Anyone else have a good feeling about this year's draft?

[tombonneau]

I can't put my finger on it, but I really like the look of this class, a lot more than the last two anyway.

The previous two drafts, after they were done I felt so-so, not too good, not too bad.

But this one I'm really liking. Maybe it's because the players all seem to really fit BB's system. Not sure.

Anyway, anyone else a little more than cautiously optimistic about this crop?

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm marking out for this draft class. I really wanted to see the defense get younger and faster, and a burner on the special teams, and that's exactly what I got. Love Mayo and Crable, and I'm highly optimistic on our cornerbacks now and like the pick-up of Slater who is a big hitter, but also has great speed. I'm not high on the quarterback but if he can be used to get more draft picks in next year's draft then I'm all for it.

Our defense should be better next year.

 

[tombonneau]

I'm marking out for this draft class. I really wanted to see the defense get younger and faster, and a burner on the special teams, and that's exactly what I got. Love Mayo and Crable, and I'm highly optimistic on our cornerbacks now and like the pick-up of Slater who is a big hitter, but also has great speed. I'm not high on the quarterback but if he can be used to get more draft picks in next year's draft then I'm all for it.

Our defense should be better next year.

The QB pick is about the only one that elicits a shoulder shrug from me. At first I thought it was a total waste, but the more I thought about it the more I was ok with it. Reiss rationalized it rather well, saying it was end of the 3rd and almost the fourth, and had he been picked only 10 spots further back in the fourth, it would have raised a lot fewer eyebrows.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Unlike past years I see every pick making the team this year all the way down to Ruud. I like what they did and the speed they were looking for they received. Meyo is going to be the hybrid for the next generation of LB because of his combination of play and intelligence coupled with the new defensive communication being allowed. I think in a year or 2 he will be able to play all 4 LB positions which means he can stay on the field on all downs and be productive at the same time.

Crable will not play alot this year but I think we'll see him on enough 3rd downs to get to enjoy his pass rushing. The downs where he and AD go for the QB will be fun and a change for us ... something we have not really seen since Andre Tippet was around causing headaches for QB's.

 

[NEPatriot]

i feel good after pats drafted 3 LBs. it's a good start.

 

[BradyToMoss]

Kevin O'Connell was a great pick, his upside is huge and he can just sit back, soak it all in and learn. Whether he's a trade chip or the future, it doesn't matter, it was great value and it will pay dividends later on.

 

[amazinPats]

I'm very happy with the draft. Mayo looks like a real stud, and Crable has good potential. I'm fine with O' Connell and the two corners. Nice to have a ST ace. Plus we've pocketed an extra second rounder for next year. Nice draft.

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

I'm very happy with my team's draft. Many folks wanted us to get Oline help, but with the 23rd pick and picks just as deep in the later rounds, we went for the best players available and weapons to improve our offense. Very satisfied.

The one thing about the draft, if you're picking in the top 5, its usually because you sucked the previous season. And if you're picking early often, its because you've sucked for a long time. Raiders, Rams, Dolphins. Yeah...nice teams.

 

[Rob0729]

Compared to last year's draft, of course. The Monday after the draft last year, I said to myself that the Patriots hated that draft and were doing anything they could to get out of it. It seemed pretty clear that the Pats couldn't get rid of their of their picks fast enough whether it was trading into next year or trade for players (Moss and Welker).

I got a much better feel about this year's draft. I think Mayo was the Pats' number 1 target. They were able to make a good trade with their third rounder and still get the player with their next third round pick in Crable. They addressed their two biggest needs - LB and CB. Generally, I am happy.

 

[fillylabinga]

I don't remember the 2006 draft so well, but I certainly feel light-years better about this draft than I did 2007.

Last year the approach seemed to be quantity over quality--the team drafted a ton of players in round 5 and below. That strategy seemed really questionable given the overall strength of the team and the lack of open competitive spots.

Sure enough, for all intents and purposes Merriweather was the only pick who made the team. Even there he was the last of the top tier of 4 safeties who was available when the Pats drafted--I'm sure they were hoping one of the other ones would have slipped further. Getting a good safety is still an accomplishment (and not having to pay too much for him), but even with Merriweather coming on in the playoffs the 2007 draft still looks pretty bad in retrospect.

Now, generally, I would prefer drafting the best-player-available instead of drafting for need, but this year we had some REALLY BIG NEEDS! Actually, we had the exact same list of needs last year, IMO, it's just that this year we actually tried to fill them--it was a minor miracle that Bruschi and Seau were able to play as much as they did last year.

So what a relief that we actually draft players at LB and CB in the first few rounds. I'm guessing that 3-4 of them will make the team and some might even get a few starts this year. I only wish we had this draft last year so that they players would be ready to step into starting roles at the beginning of the season!

