2012 Draft Game (49ers Board) - Patriots

Hey guys, I lucked out and grabbed the patriots, along with the vikings this year. Its been a really fun team to try and upgrade and wheel and deal with given all of the weapons.

I come here in hopes of getting some insight from you guys as to which players currently on the team have the greatest outlook, which players need to say bye bye and which players fit best at which position (BB runs some different schemes than im used to)

Feel free to move this thread if its in the wrong part forum.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Here is my current roster:

The New England Patriots

TRADE
DRAFTEE

OFFENSE
QB: Tom Brady| Brian Hoyer | Ryan Mallet
HB: DeAngello Williams | Danny Woodhead | Javon Ringer | Stevan Ridley
FB: Lousaka Polite | Kevin Faulk
TE: Rob Gronkowski | Dwayne Allen| Carson Butler
WR: Wes Welker | Jordy Nelson | Julian Edleman | Damien Williams | Tiquan Underwood | Matthew Slater | Dorin D!ckerson | Britt Davis


LT: Matt Light | Matt Kopa
LG: Logan Mankins | Rich Ohrnberger
C: Dan Koppen | Dan Connelly | Ryan Wendell | Nick McDonald
RG: Brian Waters | Donald Thomas
RT: Sebastian Vollmer | Nate Solder | Kyle Hix

DEFENSE
4-3
LDE: Shaun Ellis | Ty Warren | Brandon Deadrick
NT: Vince Wilfork | Jurrell Casey | Ron Brace
DT: Louis Castillo | Kyle Love | Mike Wright | Myron Pryor
RDE: Mark Anderson | Derrick Morgan | Jermain Cunningham | Aaron Lavarias

SLB: Dont'a Hightower | Rob Ninkovich | Gary Guyton | Christian Cox | Mike Rivera
MLB: Jerod Mayo| Dane Fletcher | Niko Koutouvides | Jeff Tarpinian
WLB: Brandon Spikes |Mario Haggan | Tracy White | Alex Sylvestro | Markell Carter

3-4
LDE: Shaun Ellis | Ty Warren | Brandon Deadrick | Myron Pryor
NT: Vince Wilfork |Jurrell Casey Ron Brace
RDE: Louis Castillo | Kyle Love | Mike Wright | Aaron Lavarias

Sam: Rob Ninkovich | Jermain Cunningham | Niko Koutouvides | Christian Cox
Mike: Brandon Spikes | Mario Haggan | Dane Fletcher | Mike Rivera
Will: Jerod Mayo | Dont'a Hightower | Gary Guyton
Joker: Mark Anderson | Derrick Morgan | Tracy White | Jeff Tarpinian | Alex Sylvestro | Markell Carter


CB: Devin McCourty | Kyle Arrington | Ras-I Dowling | Antwuan Molden |Syd'Quan Thompson | Nate Jones | Malcolm Williams
SS: James Ihedigbo | Sergio Brown | Darrel Stuckey | Josh Barrett | Brett Lockett
FS: Patrick Chung | Sterling Moore | Nate Jones | Ross Ventrone


LS: Danny Aiken
K: Stephen Gostkowski
P: Zoltan Mesko
KR: Matthew Slater
PR: Julian Edleman | Wes Welker


DRAFT PICKS

Round 1 Pick 27 (27) - Dwayne Allen, TE - Clemson
Round 1 Pick 31 (31) - Dont'a Hightower, LB - Alabama
Round 2 Pick 4 (36) [from TB]-
Round 3 Pick 22 (84) [from TEN] -
Round 5 Pick 20 (148) [from TEN] -
Round 5 Pick 28 (156) [from GB] -
Round 6 Pick 3 (163) [from TB, via MIN] -
Round 6 pick 6 (166 ovr)[from GB, via PIT] -
Round 7 Pick 19 (211) [from TEN, via MIA, thru SD] -

TRADES


DEN <-> NE
Round 2 pick (64 ovr) <-> Mario Haggan, OLB + Ty Warren, DT + Syd'Quan Thompson, CB

