We won't be drafting a WR early again any time soon...Stallworth and Washington remain signed pending other decisions at least.
I'd be surprised to see a WR drafted before late day 2 when the primary objective is developmental players.
That said, today Welker is the only guy we can count on for next year. While I think more than one of the contributing WRs will be back, right now it is an unknown and needs to be addressed. Moss and Gaffney are free agents. Stallworth has a major bonus issue to deal with. Chad Jackson is an unknown. Washington also has a bonus issue and like Troy Brown and Chad Jackson I think he did not catch a single pass last season.
I would guess we bring Moss and Washington back to join Jackson and Welker and fill in the blank gets the 5th spot. I think Gaffney is the guy they would like to bring back but he will probably get better offers elsewhere and for a guy who has never made real NFL $, it will be tough to pass up. Stallworth's bonus isn't one I expect to pay and I can't see him spurning more $ elsewhere 2 times in a row.
I don't see Bill ever drafting a LB high because it just takes too long to teach them the system. It took AD all season to get comfortable and he's an 8 year vet and a former pro bowler. He will replace his LB's with veterans in FA or maybe a RFA he fancies ala Welker, or if he hits on a diamond in the rough and coaches him up.
I really have no prediction for how BB would use the 7th overall pick since he has never been in this spot with a high pick since his first year. He hasn't picked a LB but if one were there that fit the system I don't see why he would pass. That said, the LB pool doesn't appear to be worthy of that spot in this year's draft.
There is no question they have important questions right now with only Vrabel, Thomas, Colvin, and a bunch of guys yet to show anything under contract. Colvin's cap # is very high compared to his production and personally I would be surprised if he plays under it meaning the Pats will look to rework it. If he doesn't agree, they will cut him loose. If it isn't the draft, it will be FA but they need to address issues here.
Who would be comfortable with Woods and Vrabel outside and Thomas and Alexander inside? This is a scheme built around play making LBs and right now there are not enough play makers under contract.
So that leaves CB as the pressing need in this draft. But he will likely also be alert for a Ty Law or some other veteran he thinks can still play in this system while he works a draftee into the system. Remember, Hobbs came out of round 2 and was on the field in week 8-9 replacing Starks and upgrading the entire secondary.
I would point more to Wilson and Samuel jumping in from Day 1 and upgrading what we know from Patriot Reign was considered by BB to be an old, slow secondary. The point of a DB being able to be found later in the draft is one I agree with.
No matter what anyone thinks of Samuel being an All-pro, a product of the systetm, etc. he has been our best CB and a playmaker on D. He is leaving and that big hole must be filled. So does the nickel job with Gay probably going as well.
We are fairly set on DL. I think Oline is where you also spend in the draft because quality veteran linemen are becoming increasingly expensive to acquire or retain. And college talent that transitions well is a little easier to identify there than at several other positions, particularly in this system.
Do not disagree. As I said, if there is value there look for the Pats to upgrade on OL. I would say the same for DL too since the statement about obtaining quality vets is equally true.
Back to the topic of the thread, I don't see OL as a need. I think we would all be OK going into next season with the group of OL we have. That is probable with none of the guys really being a cap issue and potential cut.
I don't see the same comfort at WR, LB, and CB right now. The pats are likely to attempt to address nearly every spot on the roster as they always do but those are the 3 needs that must be addressed in the offseason.
