Jeffbiologist's Mock draft V1

[PatsFan2]

I would love to see ILB Larry Foote on this Team but i heard he was extended by Pittsburgh.

 

[PatsFan2]

DRAFT

1(22)- T- Sam Baker-USC--best value of the linemen left on board, can play both guard and tackle

2(45)-CB A.Cason--best CB left, Cromartie shouldnt drop this far, Mckelvin and Jenkins drop Cason to 2nd rd.

2(60?)-DT-- Red Bryant-Texas A&M--upgrade over Wright and should push Vince in a contract year. Gives us negotiating leverage, by far the best NT this year.BIG. Great motor in senior bowl.

3(68 from Oakland)-OLB--S.Crable-Michigan--outside rusher, project but Michigan background and age help here. Luxury pick really.

3(95)-TE-Cottam-Tenn-- looks like the real deal in the senior bowl. Not much experience but great size, liked the way he used his hands too.

4(120?)-SS-Wesley Woodyard-Kentucky- This guy is a ball hawk,playmaker, nose for the ball but without the big hit. Could learn from Rodney.

5(150?)-ILB-Goff-Vanderbilt--kinda doubt he will be here but scoutsinc says he should,lol. We do need bodies here, hoping someone will turn out smart..

6(180?)-WR Arrington- Michigan--big reciever with decent speed.

7(210?) CB Ikegwuonu-Wisconsin-likely wont be here, blew out his MCL last week but we put him on IR and hope to get 1st round talent cheap, nothing to lose really....

7(230?)Compensatory-P-Dragosavich-N.Dakota St-- our punter continues to cost us field position, this guy looked great in the senior bowl setting a record.

Jeff no offence but i don't like your draft...this Team is pretty set on Offense to be wasting Two Day 1 picks on that side of the ball. Defense gets the call on Day 1. I want us to load up on that side of the ball which have some age at LB.

 

[DaBruinz]

Jeff no offence but i don't like your draft...this Team is pretty set on Offense to be wasting Two Day 1 picks on that side of the ball. Defense gets the call on Day 1. I want us to load up on that side of the ball which have some age at LB.

I have to disagree. The Pats need an upgrade at the tackle position. I love Light and think he's been very good, but he'd be better over on the right side. I can see the Pats drafting an OT early.

I don't think that the defense will get all 4 1st day picks. But certainly 3 of them.

 

[sg14]

Spach has come in and done everything asked of him. Do I see him on the roster? Not likely unless K. Brady retires. But Spach has done what Marcellus Rivers wasn't able to do. And I think that Spach will be in TC this summer to provide depth.

Can you expand on this??

I do not have a critical eye, barely noticed the guy.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Why do you think that the Pats NEED to free up cap money? By Miguel's figures, the Pats are 10.2 million under the cap. Now, they did push 5.6 million into next year, but all of that is going to be taken up by the NLTBE bonuses that were earned this year AND the ones that will automatically switch from NLTBE to LTBE. Also, Miguel has mentioned previously that the 116.1 million mentioned as the salary cap for next season will, in all likelihood, go up because the league didn't use all the cap money this year, like it didn't use it all last year.

Colvin, in my opinion, will get a 3-4 year extension, which will lower his cap hit. He'll get the extension because he's developed into an every down LB who isn't just a pass rush specialist. That will free up money. But I don't believe that he'll be given the ultimatum of extend or be cut the way Milloy was. There isn't any need and won't be before the end of TC.

The Patriots draft based on VALUE as determined by THEM. Not by Scouts.INC. Not by NFLDraftSCout.com. Not by OUTSIDERS.COM. They have a very intircate system that they use in determining value and rating players. But the basics is that VALUE = Physical Attributes, Natural Attributes (Leadership, Football intelligence, etc) and need for the team. In other words, the PATS ALSO rate their own players by the same standards as the draft picks they make. And they make them based on how they believe they will fill in on the team. Yes, in a weak draft, you will see players like Elgin, Oldenburg, etc, taken to provide competition at certain positions.

