This is a great thread and thanks for starting it Mayo. I think its important to TRY and think like the Pats think even though they usually end up thinking so differently in the end.
You offer a interesting scenario with Hardison and Marpet. Given that you hit my 2 personal position priorities on the nose I have to be happy. I am a big believer that finding IMPACT interior DLmen is the most difficult thing after QB. Unfortunately my belief is pretty universal, so any player who potentially fits that role is going to go well before we get to pick at #32. And guys who are currently under the radar, like Hardison, are more likely to be candidates for "reaches".
MAYBE, a more traditional run stopper like Goldman might fall to us, but right now he is generally being mocked higher. If Ngata leaves the Ravens, its not likely Goldman gets past them. If he does, you have to hope that he develops like Wilkerson, who was considered to be a 3-4 DE run stuffer in the mold of Ty Warren, but turned into so much more.
You envision a logical plan to acquire Marpet and Hardison. Personally I think Hardison's rare potential would push him closer to #45 than #62. Usually trading down would solve this problem, but in THIS year I'm a big believer in Quality over quantity, so what would we have to give up to get from 62 to 45? I'd give up 2 picks Would our 4th and 6th be enough?
So in my scenario we trade up to get Hardison, Marpet goes to us in the 3rd, who do you like with that "bonus" first round pick. I hate to say it, but Todd Gurley is starting to look appetizing, especially if there is no one else around that knocks your socks off. However every time I think on it, I cringe. RB's are just so risky, and for our offense, they don't have to be special, just solid.
As to Marpet, he is an intriguing prospect. I'm just wondering about your prediction that he could start day one. That's quite a jump from division 3 to starting in the NFL in 4 months. I really hope we draft him, but if we do, we are likely to need a starting LG in place to start the season.
IC makes an interesting comment about needed the beef to replace Vince. But I think run stoppers are more common and available. You can pick up a Branch type cheaply in FA, or throughout the draft. In today's game a great run stopper like Goldman might be too much of a luxury at #32,......unless you see disruption potential that isn't evident now.
Again great thread
Predicting where a guy will go in the draft is very, very hard. No one thought Louis Nix would drop to #83. No one thought Tyson Alualu would go #10.
Right now Hardison is still under the radar a bit. That could be an illusion, and it could also change if he blows away his pro day. It only takes 1 team. 45 seems like a reach at the moment, though I don't think it's a reach at all in terms of his ability. My hope right now would be to get Hardison and Marpet with #64 and 96, with possibly 1 trade up. But a lot can change between now and the draft.
Assuming we could get those 2 guys on day 2, our #32 pick would be a bit of a "luxury pick". Guys I could see targeting:
1. Todd Gurley. I think he's worth it. I've also been a big "don't draft a RB in the 1st" advocate, so he's the exception to my rule.
2. One of the EDGE players. Bud Dupree if he slips. Owamagbe Odighizuwa. Danielle Hunter with a trade back. I think Benardrick McKinney could be a Hightower kind of MLB/EDGE hybrid, again, with a trade back. Maybe Eli Harold of the Pats saw him as fit, though I don't personally see it.
3. An OT with versatility. TJ Clemmings would be my choice if he slips. RT and future LT. He would provide insurance if Solder can't be kept, or a long term replacement for Vollmer as an elite athletic RT. Jake Fisher (possibly with a trade back) would be my second choice. I have questions about Erving's ability to succeed at OT at the next level, otherwise he'd also be on the list.
4. Eddie Goldman if he slips. As I said above, a young DL nucleus of Goldman-Easley-Hardison would be pretty darn good.
5. A "wildcard" pick. Shaq Thompson as an all-purpose weapon, or a DB like Jalen Collins, Marcus Peters or Byron Jones. I believe in drafting to build a long-term talent base for the team, not to fill short-term needs.
Others would probably have a WR on the list, but (like you) I would not go that route. Manx would probably include Maxx Williams on the list, again, possibly with a trade back.
BTW, I'm gratified with the response to this thread. I wasn't sure it was worth a thread on its own - I don't rate my own personal opinion that highly - but it seems to have stimulated some good discussion.