Anyway, good draft...and next year we can go back to drafting the best-player available.

 

[SunnyDenmark]

Unlike past years I see every pick making the team this year all the way down to Ruud. I like what they did and the speed they were looking for they received. Meyo is going to be the hybrid for the next generation of LB because of his combination of play and intelligence coupled with the new defensive communication being allowed. .

Yes, I too can see that (most of) this years crop has a good chance of sticking instead of - after final cutdown - making another teams roster. Of course then the other teams (Jets, Indy) will just then take our last years table scraps instead (Willie Andrews, Eric Alexander, Richardson, etc. ).

Very happy with our #1 pick Mayo and trading down 3 slots was the icing on the cake. Much better to have a young stud LB to learn from the best (BRU and Seau) before they retire instead of draft some stud 'shut down' corner with the first pick. We won a Lombardi with Ty Law on the disabled list and some pretty average CB's.

I think this '08 team will be very talented with starters (as last year), VERY deep, and have very good upside potential for the youngsters 2-3 years down the road.

 

[sc patriot]

With some young legs at LB and some speedy CBs, and the free agents picked up, with a healthy chad jackson, we should be just as dominant and be fresher in february.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

A few things come to mind:

Stockpile some picks <check>

Stud linebackers <check>

Speed at CB <check>

In order for us to evaluate Pats drafts we have get out of the "Mel isn't swell Kiper" thinking.

Things I like:

If you don't like the value at your pick- trade. For all the talk of the 2007 draft does everyone realize we got Moss, Welker, stud Merriweather, Mayo, and an extra second round pick NEXT year?

Between Hester and Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland) it's hard to believe that more teams are not drafting for special teams. if you look at the hundreds of yards that good vs bad special teams give up; we could be on the verge of guys drafted as "special teams".

How many other teams can draft a stud QB for the future?

I think the "smurf" CB is a little overrdone. How many 4.3/ 6'3" CB's are their ever available to draft. We will never have a problem if the opposing QB has to throw jump balls all day.

I bet the progression of the rookies will be quicker. It's important to remember that we will have a weaker schedule this year. Don't be suprised if we see more playing time for the youngsters.

 

[Metaphors]

I think the "smurf" CB is a little overrdone. How many 4.3/ 6'3" CB's are their ever available to draft. We will never have a problem if the opposing QB has to throw jump balls all day.

Another thing to consider...you generally throw "jump ball" passes to the sidelines. That particular play just got much easier to defend. Let the WR jump up and catch the ball. While he is in the air, ride him out of bounds. No more force out call so unless you carry him, no catch.

 

[aluminum seats]

Yup, I like it a lot. To the extent the Pats drafted for need, it was a very minor shift--I'm liking everything I'm seeing and hearing about the picks.

SO important to have that front 7 be top-notch. As another poster noted, the Pats have won Super Bowls without top-flight corners. Hell, the Giants just did. It's about playmakers, players, in the front 7.

By the way, I also like the qb pick--seems to me to be a good idea to get a new qb in there every 3 years or so.....if you actually need that during the season (god forbid), to groom for the future, or for picks later on. The suggestions here that the Pats would get anything for Cassell (I'm not even sure how to spell that guy's name) was ridiculous. If the back-up is really a top-guy, it WILL show up over 2-3 years, even if just the pre-season, mop-up duty or all-around buzz. And then you get some picks for him. Or, keep him around.

 

[Jimke]

I liked this year's draft because the Pats drafted for need (defense).

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

I'm ok with the draft, I guess.

My problem is that the team lost a significant amount. It also has some key older players who will be a little bit older.

I don't think we will be as good as last year, and I was sort of hoping that I wouldn't feel that way after the draft, but that was completely unrealistic. Now, I certainly think we're good enough to get back to the SB, but I think my hopes about what this draft might mean or represent were too high to begin with, and so now that the draft is over I'm a bit disappointed in general. Probably just post SB 42 hangover that the anticipation of the draft was masking.

 

[Fencer]

Another thing to consider...you generally throw "jump ball" passes to the sidelines. That particular play just got much easier to defend. Let the WR jump up and catch the ball. While he is in the air, ride him out of bounds. No more force out call so unless you carry him, no catch.

GOOD point!!

 

[Fencer]

I don't think we will be as good as last year,

That was a given, for financial reasons, if you're talking talent pool.

But the effect is small compared to what could happen when all the FAs come up for renewal.

I got jumped on pretty hard for saying that last season.

There still is plenty enough talent to win it all.

 

[Fencer]

Last year the approach seemed to be quantity over quality--the team drafted a ton of players in round 5 and below. That strategy seemed really questionable given the overall strength of the team and the lack of open competitive spots.

Three or so of those were comp picks that HAD to be used.