What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

Easy enough question. If you could see the Pats draft any one player in the upcoming draft, who would it be? Try to be more creative than just the top-flight guys, although they're certainly on the table (but we're pretty sure Chris Long, for example, won't be around).

For me it's Chris Johnson, RB out of ECU (probably a 2nd rounder). I know we're pretty stacked at RB now, but this guy ran the fastest 40 at the combine, and is an absolute ace on returns. Everyone in the NFL has been looking for the "next Hester", and I think Johnson comes as close as you can get. How many different players did we see back returning kicks and punts for the Patriots last season? In the Super Bowl, our starting RB was out there on kick returns, and I don't think we have a real long term solution (I'd also like to spare Welker those duties, though I'm sure he doesn't mind.) So if Johnson is still around when we pick in the second round (or if we acquire another pick by trading down), then I hope the Pats take him.

Who do you want most?

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

It's hard to claim Johnson as the next Hester when there were 17 more productive kick returners at the Div. 1 level. I'm not saying he won't be a good fit here, or that we shouldn't draft him (although I don't think we should, as highly as he's projected) but people need to back away from the thinking that just because somebody's fast, they're going to be an elite kick returner. In all probability, he won't be as good a KR as Bethel Johnson, who's KR skills have single-handedly kept him in the league all these years.

Now, he's not the best player in the draft, but I really hope the Patriots draft Quentin Demps out of UTEP. He's played run-support safety, cover safety, and cornerback. He returned kicks (although ranked in the bottom half of D1) and punts (ranked #15 in the NCAA) for the Miners. Whatever the hole ends up being in the secondary, he can plug it plus contribute on Special Teams. Good athletic numbers, and sure tackler.

Honorable mention to Gholston, but we've discussed him enough already.

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

I'll concede your point, but a lot of kick return production has to do with the talent around you on special teams. I'm not knowledgeable enough on the subjects to evaluate the relative merits of D1 special teams units, so I won't attempt to. I guess my sense is that his skills and instincts project very well as a kick returner at the next level.

I look at it as a position of definitive need for the Patriots, based on how many different guys were returning kicks last year (Welker was a bit of a stabilizing force on punts), and Johnson is, in my mind, the best return specialist in the draft. Plus, it isn't as if he would be useless on offense either, especially if Faulk and Morris aren't around after next season.

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

With all compliments to Dryheat44(he is my favorite poster to read), I have a different guy I had hoped in the same position....
Wesley Woodyard, the small,fast(4.49), do everything LB from Kentucky who had 138 tackles in the SEC last year. Thats 25 more than MLB Goff! Now he isnt a returner, and the knock on him is he runs "stiff" and cant get his hips turned(I didnt see him in the shuttle)....but I would like to see him bang people in ST and convince BB to bring back the "Big Nickel" in a hopeful replacement for Rodney at SS in 09. He would look great alongside BM.
He will likely be around in the 4th rd, and he is the one player that had both coaches at the senior bowl and at the combine shaking their heads. A classic "tweener", a SURE tackler, he will make the team that drafts him and work his way into the game. He might be a football player without a position, one of those types you root for because if he plays he might just redefine the position. OK, off my soapbox,lol.

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

matt ryan, come on who needs brady when u have ryan/sarcasm

i used to want gholston, then i saw DRC his combine senior bowl, and highlight reels, this kid can go far

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

DRC for me even though the above arguments are all very logical and interesting. I don't think we pay him after rookie deal runs out though.

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

The Patriots need a pass rushing linebacker like Gholston

even if they have to trade up with Kansas City to get him.

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

Roy Shuening, he isn't a top prospect, but he is an intelligent guy, I'd take him in the 3rd.

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

Ghoulston for sure. I would be surprised if Chris Johnson doesn't go early second round.

Re: What one player do you most hope the Patriots draft?
 

That's the biggest stumbling block to my ideal scenario, since he is very unlikely to last until we pick in the second round. The only conceivable scenario is us picking up an earlier 2nd as part of a trade down from #7. If only we had another pick at the end of the first round... :mad:

As for Gholston, I like him as well, but I still really think CB has to be the priority. That said, if I could be assured that we could still pick up a better than decent CB in round 2, I would definitely take Gholston at 7.