SD <-> NE
Marcus Cannon, OT + Shane Vereen, RB <-> Louis Castillo, DT + Darrel Stuckey, S

GB <-> NE
Aaron Hernandez <-> Jordy Nelson, WR + Round 2 pick (57 ovr) + Round 5 pick (156 ovr)

GB <-> NE
Chad Ochocinco <-> Round 6 pick (166 ovr)

TEN <-> NE
Benjarvus Green-Ellis, RB + Deion Branch, WR + Gerrard Warren, DT + Andre Carter, DE<->Javon Ringer, RB + Damian Williams, WR + Jurrell Casey, DT + Derrick Morgan, DE + Round 3 Pick (84) + Round 5 Pick (148) + Round 7 Pick (211)

CAR <-> NE
Round 2 Pick (57) + Round 4 Pick (127) <-> DeAngello Williams, RB

TB <-> NE
Round 2 Pick (48) + Round 3 Pick (95) <-> Round 2 Pick (36) + Round 6 Pick (163)

So my immediate needs were 3-4DE/4-3DT, WR, SLB. Secondary isnt as big a weakness as the media would lead one to believe, in my opinion. I think S is the weakest link, specifically whomever lines up opposite Chung back there.

I initiated a trade that i thought to be quite valuable: for essentially a third round pick I picked up solid veteran depth at DE/DT, SLB and a young talented CB.


Then I had the SD GM inquire about Cannon and Vereen. I talked him into parting with Castillo who is one of the better 3-4 DE in the league and throwing in youth compensation in the form of FS Stuckey.

Feeling Content with the DT/DE situation, i turned my attention to Brady's weapons. For me it was a no brainer: Hernandez is hot and worth tons on the open market, I already have Gronk as my #1 tight end. Shopped Hernandez around and GB gave me the best offer by far: Jordy Nelson, a legitamate deep threat, plus a second rounder. With my poker face i told im i'd perfer Greg Jennings, but if he wanted to sweeten the pot with a 4th or 5th round pick in there i'd accept. Hook line and sinker, i got what i considered the best trade of the game so far (minus the stupid BAL GM who traded Terrel Suggs for Parys Haralson and Larry Grant).

Dumped Ochocinco for a sixth round pick and a bag of chili cheese fritos.

Then TEN came a calling about Andre Carter. After a full two days of negotiations i sent a couple of aging starters for an abundance of youth across the board and a couple of picks. My biggest loss on the deal was BJGE.

So i went out in search of a RB, and found a Carolina GM that was desperate for picks. A late second and a late fourth for DeAngelo Williams... i'll take that deal anytime, solid upgrade to BJGE.

Finally the draft made its way around to me, and the asshat before me takes the one guy i wanted to take at 27, Colby Fleener, TE. So i take the next best option who i know wont make it to 31 given the teams picking between me and their rosters. I go into work assuming by the time I get off, it should be my pick and am hoping Hightower makes it through to me, but with Kuechly already off the board, my hopes arent too high. I get off work just after midnight, scroll through my phone to see Sanu, Burfict, Brown and Konz have been taken. I was stoked that PIT had taken Burfict and left me Hightower!

Im debating where to go with #36...

Just noticed that Ingram is still available... if he makes it to me, he is easily BPA.
SS might be the way to go, target the guy i want: Iloka or Smith.
CB should be prime here, Minifield, Hosley and Gilmore are all available.

Please, help me understand where each player should be in the front 7 of each formation. Aside from Vince at nose and Mayo at MLB i'm just throwing names up there at this point.

I put age at a high importance in these games... anything over 29 is gonna get you lower grades than a younger pup with slightly less skill/ability than you. But I do believe in veteran depth as a safeguard. Ideally each position would have an age range like this by string(1/2/3): 23-29/26-32/21-25

If you are a Ray Lewis/Teddy Bruschi type player... you are more than welcome to start until you run out of gas.

If you're older than 25 and not at least the first backup, its time to part ways.

