Post draft thoughts of draft day trade to SD

[jeffbiologist]

With all the talk about the RBs being deep in the 08 draft I cant help but think that our spot in the 3rd rd wouldnt have been a great place to find one. I think all 3 of our RBs will be due a new contract within a year or 2 right? I cant help but think we could have "hid/redshirt" the guy in STs for a year. With guys like Smith and Charles and others still available in the 3rd rd to me its our biggest question of the 08 draft......trading for what is bound to be a very late 2nd rd pick. Yes, we can get a RB next year with that pick, but who is to say he will be as good as what we could have had here.....and I know BB likes Eckel but to think he cant be upgraded is kind of foolish right?

 

[dryheat44]

Fear not, next year is going to be just as loaded as this year at RB, led by Wells, Hill, Davis, Moreno, Lucky, Foster, and maybe Spiller. Too many talented kids, not enough NFL jobs. The FA market should be ripe too. Heck, guys like Shaun Alexander and Cedric Benson can't get a contract, and there will be a bunch of guys cut during camp looking for homes.

I'd like to see Lamont Jordan come here on a 1-2 year deal for little money to compete with Morris. He's always been productive when he's had a decent offensive line, and he's great in the passing game.

 

[Jimke]

A lot of juniors are supposedly concerned about possible changes

in the CBA with regard to rookie salaries. For this reason, the

2009 draft may have more underclassmen than normal. Perhaps, the

Patriots will spend one of their second round picks on a running back.

Faulk and Morris will have played another year and might be at the

end of the line by this time.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Kevin Faulk carries, 1999-2007: 694
LaDainian Tomlinson carries, 2006-2007: 663

So why are we so concerned about Kevin Faulk falling apart in the immediate future?

 

[BelizePats]

There are a couple of issues at play here with how the Pats handled their 3rd that they traded to SD. I kind of agree with you regarding the need for a bit of new blood at the RB position and I was really hoping that Kevin Jones would sign with us for precisely this reason.
The one thing we do know here is that there will be a glut of quality runnuing backs available in the 2009 draft. But why trade that 3rd for what will almost surely end up as a very high second? How much is actually gained from this trade?
While none of us can really know what BB and SP are actually thinking regarding this question, we certainly can speculate. And with 3 days left until training camp starts, it's either this or actually doing some work.
From where I sit, the trade makes sense, even though we won't be jumping up a whole lot of slots because of how good San Diego is. Yes, it is possible that San Diego has a rotten injury plagued season and finishes up 8-8. However, it's far more likely that they will get into the playoffs and winning a game or two while there.
Its clear to me that a fundamental component of BB's draft strategy is to bank future picks whenever the situation allows. He clearly likes to have additional ammo at the draft and San Diegos high 2 fits nicely into this strategy. The flexibility that this allows him at the draft is something that he places a great deal of priority on. Its funny but I can't think of another GM who does this to the extent that BB does. Maybe he uses it to trade up when someone he really wants slides? Maybe he flips it with another pick for another teams 1st in 2010?
Regardless of what he actually does, it certainly gives him options and that can never be a bad thing for us.
For the 2009 draft, it looks as though we'l have our 1st, 2 seconds (ours and San Diegos) 2 thirds, (ours plus the comp pick for losing Assante) and 2 fouths (ours plus the comp pick for losing Stallworth)
Thats a $hitload of picks.
Dynasties are built through the draft and in 2009, if we use them all, we have 5 of the top 100 players coming out. This is how dynatsies are built.
I love that San Diego 2nd. If used properly (and BB and SP have a pretty good track overall) the pick will bring us something very nice. I guarentee it!
Respects,

Rich

 

[ctpatsfan77]

But why trade that 3rd for what will almost surely end up as a very high second? How much is actually gained from this trade?
While none of us can really know what BB and SP are actually thinking regarding this question, we certainly can speculate. And with 3 days left until training camp starts, it's either this or actually doing some work.

