What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft picks

[BradyManny]

I want to raise the issue of the Patriots incredibly talented and deep roster, and the challenge that creates for developing young talent drafted in rounds 4 and on.

Looking at the roster, here is roughly the list players I believe I would put in the "definite to more than likely to make the squad barring something unforeseen" category:

Tom Brady
Matt Cassel
Matt Gutierrez

Randy Moss
Jabar Gaffney
Wes Welker
Chad Jackson
Kelley Washington
Sam Aiken

Laurence Maroney
Kevin Faulk
Sammy Morris
Heath Evans

Ben Watson
Dave Thomas

Matt Light
Logan Mankins
Dan Koppen
Stephen Neal
Nick Kaczur
Ryan O’Callaghan
Russ Hochstein

Ty Warren
Vince Wilfork
Richard Seymour
Jarvis Green
Mike Wright

Mike Vrabel
Adalius Thomas
Tedy Bruschi
Larry Izzo
Pierre Woods

Ellis Hobbs
Jason Webster

Brandon Meriweather
James Sanders
Rodney Harrison
Tank Williams

Stephen Gostowski
Lonnie Paxton
Chris Hanson


Notice some names not on the list:

Ray Ventrone
Antwain Spann
Mike Richardson
Willie Andrews
Eric Alexander
TJ Slaughter
Le Kevin Smith
Santonio Thomas
Billy Yates
Wesley Britt
Kyle Eckel

What's my point? A lot of these players (and potentially more I've left of) are KEY special teams members and key members of depth.

What's the problem? We have 8 picks in the upcoming draft, we have - as I see it - 3 holes (1CB and 2LBs) we're likely to fill via free agency or the draft along with an area or two with room for upgrade (OL & depth at TE)...

Sooo....this makes for an interesting scenario. When it comes draft time, what's the strategy? Is the aim to draft guys who can develop into full time players - yet do BB/Pioli have to be cognizant of ST and ensure that they are good enough on ST to knock off these fringe guys like Andrews, Alexander, Eckel, etc? Even then, how many roster spots do we really have for our draftees? Isn't it time to start fresh with some nice middle round picks and have them developing?

Bottom line - as I see it, our team has the "problem" of being so good, and having such a ripe window for competing for championships consistently for the next 3-6 years, that draft picks in the 4-7 rounds might turn out to be a waste each year, which, in time, could be an issue when we want to fill out the roster with the likes of Woods, Alexanders, Andrews, etc...

It's going to make for some interesting decisions come draft time and then cut time.

 

[Jimke]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

Crunch time for the Patriots comes after the 2009 season. At

that time, 17 players become unrestricted free agents including

8 starters. The Patriots are going to need a couple of successful

drafts to help fill the vacancies. Some of those 4-7 draft picks will

have to be on the roster to have enough bodies. I believe the

Patriots are going to have to retain developmental players on the

roster. If they waive these players, they are very liable to end up on

another team's roster than on the practice squad.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

Bottom line - as I see it, our team has the "problem" of being so good, and having such a ripe window for competing for championships consistently for the next 3-6 years, that draft picks in the 4-7 rounds might turn out to be a waste each year, which, in time, could be an issue when we want to fill out the roster with the likes of Woods, Alexanders, Andrews, etc...

It's going to make for some interesting decisions come draft time and then cut time.

Fortunately, the team is young in most places and the team has tended to have plenty of picks, so losing a few low round players shouldn't become an issue. However, it will still give the Chicken Littles something to complain about when a 5th round player can't make it on the best and deepest team in the NFL.

 

[hammer]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I'd say the Colts roster looks good!

 

[vapatsfan]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I am hoping the Pats continue to find ways to spin picks into the future- this year's 5th for next year's 4th, etc...

 

[Jimke]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I'd say the Colts roster looks good!

You mentioned a dirty word, COLTS. Even though he is a hated

adversary, each year Bill Polian does a super job drafting players and

signing undrafted free agents.

 

[vapatsfan]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

We also need to find some suckers that would trade us a single lower pick for a few upper picks, to move us up in talent and lower the total draftees (who are unlikely to make the squad).

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I want to raise the issue of the Patriots incredibly talented and deep roster, and the challenge that creates for developing young talent drafted in rounds 4 and on.

Looking at the roster, here is roughly the list players I believe I would put in the "definite to more than likely to make the squad barring something unforeseen" category:

Tom Brady
Matt Cassel
Matt Gutierrez

Randy Moss
Jabar Gaffney
Wes Welker
Chad Jackson
Kelley Washington
Sam Aiken

Laurence Maroney
Kevin Faulk
Sammy Morris
Heath Evans

Ben Watson
Dave Thomas

Matt Light
Logan Mankins
Dan Koppen
Stephen Neal
Nick Kaczur
Ryan O’Callaghan
Russ Hochstein

Ty Warren
Vince Wilfork
Richard Seymour
Jarvis Green
Mike Wright

Mike Vrabel
Adalius Thomas
Tedy Bruschi
Larry Izzo
Pierre Woods

Ellis Hobbs
Jason Webster

Brandon Meriweather
James Sanders
Rodney Harrison
Tank Williams

Stephen Gostowski
Lonnie Paxton
Chris Hanson


Notice some names not on the list:

Ray Ventrone
Antwain Spann
Mike Richardson
Willie Andrews
Eric Alexander
TJ Slaughter
Le Kevin Smith
Santonio Thomas
Billy Yates
Wesley Britt
Kyle Eckel

What's my point? A lot of these players (and potentially more I've left of) are KEY special teams members and key members of depth.

