If they wanted to compete for a super bowl in '09? Yes. If they want to win with Brady now, they don't have time to be waiting around for draft picks to have spot duty here and there.
Expecting rookies to be impact players is a fool's game. Even top picks often don't do that in year one.
This is where we disagree. I define "impact" as a player that steps in right away and earns a starting job. I'm not asking for a pro bowl player, but for a player that can show some consistency by staying in the starting lineup. I didn't like the musical chairs that they played at CB this season with Butler and Wilhite. In addition, I didn't like them playing musical chairs at OT with Vollmer, Kaczur and Light.
1.) See part "A"
2.) Ingram took the LS job from day 1.
3.) Edelman was in the WR mix from the second game, where he caught 8 passes in relief of Welker. It was his injuries that knocked him out of the lineup after that.
4.) While people spent the entire season overrating Vollmer, he was able to wrest the starting RT position from Kaczur by the end of the season. How much of that was Vollmer and how much was injury to Kaczur is something we'll never know. However, I think it's safe to assume that the RT job is Vollmer's to lose as we move forward into next season.
5.) Butler was up and down, but he showed a level of talent that gives confidence. He should be in a position to compete for that CB2 spot this year. Hell, with Springs being another year older (and possibly getting the boot), Butler should probably be considered the favorite to win the job.
6.) Chung looked about as I expected, since he came into the league not being able to cover.
7.) Brace was what you'd expect from a 4-3 DT converting to a two gapping 3-4 NT. By that, I mean that he was a fish out of water. He'll need to step it up this season if he wants to solidify his place on the team.
8.) I had no problem with the Tate selection. I expected him to be red-shirted. I wish he had been. Now we're left to hope that the second injury isn't one that seriously damages his career.
9.) I'm intrigued by the possibility of McKenzie being able to play on running downs. It would eliminate the need to bring in someone to replace Guyton, since Mr. Guyton could be the designated "passing down" LB, and the two of them could potentially make an acceptable tandem. That lost season of McKenzie's last year puts him behind the curve here, unfortunately.
10.) Ohrnberger and Bussey were MIA last season, as one would expect from later round o-linemen coming to the Patriots. I expect absolutely nothing out of either of them, as a result. If they can achieve backup status, that will be a plus.
11.) Pryor did a fade over the course of the season. I have no idea what to expect out of him. In the interest of what I consider smart planning, I therefore expect nothing out of him and hope for pleasant surprise.
So.... Vollmer, Ingram, Butler, Tate, McKenzie and Edelman should all be able to give some legitimate competition in training camp, and most, if not all, of them should be expected to get some real playing time during the season. That's a pretty solid hall for just one draft.