Thoughts about the draft after active FA moves

[kas]

Just wondering what everyone is thinking about concerning the draft now. I think OLB is out the window early, although I'm not sure it was ever a viable option in BB's mind to begin with. On a similar note, I'm not sure ILB is really ever gonna happen either (although I think we'd all love it if it did).

This is what I think might happen:

In the first round, I think at least one of our picks is a safety (Nelson, Griffin, Merriweather). Despite solid safety play, we could definitely use more "big" plays. Each of these 3 have their pros and cons, I'll let draft day and BB sort out who comes aboard. I'm not sure if this will be at pick 24 or 28 (or maybe somewhere else with a little trade).

As for the second first, this is the real wild card pick. I think if BB sees Samuel gone after next year, he'll go after a CB. I could definitely see a trade down into the early/mid second for a pick next year. I think this is particularly likely because BB has explained in the past that he doesn't like to go too long in between picks because it makes it hard to move around for value.

Now for the thid round pick. This is where I can see BB getting a little crazy and "reaching" for a LB that he feels fits the system. One guy who I've been reading about who seems like a good fit here is Tim Shaw from Penn State. Would have to add a few pounds, but has played inside, outside, and moved to DE this year to help the team. He's got great lower body strength and obvious great hand technique as he played the whole season against much bigger players. He tested well enough to warrant a mid round selection. Would be an ILB for us, in the Bruschi mold.

So:
1) S Michael Griffin
2 - trade down for an additional pick next year) CB Eric Wright
**I think this guy is a PERFECT fit in our system. He made some mistakes at USC but nothing came of it and he seems to have turned himself around at UNLV. He can play man or zone, is willing run supporter, and has great ball skills.
3) LB Tim Shaw

4) DT Brandon Mebane (a NT backup to allow Wright to focus more on DE, bumping LeKevin Smith off the roster)
4-comp pick) WR Chris Davis (a 5th WR to develop and compete with Bam Childress)

 

[mgteich]

We have had several great pickups, and we still have needs at CB, S, ILB, WR, and RB (as we did before). Let's look at 2008, the supposed focus of the draft.

What we should do in the draft, of course, depends on value, as weel as need, and also depends on who we pick up in free agency.

IMHO, there is great value in the bottom of the first round at CB and S, and perhaps at RB.

Personally, I wouldn't touch a two down back like Willis. I see zero ILB's of great quality. I would rather pcik up Seau and Hartwell.

I also see a couple of wideouts, but not likely in the first. I do think Carriker could be picked by us as a replacement for Hill and or Smith, and as insurance against injury and the possible loss of Wright next year (better to extend Wright).

======================================
DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
We have Samuel for a year, maybe.
We have Hobbs.
We have Sanders.
CONCLUSION: We need help at both corner and safety.
======================================
INSIDE LINEBACKER
We finally have replaced McGinist and have a 3-man OLB rotation. But wait, someone needs to play inside. Bruschi will need to reduce reps and probably retire after 2007 (he's a UFA in any case). We have ZERO ILB's for 2008 unless you count Alexander and Mays.
=====================================
WIDE RECEIVER
We still need a #1 receiver for 2007.
In 2008, we have Welker (maybe) and Jackson.
We need serious help, which could include extensions of Gaffney and Caldwell.
===============================
RUNNING BACK
Maroney and Morris as thunder and lightning is a stretch at best. Morris isn't enough to replace Dillon.
================================

 

[patsfan55]

INSIDE LINEBACKER
We finally have replaced McGinist and have a 3-man OLB rotation. But wait, someone needs to play inside. Bruschi will need to reduce reps and probably retire after 2007 (he's a UFA in any case). We have ZERO ILB's for 2008 unless you count Alexander and Mays.
========

i see you've dropped the 'u' and are getting closer to spelling McGinest's name correctly, lol
ur dead on, btw

 

[Clonamery]

We have had several great pickups, and we still have needs at CB, S, ILB, WR, and RB (as we did before). Let's look at 2008, the supposed focus of the draft.

What we should do in the draft, of course, depends on value, as weel as need, and also depends on who we pick up in free agency.

IMHO, there is great value in the bottom of the first round at CB and S, and perhaps at RB.

Personally, I wouldn't touch a two down back like Willis. I see zero ILB's of great quality. I would rather pcik up Seau and Hartwell.

I also see a couple of wideouts, but not likely in the first. I do think Carriker could be picked by us as a replacement for Hill and or Smith, and as insurance against injury and the possible loss of Wright next year (better to extend Wright).

======================================
DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
We have Samuel for a year, maybe.
We have Hobbs.
We have Sanders.
CONCLUSION: We need help at both corner and safety.
======================================
INSIDE LINEBACKER
We finally have replaced McGinist and have a 3-man OLB rotation. But wait, someone needs to play inside. Bruschi will need to reduce reps and probably retire after 2007 (he's a UFA in any case). We have ZERO ILB's for 2008 unless you count Alexander and Mays.
=====================================
WIDE RECEIVER
We still need a #1 receiver for 2007.
In 2008, we have Welker (maybe) and Jackson.
We need serious help, which could include extensions of Gaffney and Caldwell.
===============================
RUNNING BACK
Maroney and Morris as thunder and lightning is a stretch at best. Morris isn't enough to replace Dillon.
================================

Hartwell is a good suggestion (I think he'd rebound with the Pats). I would hope Seau would come back.