What's the problem? We have 8 picks in the upcoming draft, we have - as I see it - 3 holes (1CB and 2LBs) we're likely to fill via free agency or the draft along with an area or two with room for upgrade (OL & depth at TE)...

Sooo....this makes for an interesting scenario. When it comes draft time, what's the strategy? Is the aim to draft guys who can develop into full time players - yet do BB/Pioli have to be cognizant of ST and ensure that they are good enough on ST to knock off these fringe guys like Andrews, Alexander, Eckel, etc? Even then, how many roster spots do we really have for our draftees? Isn't it time to start fresh with some nice middle round picks and have them developing?

Bottom line - as I see it, our team has the "problem" of being so good, and having such a ripe window for competing for championships consistently for the next 3-6 years, that draft picks in the 4-7 rounds might turn out to be a waste each year, which, in time, could be an issue when we want to fill out the roster with the likes of Woods, Alexanders, Andrews, etc...

It's going to make for some interesting decisions come draft time and then cut time.

We know from Belichick himself that he goes into every draft with vertical and horizontal lists of players and where he expects them to be available. And while people often say we don't draft for need, that definitely works its way into his equation.

So how many draft picks we use, trade up with, or trade away seems to me is going to be determined on how the draft evolves. In other words I don't think anyone can predict whether we'll draft 10 guys or 5.

And if we draft on the high side I think BB has also shown he doesn't care so much whether a guy is a 4th round pick or a 7th as to whether they make the team or get cut. That being said however, if all things are equal, I think Belichick's desire to always plan for the future might give young guys on the cusp of making the team a leg up over more experienced but mediocre players...

In other words I think given the evolution of the team BB might give some extra points to potential over experience when faced with a difficult choice.

 

[oldskool138]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I thought this thread was about the Chargers for a sec.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

And if we draft on the high side I think BB has also shown he doesn't care so much whether a guy is a 4th round pick or a 7th as to whether they make the team or get cut. That being said however, if all things are equal, I think Belichick's desire to always plan for the future might give young guys on the cusp of making the team a leg up over more experienced but mediocre players...

*cough* Justin Rogers *cough*

 

[BradyManny]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I am hoping the Pats continue to find ways to spin picks into the future- this year's 5th for next year's 4th, etc...

Co-sign, I agree. There are a bunch of players in the rounds 4-7 range that could have potential on this team, but its too much of a crapshoot as to whether they'd make the team. I'd try and flip some picks to future seasons if they can.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

In other words I think given the evolution of the team BB might give some extra points to potential over experience when faced with a difficult choice.

The problem is, where does that land guys like Woods and Alexander? You'd hate to see your ST demons go, but if we draft guys like Goff or Bell for instance, does the fact that they might project into a full-time player at some point push someone like Pierre Woods off the team despite him being our leading ST tackler?

 

[ATippett56]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

Notice some names not on the list:

Ray Ventrone
Antwain Spann
Mike Richardson
Willie Andrews
Eric Alexander
TJ Slaughter
Le Kevin Smith
Santonio Thomas
Billy Yates
Wesley Britt
Kyle Eckel

What's my point? A lot of these players (and potentially more I've left of) are KEY special teams members and key members of depth.

All the players on the aforementioned list are expendable, especially if there is better talent in the 2008 NFL Draft. None of the aforementioned players are key backups for any offensive or defensive starter on the team.

You're completely missing the BIG picture with regard to the 2007 NFL Draft. It was probably the weakest draft class since Belichick arrived in New England.

 

[DFWChargerFan]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I didn't see Junior Seau's name on the list. Do you guys think he's going to retire, or try to come back for one more?

Personally, I'd like to see him come back for another shot at a ring. He's always been one of my favorite players - even though he plays for the Pats.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

I didn't see Junior Seau's name on the list. Do you guys think he's going to retire, or try to come back for one more?

Personally, I'd like to see him come back for another shot at a ring. He's always been one of my favorite players - even though he plays for the Pats.

Ain't that the truth? Seau's one of those rare guys who's fans from his teams will always respect him. Though I'm not sure if Dolphin fans resent the fact that he "graduated" to the Patriots after his retirement.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: What being the most talented team in the NFL means for roster spots and draft pic

All the players on the aforementioned list are expendable, especially if there is better talent in the 2008 NFL Draft. None of the aforementioned players are key backups for any offensive or defensive starter on the team.

You're completely missing the BIG picture with regard to the 2007 NFL Draft. It was probably the weakest draft class since Belichick arrived in New England.

Andrews and Alexander would be tough losses given their special teams play.

As for the big picture 07 Draft - I think we made out like bandits. We got Moss and Welker, what more needs to be said. Meriweather is going to be nasty this year, and nothing else was worthy of making the team. However, in this draft, it looks like there are players in the middle to late rounds we could target that could have value on this team.