Is a "conversion player" too big a risk at #7???

I been going through a couple of draft guides and the new buzz word this year is "conversion players".

Now,some of the the best players and most often mentioned players for the Patriots are what is termed as "conversion players".

These "conversion players" are players like Ghoslton, Harvey, Long, Merling, and Groves are players that will be drafted to play a different position than they played in college. Drafting a player is always a risk but to draft a "conversion player" may be too big a risk.

Should the Patriots draft a safer pick like Rivers, McKelvin, or Clady who they know can play the position?

Has there ever been a "conversion player" drafted in the top 10 that has really excelled at a new position right away?

Thoughts?

Re: Is a "conversion player" too big a risk at #7

If Ghoslton is there @ #7 I may just cry tears of joy. Conversion... Smersion.

I agree

if Gholston is available there at #7 I will cry tears of joy
the only mock draft that says he'll land to us is Todd MCshay's. Everyone else has him going as early as #1

I think Mcshay's mock was before Gholston's pro day. 42 inch vert!? Unheard of

I was thinking about this today as well. I may be the only person who would not throw their TV out the window if the Pats skip on Gholston. The guy has not played with his hand up at all and he is expected to play OLB? There's no doubt he can rush the passer, and he certainly is athletic enough to play OLB, but there is risk there and the Pats may want to take the safer pick. I can say I would not blame them.

WhiZa said:

I was thinking about this today as well. I may be the only person who would not throw their TV out the window if the Pats skip on Gholston. The guy has not played with his hand up at all and he is expected to play OLB? There's no doubt he can rush the passer, and he certainly is athletic enough to play OLB, but there is risk there and the Pats may want to take the safer pick. I can say I would not blame them.

Click to expand...

Here's a thought: How many times have you seen the absolute MUST HAVE guy turn out to be a bust? I get upset sometimes when the Pats don't make certain moves but I think you need to trust BB and Pioli to get it done. So as to the "throw their tv out the window" comment, I'm with you. Guys allllways move up after their pro days. Workout warriors do not equal NFL heroes.

I understand the risk of projecting a guy to a new position, but Pats OLB is a position where virtually every player is a conversion...and it's a huge impact position with rare-body-type players. If you want a Ware or Merriman, you have to roll the dice. If somehow Gholston's there, I wouldn't hesitate.

I've said several times that a major position change adds too much risk but Merriman, Ware, Wimbley went 11th, 12th, 13th and all had major impacts as rookies. Sure, 7th is a little higher but it's in the same ballpark and you can't argue with the results.

And what really hurts is that we dont have another pick til 62 so this pick will be mangnified in importance.....and I can see us reaching if we cant trade down. Dont be surprised to see a guy rated 20-25 taken if Long/Gholston arent there. We will likely be taking a risk no matter who we pick at 7.....

BelichickFan said:

I've said several times that a major position change adds too much risk but Merriman, Ware, Wimbley went 11th, 12th, 13th and all had major impacts as rookies. Sure, 7th is a little higher but it's in the same ballpark and you can't argue with the results.

Click to expand...

And I think Gholston's a safer projection to OLB than all of those guys. His explosion and football smarts are just off the charts. I have Oakland grabbing him at 4, though.

With his recent pro day success, there is a 0% chance Gholston falls to us at #7. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Patriots move up to say #5 and try to grab him or Chris Long. The draft could easily see Chris Long go #1, and Gholston #2 to the Rams, that's not out of the question. The #7 pick, is looking more and more like one of the toughest picks in the draft. There going to have to choose from Ellis, Rivers, McKelvin, and Clady. What if the Patriots are concerned about Seymour health and recent play and maybe grab a Sedrick Ellis. That is not an impossible thought.

If BB&Pioli would draft Gholston at #7 it wouldn't be first high draft pick they have spent on a conversion player. Half the players on defense are "conversion players" within the pats scheme. The whole d-line were penetrating 4-3 tackles and I remember Wilfork had all kinds of problems grasping the two-gap techniques his first two seasons.

Koettbulle said:

If BB&Pioli would draft Gholston at #7 it wouldn't be first high draft pick they have spent on a conversion player. Half the players on defense are "conversion players" within the pats scheme. The whole d-line were penetrating 4-3 tackles and I remember Wilfork had all kinds of problems grasping the two-gap teqhniques his first two seasons.

Click to expand...

There's an adjustment for every player but while 1 gap to 2 gap is a bigger adjustment than, say, a RB, as was Mankins move from OT to OG, neither is as big a change as DE to OLB. Clearly.

Koettbulle said:

If BB&Pioli would draft Gholston at #7 it wouldn't be first high draft pick they have spent on a conversion player. Half the players on defense are "conversion players" within the pats scheme. The whole d-line were penetrating 4-3 tackles and I remember Wilfork had all kinds of problems grasping the two-gap teqhniques his first two seasons.

Click to expand...

Good point. Remember that Seymour (2) and Warren (1) spent their first year(s) at NT.

dryheat44 said:

Good point. Remember that Seymour (2) and Warren (1) spent their first year(s) at NT.

Click to expand...

That is not as big a change as moving a DE to play OLB or ILB. There area number of conversion guys that I have my eyes on in teh later rounds. Even if the Patriots were picking #25 I wouldn't have any problem with it.

But at #7, it has to be a can't miss guy and that is why I'm leaning toward Rivers if his is still there.*

*I'll change my mind next week!

Every position has it's nuances and requirements and the d-line has a high success rate of converting players to 3-4 DL. But Ware, Merriman, Kimbley and Kiwanuka shows that college 4-3 ends can play at high level in different roles almost instantly. And since Pats need linebackers, both outside and inside, I think it is a big risk to come up empty when serching in the later rounds for OLB conversion projects.

If we could get Gholston I would be absolutely ecstatic, but I am becoming more and more hesitant to believe he will still be on the board.

If that is the case I am hoping that either of the Long's magically fall into our laps. I can keep dreaming, can't I?

BB has said on several occasions that projecting DE to OLB is one of the most difficult things in the player evaluation process.

I dont see that BB & SP are the 'roll the dice' type of people, especially when a #7 pick and over $20 Mill guaranteed is at stake.

I dont believe after Gholstons workout that he will be around at 7 - however that could push someone else down that another team covets (McFadden /Ellis / Clady) to trade up for.

While trades into the top 7 have been infrequent last few years, I would be shocked if Pats couldnt work out a resonable trade to move down. Don't think Pats willing to risk $20 mill on any of the likely available players at 7. Even if not a risk - is the 'value' there at 7 for that kind of money and for what the Pats need?

I can even see several trade downs in the Pats first round- as many teams have big holes while Pats don't have so many. (and for those of you who will shout CORNERBACK as evidence of holes - I will just reply: Hank Poteat, Earthwind Morewind, Randall Gay, Tyrone Poole, etc). If we can be a playoff caliber team with those kinds of DB's the last few years (and with our current offense), then drafting a CB later on in 2nd or 3rd round should suffice.