Originally Posted by mayoclinic
Last summer, when Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis were rated the #1 and #2 players overall (not just at LB, but of all college players) on many "professional" draft boards, I identified Curry as a player of extreme interest. He had been rated a 3rd round pick by the NFL draft advisory board in 2008, and was considered a likely 2nd round pick, but he seemed much more athletic, technically sound, and versatile than either Laurinaitis or Maualuga. I had hopes then that we would pick at #32 and that Curry would fly under the radar. Both hopes obviously changed quickly. By late September Curry was a probably 1st round pick, by early November he was a top 20 pick, and by December he was a top 10 pick.
I like Curry. There's little not to like. He has great size and speed, a great motor, good fundamentals, tremendous drive, and good instincts. He is solid against the run and the pass, and while not a pure pass rusher he can bring the heat.
With that in mind, having liked him when he was anonymous, I think he has gotten over-hyped. He may be the safest prospect in the draft, but his upside is less than some others. I'm not sure he a 3-4 OLB or what his best position would be in the Pats 3-4. And short of Lawrence Taylor, I'm not sure any LB is worth the #3 pick in the draft to this team.
Great post. What LB's do you think would be a solid pick for us?
thanks