Where Will We Draft An Interior Offensive Lineman

[Luxusdk]

I like Bitonio as the 29th pick .... however I really believe the Pats will trade this pick to a team that wants back in the 1st round for a QB. Not sure Bitonio would still be on the board when the pats pick early in the 2nd. Brandon Thomas in the 4th and Wesley Johnson in the 6th. Both Johnson and Bitonio have worked at OC.

Doubt they gonna use a 4th on a Gaurd whos out for the season with a ACL.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I keep hearing that under Scars we took late round picks and let Scars mold them into a formidable line. I loved Scars, great coach. But BB's first ever pick in second round was OL. Matt Light second round. Vollmer second round. Mankins first round. Solder first round. So don't be surprised if Pats move down a bit and select a OL. It is a huge area of need. Wendell not very consistent, Connelly and Mankins last year of contract. Vollmer injury prone.

 

[mgteich]

I keep hearing that under Scars we took late round picks and let Scars mold them into a formidable line. I loved Scars, great coach. But BB's first ever pick in second round was OL. Matt Light second round. Vollmer second round. Mankins first round. Solder first round. So don't be surprised if Pats move down a bit and select a OL. It is a huge area of need. Wendell not very consistent, Connelly and Mankins last year of contract. Vollmer injury prone.

ALL these guys were OT's in college.

I still question whether Belichick will use a first or second for an interior lineman.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Mankins was a tackle that became the best guard in the game. I would guess the same could probably be said for most NFL top guards. Vollmers injuries force Cannon out of position (tackle in college). And a void at guard. A top tier interchangeable college OL tackle that transitions well to guard. Just like Mankins was. May be Mankins last year. He demands top dollar. Pats may move on. A year to develop to keep Brady upright for the remainder of his career. I would only do it by trading down into second while getting more picks for this deep draft. Think a few good options could fall and be the best values.

 

[captain stone]

If none of Eric Ebron, Zach Martin, Ryan Shazier, Kony Ealy, RaShede Hageman, Anthony Barr or Calvin Pryor are available at 29 or wherever our first pick is, then my next choice would be Bitonio.
It also appears as if John Urschel will no longer be available with any of our 6th-rounders; we might have to use one of our 4th-rounders if Bill O'Brien doesn't beat us to him.

 

[Luxusdk]

If none of Eric Ebron, Zach Martin, Ryan Shazier, Kony Ealy, RaShede Hageman, Anthony Barr or Calvin Pryor are available at 29 or wherever our first pick is, then my next choice would be Bitonio.
It also appears as if John Urschel will no longer be available with any of our 6th-rounders; we might have to use one of our 4th-rounders if Bill O'Brien doesn't beat us to him.

Urschel have been a 4-5 round pick the last 3-4 months, CBS gives ppl a ranking, but some of them are hopeless - Coleman is a 3 rounder.

 

[captain stone]

But I used to be able to pick Urschel in the 6th round using the Fanspeak draft simulator all the time; but over the past 3 weeks that hasn't been the case, so people's opinion of him has changed recently.

 

[Galeb]

Urschel have been a 4-5 round pick the last 3-4 months, CBS gives ppl a ranking, but some of them are hopeless - Coleman is a 3 rounder.

Thanks for the info. Although I got the impression he'd be a late rounder, I would be thrilled if the Pats drafted him in the 4th, ecstatic if they got him in the 6th. He's a super smart guy with good measurables. He has Patriot written all over him.

 

[Luxusdk]

But I used to be able to pick Urschel in the 6th round using the Fanspeak draft simulator all the time; but over the past 3 weeks that hasn't been the case, so people's opinion of him has changed recently.

Mayby because ppl realiced he have alot more potential as Center then Guard. I may be the front runner on Urschel, but i beleave he can become a elite center, when you combine his combine numbers with his IQ.

 

[meatface]

is it possible that BB will go with Connoly? he seemed like a guy they would cut or try and restructure but they never did so perhaps they are okay with him at guard, I doubt it but it is a possibility.

 

[captain stone]

Connolly sux at RG; he's much better at Center. Wendy must have pictures of Bill with farm animals.

 

[mgteich]

If none of Eric Ebron, Zach Martin, Ryan Shazier, Kony Ealy, RaShede Hageman, Anthony Barr or Calvin Pryor are available at 29 or wherever our first pick is, then my next choice would be Bitonio.
It also appears as if John Urschel will no longer be available with any of our 6th-rounders; we might have to use one of our 4th-rounders if Bill O'Brien doesn't beat us to him.

