Bostonian1962
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,096
- Reaction score
- 34
What the Pats should do in the draft:
I've been following the draft for literally over 30 years. This is by far the deepest DE draft ever. Where is the Pats biggest need? DE/Hybrid OLB. I hope BB doesn't blow this. I'll tell you what the Pats should do and why.
They need to go DE with their first pick, unless 6 teams trade in front of them, and run the table on DEs (some of the latest mocks have that happening). Then with the 28th pick, they can trade up or down depending on how the board is falling, but if at all possible I would not rule out doubling up on DE or hybrid OLB. In fact, that's how I hope it falls for them.
They're weakest position is the 5 Technique DE.
The best pure 5 Technique in the draft is JJ Watts from Wisconsin, and at 6-6" 305, he's the size BB covets for that position. However, I've watched film on JJ Watts, Cameron Jordan of Cal, and Wilkerson of Temple. I noticed that on almost everyone of Watts' sacks, he's lunging making an ankle or foot tackle while reaching as far as possible. It's uncanny. Both Jordan and Wilkerson, of all the DEs I saw, had a style of overpowering wrap up sacks and tackles. I love that. Jordan is incredibly bright too, and BB puts value in that.
IF they got both those guys to go with Wilfolk on the inside, they would be set for years to come. The defensive backfield would improve too, by them not having to cover players for 10 seconds.
The team also needs O linemen, but since it's a weak year for them, drafting one in the first round would be like getting a 2nd rounder in past years. ESPN compared the top 5 OTs in this years draft to the top 5 in the 2010 draft (the best this year against the best last year, the second best this year against last years second best etc), and in 5 out of 5 last years won. They would be O.K. with drafting one with the 28th pick, but not the 17th (my caveat is I like USCs Tyrone Smith a lot - even better than the BC kid).
Same thing with RB. They need one, but it's a weak year for it. Getting one with the 28th is O.K., but not the 17th. In fact, the two best rookie RBs in the draft last year were undrafted free agents, so it's better to get one later unless you're in love with a guy. They may be in love with the kid from Illinois.
So, at DE, Quinn could slide to them. Bowers, because of his knee could slide to them at 17 (he's versatile at DT and DE). Then there's Watts, Jordan, and Wilkerson. Kerrigan and Aldon Smith could be hybrids that they like, all though some question whether they can drop back effectively as a 3-4 OLB. Both, however, have a real knack with getting to the QB, and getting tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Getting a 5 Technique, and one of these guys could be a great approach, if they think can drop effectively. Heyward, DE, and Houston, DE/OLB, Clayborn, DE, Ayers, OLB and Sheard, OLB are a few to watch with the 28th pick. If they are all that is left, they may elect to go a different position. In other words, it's better to get the 1st or 2nd rated RB even in an off year, than the 7th or 8th rated DE/OLB.
They need to go DE, OLB, unless the picks don't fall right. This is the year to do it. Them putting pass rushing players on the front 7, to a 14 and 2 team that only lacked a pass rush is the way to go.
I've been following the draft for literally over 30 years. This is by far the deepest DE draft ever. Where is the Pats biggest need? DE/Hybrid OLB. I hope BB doesn't blow this. I'll tell you what the Pats should do and why.
They need to go DE with their first pick, unless 6 teams trade in front of them, and run the table on DEs (some of the latest mocks have that happening). Then with the 28th pick, they can trade up or down depending on how the board is falling, but if at all possible I would not rule out doubling up on DE or hybrid OLB. In fact, that's how I hope it falls for them.
They're weakest position is the 5 Technique DE.
The best pure 5 Technique in the draft is JJ Watts from Wisconsin, and at 6-6" 305, he's the size BB covets for that position. However, I've watched film on JJ Watts, Cameron Jordan of Cal, and Wilkerson of Temple. I noticed that on almost everyone of Watts' sacks, he's lunging making an ankle or foot tackle while reaching as far as possible. It's uncanny. Both Jordan and Wilkerson, of all the DEs I saw, had a style of overpowering wrap up sacks and tackles. I love that. Jordan is incredibly bright too, and BB puts value in that.
IF they got both those guys to go with Wilfolk on the inside, they would be set for years to come. The defensive backfield would improve too, by them not having to cover players for 10 seconds.
The team also needs O linemen, but since it's a weak year for them, drafting one in the first round would be like getting a 2nd rounder in past years. ESPN compared the top 5 OTs in this years draft to the top 5 in the 2010 draft (the best this year against the best last year, the second best this year against last years second best etc), and in 5 out of 5 last years won. They would be O.K. with drafting one with the 28th pick, but not the 17th (my caveat is I like USCs Tyrone Smith a lot - even better than the BC kid).
Same thing with RB. They need one, but it's a weak year for it. Getting one with the 28th is O.K., but not the 17th. In fact, the two best rookie RBs in the draft last year were undrafted free agents, so it's better to get one later unless you're in love with a guy. They may be in love with the kid from Illinois.
So, at DE, Quinn could slide to them. Bowers, because of his knee could slide to them at 17 (he's versatile at DT and DE). Then there's Watts, Jordan, and Wilkerson. Kerrigan and Aldon Smith could be hybrids that they like, all though some question whether they can drop back effectively as a 3-4 OLB. Both, however, have a real knack with getting to the QB, and getting tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Getting a 5 Technique, and one of these guys could be a great approach, if they think can drop effectively. Heyward, DE, and Houston, DE/OLB, Clayborn, DE, Ayers, OLB and Sheard, OLB are a few to watch with the 28th pick. If they are all that is left, they may elect to go a different position. In other words, it's better to get the 1st or 2nd rated RB even in an off year, than the 7th or 8th rated DE/OLB.
They need to go DE, OLB, unless the picks don't fall right. This is the year to do it. Them putting pass rushing players on the front 7, to a 14 and 2 team that only lacked a pass rush is the way to go.
