Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

I just put this in the draft forum, and likely broke every rule of internet forum etiquette but with all the offseason talk I think it is just as applicable here. Thoughts, realistic? crazy? other ideas?
-----------------------------------------------------

I will change this 20 more times before September but as of now, here is my projected 53 man roster, draft picks and FA signings (attached in zipped Excel file).

Summary

Free Agents
- Samuel get signed, everything changes if this doesn't happen ( 6 Years, $34, $11 Bonus)
- Napolean Harris is signed and projected to start at ILB ( 5 Years, $22, $5 Bonus)
- Graham leaves, injury history makes it too risky to sign long term

Draft Summary
- heavy focus on defense on day 1, Bradley and Burgess are brought in, each has the potential to play OLB or ILB

2007 Draft
1 - Round 1 WR - Bowe (LSU)
1 - Round 1 S - Griffin (Texas)
2 - Round 2 OLB/ILB - Bradley (Nebraska)
3 - Round 3 OLB/ILB -Burgess (Michigan)
4 - Round 4 CB - Smith (Florida)
5 (Comp) Round 5 RB - Snelling (Virginia)
6 - Round 6 OT\OG - Barbre (Missouri Southern State)
6 (Comp) Round 6 TE - Herold (Nebraska-Omaha)
7 - Round 7 S - Mitchell (Ohio State)

UFAs , ERFAs, RFAs
- all tendered including Gay

Projected Roster (Warning, this will look like crap, use the Excel file for a better view)
Pos - Depth1 Depth2 Depth3
QB - Brady, Cassel
LWR - Caldwell, WR - Bowe (LSU), Kight
RWR - Gaffney, Jackson
LT - Light,
LG - Mankins, Yates
C - Koppen, Hochstein
RG - Neal,
RT - Kaczur, O'Callaghan
TE - Watson, Thomas, TE - Herold (Nebraska-Omaha)
FB - Evans
RB - Maroney, FAULK, RB - Snelling (Virginia)
LDE - Warren, Wright
NT - Wilfork, Smith
RDE - Seymour, Green, Hill
LOLB - COLVIN, OLB/ILB - Bradley (Nebraska)
LILB - BRUSCHI, Alexander, Izzo
RILB - Harris OLB/ILB -Burgess (Michigan), Mays
ROLB - VRABEL, Woods
LCB - Samuel, Gay, CB - Smith (Florida)
SS - HARRISON, Sanders, Mitchell
FS - Wilson, S - Griffin (Texas), Andrews
RCB - Hobbs, Scott
P - MILLER
PK Gostkowski
LS Paxton

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

I certainly appreciate the good work done on this projection. I'd be thrilled if most of this stuff happens. Hopefully it does.

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

Not bad work, not bad at all.

I'd pick on two things -
1- no WR is coming in the first round. You can never be sure about BB's picks, but if they don't go D with both number ones, I'd say a much more likely 'surprise' would be a stud O-lineman

2- You forgot about Garrett Mills. A guy with his speed, college production and team first attitude would seem to warrant another season at minimum.

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

After drafting Mankins, Kaczur, and O'Callaghan, and already having Light, Koppen, and Neal locked up long term, drafting an OL is probably last on the Pats' list for 2007.

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

Mills and Mays are still eligible for the practice squad next year, as they both did not dress for more than 8 games last year.

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

What happened to Dillon, am I missing him?

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

1) Just speculation but the WR class is very deep, depending on how the combine, etc. play out players like Ginn, Meachem, Bowe and maybe (real longshot) Jarrett. Because of the depth the best value should be at WR. I still don't think they take an ILB in round 1, maybe they look at DE\OLB but most of the 3-4 type LBs seem to be 2nd to 3rd rounders.
2) I didn't forget him, I think he is on the fence to make the team. It may have seemed attractive at the time to draft a tweener but IMO he is not physical enough to be a FB, too small to play TE. My sense is that the team may try to get a little bigger on offense and possibly add an old school style FB, this would be an attempt to make the running game more consistent. That is partially why I looked to Bowe in round 1, apparently he is very physical and can block quite well for a WR.

OL - I think they are ok, they rebounded nicely after the Miami game. Look for a Day 2 addition or a veteran FA who retires during training camp. Additional players (scrubs) will be brought in for the 8 and 9 spots.

Again, I will change it 20 more times but as pathetic and nerdy as it is to compile the lists it has kept be from thinking about the loss to the Colts...

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

Put to pasture.

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

You are definitely reaching with Bradley and Burgess in the second round. Meanwhile Ryan Smith only weighs 168 lbs and you have to question his durability at that size for the NFL. Finally, the New England Patriots do not need another offensive lineman on the 53 man roster.

1st Round - Patrick Willis, ILB from Mississippi
1st Round - Michael Griffin, FS from Texas
2nd Round - David Harris, ILB from Michigan
3rd Round - Fred Bennett, CB from South Carolina or David Irons, CB from Auburn
4th Round - Stewart Bradley, OLB from Nebraska or Prescott Burgess, OLB from Michigan
5th Round (Comp) - Zak DeOssie, ILB from Brown
6th Round - Reggie Lewis, CB from Florida or best available cornerback
6th Round (Comp) - Steve Breaston, WR/KR from Michigan (if Troy Brown retires)
7th Round (from Arizona) - Chris Davis, WR from Florida State
7th Round - Anthony Waters, ILB from Clemson (immediately placed on PUP)

Place Franchise Tag on Asante Samuel
Re-sign Junior Seau to one year contract

Defensive Squad
6 - Defensive Lineman
10 - Linebackers
5 - Cornerbacks
5 - Safeties

10 Linebackers
4 Outside Linebackers
Mike Vrabel
Rosevelt Colvin
Pierre Woods
Stewart Bradley or Prescott Burgess

10 Linebackers
6 Inside Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi
Junior Seau
Patrick Willis
David Harris
Zak DeOssie
Eric Alexander

5 Safeties
Rodney Harrison
James Sanders
Michael Griffin
Willie Andrews
Mel Mitchell or Tebucky Jones or Artrell Hawkins

5 Cornerbacks
Asante Samuel (Mister Franchise Tag)
Ellis Hobbs
Eugene Wilson
Fred Bennett or David Irons
Reggie Lewis or Randall Gay or Antwain Spann

Re: Predicted 07 Roster - January 25-07 (re-post)
 

I can honestly say that I would be shocked if Mills is not on next year's team. I think he is more of a lock than Dillon.

The one game in the preseason that Mills actually got some action he was very good. He ran decent routes and showed tremendous quickness. If you recall, this was after only a week of practice due to being injured early in camp.

I have absolutely no idea how you came to the conclusion that he was on the fence. He is a promising guy who was injured so NE red shirted him. IMO he is Faulk's eventual replacement as the receiver out of the backfield.