Sadly, NFL Draft Countdown probably nailed our #28 pick

[tombonneau]

They have us taking Brian Leonard, FB from Rutgers. Absolutely crazy pick, which wouldn't surprise me if its true. At least some mock drafters are actually paying attention to the total unpredictability of the Pats.

(FWIW, have us taking Poz with first pick)

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

BRIAN LEONARD FB | Rutgers

One thing Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick do better than anyone else is find players who fit what the franchise is looking for not only on the field but off it as well. In fact, they aren't afraid to go against the grain, defy convention and maybe even take players a little earlier than expected if they have a conviction and that could be the case with Brian Leonard. A running back / fullback hybrid who swallowed his pride and assumed a complimentary role behind Ray Rice as a senior for the good of his Scarlet Knight team, Leonard would be an ideal compliment to Laurence Maroney and help to replace Corey Dillon. More importantly though Leonard is the type of versatile weapon the Patriots love to utilize and they could easily move him around to create mismatches, even potentially employing him in an H-Back role. Depending on what they do with their first choice in this round linebacker or defensive back are also possibilities here but Leonard sure looks like a classic Patriot pick and a nice fit for them in just about every aspect imaginable.

 

[lusdawg]

Just a couple quick questions ... we have Maroney, Heath Evans, Patrick Pass, Kevin Faulk, and Sammy Morris, so where does he fit in? Who will be cut?

 

[tombonneau]

I don't think Pass is a lock to make the roster. In fact, isn't he a FA this year?

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

I wouldn't be shocked or all that disappointed if we took Leonard. We could obviously fill a more pressing need with the pick but a lot of players on this team were chosen when many of us felt we needed to look at another position. A lot of those players are key to our success.

So if we took him, a guy I think will make a solid pro and would be a good fit in our offense, I wouldn't be complaining about how we needed a CB or LB. Again, we wouldn't have near the team we have now if we went into the draft focused on filling the most pressing needs first.

 

[AirForcePatFan]

I don't understand why we would need him, we have what seems to be plenting of running backs... I'm thinking ILB, CB, or S in the first round, not offense...

 

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

I'd be content with Leonard and a ILB in the first round =).

Faulk is Aging, Pass probably wont make the Roster, Evans is a pure FB who can run...Leonard is your backfields jack of all trades.. when faulks role diminishes, He will Be your Faulk, When Evans cant Pound it in with authority and Dillion is Missed - He will be that..When Maroney needs a breather, defenses won't be able to ease off...I feel Morris is more a ST'er--Emergency Back...I don't know..honestly no one does..but following BB era in drafts, you never know.. Hell it honestly wouldn't surprise me if we traded to the very bottom of the first, and got a high 2nd..

who knows, But I for one would not complain..

 

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

Safety and Leonard..ILB and Saftey...heck who knows..enough already..bring it on.

 

[MrTibbs]

I agree BIG TIME. If anyone has paid attention the Patriots seem to take the best availabe at any position. If the #1 rated TE is on the board when it's their pick the Patriots will grab him regardless. At least it seems that way to me.

 

[MrTibbs]

I don't think Pass is a lock to make the roster. In fact, isn't he a FA this year?

Pass is a FA........he is NOT a Patriot as of now.

 

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

and for the record, i havent said it yet today but..

It would make alot more sense for the pats to trade up to the 2nd round and draft BUSH..for his a pure bigger RB..and would let Mills grow into his Hback Role and not disrupt Faulk/Morris/Evans

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

and for the record, i havent said it yet today but..

It would make alot more sense for the pats to trade up to the 2nd round and draft BUSH..for his a pure bigger RB..and would let Mills grow into his Hback Role and not disrupt Faulk/Morris/Evans

Bush is not a powerback.
He's a converted quarterback.
He doesn't run with as much power as his size indicates. Like... Ron Dayne...
Plus he broke his leg and it's not fully healed.
Better inside runners can be had later such at Hunt from Pent State, or even our own Steve Baylark from UMASS Amherst whom they worked out and could be had in the 5th or 6th

 

[captain stone]

I don't understand why we would need him, we have what seems to be plenting of running backs... I'm thinking ILB, CB, or S in the first round, not offense...

I'm thinking the exact same thing.

Drafting Leonard at 28 would be spectacularly ******ed.

This team needs LBs and DBs all day Saturday.

 

[MrTibbs]

I agree with what your saying but I can see it now come draft day. Patriots take a TE or Brian Leonard simply because they were the #1 rated guys in their position and conisdered it to be a "value" pick. Thats when I throw stuff at the TV. Oh don't forget maybe getting an offensive linemen who we don't need either.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

They have us taking Brian Leonard, FB from Rutgers. Absolutely crazy pick, which wouldn't surprise me if its true. At least some mock drafters are actually paying attention to the total unpredictability of the Pats.

(FWIW, have us taking Poz with first pick)

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

Woah, woah, woah.

Poz and Leonard in the first round? That's mgteich's plan three days ago! So sad these guys can't even write their own stuff they gotta lift ideas from internet message boards.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

I would love to see us pick up Leonard, but I would prefer if we did it in the 2nd round via packaging picks to move up or trading down from 28. If we stay put, I would hope for LB/DB, but wouldn't throw anything at the TV if we stayed put and took him. Would be surprised though.

 

[patsox23]

I don't mind Leonard at all - except in the first round. As for Pass, NO WAY is he back with the Pats.

 

[BelichickFan]

The Patriots are drafting defense in the first round - twice - and probably for most of the draft. They drafted almost all offense last year then absolutely nailed the WR issue in free agency. Sure we signed Thomas, that's just the start. Watch.

 

[pats63]

I don't mind Leonard at all - except in the first round. As for Pass, NO WAY is he back with the Pats.

I agree on the Leonard in one of the 1st round,but Pass isn't even a Patriot as we speak....We replace Pass with Morris...I think a safe bet would be DB or an ILB,either order...Watch it will be a TE & OL

 

[JoeSixPat]

I don't mind Leonard at all - except in the first round. As for Pass, NO WAY is he back with the Pats.

Right - how often are FB's drafted in the first round?

Trade back into the 2nd and he's still there.

 

[DaBruinz]

Just a couple quick questions ... we have Maroney, Heath Evans, Patrick Pass, Kevin Faulk, and Sammy Morris, so where does he fit in? Who will be cut?

Patrick Pass is a UFA. So, no, we don't have him.

We have Maroney, Evans, Faulk, Morris, Mills and Hill. Mills is more of an H-back than a Full-back. Hill is an unknown. Faulk is injury prone and has been injured in key situations each of the last several years.