Holes That Still Need To Be Filled For 2016

I have only two: RB and CB. Any position except QB and TE could be upgraded, but IMHO, these two are needs. I don't think that we'll go into the season (or certainly into camp with what we have).

RB and OT

DL, RB, OG, OT

I think the Pats may hope for the best regarding the offensive line. But they really need to have a backup plan if the line plays as poorly as last year!

With our first four picks, I would like to see ot, dt, rb and CB.

mgteich said:

I have only two: RB and CB. Any position except QB and TE could be upgraded, but IMHO, these two are needs. I don't think that we'll go into the season (or certainly into camp with what we have).

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I totally agree.
Need a viable third CB who can compete for the #2 spot.
Need a starting RB who can play on first and second down and be a real running threat.

Beyond that a swing tackle to compete with Waddle and unseat Cannon and an outside receiver to compete with Washington and Hogan.

I think CB will be ok with that rookie from last year who showed promise but then went on IR.

VectorPrime said:

I think CB will be ok with that rookie from last year who showed promise but then went on IR.

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We need more depth at corner than Butler, Ryan, Coleman and Roberts.

CB is a need yet but we're primarily talking about a #3 guy there - whatever your feelings on Logan Ryan he played well enough (with safety help primarily, yeah) that as far as "starters" go Butler/Ryan is still a great starting point. Arrington was problematic but turned into a nice nickel corner that could ride slot guys, I think they can do a decent job of covering that role via present roster or the draft. Of course if they found a CB that could push Ryan, great! All the better.

RB is a more definite need to me - at this point it seems like they must think they're in a good position to get 1 or 2 guys in the draft that they think can handle the bulk of it, because there's no way they can think a returning Lewis and White/Gaffney/etc is good enough (right? Bueller?).

I was big on Forte going into FA but all things considered I prefer the Bennett pickup if they were going to drop $4-5m on one veteran skill position guy. LGB is still a possibility in the "kick the tires" and see what he's still got fashion but they have time to wait to see how he recovers as I would imagine he doesn't have much interest from other teams, nor does he have much interest in going elsewhere, based on his last FA excursion. He'll either re-up here post-draft/mid-summer or land in someone else's camp at the last minute I think.

Regarding the OL, I don't even know. There's reason to believe that the current roster as-is (even you, Marcus Cannon) will be better just for improved coaching, the statistical probability that the injuries will certainly be less, Cooper is talented and underachieved in AZ but could def win a job, and the two rookie interior guys coming in with a year's worth of game experience. I guess you just gotta hope that if that's the way it slants that the logic is correct. Certainly the backup T position just HAS to be better, but I'm not entirely sure that anyone still available as a FA or any rookie would in any way guarantee that more than what we already have. Will be interesting to see how much draft capital, if any, is spent on the OL.

Ochmed Jones said:

With our first four picks, I would like to see ot, dt, rb and CB.

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Hopefully, we see a couple of those in there, but I'm also expecting either/both a trade down to help fill the gap (no 4th or 5th round picks), or a trade into next year, as it pertains to our first 4 picks.

I haven't been paying as much attn as usual, but I'm starting to hear more and more that it's a rather weak draft, with the exception of a couple of positions. That, coupled with the facts that we have 11 picks and maybe 5-6 spots for rookies, and I question how they'd all get used.

Urgent said:

I totally agree.
Need a viable third CB who can compete for the #2 spot.
Need a starting RB who can play on first and second down and be a real running threat.

Beyond that a swing tackle to compete with Waddle and unseat Cannon and an outside receiver to compete with Washington and Hogan.

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These would be my top 4 choices as well, in no particular order.

As a bonus, I'd add in a LB.

With Draft Picks 60, 61, 91, 96.... would choose best for this system OL, WR, DL and TE... Bennett may only be here for one year, then he will price himself out of this market.

DarrylS said:

With Draft Picks 60, 61, 91, 96.... would choose best for this system OL, WR, DL and TE... Bennett may only be here for one year, then he will price himself out of this market.

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It's not a very good TE class and, so far at least, we've shown very little interest in TEs except for some later day three types.

Holes to be filled? I'd start with Borges's mouth, Volin's mouth.

Of course the problem with Volin is, it's coming out the other end.

mgteich said:

I have only two: RB and CB. Any position except QB and TE could be upgraded, but IMHO, these two are needs. I don't think that we'll go into the season (or certainly into camp with what we have).

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We will need a QB on our practice squad going forward ... hopefully never needed of course.
I think we should expect at least 1 drafted and 1 FA rookie.
would not be surprised to see Belichick grab Jeff Driskel - he might do well in our offense.

I think we could still use a rb, dt, cb and o-lineman . Not that I would expect to get a starter at all spots, but I think we could get some quality depth in those positions where they are needed.

RayClay said:

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That's crazy.

It may have been slightly more appropriate had you cropped the pic under the arms, but nonetheless, the resemblance is uncanny.