Might we NOT draft a linebacker early?

[mgteich]

It's been a few years since we all applauded our being smart enough to trade up for Harris only to see the pick be some TIGHT END. We've doen very well finding our linebackers in free agency. It does seem only fitting for the last starting linebacker to come from the draft (Bruschi, a passrushing DE) MIGHT be replaced by another DE in the first round. But I won't hold my breath. I will not be surprised if we don't choose a linebacker in the first hundred picks.
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Personally, I believe the value for will be at DL and OL. Certainly, any of these players could be drafted by us. McFadden would be too much value to pass up. BTW, at lone of these MUST be available at #7. If all are available, the Ryan has been picked, and we should get a pick for moving down even one spot and still get one of the seven.

DL: Dorsey, Long, Gholston, Ellis
OL: Long, Clady
RB: McFadden

We could trade down for an OL: Williams, Otah, Albert
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[JoeSixPat]

If we take a college DE who projects as an NFL LB, isn't that the same thing as drafting an LB?


Clearly though, BB is very particular about his LBs and he's made mistakes even with veteran LBs who have an NFL track record. That suggests its that much more difficult to guage prospects among unproven college players. But it may also be picking in the teens and twenties in previous drafts college players with the unproven qualities to play LB for BB have been gone by the time we pick.

Yet nor have we had a chance to pick as high as #7 (or higher should we easilly move up) for quite some time.

Regardless - I don't see the Patriots using #7 on a "project"... they'll get the surest thing possible. That may very well not be a LB or LB/DE.

 

[LuthierJr]

I don't find this too far off. BB has never drafted a LB higher than the 5th round, and never a CB higher than the 3rd. Hard to argue against the results. I would not mind at all seeing our OL upgraded and get even better protection for Brady.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I don't find this too far off. BB has never drafted a LB higher than the 5th round, and never a CB higher than the 3rd. Hard to argue against the results. I would not mind at all seeing our OL upgraded and get even better protection for Brady.

Yeah - but we've never had a higher need at LB either. I can easilly see them not taking an LB with the #7 pick... but I think our need will prompt him to use one of the higher picks, without a doubt in my mind.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

I don't find this too far off. BB has never drafted a LB higher than the 5th round, and never a CB higher than the 3rd. Hard to argue against the results. I would not mind at all seeing our OL upgraded and get even better protection for Brady.

never say never.

 

[LuthierJr]

never say never.

Oh I totally agree it's a big need for us, and I'm fairly confident (in my own mind.. none of us really know what's gonna happen now do we?) he will indeed break his trend of not drafting a LB high, but at the same time would it completely shock everyone if he held out and drafted even more linebackers not many have heard of, in exchange for solid linemen (and of course another TE like he loves)

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It's been a few years since we all applauded our being smart enough to trade up for Harris only to see the pick be some TIGHT END. We've doen very well finding our linebackers in free agency. It does seem only fitting for the last starting linebacker to come from the draft (Bruschi, a passrushing DE) MIGHT be replaced by another DE in the first round. But I won't hold my breath. I will not be surprised if we don't choose a linebacker in the first hundred picks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally, I believe the value for will be at DL and OL. Certainly, any of these players could be drafted by us. McFadden would be too much value to pass up. BTW, at lone of these MUST be available at #7. If all are available, the Ryan has been picked, and we should get a pick for moving down even one spot and still get one of the seven.

DL: Dorsey, Long, Gholston, Ellis
OL: Long, Clady
RB: McFadden

We could trade down for an OL: Williams, Otah, Albert
-------------------------------------------------------------

BB hasn't made any significant moves to add to his LB pool in Free Agency beyond signing Hobson. You have to suspect he is targeting at least one early round LB prospect in this draft.

I believe Chris Long would be a "safe" pick for LB in the top 5, but the only way NE lands him is if BB trades up for him - unlikely.

Gholston is an attractive top 10 risk for his potential, but potential doesn't leave me all warm and fuzzy when taking a "risk."

I consider Keith Rivers a possible mid-first pick for the Pats, he could contribute right away as the Nickel Linebacker in Phifer's old role.

I also believe Jerod Mayo to have good value for the Pats from mid-first down. I actually consider him a "safer" pick than Rivers.

Groves has been bandied about as a potential first round pick, but I'm really uncomfortable with him as a Day One conversion project.

Avril has some holes in his game, but I'd risk a second on him.

Darrell Robertson looks like the only other player I'd like to see on Day One. His write-up on NFL Draft Scout is encouraging to say the least.