Bitonio is a reasonable pick at 29 or with a small trade down. We could us an RT/RG. After all both Connolly and Cannon are in their contract years.

 

[supafly]

is it possible that BB will go with Connoly? he seemed like a guy they would cut or try and restructure but they never did so perhaps they are okay with him at guard, I doubt it but it is a possibility.

I certainly think that it's possible, Meat. Then again, as you point out, cutting him is also possible just as well.

One thing I've considered is that they'll wait and see how the draft comes to them before making any major decisions in that area. It could be why they're working out Devin Joseph though, just to cover all bases in every scenario.

I have a hard time seeing Connelly staying for a 4m dollar cap hit, but there are a lot of different options depending on who we get in the draft as to where he'd have the most value in regards to C vs RG.

 

[supafly]

Bitonio is a reasonable pick at 29 or with a small trade down. We could us an RT/RG. After all both Connolly and Cannon are in their contract years.

I'm beginning to think that you could be quite right, at least in regards to a choice at OL anyway. I'm imagining a safer type pick like that, but can't come to a final decision between OL/DL.

One thing we know is that they'll likely take the trade down if it's there, which is exactly why I'll have the draft on in the background with the Bruins game on the main screen, instead of vice versa.

 

[captain stone]

Don't waste your time with the Ruins; they're finished.

 

[supafly]

Don't waste your time with the Ruins; they're finished.

I can tell you this, Captain: whoever wins that series is going to eat the Penguins alive in 6 games--tops.

Both the Habs and the Bruins are much more oriented to play spring hockey than Pittsburgh is, that's for sure. As far as Boston being out of it, should they win tonight, it'll be a whole new series with the next game at home on Saturday night. I'm not counting them out by any means just yet.

I agree that they don't look too hot in some areas, but they've been getting plenty of pressure and shots, so eventually some will go in. I think the problem is that MON forced them from their usual game into a more wide open style, although I'm no hockey expert, but that is my first thought--along with the fact that they haven't really gotten any momentum so far. That could change with a solid game tonight.

 

[Ivan]

I keep hearing that under Scars we took late round picks and let Scars mold them into a formidable line. I loved Scars, great coach. But BB's first ever pick in second round was OL. Matt Light second round. Vollmer second round. Mankins first round. Solder first round. So don't be surprised if Pats move down a bit and select a OL. It is a huge area of need. Wendell not very consistent, Connelly and Mankins last year of contract. Vollmer injury prone.

Most here are going to agree that interior OL is a significant need but Belichick has never seen the value in taking interior OL before the 3rd to 4th round, and only went that way with mankins because he was a high value tackle who could move inside. The Patriots can use this draft to shore up a number of real needs and i am fine with most of them, as well as with going for big upgrades at RG and C, I just don't think he will break with his past tendencies and go interior OL before the 4th.

 

[Ivan]

Don't waste your time with the Ruins; they're finished.

LOL, you are as miserable a hockey fan as you are a football fan. Can't say that surprises me. This is the best bruins team i have seen and the Cup chase has a long ways to go, a bad showing or two does not mean doom. They win tonight and it's a 3 game series and the Bruins have home ice. Bruins in 7.

 

[Ivan]

I'm beginning to think that you could be quite right, at least in regards to a choice at OL anyway. I'm imagining a safer type pick like that, but can't come to a final decision between OL/DL.

One thing we know is that they'll likely take the trade down if it's there, which is exactly why I'll have the draft on in the background with the Bruins game on the main screen, instead of vice versa.

I don't think Bitonio is a realistic pick at #29 or high 2nd for the Patriots at all. I think Belichick wants the big athletic upside with his high picks and Bitonio is solid at a need but not a guy whose athletic ability is going to make you take notice. He loves guys like this after the first but he wants special players with his first pick.

 

[Ivan]

I certainly think that it's possible, Meat. Then again, as you point out, cutting him is also possible just as well.

One thing I've considered is that they'll wait and see how the draft comes to them before making any major decisions in that area. It could be why they're working out Devin Joseph though, just to cover all bases in every scenario.

I have a hard time seeing Connelly staying for a 4m dollar cap hit, but there are a lot of different options depending on who we get in the draft as to where he'd have the most value in regards to C vs RG.

I think Connolly was a much more likely cut before the draft than after it. Free agency is essentially over and they are not looking to create cap space from what i can see. Connolly can start at guard or center and while i think they are looking at upgrading the interior of their OL i think he is safe for this year and isn't likely to get that good a deal again.