Bleacher Report Mock Draft

[NePatriots]

I represented the Patriots for the Bleacher Report "Writers Mock Draft". Here is the order of the first 7 picks.

J. Long
Dorsey
Ryan
C. Long
Ellis
McFadden

And I took Gholston. While our 3 trade-down targets are gone (Ellis, McFadden, Ryan) Gholston is a nice consolation prize.

 

[slash83]

good pick Gholston's #1 on my draft wants...

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I really hope Oakland takes Gholston instead.

 

[NePatriots]

I really hope Oakland takes Gholston instead.

In that case are you advocating we take C. Long or McFadden? Or trade down?

 

[VJCPatriot]

Naah Gholston is a fine pick. He does have to convert to play OLB... and I'm not sure how he will do in coverage, but I think if we draft him we'll just use his superior athleticism to get after the QB. Let him pin his ears back and make Peyton Manning eat some nice FieldTurf.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

In that case are you advocating we take C. Long or McFadden? Or trade down?

Speaking for myself, I'd be very happy if BB could trade into 4 or 5 and get Chris Long, I just believe he could start as a rookie. I'd be content with Gholston because I believe teaming him with the 'backerhood' would give him the support structure to help him develop into a Patriots' mainstay - but based on the one game I saw him in (National Championship - LSU), he's two years away from being a full time contributor. I still consider him my #2 LB prospect in this draft, but as the draft nears I'm starting to get cold feet about drafting "potential" at #7 (that holds for the talk of drafting Albert too). McFadden holds no interest for me. Given the scenerio of the mock you're in, I'd look for a trade down with someone who wants a stud DE like Gholston, just to see how much they'd pay (then make my final decision).

 

[PATSNUTme]

Here is the "smart' draft which I don't expect to see happen but if teams were smart that 's how they would go.

1. Fins- Jake Long- as long as their OL is bad they can have Ronnie Brown and Ricky and still suck. They need this guy.

2. Rams- Dorsey- This kid is the real deal and they really need him.

3. Atlanta- Ryan- they have no QB and need one to start their climb out of the hole.

4. Raiders. Ellis. Their D-line stinks. C Long would also be a smart choice.

5. Chiefs- same as the Raiders- which one the Raiders don't pick they should.

6. Jets- McFadden- They had a good draft last year and looks like a good FA class this year. They need a play maker on O. Without that they might make it to 8-8.

7. Patriots. Rivers or Gholston. Rivers is the more NFL ready right now. Gholston has the most upside if he decides to play every play and learn from the best.

 

[Ellis_Hobbs27]

I represented the Patriots for the Bleacher Report "Writers Mock Draft". Here is the order of the first 7 picks.

J. Long
Dorsey
Ryan
C. Long
Ellis
McFadden

And I took Gholston. While our 3 trade-down targets are gone (Ellis, McFadden, Ryan) Gholston is a nice consolation prize.

I would go Rivers over Gholston.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Speaking for myself, I'd be very happy if BB could trade into 4 or 5 and get Chris Long, I just believe he could start as a rookie. I'd be content with Gholston because I believe teaming him with the 'backerhood' would give him the support structure to help him develop into a Patriots' mainstay - but based on the one game I saw him in (National Championship - LSU), he's two years away from being a full time contributor. I still consider him my #2 LB prospect in this draft, but as the draft nears I'm starting to get cold feet about drafting "potential" at #7 (that holds for the talk of drafting Albert too). McFadden holds no interest for me. Given the scenerio of the mock you're in, I'd look for a trade down with someone who wants a stud DE like Gholston, just to see how much they'd pay (then make my final decision).

who is your first lb?

 

[VJCPatriot]

I would go Rivers over Gholston.

Gholston has 25 lbs on Rivers, runs just as fast, and is far better at getting after the QB. Why on earth would you take Rivers over Gholston?

 

[PATSNUTme]

Gholston has 25 lbs on Rivers, runs just as fast, and is far better at getting after the QB. Why on earth would you take Rivers over Gholston?

One reason is that Rivers fits the mold of a Patriots type player almost to the letter. Also, Rivers would not be a conversion player.

Having said that, I have faith in the Patriots and if they should chose Gholston then I'm happy with it.

 

[NePatriots]

If we want Rivers inside, which I'm not sure he can do, we may take him over Gholston. Especially if we are thinking about resigning Rosie or moving Thomas outside.

 

[VJCPatriot]

One reason is that Rivers fits the mold of a Patriots type player almost to the letter. Also, Rivers would not be a conversion player.

Having said that, I have faith in the Patriots and if they should chose Gholston then I'm happy with it.

Rivers still lacks size/bulk for a Pats LB. And I'm not sure you can say that Rivers isn't a conversion as well. Switching from a OLB to ILB, who knows how well he'll do in the Pats system? He is listed as an OLB on most sites.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft...go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=11737

 

[SamBamsFan]

One reason is that Rivers fits the mold of a Patriots type player almost to the letter. Also, Rivers would not be a conversion player.

Having said that, I have faith in the Patriots and if they should chose Gholston then I'm happy with it.

Do you have a source? Nothing I have seen indicates this (except the Pats continued interest).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

who is your first lb?

Chris Long.

 

[Ellis_Hobbs27]

Gholston has 25 lbs on Rivers, runs just as fast, and is far better at getting after the QB. Why on earth would you take Rivers over Gholston?

I think he will fit the Pats better. Just an unqualified opinion.

 

[Ellis_Hobbs27]

Rivers still lacks size/bulk for a Pats LB. And I'm not sure you can say that Rivers isn't a conversion as well. Switching from a OLB to ILB, who knows how well he'll do in the Pats system? He is listed as an OLB on most sites.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft...go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=11737

Rivers can pick up the slack left by Colvin.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Rivers still lacks size/bulk for a Pats LB. And I'm not sure you can say that Rivers isn't a conversion as well. Switching from a OLB to ILB, who knows how well he'll do in the Pats system? He is listed as an OLB on most sites.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft...go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=11737

Rivers reportedly has played all three LB positions, I have my concerns about his ability to stack and shed OL, that is one thing college DL have over college LBs. Frankly I believe Chris Long is the only prospect who potentially could start as a rookie...though I like Angelo Crowell who is projected to UDFA.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Rivers reportedly has played all three LB positions, I have my concerns about his ability to stack and shed OL, that is one thing college DL have over college LBs. Frankly I believe Chris Long is the only prospect who potentially could start as a rookie...though I like Angelo Crowell who is projected to UDFA.

But how extensively did Rivers play 3-4 ILB?? This is like the people saying that Brendan Albert will be a tackle and we find out he only started at tackle 2 games in his entire career, the rest were at guard. Gee that makes him a GUARD doesn't it?

Thanks for reminding me that Rivers' noted weakness according to the scouts is his inability to shed blocks. That's not good seeing as he would be expected to play inside linebacker in a 3-4 system. Let me see, do I want to draft a guy who can take down the QB or a guy who will struggle shedding blockers to make the tackle in our system... Hmmmmm. Thinking it over... Yeah. BB will pass on Rivers at #7.