Gholston Will be Gone before 7

[BelichickFan]

Logan Mankins started every game at tackle for Fresno State his senior season and the first time he spent time at guard was in the Senior Bowl.

I know. And Wilfork played a different scheme at Miami. But those aren't major changes like DE to OLB which requires a far different skill set (being able to stand up, drop back and cover).

 

[mgteich]

That is indeed the question of the day. Some believe that Matt Ryan is that person. Is he this year's Quinn? If Ryan's availabel, we'll listen to Chicago and Baltimore. But they may not really be interested. Time will tell.

Who's he going to bump down the board?

Chris Long
Jake Long
Glenn Dorsey
Darren McFadden
Sedrick Ellis
Matt Ryan

 

[BelichickFan]

That is indeed the question of the day. Some believe that Matt Ryan is that person. Is he this year's Quinn? If Ryan's availabel, we'll listen to Chicago and Baltimore. But they may not really be interested. Time will tell.

Who's he going to bump down the board?

Chris Long
Jake Long
Glenn Dorsey
Darren McFadden
Sedrick Ellis
Matt Ryan

It could be McFadden too. Easily. I don't think we would take him and I'm not sure there would be a big trade up for him with the depth at RB this year.

 

[JoePats]

Regarding listening to Baltimore...It has to be pitting Baltimore and someone else, maybe Chicago (but they just re-signed Grossman). Or at least making Baltimore THINK you are pitting them against someone else.

Baltimore will not trade up to 7 (for Ryan) unless they believe that there is another team involved in the bidding process. Why would they? They know we are not going to take Ryan.

 

[PatsDparty]

If the Pats REALLY want Gholston, they will get him. They'll leap the Jets if they really want him, and if they don't, then there will probably be two people available that they have equally rated, or will just trade out of the spot if they can.

 

[pats63]

Yeah he is very raw....It's a big difference DE to OLB...But who is worth the #7 pick?????I hope we trade down and pick a player we want and get another pick....

 

[Seneschal2]

It could be McFadden too. Easily. I don't think we would take him and I'm not sure there would be a big trade up for him with the depth at RB this year.

Right, both Ryan and McFadden could slide to #7. I'd start with those two as trade bait even though I'm not a fan of McFadden.

Taking a conversion project in the top 5-10 is a risk, that's why most conversion projects aren't off the board until the second half of the first round.

Taking a flawed CB at #7 is also a risk. This draft, there isn't one CB who stands head and shoulders above everyone else -- or chances are he'd be THE pick. Whichever CB we do end up picking will have upside and flaws. Same with all of the edge rushers. Some will be able to convert, some won't, and one or two will have the greatest upside.

Who we select is about value and options. Hypothetically, if Gholston and a CB are rated equal on the Pats board, we'll place the higher value on the position that has fewer options later on. We know CB is a relatively deep position, but how many of those CBs fit the Pats profile. And at OLB/DE, after Gholston, how do the Pats rank Groves/Avril/Crable/Robertson?

Let's face it, this is a perfect trade-down draft. But if we can't finding a trading partner...we'll end up selecting the highest valued player with upside -- who also happens to have flaws.

Demarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman were conversion projects as well, were they not? They were taken 11th and 12th, respectively.

And would their respective teams have selected them at #7?

 

[Water Boy]

And besides, do we really think the pats are even going to pick at 7?

I'm in favor of a trade down for CB Aquib Talib.

 

[Water Boy]

I'm no draft expert, but IMO Gholston is over-rated because people are in awe-struck by his physique.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

I'm no draft expert, but IMO Gholston is over-rated because people are in awe-struck by his physique.

He is almost as big as David Boston...

 

[Remix 6]

I'm no draft expert, but IMO Gholston is over-rated because people are in awe-struck by his physique.

um no. look @ his production and watch film.

 

[NormZauchin]

Please no conversion project at seven. Tebucky was the last major Patriot conversion project and we know how that turned out. If Ellis is still available, I would grab him as insurance if Seymour doesn't return to form and to give the front office some flexibility in the upcoming contract negotiations with Wilfolk and Warren.