I know that I don't do the Pats drafting system justice, but, then I think only Bill Belichick or Scott Pioli could TRULY offer an accurate explanation.
Yesterday 05:43 PM


Well we do need to free up some cap space for our draft picks, Moss, Gaffney, and to at least be modest in the FA market(there will be guys wanting to come here at a discount so we have to have $$ for them).
Colvin--note that he has finished 2/4 of his seasons here and those that he missed we happen to be in the SUPER BOWL. To extend him another 3-4 years(despite his experience in our system) might not be a wise decision. I think comparing him to Milloy is a fair comparison except he is coming off an injury again. His is the EASIEST position in the front 7 to replace in the draft, you cant tell me Long wouldnt be a suitable replacement can you?
I know the pats dont listen to scoutinc, you or me. But I know they base everything on VALUE to the team. They did keep Law around that last year for 10M.....
Your last point makes no sense, every year they keep guys like Elgin and Andrews around, not just in bad drafts. Everyone has a ROLE, sometimes the player makes the role, sometimes the role makes the player. They are the best at balancing NEED and UTILITY. They draft a OL guy when they have the best OL in the league.....They very well may take a guy like Ellis or Dorsey even though there doesnt seem to be room for him on the line. I think you look at how they have done it in the past to try and predict how they will do it this year. I think the last 2-3 drafts havent done them justice. Each time I saw them reaching for NEED rather than value. Am I wrong?

 

[patchick]

But Spach has done what Marcellus Rivers wasn't able to do.

If by that you mean "keep his roster spot," fair enough. But if you mean "catch a single pass," I believe you are mistaken.

 

[PatsFan2]

I have to disagree. The Pats need an upgrade at the tackle position. I love Light and think he's been very good, but he'd be better over on the right side. I can see the Pats drafting an OT early.
I don't think that the defense will get all 4 1st day picks. But certainly 3 of them.

How many Super Bowls have we won with Matt Light at Left Tackle? See my point, lets stop beating a Dead Horse. As far as BB is concerned we are all set at Both Tackle positions in terms of Starters and Back-ups. Don't expect any High Draft picks at that Position for this Team...mark it down!

 

[patchick]

As far as BB is concerned we are all set at Both Tackle positions in terms of Starters and Back-ups.

Quite a statement. I'm curious how you justify it, especially given that he drafted 2 tackles last year.

I'm not in the move-Light-to-RT camp either; by all accounts he's struggles mightily when he's tried to make that switch. But RT is perhaps the most upgradable starting position in this offense, IMO. And strong backups are always needed.

 

[DaBruinz]

If by that you mean "keep his roster spot," fair enough. But if you mean "catch a single pass," I believe you are mistaken.

Keeping his roster spot and being an effective blocker in the running game.

 

[DaBruinz]

How many Super Bowls have we won with Matt Light at Left Tackle? See my point, lets stop beating a Dead Horse. As far as BB is concerned we are all set at Both Tackle positions in terms of Starters and Back-ups. Don't expect any High Draft picks at that Position for this Team...mark it down!

How many ignorant people have commented that we're "all set" at the tackle position? Sorry, but since you missed it, Kaczur is only a journeyman level player. O'Callaghan hasn't developed as expected. In fact, he's taken a step backwards by all accounts. Wesley Britt hasn't been able to push for playing time.

I don't see your "point" because what Matt Light did as a ROOKIE has no bearing on his play NOW. What you don't understand is that the Pats need to develop someone to take over for Light in 2 years. In 2 years, Light will be 32. Do you REALLY think he'll still be good enough?

Also, since you missed it, Nick Kaczur is only 1 year YOUNGER than Light. He'll be playing in the last year of his contract. I don't know about you, but I'd rather the Pats have the replacements lined up and gaining experience rather than expecting a FA to fall out of the sky and be able to step in immediately and start on this team and be effective.

 

[DaBruinz]

Quite a statement. I'm curious how you justify it, especially given that he drafted 2 tackles last year.

I'm not in the move-Light-to-RT camp either; by all accounts he's struggles mightily when he's tried to make that switch. But RT is perhaps the most upgradable starting position in this offense, IMO. And strong backups are always needed.

I have NEVER heard of Matt Light being tried at RT. Not once. He's been at LT his entire career for the Pats. Could you provide more information on that please.

 

[patchick]

I have NEVER heard of Matt Light being tried at RT. Not once. He's been at LT his entire career for the Pats. Could you provide more information on that please.

