I like Keith Rivers with #7

[carolinatony]

We NEED to get a young LB one of these years, what not him? Gholston may be better but I believe the Rats will take him with Vilma asking to be traded.
I don't think BB will take him but would you be happy with this pick?
thanks

 

[scout]

Unless someone unexpected (Long) drops to #7 then I am fully on board as to trading the pick. From most mocks there should be teams willing to trade up giving us an additional pick. Matt Ryan may be the key, depending if a qb deprived team covets him and he's not taken before the seventh (prob. not). I really don't expect to see the Patriots take a LB with the top pick.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i dont know from what i seen and heard of him hes not good in pass coverage i dont think u wanna pick someone that high that wont beat out our LB for a starting job

 

[DaBruinz]

i dont know from what i seen and heard of him hes not good in pass coverage i dont think u wanna pick someone that high that wont beat out our LB for a starting job

No draft pick is going to be out Colvin, Thomas or Vrabel for a starting job in their rookie year. I believe that your standards are excessive and unrealistic.

 

[carolinatony]

We can use some depth and bring a rookie along slowly the first few years.
IMO there has to be one young LB in the whole county UNDER 30 that BB likes. Just my 2 cents.

 

[bradmahn]

We can use some depth and bring a rookie along slowly the first few years.
IMO there has to be one young LB in the whole county UNDER 30 that BB likes. Just my 2 cents.

I'm sure there are plenty of young LBs BB likes, but that's not the problem. The problem is that those young LBs are valued more by other teams, just as I think Rivers will be. I'm sure the Pats will give Rivers a first round grade, but I don't think it will be one high enough to make him a worthy selection at 7th overall.

 

[BelichickFan]

No draft pick is going to be out Colvin, Thomas or Vrabel for a starting job in their rookie year. I believe that your standards are excessive and unrealistic.

That still leaves a spot at LB.

Vrabel and Colvin outside.
Thomas and Rivers inside.

I don't think we'll do it, I expect us to draft an OT or Gholston. But that would be a far more athletic LB group than what we ended the season with.

 

[sebman2112]

I'd rather trade down, and pick up a mid-second.

Rivers shouldn't be off the board before picks 12-16 so NE could take him there, have him under contract for 6 years, and pay him a lot less.

They could also use that pick on a top level CB (Rodgers-Cromartie or McKelvin), and use the second they aquire on a LB (Groves if available).

 

[BelichickFan]

I'd rather trade down, and pick up a mid-second.

Rivers shouldn't be off the board before picks 12-16 so NE could take him there, have him under contract for 6 years, and pay him a lot less.

They could also use that pick on a top level CB (Rodgers-Cromartie or McKelvin), and use the second they aquire on a LB (Groves if available).

I feel the same way about Rivers, the CB or the OT (Clady, Otah, Williams) who I like. A lot of guys I love in the 10-15 range. I'd probably even take the #2 next year to get it done.

 

[khayos]

If McFadden is on the board at 7, grab Dallas picks

 

[PatsandTrojans55]

As a USC Alum I must be honest here. I love Ray alot more than Keith. He's quick to the Ball but for a Linebacker who weighs only 228 pounds he should be much more athletic in coverage and he's not. I would pass on him quickly.

 

[Remix 6]

As a USC Alum I must be honest here. I love Ray alot more than Keith. He's quick to the Ball but for a Linebacker who weighs only 228 pounds he should be much more athletic in coverage and he's not. I would pass on him quickly.

try 241 lbs

 

[sebman2112]

try 241 lbs

Exactly, he's actually got very good size. Also, you'd think a "USC" Alum" would know it's spelled REY, as in Rey Maualuga, the ILB freak who needs to be a 2009 NE Patriot.

Oh, and just to clear something up here: That 241lbs Remix just quoted was Keith's official weight at the combine. So, my statement concerning his ability to gain another 10-15lbs on top of his 236lbs Senior Bowl weight would see to be accurate. I mean, he already gained 5lbs just since the Senior Bowl weigh-in...