-------==============-------

Shaun Ellis... getting up there, got spelled/replaced by Deadrick throughout the year. Are his better than average days behind him? Does he really play DE in your 4-3 allignment?

Kyle Love/Brandon Daedrick: who do you like better against the run(setting edge, penetration, block shedding)? which guy gets pressure on the QB (sacks, hurries, knockdowns, pass deflections)? Are either versitile enough to play end in a 4-3?

Who is your backup NT? Brace?

Is Ninkovich a hand in the dirt 4-3 DE or does he round out the LB corp in the 4-3?

Do you have a better pass rusher than Mark Anderson? He seems like your pass rush specialist.

First thing on a quick look is that you've got big holes with your draft picks now:

a) Nerly 50 slots between pick 36 and 84
b) 60 slots between 84 and 148.

My impression is that BB doesn't like to be that exposed in the draft. Try trading back from 36 to fill a couple of gaps or bundling a couple of picks to move back into the fourth. Just a suggestion.

How is success determined in your game?

Not too worried about the gaps between picks... I feel i have adressed most of the team needs outside of secondary upgrades. I have enough ammo to move up and get a guy that i really want if i feel he's getting close to being taken.

The game is graded by everyone playing. The main goal is to have the most improved roster, not necessarily the best roster. good marks are given for valuable trades, maintaining continuity of the core of the team, as well as upgrades at each position. demerits are given for blowing up the team, poor trades, salary ignorance

You forgot Aaron Hernandez at TE so between him and Gronk they'll never use a first on another. Why would GB trade Nelson?

everlong said:

You forgot Aaron Hernandez at TE so between him and Gronk they'll never use a first on another. Why would GB trade Nelson?

Click to expand...

I traded Hernandez for Nelson and a second and a fifth. He made the trade because he traded away Jermichael Finley for some reason. IMO he downgraded, but not by much and I got a huge boost in the deep-threat, outside receiver Category. I was hoping to replace Hernandez with Fleener, however he was taken one pick ahead of me.

woulda been cool putting Welker, Gronk, Fleener, Nelson, and Woodhead out there on Offense... only non-caucasian would be Waters. Call the offense the Avalanche.

bwhit33 said:

I traded Hernandez for Nelson and a second and a fifth. He made the trade because he traded away Jermichael Finley for some reason. IMO he downgraded, but not by much and I got a huge boost in the deep-threat, outside receiver Category. I was hoping to replace Hernandez with Fleener, however he was taken one pick ahead of me.

woulda been cool putting Welker, Gronk, Fleener, Nelson, and Woodhead out there on Offense... only non-caucasian would be Waters. Call the offense the Avalanche.

Click to expand...

Race aside, Allen is a better TE than Fleener anyway.

Wilfork#75 said:

Race aside, Allen is a better TE than Fleener anyway.

Click to expand...

Fleener is the better receiver, Allen is the better blocker. Both are fantastic athletes... i wasnt displeased with 'having' to take Allen. I just see Fleener being Gronk Jr. very soon, where Allen will be more like Lewis Jr.

I don't think the DeAngelo Williams trade happens. If CAR dumps off an RB it's going to be Stewart. As sad and lame as it is to say and accept, DeAngelo Williams is a starting change of pace back from their other starting running back, Cam Newton.

bwhit33 said:

The New England Patriots

OFFENSE
QB: Tom Brady| Charlie Whitehust | Ryan Mallet
HB: DeAngello Williams | Danny Woodhead | Stevan Ridley | Javon Ringer
FB: Lousaka Polite | Kevin Faulk
TE: Rob Gronkowski | Dwayne Allen| Carson Butler
WR: Wes Welker | Jordy Nelson | Julian Edleman | Damien Williams | Tiquan Underwood | Matthew Slater | Dorin D!ckerson | Britt Davis


LT: Matt Light | Matt Kopa
LG: Logan Mankins | Rich Ohrnberger
C: Dan Koppen | Dan Connelly | Ryan Wendell | Nick McDonald
RG: Brian Waters | Donald Thomas
RT: Sebastian Vollmer | Nate Solder | Kyle Hix

