Updated:
1/17 - I still struggle with this pick. Right now, I'd favor Kerrigan over Watt, Sherrod, or Clayborn, but there's enough about Kerrigan's game which makes me think this is too high. I'm going the blockbuster route, going off the hairbrained idea that there will be a CBA, or at least rules allowing trading players, by the draft:
***Trade*** the Patriots sign Logan Mankins and trade him to the Arizona Cardinals, along with Darius Butler and the #17 pick for Larry Fitzgerald, LB Brandon Sharpe, and the #38 pick. It's a swap of high salary of guys each club is unlikely to re-sign. Fitzgerald comes to a winner for the prime of his career, and Whisenhunt and Grimm certainly see the value of a mauling guard like Mankins. Which means we have holes in the interior line. Stay tuned.
1/28 - Justin Houston LB Georgia. I think at this point of the draft Houston is a good value. He's played a year at OLB, so he has that under his belt, yet a lot of upside. He'll be spotted in September, but he should be able to learn and improve every week. I originally wanted Carimi here, whom I like, but is he really first-round talent, or just seems that way in a poor year for OTs?
2/33 - Muhammad Wilkerson DE Temple. Again, I don't know if he'll be here, but if so he's a must-have.
2/38 - Danny Watkins G Baylor. Here's the start of the interior overhaul. He should be able to step in at left guard quickly, and has tackle flexibility also.
2/60 - Johnny Patrick CB Louisville. I like this kid. He's got coverage ability in any scheme and can return kicks.
3/74 - Delone Carter RB Syracuse. He's a do-it-all kind of back that seems to be undervalued right now. Mr. Ohio in HS, which is probably a bit more difficult than being named Mr. Vermont.
3/92 - Kris O'Dowd C USC. Addresses a soon-to-be position of need. Good work ethic. Improved strength at C position. Seems to have the "Patriot" make-up.
4/123 - Clint Boling G Georgia. Will he be here on draft day? Who knows, but he's here now. Despite all the "professional" mockers projecting many interior offensive linemen in the first two rounds, historically that's not what happens.
5/156 - Jermale Hines S OSU. Solid all-round player from great program.
6/184 - Cedric Thornton DE Southern Arkansas. A small-school project that could develop into a starting DE.
Comp/Free agent types: Julius Thomas TE Portland St, Schuylar Oordt TE Northern Iowa, Da'Norris Searcy S North Carolina, Chris Culliver S South Carolina, Ryan Winterswyk LB Boise St, Aldrick Robinson WR SMU, Nic Grigsby RB Arizona, Nathan Enderle QB Idaho, Justin Roper QB Montana, Kyle Havens QB UMass
