Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

despite what seems like common theory, i am placing my bets that the pats will not take a LB at 24 or 28, with the exception that willis falls to 24. i know beason seems like a good option, but i think if the pats decide LB is a major future need, they will trade our first this year to get a chance to take a LB next yr in a exceptional lb class. right now, we have vrabel, bruschi, thomas, colvin in our starting 4, with alexander serving as a capable backup. i do see the pats looking into LB later in the draft in a BPA or depth move, but i am just not as impressed/concerned w/ the linebackers this year as the db's. i would rate our priorities as follows.

1a. Safety
1b. Safety/corner
2. LT (if Staley is on the board this may be 1a.)
3. WR (no way that we keep stallworth/washington w/ those bonuses for next yr-deep class this yr also w/ top underclassmen coming out)
4. LB (look at next yrs class-jesus. well take some1 like bishop in the mid to late rounds)

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

Exhibit A: 2006 Draft
Common Thought: No way the Pats draft a RB in the 1st round.
Reality: Pats drafted Laurence Maroney

Exhibit B: 2005 Draft
Common Thought: BB has never drafted an interior lineman in the 1st round because they are a dime a dozen later on.
Reality: Pats "reached" and got Logan Mankins who is on the verge of being an ALL-PRO LG.

Exhibit C: 2004 Draft:
Common Thought: BB won't draft another TE in the 1st round.
Reality: BB drafted Ben Watson.

Every year its another MYTH about what BB will and won't draft in the 1st round. Every year, he breaks another myth.

If the Pats feel that Willis, Harris, Siler, or Beason is the Best VALUE available when their pick comes up, that is who they are going to take. That is how the Patriots DRAFT. By best VALUE. BB has stated it on numerous occasions. OH, and before you start quoting me draft rankings from other sites, the Pats don't use them. The Pats rank the players by their OWN standards. The Pats are known to have one of the biggest, if not THE BIGGEST, scouting group in the league.

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

I like your thinking, but I think that the linebacker class in 2008 is only exceptional if the juniors declare:

Laurinaitis (JR)
Maualuga (JR)
Connor
Goff (the guy I really wanted to come out this year)

Take out the juniors and it becomes rather average in my opinion. If you could be sure that Laurinaitis and Maualuga would declare, I would be on board with you...though I do agree with your thinking about not taking a LB in the first round. I'm thinking they get a corner and (unless a safety they like is available at 28) trade out of the 1st round collecting a #2 next year for their troubles. I agree with you that the Pats can find LB talent later in the draft this year.

Next year looks like a banner year for OT. I was shocked Jake Long and Sam Baker didn't declare this year. Following your logic, I think this means that the Pats won't take an OT this year on the first day, if at all.

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

What's with this guy? From his first post on here earlier today he's been acting like some type of expert who knows exactly what they will do, then he chides others he claims were acting like "experts"......

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

My Stewart Bradley fantasy is just ruined! Thank you very much! :enranged:

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

He's already resolved earlier conflicts and each of us have had our bad moments with people.

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

Well,If you go by past year draft trends for BB in NE he rarily takes a 1st round LB so the idea is not so impossible to comprehend.

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

So then, what will he take in round one? Not a CB or S, according to the that logic.

OTOH, he never took a guard, ever, until he did.

Face it, we have no idea what position he will take. It will all depend on who is available. If a TE or WR or DT or DE, positions we seem to be set at, falls so far that BB feels he is great value, that's who he'll draft.

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

i mean if you'd like to manipulate my comments and take things completely out of context knock yourself out pal. if you think i come off as an expert, then i appreciate the compliment. and as far as the other posters prediction that i was going to regurgatate draft site rankings, please don't put words in my mouth. based on the draft visits, im sure you could argue for any of the prospects who have undergone specific evaluation by BB. im just saying based on watching the team/knowing the players in the draft that there are certain players that I believe would fit well in the system. so don't try and tutor me on the BB philosophy of taking BPA-im well aware of previous draft trends.

Re: Pats will not draft LB in 1st rd
 

and i was wasn't chiding others as much as I was trying to reveal the weakness of the "we dont need a stomper" conclusion on meriweather. but im sorry if I was too blunt for you.