won't be drafted by us, although I admit it would be refreshing to have a CB who could, you know, actually cover a receiver.

I agree on the bust factor; it's probably going to come down largely to luck of the draw.

 

[zimmy]

I agree that I don't think there are too many inspiring players. I could see us taking a surprise player in the 1st round who is not at a position of need just because they have a much higher grade than some others - it might be Martin or Zeitler or one of the tackles.

I think it might be similar to 2007 where we zone in on a few good players and then try and get some picks for next year. I am now all in favour of trading up for Barron/Brockers with one small caveat - that we have been unable to agree a deal in principle pre draft with someone for a 1st rounder next year.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Not if your looking for a Wr or Cb.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Several NFL people and draft guru's that I've heard consider this an average draft. 2010 was considered an above averge draft. 2007 was considered a below average draft.

This years draft is considered the same as last years- average. But no one will really know that for a couple of years.

 

[BradyManny]

Sorry for the negativity, just wondering if anyone else sees it quite this badly?

There's a lot less people on my board this year. And I think the first round sucks a little, and the back end of the draft seems weak. But we have no picks in that range - which might've been great foresight on Belichick's part, even if Ocho/Haynesworth netted us very little (worth the risk).

That said, I see a lot of guys with round 2 or so grades worth taking. The goal is to get into that sweet spot and pillage the deep area of this draft. If we can flip those #1s at the end of the round into more picks in the sweet spot, and picks in 2013, this draft will be a huge success comparative to the rest of the league.

If anything, the draft having such a narrow sweet spot will then work to our advantage. The rest of the league, typically with only one pick per round throughout, and a less cavalier approach to moving those picks, will be stuck with whatever value the draft does or does not present. Belichick will make the draft do what he wants.

 

[Off The Grid]

Just one guy's opinion of course, but in my opinion it's been a while since it's been this pathetic. This may be epic suckage, as in 2007 terms.

Although I was not initially, I'm fully on board now with the thought of packaging picks and moving up.

The more I think about it, the more I don't see more than 4-5 players actually being kept for the 53 man roster anyway.

Hopefully we can come out of this with some kind of front seven depth, and an additional guy on the backline. Other than that, it's going to be the ultimate guessing game. The only WR I really like besides the obvious early guys is the kid from Illinois, AJ Jenkins. 90 catches last yr, and ran a 4.36 at the combine.

The TE's suck, the S's suck (besides Barron), there are very limited guys in many positions including RB too.

Sorry for the negativity, just wondering if anyone else sees it quite this badly?

Oh, I'm sure certain of them DO!!

Every draft is REPLETE with Opportunities, my friend. You just have to dig them up.

Have a drink or two and take a nap, my friend: Negativity ain't your style. :singing:

 

[Off The Grid]

The TE's suck, the S's suck (besides Barron), there are very limited guys in many positions including RB too.

A couple suggestions, if I may?

1 ~ Don't look for Safeties in the Safety class. That's a complete waste of time, the last couple years. Look in CornerBack, if you want Safeties. There are plenty, there.

2 ~ No need to stress about Tight Ends: We've got the perfect Gronk Backup under contract, and there are a number of intriguing options for backup Wing Back.

3 ~ We only need ONE O Back to add to our stable, you know...And there are nice options, there.

 

[patfanken]

Just one guy's opinion of course, but in my opinion it's been a while since it's been this pathetic. This may be epic suckage, as in 2007 terms.

Although I was not initially, I'm fully on board now with the thought of packaging picks and moving up.

I think you are right on the money. I'm surprise how many top 15 players have serious questions about them. Even at the top of the draft there are just so many boom or bust players, even among my own Binkies;

The more I think about it, the more I don't see more than 4-5 players actually being kept for the 53 man roster anyway.

FINALLY, a kindred spirit. I've been saying this for weeks. IMHO get the 4 best players you can then trade the rest for future picks. Trading the 27 for a future #1 and a spot in the 2nd round makes sense. Trading the either the 3rd or 4th also makes sense if there is no one there that you REALLY love. And of course there is my favorite, which is trading Mallot for a high 2nd, and then moving up with a combination of 31 and 37 to get a guy you love, then trading down with the 27 for a future 1st or 2nd and now having 3 picks in the 2nd round, which is probably the "sweet spot" for value in this draft.

Hopefully we can come out of this with some kind of front seven depth, and an additional guy on the backline. Other than that, it's going to be the ultimate guessing game. The only WR I really like besides the obvious early guys is the kid from Illinois, AJ Jenkins. 90 catches last yr, and ran a 4.36 at the combine.

Seems like a great prospect Supe, but sorry...no WRs in this draft. The only WR's that I'd accept are guys who are likely to wind up on IR before the season starts or are likely to be PS guys. Sorry, but picks in the first 3 rounds need to be kept on the roster, and I don't see anyone in our draft area who isn't going to need a year of development, or who will be better for THIS season than what's already on the roster.

The TE's suck, the S's suck (besides Barron), there are very limited guys in many positions including RB too.