Don't forget, though, that it wasn't 2008 3 => 2009 2, it was 2008 3 => 2009 2 + 2008 5. Looking at the whole of the draft, the Pats started out with

7 - 62 - 69 - 94 - 129 - 164 - 197 - 238 and turned it into
10 - 62 - 78 - 94 - 129 - 153 - 197, a 2009 2, and a couple million bucks saved.

 

[BelizePats]

You are quite right in terms of my oversite. It makes the deal even better. I'll readily admit that I drink the Kool Aid every day. I'm sure that that late 2 in 2009 will pay off bigtime at some point!!

 

[jeffbiologist]

My point is that I dont ever like having 2 rookies at the same position at the same time because it divides learning focus. If we took a guy in the 3rd and he replaces Eckel this year, then we can still take one next year and so on....My bet is 4 years from now all 3 of these RBs on the roster are gone so why not groom a guy? I would say that one of the guys I mentioned WITH A YEAR IN THE SYSTEM will be better than anyone at that point in the draft next year.
Kool aid aside, the only reason not to do this is to basically postpone paying a guy 3rd rd $$ where you can pay a guy FA $$. Maybe at the bottom of the roster that makes a difference....but I say get as many guys coached up with this staff as soon as possible. Some people put $$ in the bank too, but some of us USE our money to make more $$ THIS YEAR. All I know is when its BBs last season I want to see him start mortgaging the future to insure a SB win. YES, at that point it will be worth it!

 

[bradmahn]

The San Diego trade is a good one because it gives the front office ammunition to make significant moves next year. A second round pick is more valuable than a third rounder in any trade scenario (for players or draft position) and I don't think we can overlook that point even if it does only turn out to be a jump of 10-15 spots. When you have three picks in the round, to be able to move one a year ahead (and improve position) while also filling a full-round-gap in selections is immense.

The concerns at RB are beginning to become ridiculously overstated, in my opinion. We have a young, former first round pick who came into his own at the end of last season, a very sturdy back up in Morris who has versatility, and the best third down back in the league. Where is a rookie going to get snaps? If any one of those three were to go down, the other two are capable of picking up the slack, especially when you consider the strength of the passing game.

Sure it would be nice to run four deep at the position, but depth comes with a price (in roster spots, dollars, development, draft picks). It just isn't worth it to this team to forgo a future second rounder (and the luxury that entails) to waste a spot on a player who will be wiling away a year of his rookie contract on the bench or special teams when Kyle Eckel (for instance) can provide the same thing for much cheaper.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I want to see him start mortgaging the future to insure a SB win. YES, at that point it will be worth it!

I doubt it; Belichick has too much respect for the organization to do that.

Remember the Patriots mission statement: "''We are building a big, strong, fast, smart, tough and disciplined football team that consistently competes for championships.'' In other words--they want to win now and win later.

 

[psk498]

To the comment that we need Lamont Jordan, Bah! That guy is soooo over rated. With the tools we already have in place, I think we should just build through the draft, I am thinking we could get Lucky from Nebraska in the 2nd or 3rd round, he is a nice back. Like a bigger version of Darren Sproles from SD.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I am sure we went into the draft with a certain number of roster spots in our FOs head. My guess is that they knew both the guys they wanted in the 3rd were set in STONE and they just wanted to push a pick back a year. To the guys who keep sayind "we will have 5 picks in the top 100"....we NEVER do. We combine picks to move up(usually giving up value)or we trade for futures,futures,futures. Its common knowledge in the league that a 4th this year is equal to a 3rd next year or a 2nd in 2 years.....and thats how teams have figured values forever. I can see making this trade with most any team NOT SD,INDY, or Dallas......simply because they are all almost locks to make the playoffs.
As far as our RBs, having a better RB,athlete in the 3rd rd I think would be worth the small difference in $$ between him and Eckel(who really doesnt bring much to the table besides ST). Insurance at RB, using picks wisely, and upgrading the long term roster are good things. I know there are RBs out of work now like Alexander and others but if one of our RBs is lost for the year like last year it would be a great move, and if both of them are lost we will be in serious trouble.

