carolinatony
In the Starting Line-Up
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.So nothing has changed, BPA was the always the best bet, the challenge is figuring out who the Pats would consider the BPA.We have more options for our 1st two picks.
I would like DB and either another LB to groom slow or what? WR
What do you think?
We have more options for our 1st two picks.
I would like DB and either another LB to groom slow or what? WR
What do you think?
All four starting linebackers this Fall will be over 30. Talented developmental players are still needed at the position.
So nothing has changed, BPA was the always the best bet, the challenge is figuring out who the Pats would consider the BPA.
If you do the roster breakdown by position, it's tough to fit in developmental LBs unless you cut either Izzo & company or the development guys we already have.
Of course, it's hard to fit in developmental DBs unless you cut Andrews and Spann.
I wouldn't be shocked if, after another vet signing or two, there was such a logjam at LB that people stop expecting LBs to be drafted.
My best-bet for the first round is safety, because young safeties commonly ARE impact players nowadays -- and because Wilson is a questionable player in a contract year and Rodney is aging, so there's plenty of room for a new guy to take a role.
With 2 first rounders (if no trades), I expect one pick for need and one for best player available (but will we ever really know)
On the LB front, the Pats are now paying big coin for the LB crew of Colvin, Vrabel, Bruschi, Thomas...which leads me to believe that a draft pick will be used on an ILB as a cost effective balance. But I expect they go no higher than a second rounder at LB because the starting positions are filled and spending a #1 on depth at LB while paying sizable rookie money is not the BB way. We have been taught to believe that Rookie LBs won't grasp the BB system and 22 year LBs are not physically ready, at least in BB's mind. Who am I to argue. I can foresee BB moving up in the 2nd to grab a stout ILB though.
As far as the 2 #1s, BB has never been shy about starting rookies in the secondary, OL, and DL. I do not expect a RB to be selected early unless a 240 pound Diesel train is available. Drafting a #1 back would certainly mess up Maroney's head.
Prediction: If the Pats accomplish the free agent grand slam...LB,TE,WR,RB...to their satisfaction, I see a #1 for a Safety, a trade down with the 2nd #1 , hopefully securing a 1st next year and a 2nd or 3rd this year, an ILB via trading up in round 2 round, a corner in the 3rd...and who knows after that...but at somepoint they grab my combine workout warrior, Quincy Black...the guy who will cover Dallas Clark like cling wrap
Uh ah, Thomas will be launching at Peyton's kidneys while Vrabel spears the achilles. If the ball makes it out of Lurch's hand, my hybrid OLB/S will be taking the pick to the 105 yard line with blazing speed and jumpability.They have the player who will cover Clark in Adalius Thomas.
I think that the Patriots still need to draft/sign 2-3 more linebackers. My reasoning is that the draft picks will take 2-3 years to produce and that another signing could be worked into the rotation.
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We now have one new playmaker for the defense. The draft will be to provide new playmakers and/or future starters. The good news is -- Thomas won't need a year to develop. Now there's an immediate impact player! :rocker:
If you do the roster breakdown by position, it's tough to fit in developmental LBs unless you cut either Izzo & company or the development guys we already have.
Of course, it's hard to fit in developmental DBs unless you cut Andrews and Spann.
I wouldn't be shocked if, after another vet signing or two, there was such a logjam at LB that people stop expecting LBs to be drafted.
My best-bet for the first round is safety, because young safeties commonly ARE impact players nowadays -- and because Wilson is a questionable player in a contract year and Rodney is aging, so there's plenty of room for a new guy to take a role.
Izzo is a UFA so there is nothing to cut. Also, You don't have to cut a LB. You could cut Marquis Hill for a developmental LB. Or not carry 6 WRs. There are numerous different ways to fit "developmental players" on the team.
The Pats wouldn't cry over losing Spann back to the practice squad.
I think that the Pats could draft a safety in the 1st, but I think that there is better value later in the draft with a John Wendling.
There is a very good chance that the Pats will end up with 12-13 draft picks after the comp picks are handed out. Those 2-4 comp picks aren't tradeable and we all know that there are only so many spots on the roster and the Pats, under Belichick, have limited themselves to 10 picks in any given draft year. So, there could be trade-ups, trade-downs and trades into next year.
There are players coming back from injury who are going to have to fight for a position (Randall Gay, Mel Mitchell). There are players who are probably boardline (Wilson, Hawkins, Mays, Woods, Alexander, Andrews, Childress, Kight, Q. Hill, M. Hill, L. Smith, etc) who will ALSO have to fight for a position with the new free agents and draft picks coming in.
I would definitely think that another strong safety and free safety behind Harrison, Sanders, and either Wilson or Hawkins, is in order. Willie Andrews played great on special teams. But Mel Mitchell plays there as well and has started before.