Right again. There are going to be a lot of guys over drafted because they are the best of a bad bunch

 

[Ivan]

I actually see it differently and I think it plays to the Patriots advantage. i think the top 15 is much weaker than the past but that the quality of players from that point until 6o--75 area is really good, and many are almost as good or better than the top 15. I think the patriots can add 4 really good prospect with their top 4 picks and don't need to move up and shouldn't unless Keuchly drops into the 2nd half of the first.

 

[Sciz]

I had been saying this before warming up to this draft class a little, but there are still only a few select players that I really like. This is probably the worst draft class since 2007, and it wouldn't surprise me to see a similar strategy as 07, where they traded a 1st for a 2008 1st and a 4th, a 2nd and 7th for Welker, and a 4th for Moss. Between that 1st, 2nd, and 7th, they got Welker, Mayo, and Moss, but no rookies in 2007.

 

[ay-yo]

I guess I agree, especially concerning the top of the draft

the interior DL class
is particularly weak. Poe and Brockers are both GIANT projects and for the #2 and #3 DT's it's really underwhelming. You wish there was a guy who was more ready and still had a decent ceiling. I like the idea of Jerel Worthy at 27 or 31.

top DE / OLB
at the top of the draft you normally look for top tape/production and top combine numbers. Upshaw and Ingram have the tape but not the combine numbers. Couples is considered an athletic freak who under performed.

IMO after 15-20 in every draft prospects starts to have concerns. This year that line is maybe around 10-15. That doesn't mean we can't make it a successful draft though.

 

[silenthuntr7]

Preaching to the choir there, supafly!

You know I agree with you regarding the weakness of this draft. The issue I see is twofold:

1) The real elite talent ends at around 7-10 (ending at Fletcher Cox or around there), instead of dropping to the mid teens like some years.
2) The main weakness of this draft on D, the lack of high-end safeties and what OTG describes as flankers, are two of our biggest needs on defence right now.

However, I'm gonna disagree with you about trading up. In an optimal situation, you trade up either for an elite talent, or when there's a lot of blue-chippers and thus prices are low. I don't see either being possible for this draft.

Instead, the strength of this draft is the second to mid-fourth rounds, where there is a lot of talent, most with a few question marks or warnings attached to them. Incidentally, that's where BB likes to do his shopping, and I see a lot of picks there again. I see them trading 27/31 for a first/third/sixth, thus having 1/2/2/3/3/4/6 with an extra 1 next year...especially if someone like cleveland comes knocking.

 

[Metaphors]

I see this draft with several tiers:

The Elite
Top 6 (Luck, RG3, Claiborne, Kalil, Richardson, Blackmon) should all start immediately and be impact guys.

The Mix
Up to about pick #20. Just not too much difference in the talent levels and beauty will be in the eyes of the beholder. Potential to find an elite but the bust potential is fairly high. From a Pats perspective, you want a target from this group to slide to #27...but you don't count on it.

The Turn
From pick #20 to about #40. Obvious sweet spot for the Pats with the best potential for trades targeting specific positions (like OT and DT) that will disappear quickly.

The Mine
From pick #40 to about #75. This is where you dig for value and the quality of the team's board comes into full view. Where you will find both "What are they thinking" and "How did he slip that far" picks.

The Cliff
After #75, you better have your draft plan executed except for WR, interior OL and CB...cause the talent dropoff at all the other positions is significant. You can always do discount shopping at RB but even that position seems weak in this draft class.

Not as bad as 2007, which was a dumpster fire outside an Indian restaurant in Pittsburgh during a heatwave, but not a draft class you want to reinvent your team with (sorry Indy fan). If the Pats can get a 3-4 DE, an edge rusher and some DB help (particularly in the slot) and then acquire some high value picks in 2013, that would be a huge victory.

 

[ay-yo]

However, I'm gonna disagree with you about trading up. In an optimal situation, you trade up either for an elite talent, or when there's a lot of blue-chippers and thus prices are low. I don't see either being possible for this draft.

Take it FWIW but ESPN has been reporting that every team b/t 3 and 16 has entertained the idea of trading down and the action is extremely slow, meaning they'd have to accept less than what the chart suggests in any trade. Mostly speculation but thought I'd pass it along.

If Jax would take 27 and 31 (less than market value) for 7 I'd pull the trigger , take Fletcher Cox and jump for joy.

 

[doesntmatter1]

I have to disagree. It may not be as strong a first round as last years but much deeper imo. After the third round last year it was basically bare from there on but this year I see talent like childs, criner, broyles, etc with late grades and that shows the depth.

Also, I have never really thought safeties should be drafted in the first unless they are ball hawks and besides gronk and hernandez we have spent countless picks on tight ends and if this draft sucks for that posistion maybe bb will overlook it for once.

 

[silenthuntr7]

Take it FWIW but ESPN has been reporting that every team b/t 3 and 16 has entertained the idea of trading down and the action is extremely slow, meaning they'd have to accept less than what the chart suggests in any trade. Mostly speculation but thought I'd pass it along.

If Jax would take 27 and 31 (less than market value) for 7 I'd pull the trigger , take Fletcher Cox and jump for joy.

I would too. As I said, I'm not against trading up to get a blue-chipper. I think Cox is the last of the blue-chippers in this draft, and an elite talent. Hence, I would be pleasantly shocked if that trade were made.