A 6'2" 241lbs Keith Rivers would be very good in NE's defense. Knowing his current size (and his ability to gain even more weight), I wouldn't be surprised if he moves up the board a little. I've already seen him getting projected at 9th overall earlier today (scouting site).

 

[miDeuce]

There are too many good cornerbacks and it's too much of a need. Any OLB is going to be sitting the bench until Rosey or Vrabel leave , not worth the money you have to pay a top draft 10 draft pick. Someone like Talib, Flowers, Jenkins could come in and at least have the chance to make an instant impact. I say we draft down, maybe take Dallas' two picks and grab a CB with the first pick, and maybe Dan Connor with the second.

 

[sebman2112]

There are too many good cornerbacks and it's too much of a need. Any OLB is going to be sitting the bench until Rosey or Vrabel leave , not worth the money you have to pay a top draft 10 draft pick. Someone like Talib, Flowers, Jenkins could come in and at least have the chance to make an instant impact. I say we draft down, maybe take Dallas' two picks and grab a CB with the first pick, and maybe Dan Connor with the second.

Trading down is what most of us would like to do.

Why is your main list here Flowers, Talib, Jenkins? I'd think about Rodgers-Cromartie and McKelvin with a mid-first rounder. Cason would be my option late first/early second.

The fact that there is some depth at CB suggest it would be a good year to pick one either at the backend of the first round, or somewhere in the second, and pick another CB in the 3rd/4th. The Patriots aren't going to draft strictly on "need", and a lot of other things are just as important (maybe even more important) when considering NE's selections. If anything they mainly draft to fill roles one or two years in advance, and don't generally expect their rookies to be full time starters.

Dallas isn't giving NE their two first rounders.

Dan Connor isn't among the LB's I'd like to see NE draft.

Keith Rivers would have some hybrid OLB ability, but myself (and some of the other posters who like him) are projecting him to ILB in NE's defense. So, vrabel, and Rosey wouldn't impact his playing time.

 

[miDeuce]

Trading down is what most of us would like to do.

Why is your main list here Flowers, Talib, Jenkins? I'd think about Rodgers-Cromartie and McKelvin with a mid-first rounder. Cason would be my option late first/early second.

The fact that there is some depth at CB suggest it would be a good year to pick one either at the backend of the first round, or somewhere in the second, and pick another CB in the 3rd/4th. The Patriots aren't going to draft strictly on "need", and a lot of other things are just as important (maybe even more important) when considering NE's selections. If anything they mainly draft to fill roles one or two years in advance, and don't generally expect their rookies to be full time starters.

Dallas isn't giving NE their two first rounders.

Dan Connor isn't among the LB's I'd like to see NE draft.

Keith Rivers would have some hybrid OLB ability, but myself (and some of the other posters who like him) are projecting him to ILB in NE's defense. So, vrabel, and Rosey wouldn't impact his playing time.

This is the first I've heard of maybe Rivers projecting inside - that's interesting. No particular reason I mentioned the CBs that I did. I think Rogers-Cromartie is definitely a player but from what I've read and the video I've seen of all the CBs this year (youtube, nfl.com) I feel like Talib, Jenkins, Cason, and even Chevis Jackson fit the more traditional Patriot player a little more that R-C. But what do I know...

I try not to base my opinions on what I think the Pats need since they don't draft like that, but this year I think is somewhat of a perfect storm of need and available talent at that position of need. They could arguably get a great CB anywhere in the first round, if they stay at 7, if they move down to the middle, or even if they move down to the bottom. We know they will do whatever they can get the most value out of.

If Rivers projects to make an immediate impact on the inside then he interests me. I think the the general feeling BB prefers veteran LBs will be tested this year (just like the myth that he wouldn't take offensive skill guys was busted in 2006). I will be very surprised if that Pats make a selection at 7, but it would excite me that they deem a player worthy of being taken that high. I just think they really really need to grab one of these CBs. Somewhere in the first round.