 

[captain stone]

With all the talk about the RBs being deep in the 08 draft I cant help but think that our spot in the 3rd rd wouldnt have been a great place to find one. I think all 3 of our RBs will be due a new contract within a year or 2 right? I cant help but think we could have "hid/redshirt" the guy in STs for a year. With guys like Smith and Charles and others still available in the 3rd rd to me its our biggest question of the 08 draft......trading for what is bound to be a very late 2nd rd pick. Yes, we can get a RB next year with that pick, but who is to say he will be as good as what we could have had here.....and I know BB likes Eckel but to think he cant be upgraded is kind of foolish right?

If our own 1st-rounder hadn't been stolen from us by the Jest-employee, Bills-fan Omissioner, we could've used it on CB Brandon Flowers. We then would have had the luxury of both trading #69 and using our 2nd-rounder on Kevin Faulk's heir apparent, RB Jamaal Charles. Heck, I may have used #62 on Charles, anyway, and used #94 on Wheatley or, if taken, on Tyvon Branch.

The smartest move of all would've been to sign Mewelde Moore before the Steelers did. That would've allowed starters Hobbs, LaMa and WW to play their positions without the extra risk.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

You have to remember that the pats traded pick #69 to the Chargers, and got back pick #160 (which they gave away in that ridiculous Slater trade) and will be lucky to get back anything under pick #60 next year. Not exactly a steal for the Pats. (yes, I still HATE this draft).

BTW the Jets next year will have additional #2 (Saints /Vilma) and a #4 (Washington/Kendall) although they will most likely have to send a #3 to GB.

Miami has an additonal #2 (Washington/Taylor) and 2 7th round picks coming to them.

 

[KillEM]

With all the talk about the RBs being deep in the 08 draft I cant help but think that our spot in the 3rd rd wouldnt have been a great place to find one. I think all 3 of our RBs will be due a new contract within a year or 2 right? I cant help but think we could have "hid/redshirt" the guy in STs for a year. With guys like Smith and Charles and others still available in the 3rd rd to me its our biggest question of the 08 draft......trading for what is bound to be a very late 2nd rd pick. Yes, we can get a RB next year with that pick, but who is to say he will be as good as what we could have had here.....and I know BB likes Eckel but to think he cant be upgraded is kind of foolish right?

We dont need another RB this year.

Maroney, Morris, Faulk. and then we added Lamont Jordan via FA.

Instead we traded that 3rd rounder and picked up a 2nd rounder in 2009.

Who knows, we dont really need 2 2nd rounders. We might trade that and turn it into a 2010 1st rounder!

I thought it was a great move. Mayo, Wheatley, Crable, and a QB of the future Kevin O'Connell. I'd say it was a great draft and we could afford trading that pick to San Diego. It will pay off in the long run.

 

[KillEM]

BTW - It's well documented that the pick we traded to San Diego was going to be used on Shawn Crable.

We traded the pick and still got Crable with our next pick in the 3rd round. Can't complain.


Think about it. An additional 2nd rounder gives us more power in the 2009 draft. We could use it to move into the Top 10... We could trade it and get additional picks in 2010... We could trade it for a top flight WR or RB (remember we got Welker for a 2nd and Moss for a 4th).

If we didn't trade that pick, we still wouldve drafted Crable and O'Connell in the 3rd round. But we wouldve added a CB with the other 3rd, instead of picking up Wilhite in the 4th. Luckily, we got Deltha O'Neal from FA and he's looking really good so far. So is Hobbs. We didn't really need another CB in the 3rd.

 

[everlong]

I'd like to see Lamont Jordan come here on a 1-2 year deal for little money to compete with Morris. He's always been productive when he's had a decent offensive line, and he's great in the passing game.

Nice call. Jordan has looked awesome.