midwestpatsfan
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2004
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I think we have all learned that it is near impossible to really figure out which way the Patriots are going to go when it comes to the draft. That being said, I went back to analyze the 1st round picks of the BB/SP era and have found 2 trends that I think can help narrow the possiblities of who the Patriots might pick.
1. In the first round, The Patriots do not take players that will be forced to be "the guy" right off the bat. What that means is that they usually have an aging veteran that is probably in his last year or so but can offer some guidance to the rookie. In turn, the rookie can get some solid playing time and learn the system while not having all the pressure put on him.
Maroney-Dillon
Wilfork-Washington
Mankins-Light (I know that Mankins did indeed start from day one, but IIRC there were some injuries on the line, and with O-line it is better to get all the guys playing together from day one if possible.
Watson-Graham
Ty Warren-Bobby Hamilton, Anthony Pleasent, Richard Seymour
Daniel Graham-Christian Fauria
2. The Patriots do not take players that project to play at another position. With the amount of money invested and the relatively short time that the rookies first contract is, the Patriots cannot and do not risk taking someone who has to learn a new position. The players that the Patriots take do not necessarily have to make a huge impact their rookie season, but they do need to step in and play a role, and by their second season they should be a major contibutor in the system. Guys who have to learn a new position and the complicated system the patriots run just isnt what they are looking for in a player in the 1st round.
I realize that this could completely change this year, so please take this as a grain of salt. What do you think? Am I reaching here or is there some pattern here.
1. In the first round, The Patriots do not take players that will be forced to be "the guy" right off the bat. What that means is that they usually have an aging veteran that is probably in his last year or so but can offer some guidance to the rookie. In turn, the rookie can get some solid playing time and learn the system while not having all the pressure put on him.
Maroney-Dillon
Wilfork-Washington
Mankins-Light (I know that Mankins did indeed start from day one, but IIRC there were some injuries on the line, and with O-line it is better to get all the guys playing together from day one if possible.
Watson-Graham
Ty Warren-Bobby Hamilton, Anthony Pleasent, Richard Seymour
Daniel Graham-Christian Fauria
2. The Patriots do not take players that project to play at another position. With the amount of money invested and the relatively short time that the rookies first contract is, the Patriots cannot and do not risk taking someone who has to learn a new position. The players that the Patriots take do not necessarily have to make a huge impact their rookie season, but they do need to step in and play a role, and by their second season they should be a major contibutor in the system. Guys who have to learn a new position and the complicated system the patriots run just isnt what they are looking for in a player in the 1st round.
I realize that this could completely change this year, so please take this as a grain of salt. What do you think? Am I reaching here or is there some pattern here.