Day two Picks...

[AzPatsFan]

We have discussed over and over the first day picks. I'd like to address what to do with the compensation (4 or 5), 6, and 7th round picks.

As it stands we have no 5, 2 x6s and no 7. But the compensation picks are not awarded yet and the Pats believe they will get a couple of 6s, and a 7 and then 1 more anywhere from 3 to 5. Let us assume its a 4th, taking the average.

What would you do?

OL
I think the Dante School needs some new students, so I might draft a few developmental Offensive linemen, who have fallen to 5 to 7 because they are not ready to play but might develop in a couple of years. Who do you like?

P
There is a great Punter coming out this year. H is in ht Ray Guy, Todd Sauerbrun category, and yes I know we have a bunch of p already but Miller is 36 and Sauerbrun is a FA and 33. Danny Sepulveda from Baylor is the guy I'm talking about.

QB
The Pats have two QBs and Cassell is going to be thinking about moving on in a few years. Who among the late QBs might be a developmental pick like Brady and Cassel?

NT
I think the team could use a good NT to back up Wilfork and give some competition to LeKevin. Who do you like?

RB
Is there a sleeper RB that is attractive to you in these rounds. What kind of back is he?

DE/LB conversion
I assume the Pats will address the LB situation sooner, but there is always a late guy like Pierre Woods who might be a find. Who do you like in 4-7 or UDFA?

Others??

 

[mgteich]

Personally, I think of the 3, 4 and expected 4C picks together. After that we don't pick until the 6th. All in the 6th and 7th are long-shots.

I expect that with 3, 4 and 4C, we will consider QB, RB and OL. However, I think the emphasis and the hope is still at ILB and in the secondary.

 

[BelichickFan]

I, too, would like a real backup NT. One I like (from reading reports, not watching) is Utah's Paul Soliai. He could go on day one but Pro Football Weekly has him as a 4th - 5th rounder.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Here are the second day picks that I would like to get with the 6 picks later than our current 4th.

If a comp 4th:
Trent Edwards QB if available
alternates Danny Sepulveda or Zak DeOssie

If comp 5th:
same as above but I expect all to be gone so
Paul Solaii NT alternates: Anthony Waters or Jeff Rowe QB

6a whover above is left or
6b Dave Frye OT
6b Chris Denman OT
6c Mario Henderson OT

7 Matt Guteirez QB

 

[DaBruinz]

I, too, would like a real backup NT. One I like (from reading reports, not watching) is Utah's Paul Soliai. He could go on day one but Pro Football Weekly has him as a 4th - 5th rounder.

This "real back-up NT" is going to replace WHO on the game day roster?

People forget that the Pats have Santonio Thomas and LeKevan Smith as back-up NTs already.

 

[AzPatsFan]

This "real back-up NT" is going to replace WHO on the game day roster?

People forget that the Pats have Santonio Thomas and LeKevan Smith as back-up NTs already.

But both are "undersized "for the job.

 

[BelichickFan]

This "real back-up NT" is going to replace WHO on the game day roster?

People forget that the Pats have Santonio Thomas and LeKevan Smith as back-up NTs already.

Well my opinion doesn't matter but I don't really like either of them as nice big beefy NT. And if the word that Belichick was interested in moving up last year for Ngata if he'd gotten closer to striking distance, I may not be alone.

I know Wright did a decent job and that others can play there but I'd love to move on from Hill, have Wright and Green as the backup DE and have a nice, talented 330 pound guy who can play 1/3 of the downs to keep Vince from getting too worn down.

 

[Fencer]

Biggest needs by position suitable for mid-round picks:

The need positions for high picks, if they don't get filled via high pick (CB, LB, probably safety)
NT
And yeah, I guess punter is a candidate too if Sepulveda is that good.

It would be very easy to find roster slots for any of those guys -- and a guy picked in round 3 or 4 is pretty much a roster lock as a rookie.

Drafting a fifth DE (I'm counting Wright but not Hill as being one of the four DEs) is not unreasonable, as Wright may move on soon for more money. But it means that a lot of the backup talent at NT will continue to be natural DEs.

I'm not a fan of bringing in a QB, RB, or interior OL that high, since they'd need to have roster slots manufactured for them. And a WR would be taking Troy's slot. I'm torn about OT.

For late round guys who you don't mind cutting straight to the PS, almost any position is reasonable.

 

[PATSNUTme]

With one of our 6th I'd go with Daren Stone,S, UMaine. Needs some time to develope but is willing on ST's. A year under Rodney and we may have a real keeper.

 

[patchick]

But both are "undersized "for the job.

I just went back and looked at nfldraftscout and huddlereport pre-draft profiles of Le Kevin Smith. One called him a 3rd-rounder, one a 4th. IOW, a year ago he was regarded the same way that Soliai is today. And he did beat out some competition in camp to make the 53. I'd be happy to see a good NT pickup, but I'm not going to assume that a 2nd-day guy this year could necessarily beat out the 2nd-day guy from last year.

 

[dryheat44]

I just went back and looked at nfldraftscout and huddlereport pre-draft profiles of Le Kevin Smith. One called him a 3rd-rounder, one a 4th. IOW, a year ago he was regarded the same way that Soliai is today. And he did beat out some competition in camp to make the 53. I'd be happy to see a good NT pickup, but I'm not going to assume that a 2nd-day guy this year could necessarily beat out the 2nd-day guy from last year.

Well, if he can make the active roster, it would be a good start.

In my line of thinking, there are three ways to go with sixth and seventh round picks:

1) Draft someone who can contribute somehow. Someone who can play on all phases of the kicking game, someone who can be a third and long pass rushing specialist, a speedy linebacker who excels in coverage, punter, ace return man, etc. Even if he's not ranked as highly as somebody else on your board. There's no sense drafting, for example, a defensive end who's not good enough to take somebody else's job away and will probably be cut, solely because he's ranked slightly higher on your board.

2) Look to a long-term project who will survive a year or two on the practice squad. Position conversions, College Wrestlers or Power Forwards, Division 2 and 3 guys with some raw skills, lesser-known linemen.

3) Take a guy who can potentially be a backup a few years down the road. Replacements for guys like Brady (The name in neon lights on my board is Jeff Rowe) or Faulk or Vrabel, who will get the practice reps in and maybe play in non-critical situations so they can hit the ground running when they are needed.

Ideally, one player can satisfy both 1 & 3.