 

[dryheat44]

Assuming Revis is gone, my favorite CB is Josh Wilson, who is projected to go in the 35-50 range.

I don't see any safeties that justify a first round pick. I don't think the "big three" are any better than guys we can get in the 3rd/4th round, just because they've been on television so much and have some highlight reel plays. I'd just as soon have Gattis, Bennett or CJ Wilson (CB converts), or Tanard Jackson as FS types, or Weddle, Frampton, or Piscatelli as SS types.

We're going to go wherever the intersection of best value and best fit is with our first picks, without regard to position. IF Revis or Carriker falls, that's our guy. If Ben Grubbs is the best value on the board, he's our guy. If Meacham, Gonzalez, or Spencer is there, Any one of them can be our guy.

Right now, I think Gonzalez, Grubbs, and David Harris are undervalued, due to either the position they play, or the presence of other well-regarded players at their position. I might have to mock it out today.

What I'm trying to wrestle with is what we do if both Revis and Carriker are there at #24. It probably won't happen, but if it does, I'm all for trading up to #25 to take both of them.

 

[everlong]

#25 is the Jets so we would have to trade up to 23 with the Chiefs. Given the Chiefs needs and who's on the board I can see that happening.

If Revis and Carriker are both gone I can see us trading out of 24. If GB were to pass on Lynch at 16 and he was still there at 24 how cool would it be to trade out and have a team snatch him from the Jets at 25?

One thing the FA "should" change is drafting a running back.

Maroney
Faulk
Morris
Pass
Evans
Mills

I figured we would add a Leonard, Walker or Wright later in the draft but unless they've written off Pass I cannot see us having 7 RBs on the roster.

You never know with BB/SP but I'd have to think we are solid there.

 

[Clonamery]

#25 is the Jets so we would have to trade up to 23 with the Chiefs. Given the Chiefs needs and who's on the board I can see that happening.

If Revis and Carriker are both gone I can see us trading out of 24. If GB were to pass on Lynch at 16 and he was still there at 24 how cool would it be to trade out and have a team snatch him from the Jets at 25?

One thing the FA "should" change is drafting a running back.

Maroney
Faulk
Morris
Pass
Evans
Mills

I figured we would add a Leonard, Walker or Wright later in the draft but unless they've written off Pass I cannot see us having 7 RBs on the roster.

You never know with BB/SP but I'd have to think we are solid there.

Bullpen by committee?

 

[dryheat44]

#25 is the Jets so we would have to trade up to 23 with the Chiefs. Given the Chiefs needs and who's on the board I can see that happening.

If Revis and Carriker are both gone I can see us trading out of 24. If GB were to pass on Lynch at 16 and he was still there at 24 how cool would it be to trade out and have a team snatch him from the Jets at 25?

One thing the FA "should" change is drafting a running back.

Maroney
Faulk
Morris
Pass
Evans
Mills

I figured we would add a Leonard, Walker or Wright later in the draft but unless they've written off Pass I cannot see us having 7 RBs on the roster.

You never know with BB/SP but I'd have to think we are solid there.

Well, Pass is a UFA, hardly played last year, and with Evans, Mills, and Morris signed, is highly unlikely to be re-signed. Mangini will take him. I think we're OK with that.

I do expect the Patriots to sign or draft a hammer-type FA to take 5-8 carries a game (for now). Chris Brown is certainly a possibilty. Correll Buckhalter intrigues me very much, but I think he's going to have a lot of interest around the league, driving his price up. In the draft, I really like DeShawn Wynn, and I think in time he could be an ideal complement to Maroney. I realize Wynn has some caution flags, but in combing through his past, I don't see anything that would prevent me spending a fourth or fifth rounder on him.

I also expect them to draft late a potential replacement for Faulk. Garrett Wolfe is atop my list, but lesser-known guys like Eldra Buckley and Reggie Merriweather could be had 7th/UDFA.

 

[patfanken]

I think previous poster have covered the major points. CB, S, WR, LB are the 4 areas of most concern. IMHO I think with the first 2 picks in the draft, we have to pick someone who will make an immediate impact his first year. That would most likely be a S and CB. After that I see us drafting for the future.

I also see us trading that first round pick for a pick high in the second round for more value and probably pick up an extra 4th. Then I see us using that extra 4th to move up in the 3rd round to get some guy we really like.

BOTTOM LINE: I see us winding up with Welker, our pick at 24, and 2 picks Higher in rounds 2 and 3 than we orignally had, AND still have 2 pick in the fourth (ours and a comp). THATs not bad, and more value that 2 picks in the bottom of the first and 2 picks in the low part of rounds 2 and 3

There we can pick up a LB, WR, and OLB of the future. Later in the day we can pick up a potential thumper