Post-draft 53-man projection

[ATippett56]

At first glance the OT depth is concerning to me as well. But then I realized that we are blessed in that Mankins and Gallery both have experience playing T (albeit not at super high levels but they are at least good enough for mid-game plugins). God bless ver-suh-til-a-teh!

Not as worrisome as the depth on the defensive line:

Wilfork
Love
Brace
Deaderick
Fanene
Pryor

 

[Metaphors]

WR - Welker, Lloyd, Branch, (Ochocinco/Stallworth/Gonzalez), (Edelman/Ebert), Slater

I don't think Branch is safe and I would lump all the WRs outside Welker and Lloyd in one group, with 3 likely surviving. Should put Slater in a ST category since that is how he is a lock for the roster.

OC - Koppen, Connolly, Wendell

Agree with others that McDonald should be represented here somewhere. He did get a couple of starts and did very well. Has the size to fill in at guard if needed, while Wendell is very undersized.

DL - Wilfork, Deaderick, Love, Fanene, Brace, Pryor

If it is true the Pats signed Marcus Forston as an UDFA (and he is healthy), I would include him in the mix here.

DE/OLB - Ninkovich, Jones, Cunningham, (Scott/Carpenter), Bequette

Agree with others that Carpenter belongs in the ILB mix competing with Fletcher. I see Scott eventually competing with Andre Carter when healthy and Cunningham on the outs.

ILB - Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher, White

As mentioned, I see Fletcher and Carpenter competing for one spot. White should be listed with Slater on ST since I doubt he takes snaps from the rest of this crew.

CB - McCourty, Arrington, Dowling, Allen, (Moore/Cole/Dennard)

I wouldn't put Dowling behind Arrington if that was your intention. Your listing should also include (Dennard/Law) since if Dennard stays out of jail, he makes this team. Allen isn't safe and Cole should be competing on ST.

S - Chung, Wilson, Gregory, (Barrett/Ebner)

The Pats signed Gregory to a 3-year deal so he is going to play. He may lose some snaps to Wilson over time, but Gregory should be starting game #1. I can see Barrett and Moore competing for a roster spot. Ebner is clearly a ST-only guy this year.

So I see Slater, White, Niko, Tarpinian, Lavarias, Cole, MalWilliams, Ventrone and Ebner competing for core ST roles. That is a lot so clearly not all of them make it. Where any of them fits on the positional depth chart is irrelevant. They need to fill out all the kicking game roles (ie - don't need 4 gunners).

 

[Avenger]

They need to fill out all the kicking game roles (ie - don't need 4 gunners).

Mesko has experience punting with 4 gunners at Michigan, I think on some punts we could see Ebner, Wilson, Slater all gunning, with a possibility for a 4th gunner (Edelman?)

 

[DaBruinz]

Trading him for a pick in this draft would've been a terrible move. Wouldn't surprise me if he's traded later this offseason, but for a 2013 pick.

The only way I see this happening is if the Pats bring in 2-3 QBs from the Street and UDFA ranks and find one who can show some modicum of aptitude for the Pats offense.

 

[DaBruinz]

Although it makes you wonder if nobody would give up a 2nd for him this year in a crappy draft year what we could get for him for next year.

Hoyer is a UFA next year. All teams would have to give up for him is a contract...

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm surprised Cleveland took Weeden (and with a first) when a younger QB with a higher ceiling is sitting 3rd on our depth chart. That shows the ineptitude of some boring thinking.

Neither Hoyer nor Mallett have the skill set for the WCO, which is what they are attempting to run in Cleveland. This was brought up by the National Pundits as well as the local ones.

 

[patchick]

Not as worrisome as the depth on the defensive line:

Wilfork
Love
Brace
Deaderick
Fanene
Pryor

By calling those players "the defensive line," aren't you presupposing a 2004-style defensive front? Call those players "defensive tackles" and add Chandler Jones, Trevor Scott, Jake Bequette and Jermaine Cunningham to the DL depth and things look pretty different.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Much will depend on how other teams QB situation shakes out but I still see a possibility of Hoyer being traded in the preseason, especially if Mallet has improved.

Hoyer is gone next season in the hopes of making it as a starter. Might as well get a draft pick for him from a team in need than nothing, and I certainly am not hoping for a situation in which he gets a lot of playing time here.

We've carried only 2 QBs before - it could happen again

 

[patsfan13]

Much will depend on how other teams QB situation shakes out but I still see a possibility of Hoyer being traded in the preseason, especially if Mallet has improved.

Hoyer is gone next season in the hopes of making it as a starter. Might as well get a draft pick for him from a team in need than nothing, and I certainly am not hoping for a situation in which he gets a lot of playing time here.

We've carried only 2 QBs before - it could happen again

If we sign a UDFA QB that COULD be (not saying it will be) a tip off that Hoyer could be traded. Mallett's development would be key.



Depending on injury this could be a great roster.