DEFENSE
4-3
LDE: Shaun Ellis | Ty Warren | Brandon Deadrick
NT: Vince Wilfork | Jurrell Casey | Ron Brace
DT: Louis Castillo | Kyle Love | Mike Wright | Myron Pryor
RDE: Mark Anderson | Derrick Morgan | Jermain Cunningham | Aaron Lavarias

SLB: Mario Haggan | Dont'a Hightower | Rob Ninkovich | Gary Guyton | Christian Cox | Mike Rivera
MLB: Brandon Spikes| Dane Fletcher | Niko Koutouvides | Jeff Tarpinian
WLB: Jerod Mayo | Tracy White | Alex Sylvestro | Markell Carter

3-4
LDE: Shaun Ellis | Ty Warren | Brandon Deadrick | Myron Pryor
NT: Vince Wilfork |Jurrell Casey Ron Brace
RDE: Louis Castillo | Kyle Love | Mike Wright | Aaron Lavarias

Sam: Calvin Pace | Rob Ninkovich | Jermain Cunningham | Niko Koutouvides | Christian Cox
Mike: Brandon Spikes | Mario Haggan | Dane Fletcher | Mike Rivera
Will: Jerod Mayo | Dont'a Hightower | Gary Guyton
Joker: Mark Anderson | Derrick Morgan | Tracy White | Jeff Tarpinian | Alex Sylvestro | Markell Carter


CB: Devin McCourty | Terell Brown | Leigh Bodden | Kyle Arrington | Ras-I Dowling | Antwuan Molden |Syd'Quan Thompson | Nathan Jones | Malcolm Williams
SS: James Ihedigbo | Sergio Brown | Darrel Stuckey | Josh Barrett | Brett Lockett
FS: Patrick Chung | Sterling Moore | Nate Jones | Ross Ventrone


LS: Danny Aiken
K: Stephen Gostkowski
P: Zoltan Mesko
KR: Matthew Slater
PR: Julian Edleman | Wes Welker


DRAFT PICKS

Round 1 Pick 27 (27) - Dwayne Allen, TE - Clemson
Round 1 Pick 31 (31) - Dont'a Hightower, LB - Alabama
Round 3 Pick 6 (69) [from MIA, via BAL, thru TB]-
Round 3 Pick 22 (84) [from TEN] -
Round 4 Pick 6 (100) [from PHI, via TB] -
Round 5 Pick 20 (148) [from TEN] -
Round 5 Pick 28 (156) [from GB] -
Round 6 Pick 3 (163) [from TB, via MIN] -
Round 7 Pick 12 (204) [from SEA] -
Round 7 Pick 18 (210) [from SEA, via OAK] -
Round 7 Pick 19 (211) [from TEN, via MIA, thru SD] -


TRADES
Proposed until SB
SD <-> NE
Marcus Cannon, OT + Shane Vereen, RB <-> Louis Castillo, DT + Darrel Stuckey, S

DEN <-> NE
Round 2 pick (64 ovr) <-> Mario Haggan, OLB + Ty Warren, DT + Syd'Quan Thompson, CB

GB <-> NE
Aaron Hernandez <-> Jordy Nelson, WR + Round 2 pick (57 ovr) + Round 5 pick (156 ovr)

CAR <-> NE
Round 2 Pick (57) + Round 4 Pick (127) <-> DeAngello Williams, RB

SEA <-> NE
Brian Hoyer, QB <-> Charlie Whitehurst, QB + Round 7 Pick (204) + Round 7 Pick (210)

TB <-> NE
Round 2 Pick (48) + Round 3 Pick (95) <-> Round 2 Pick (36) + Round 6 Pick (163)

GB <-> NE
Chad Ochocinco <-> Round 6 pick (166 ovr)

TEN <-> NE
Benjarvus Green-Ellis, RB + Deion Branch, WR + Gerrard Warren, DT + Andre Carter, DE<->Javon Ringer, RB + Damian Williams, WR + Jurrell Casey, DT + Derrick Morgan, DE + Round 3 Pick (84) + Round 5 Pick (148) + Round 7 Pick (211)

