The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

WILFORK will be extended. We've added JONES. We have FRANCIS to replace Brace going forward.

IN THEIR CONTRACT YEAR IN 2013
Ninkovich
Cunningham
Deaderick
Love

MAYBE Bequette or Forston will develop to be a major contributor. I think that we need to add a player or two as we look forward to 2014 (as a draft should).

Don't get wrong. I'm fine with extending all four. However, I think that the draft can be used to find potential upgrades.

As of now, I would be fine with two front seven players and a safety for our draft. Corners, wide receivers and OT will need to be addressed by re-signs or in free agency (or a trade). I suspect that at least one of our picks will be traded down, since we are OK with a year of development for these players.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

My preference would be DT. A 3-tech who can get upfield and rush the passer. Not a 330lb roadblock who would have trouble catching me. The only problem might be that is likely to be a ton of DL drafted in the 1st this year. 10-12 again. We won't be getting the pick of the litter. Probably gone; Lotulelei, Hankins, Jenkins, Richardson. Available. Jesse Williams - Bama. He's more of a NG than 3-tech. S. Williams-UNC. Might be able to do it. He's gonna be 25 in his rookie year though. Kawann Short-Purdue Not sure he's explosive enough to do what I'm looking for. Shariff Floyd - Florida. 3rd year junior who is probably coming out. May not help in 2013. But, could be the guy with experience.

If we're playing this flex 4-3 with a standup DE. I'd like to see Hightower at that spot. That would severely lessen the need for a LDE. But, would place a greater need on a 4-3 weakside olb who can play in space.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

I've been saying this for months:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-...rint-pats.html

I want a stud DE to pair with Chandler Jones, along with depth at DT. I'm fine with Ninkovich/Cunningham/Scott/Francis/Bequette, but none appears to be the long term "answer" at LDE way Jones is the answer at RDE. My current list:

- Day 1: Ziggy Ansah. Maybe Sam Montgomery if he falls.
- Day 2: Trent Murphy if he declares. Maybe Tank Carradine, but he won't be avaialble for another year because of his ACL injury.
- Day 3: Margus Hunt. Devin Taylor's inconsistency and motor scare me.

A stud interior lineman would be nice. If Johnathan Hankins fell he would be hard to resist. Brandon Williams is my day 2/3 sleeper pick.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

The good news is this is probably the deepest area of the draft. Tons of talent available.

DT Lotulelei Utah (top 10)
DT Hankins OSU (1st Round)
DT Jenkins Georgia (1st Round)
DT Richardson MIzzu (1st Round)
DT Floyd Florida (1st Round)

DE Werner FSU (top 10)
DE Montgomery LSU (1st Round)
DE Mingo LSU (1st Round)
DE Okafor Texas (Late 1st/Early 2nd)
DE Jordan Oregon (Late 1st/Early 2nd)
DE Ansah BYU (Late 1st/Early 2nd)

Plus lots of 2nd round graded talent

DT Williams Alabama
DT Williams UNC
DT Short Purdue

DE Lemonier Auburn
DE Gayle Virginia
DE Simon OSU
DE Taylor of SC

Lots of talent should be on the board when BB is on the clock. I like Floyd and Jordan the best.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

Sylvester Williams is definitely interesting. His age may cause him to slip a bit. Another guy to consider is Brandon Williams from Missouri Southern. He's 6'2" 328# but had 8.5 sacks and 16.5 TFL as the NT this year. He supposedly runs a sub-5.0 40 and is very athletic, but the question is whether he's just beaten up on inferior competition. He's gotten a Senior Bowl invite, so it will be interesting to see how he handles himself against the big boys.

Bennie Logan may come out and could be an option in addition to Sharrif Floyd. Guys like Datone Jones and Margus Hunt play both inside and out and could be worth taking a look at.

I've discussed moving Hightower up on the line, both at LDE and inside. If Kyle Van Noy declares, he's an option to consider in the 2nd round, especially if the Pats trade back and acquire more day 2 picks. He's probably a top 50 pick but not a 1st round pick. He could be very effective in a rotation with Mayo, Hightower and Spikes, allowing Hightower to move up on the line at times.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

I was probably the first person on the board to hype Dion Jordan, and he is one of the most intriguing players in the draft. If he is available in the late 1st he has to get serious consideration because of his unique skill set, but it's not clear that he has the strength and edge setting ability to be a line player for BB. But he's certainly on any short list.

I do think that you could use Jordan and Hightower together quite effectively. Hightower has great strength, Jordan more quickness and coverage ability. You could put one at LDE and the other at SAM, depending on the situation, without changing personnel.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

This isn't anything new, and I'm sure a lot of people will agree with you.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

I think the bigger need is a DT able to rush the qb and Im still on the Short bandwagon. He has some flaws but after Sheldon Richardson he is the guy i like the most.

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

I want a grizzly that can play opposite the guard in the base and nickel defenses, but also play opposite the tackle when they go to a 3-4. I'm not sure any on the top guys can do that. Maybe Richardson or Hankins, but neither are ideal. There is no Brockers in this draft, and I'm struggling to find an Akiem Hicks. Somebody on twitter said Deandre Coleman is thinking about declaring. He plays 5-tech in Cal's 3-4. I haven't seen him play.

The guys I do like are:
Kapron Lewis-Moore
William Campbell
Quinton Dial

Re: The #1 draft need is likely to be DL
 

All intriguing. That was part of my interest in Ra'shede Hageman, but he's not coming out this year.