 

[rookBoston]

Some great feedback

- I'm skeptical on Kettani, myself, but I'll put him on the chart
- Have to admit that Branch is not a sure thing... although I think it's pretty certain
- I'm also pretty sure that Edelman/Ebert is a one-sided competition. There is nothing Ebert can do to unseat Edelman. If he makes the roster, it's either the strength of his ST or because we don't believe he'll clear waivers
- Added McDonald, who did a nice job at the end of the season.
- Moved Carpenter back to ILB. I've been bouncing him between there and OLB, but my impression he's more of a drop into coverage guy than a hand in the dirt guy.
- I will accede to the popular perception that Cunningham is at risk, although I dont believe it. I think fans are too ready to give up on him after a disappointing sophomore season where he was locked out, injured, and overshadowed by veteran FAs Carter and Anderson... both departed.
- I re-stacked the secondary, pushed Slater, White, Ebner and Cole to dedicated ST position, put Moore and Barrett into competition for one S role... and in doing so freed up a roster spot that I've given to ST and listed as (Koutouvides/Tarpinian)

I think this is a better representation...

QB - Brady, Hoyer, Mallett
RB - Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, (Larsen/Fiametta/Kettani)
WR - Welker, Lloyd, 2 of (Branch/Ochocinco/Stallworth/Gonzalez), (Edelman/Ebert)
TE - Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fell
OT - Solder, Vollmer, Cannon
OG - Mankins, Waters, Gallery
OC - Koppen, Connolly, (Wendell/McDonald)

DL - Wilfork, Deaderick, Love, Fanene, Brace, Pryor
DE/OLB - Ninkovich, Jones, (Cunningham/Scott), Bequette
ILB - Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, (Fletcher/Carpenter)
CB - McCourty, Arrington, Dowling, (Allen/Dennard)
S - Chung, Wilson, Gregory, (Barrett/Moore)

P - Mesko
K - Gostkowski
LS - Aiken
ST - Slater, White, (Ebner/Cole), (Koutouvites/Tarpinian)


If I'm Nick Caserio, I'm not thrilled by the competition on the interior DL, and I'd love to add some OT prospects into the system. Otherwise, this team is pretty much ready for Training Camp.

 

[jah]

I'll give it a shot:

Offense: 26, 1 PUP
QB (3): Brady, Hoyer, Mallett
RB (4): Ridley, Woodhead, Vereen, (Fiammetta/Larsen)
WR (6): Welker, Lloyd, Branch, Edelman, Ochocinco, Slater
TE (3): Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fells
T (3): Vollmer, Solder, Cannon
G (4, 1 PUP): Mankins (PUP), Waters, Gallery, Wendell, Thomas
C (3): Connolly, Koppen, McDonald

Defense: 24
DL (5): Wilfork, Fanene, Deaderick, Love, Pryor
DL/LB (4): Jones, Bequette, Scott, Cunningham
LB (6): Mayo, Hightower, Spikes, Ninkovich, Fletcher, Tarpinian
CB (5): McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Dennard, Moore
S (4): Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Barrett

Special teams: 3
K: Gostkowski
P: Mesko
LS: Aiken

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If we sign a UDFA QB that COULD be (not saying it will be) a tip off that Hoyer could be traded. Mallett's development would be key.



Depending on injury this could be a great roster.

Post draft roster projections never factor in the way many roster spots open, pre season injury and guys taking a step back or failing to show significant improvement from one season to the next.

On that note, there was no way they were going to trade Hoyer. And there won't be any way they do in August or September unless Mallett shows remarkable growth and improvement in his game compared to what we saw last pre season. And they won't know that until they see him in live action in the pre season. And even then they can't be sure because of the level of competition. They've at least seen Hoyer in limited regular season action as well as throughout three pre seasons. Everyone wanted Cassel traded (or cut) before the 2008 pre season and the fact that he wasn't traded clearly indicated to those who wanted him cut that he was crap. Bill thought better and it turned out to be a damn good thing. He also remembers that he had actual crap behind him in KOC and Gutz. Lesson learned. He got away with 2 QB's for a time. So did Bill Polian...

As for the Hoyer (not to mention Mallett) value dreamers, at this junction neither has done enough to compensate for the analogy one poster aptly made last week about the value of the new car dropping the moment it's driven off the showroom floor. Unless they've seen you showcased to some extent in the regular season, with the exception of the untested backup Pete traded for in Seattle who is back where he came from already, you're last year's model minus that new car smell some people have to experience. And unless you are a projected potential HOF talent, you have to fit the existing system or you are not terribly useful to a HC and OC with any level of conviction in theirs. You're then throwing a potential misfit against the wall and hoping somehow he sticks in spite of that.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Here's my early go at it:

QB: Brady, Hoyer, Mallett
RB: Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, Fiammetta
TE: Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fells
WR: Welker, Lloyd, Branch, Ochocinco, Ebert, Slater
OT: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon
OG: Mankins, Waters, Gallery
C: Koppen, Connolly, McDonald
25