PHI <-> NE
Round 2 Pick (36) <-> Round 2 Pick (46) + Round 4 Pick (100)

MIA <-> NE
Round 2 Pick (46) + Round 6 Pick (166) <-> Tarell Brown, CB + Calvin Pace, OLB + Round 3 Pick (69)

Click to expand...

for some reason i cant edit the OP...so here's an update.

basically traded my second round pick for two studs and a 3rd and 4th rounder

VrabelJr said:

I don't think the DeAngelo Williams trade happens. If CAR dumps off an RB it's going to be Stewart. As sad and lame as it is to say and accept, DeAngelo Williams is a starting change of pace back from their other starting running back, Cam Newton.

Click to expand...

RB arent as valuable in games like these as you would think... however i found the deal more than fair, after having lost BJGE in another trade.

Here's what you need to do. Trade DOWN from the first round at least three or four times. Try the Eagles and Raiders first. Then trade OUT of the 2012 draft for future considerations. Doesn't really matter what you get just make sure you get volume.

Then stock up on Wide Receivers that didn't produce much in college because of their system/injuries. Said WRs should be about 6'0" and run about a 4.4 -40yd dash. Finally, make sure they have KO return experience.

Next, stock up on CB's that have fallen in the draft based upon drug use or injury. Make sure to draft them higher than most people project on draft day just to make sure you get your guy. Don't concentrate too much on their gameday experience as a cornerback, but make sure they can play special teams.

When in doubt take a Tight End. If none are available take a special teams guy or a fullback. If all else fails, take some guy from Navy who is contractually obligated to go to war for the next five years. You get extra credit if the player is a coach's son.

I think that's about it. Did I miss anything?

bwhit33 said:

I traded Hernandez for Nelson and a second and a fifth. He made the trade because he traded away Jermichael Finley for some reason. IMO he downgraded, but not by much and I got a huge boost in the deep-threat, outside receiver Category. I was hoping to replace Hernandez with Fleener, however he was taken one pick ahead of me.

Click to expand...

It's a pretty interesting deal but not one I think either team would make.

What's the logic for trading Hoyer for Whitehurst and 2 useless 7th round picks? I'd rather keep Hoyer.

bwhit33 said:

RB arent as valuable in games like these as you would think... however i found the deal more than fair, after having lost BJGE in another trade.

Click to expand...

DeAngelo Williams signed a 5 year, $43MM deal at the start of last season. We don't have room for that if we plan on having Welker and a few others coming back + 3-4 (likely 3) picks in the first two rounds to sign.

Sfpat said:

What's the logic for trading Hoyer for Whitehurst and 2 useless 7th round picks? I'd rather keep Hoyer.

Click to expand...

Hoyer is one of the better backups in the league, no doubt...

But lets be honest, the future of the franchise looks to be Mallet.

Trading a 3rd string QB for a 3rd string QB and a couple throw away picks was me just being nice to one of the guys who I have played this game with for years.

I wanted a 5th for him, but no one was willing to buy at that price so i took what i could.

I admit it was my worst trade so far, but if thats the one complaint you have, i figure im doin ok.

bwhit33 said:

Hoyer is one of the better backups in the league, no doubt...

But lets be honest, the future of the franchise looks to be Mallet.

Trading a 3rd string QB for a 3rd string QB and a couple throw away picks was me just being nice to one of the guys who I have played this game with for years.

I wanted a 5th for him, but no one was willing to buy at that price so i took what i could.

I admit it was my worst trade so far, but if thats the one complaint you have, i figure im doin ok.

Click to expand...

And I used to think the future of the franchise was Kevin O'Connell. Boy was I wrong! LOL. Mallet is an interesting prospect because of his cannon arm but he hasn't even passed Hoyer on the depth chart yet. I think Hernandez for Jordy Nelson is an interesting trade. Hernandez is a matchup nightmare but Nelson has emerged as one of the best WRs in the NFL. I don't think the real Packers would do that trade.