 

[Remix 6]

Please no conversion project at seven. Tebucky was the last major Patriot conversion project and we know how that turned out. If Ellis is still available, I would grab him as insurance if Seymour doesn't return to form and to give the front office some flexibility in the upcoming contract negotiations with Wilfolk and Warren.

conversion projects? look @ what Colvin, Bruschi, Thomas, Vrabel all did..

how about Seymour and Warren? Used to be 4-3 DTs and now play outside as DEs in the 3-4

Mankins from OT to OG..

 

[BelichickFan]

conversion projects? look @ what Colvin, Bruschi, Thomas, Vrabel all did..

how about Seymour and Warren? Used to be 4-3 DTs and now play outside as DEs in the 3-4

Mankins from OT to OG..

OT to OG is a minor move. Warren two gapped a lot at A&M. And the LB yu mention were lower draft picks. Of course Belichick would take guys like that but I'm not sure he'd take on the additional risk of a major position move that high in the draft.

 

[ATippett56]

If Gholston is gone before the Patriots select at number 7, I seriously think the Patriots will trade down, even if they don't get fair value according to the draft pick trade chart.

 

[NormZauchin]

conversion projects? look @ what Colvin, Bruschi, Thomas, Vrabel all did..

how about Seymour and Warren? Used to be 4-3 DTs and now play outside as DEs in the 3-4

Mankins from OT to OG..

I should have emphasized "major." Along with others on this thread, I do not consider the changes that Warren, Seymour, and Mankins made to be as significant as moving a defensive lineman back to linebacker. You might say that moving a player north/south in the formation is a more formidable task than moving him east/west. As for Colvin, Thomas, and Vrabel, they were playing linebacker in the NFL when we signed them. I have no problem with that. Bruschi was a third round pick, no problem with a conversion at that round either.

 

[Remix 6]

I should have emphasized "major." Along with others on this thread, I do not consider the changes that Warren, Seymour, and Mankins made to be as significant as moving a defensive lineman back to linebacker. You might say that moving a player north/south in the formation is a more formidable task than moving him east/west. As for Colvin, Thomas, and Vrabel, they were playing linebacker in the NFL when we signed them. I have no problem with that. Bruschi was a third round pick, no problem with a conversion at that round either.

you do realize Gholston is more than athletic and big enough to play OLB? You realize he has dropped back in coverage @ ohio state enough times?

look @ all the good OLBs. Ware/Merriman/Wimbley/McGinest/Ellis/Vrabel/Colvin/Phillips/Lawson/

most high draft picks..all were DEs. its not that hard of a conversion. They are still basically like DEs in a 3-4 . They have outside contain for most part..rush the passer a lot. difference they are standing up, see more from that position and go in coverage.

 

[PatsandTrojans55]

I don't have a Big issue with Gholston, but, I believe the BEST Linebacker Prospect (we the fans are sleeping on) is Quentin Groves at Auburn. He's
6' 4" 254 and runs a 4.46 40 and is a AD clone who is a pass rush specialists who has played OLB and ILB. Gholston's dropback skills are questionable at best and Groves is way too quick for any left tackle. We should trade down to 18 with the Texans and take their 2nd and 2009 1st. Because they want McFadden or the Top corner or safety.

 

[sebman2112]

I don't have a Big issue with Gholston, but, I believe the BEST Linebacker Prospect (we the fans are sleeping on) is Quentin Groves at Auburn. He's
6' 4" 254 and runs a 4.46 40 and is a AD clone who is a pass rush specialists who has played OLB and ILB. Gholston's dropback skills are questionable at best and Groves is way too quick for any left tackle. We should trade down to 18 with the Texans and take their 2nd and 2009 1st. Because they want McFadden or the Top corner or safety.

I too really like Groves, and I think he has more hybrid ability than Gholston.

He's run faster than 4.46, too. [he ran an official 4.43 for NFL scouts]

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That is indeed the question of the day. Some believe that Matt Ryan is that person. Is he this year's Quinn? If Ryan's availabel, we'll listen to Chicago and Baltimore. But they may not really be interested. Time will tell.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but Baltimore won't be trading with NE to get Matt Ryan, they'd be more likely to trade with the JEST.