NT/DT: Wilfork, Love, Forston
DE: Deaderick, Fanene, Pryor, Jones, Bequette
OLB: Ninkovich, Hightower, Scott, M. Carter
ILB: Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher, Tarpinian
CB: Mccourty, Arrington, Dowling, Moore, Dennard, Cole
S: Chung, Gregory, Wilson
25

P: Mesko
K: Gostowski
LS: Aiken
3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Tarpinian replaces White
*Cunningham, Brace cut (dead weight gone)
*M. Carter makes it (gained 20 pounds, being paid $300,000 on the PS, etc)
*Ebert beats out Ocho/Stallworth/Gonzalez (the more I watch Ebert, I really like him, he looks like a pat WR. At 5'11 and with good speed, like DaBruinz said, he is more Branch than Welker/Edelman, I'm rooting for him)
*UDFA Forston makes the team (every year one UDFA makes an impact)
*6 CBs and 3 S. (The CBs can play S if needed, and I needed Cole as ST over S. Brown)

EDIT: After thinking, I cut edelman and added Ocho. I just feel Edelman is useless besides PR, there has to be someone besides Welker such as Vereen that can return punts.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I don't think Edleman's safe given the level of competition post draft and FA and I don't think he necessarily factors in on offense at all any more. Plus I think we still add a veteran RB. And we could add another WR (Gaffney) to an already crowded mix before all is said and done.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't think Edleman's safe given the level of competition post draft and FA and I don't think he necessarily factors in on offense at all any more. Plus I think we still add a veteran RB. And we could add another WR (Gaffney) to an already crowded mix before all is said and done.

Given the we will have at least 4 WRs and 3 TEs that will be playing ahead of Edleman if he does make the team, I give Ebert a great chance to make the team in the developmental WR role that Edelman has not succeded in. Edlemans best chance is that we can't find another effective returnman.

 

[Ring 6]

If I'm Nick Caserio, I'm not thrilled by the competition on the interior DL, and I'd love to add some OT prospects into the system. Otherwise, this team is pretty much ready for Training Camp.

Defintley agree that the 2 guys joining Wilfork on the DL in the 34 and Wilfork + the RDE in the 43 is by far the biggest unfinished spot on this team. I don't like the starters much less the depth.

 

[Marqui]

Defintley agree that the 2 guys joining Wilfork on the DL in the 34 and Wilfork + the RDE in the 43 is by far the biggest unfinished spot on this team. I don't like the starters much less the depth.

They went hard after Red Bryant and tried to get Castillo so we know they feel there's a huge hole there. And remember last year they were expecting Haynesworth to be that big-time presence next to Wilfork and obviously that didn't work out. I can't imagine they're completely satisfied with their starting DT situation and I'm surprised they didn't try to address this in the draft. We'll see if they'll try to make a Ted Washington like move there late in this offseason.

 

[Ivan]

QB - Brady, Hoyer, Mallett

RB - Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, Larsen

WR - Welker, Lloyd, Branch, Stallworth, Gonzalez, Edelman

TE - Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fell

OT - Solder, Vollmer, Cannon

OG - Mankins, Waters, Gallery

OC - Koppen, Connolly, Wendell

DL - Wilfork, Deaderick, Love, Fanene, Pryor, A.Carter,

DE/OLB - Hightower Ninkovich, Jones, Scott, Bequette M. Carter

ILB - Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher,

CB - McCourty, Arrington, Dowling, Moore,Dennard)

S - Chung, Wilson, Gregory, Allen)

P - Mesko

K - Gostkowski

LS - Aiken

ST- Slater





RB-I think they will add 1 before the season, and Faulk retires after camp, or stays available at home.

WR-Ocho is gone, he can't be a 4th or 5th WR without playing ST's and he doesn't. Edelman provides exceptional position flexibility and it keeps him around.

Ebert goes to PS.

Ebner to PS

Barbie Carpenter doesn't make the team.

Hightower is an OLB with position flexibility, I won't be surprised if they deal Spikes at some point.

Markell Carter makes the team and Brace gets released, the other possibility is that they keep Brace and don't re-sign A. Carter. I don't think they will risk Bequette to PS but we'll see?

Warren stays available for when they need him.



Overall an excellent job by Belichick and the front office this offseason. Some questions remain and it isn't perfect but this is one tough roster to make and some good players are not going to be around when all is said and done.

 

[JackBauer]

I won't be surprised if they deal Spikes at some point.

That'd be a terribly stupid thing for BB to do.

 

[Ring 6]

They went hard after Red Bryant and tried to get Castillo so we know they feel there's a huge hole there. And remember last year they were expecting Haynesworth to be that big-time presence next to Wilfork and obviously that didn't work out. I can't imagine they're completely satisfied with their starting DT situation and I'm surprised they didn't try to address this in the draft. We'll see if they'll try to make a Ted Washington like move there late in this offseason.

Not addressing it in the draft isnt surprising since basically every pick filled a big need. I'm sure if there were a 43DT/34DE considered a better player than Jones or Hightower, we would have taken them instead.