Totally fair question, and I dearly wish I had a link. All I have is a strong memory of comments in the past (in radio interviews, I think) about how people underestimate the difficulty in switching from LT to RT, reversing your instincts etc., and how Light was an example of a guy who struggled trying to make that switch in practice...which is why you've never seen him there. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

 

[Seneschal2]

...about how people underestimate the difficulty in switching from LT to RT, reversing your instincts etc., and how Light was an example of a guy who struggled trying to make that switch in practice...which is why you've never seen him there. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

Yes. I'm too old to remember the source.

 

[PonyExpress]

The senior bowl just ended so I figure this would be a great time to put a Mock up. For draft pick standings I uses nfldraftscout.com's new listings, but I am sure they are changing all the time. Until the combine, my gut on these guys wont change much.

Free Agent Re-signings

Moss-our #1 off season priority. I think this will be his last contract, he will give us a small hometown discount in exchange for years...5/35M with our option on 10M the last year.

It's going to cost at least $20 million guaranteed for Moss, and that would be a discount. A very advantageous deal would be 4 years 32 million.

Gaffney-3/7M of so should be fine for a #2-3 guy

Gaffney is probably worth $3.5 mil a year. We can sign him for 2/7M

Seau-1/minimum-he has gas left in tank

If they could have drafted Maualuga, I would agree. Seau could have mentored him for a year. Otherwise, no thanks, time to move on and get younger at the pos.

Paxton-1/minimum-havent found a position player to replace yet

Mitchell-3/3M-loss of Washington/Izzo makes him more valuable

Woods-3/5M-loss of Washington/Izzo makes him valuable too

I doubt any team will give him assurances of a starting role. He'll be back. He seems very popular with the players.

T.Brown-1/1M- year off leaves him in great shape, multi positonal backup

Goodbye.

GONE

Bruschi retires- great guy, great career

Samuel- just too costly

agreed.

Wright-replaced by draft pick

IMO Wright should be back, coming off IR makes him unattractive on the market.

Gay- I think someone will offer him more than we can

Maybe so, hopefully not. We need Blue.

Stallworth- Cap casualty, should catch on somewhere easy(hope not jets)

Washington- too $$ for ST guy

I think we'll keep him and he'll play WR next season.

K.Brady- cap casualty not worth 3M

He'll be back.

Wilson- writing on wall when you go from starter to not dressing

RENEGOTIATING

Colvin- 2nd most important offseason move. FA and draft moves based on his health and acceptance of a paycut. 3M in dead money is going to hurt if he is cut, 7.5M is just too much for a 1 dimensional player(as good as he is a playmaker). Redone to 3/10-12, ??$$ guaranteed.

Doesn't appear to have a lis franc injury as he was seen walking thru the Locker room last week. IR hurts his negotiating position. More in his interest to rework than get cut.

It would be a good time to extend both Brady and Wilfork as well

FREE AGENTS


ILB L.Foote-3/7M- another Pittsburgh LB castoff that flourishes a few years(hopefully).

Larry Foote isn't a free agent. he's staying in Pittsburgh.

CB-D.Florence-a great #2 CB pickup. He kept Cromartie on the bench a year and a half, that says alot.

There is nothing "great" about Florence, and any SD fan will tell you that. he "kept" Cro on the bench because Cro was a rookie coming out as a junior, who missed his whole junior knee with and ACL injury and started only 1 game as a soph. Plus, Florence is expected to get in the neighborhood of an $18 million signing bonus. No way.

CB-C.Scott-resigned for 1/2M- the guy knows our system and we hope he can stay healthy this time.....

I like Chad and would welcome him back.

TRADES

#7 to Chicago for #14 and #45

#14 then to Dallas for their #22 and their 2nd

Our 2(63) for say ATL(2) in 09


DRAFT

1(22)- T- Sam Baker-USC--best value of the linemen left on board, can play both guard and tackle

No way. very overrated player, wouldn't take him on Day 1.

2(45)-CB A.Cason--best CB left, Cromartie shouldnt drop this far, Mckelvin and Jenkins drop Cason to 2nd rd.

I like what I've seen but I'll wait for the combine to make sure he isn't just a "nice college player".

2(60?)-DT-- Red Bryant-Texas A&M--upgrade over Wright and should push Vince in a contract year. Gives us negotiating leverage, by far the best NT this year.BIG. Great motor in senior bowl.

Like him alot. Maybe a little early though.

3(68 from Oakland)-OLB--S.Crable-Michigan--outside rusher, project but Michigan background and age help here. Luxury pick really.

Blows assignments, takes bad angles. Not strong enough to hold the edge as a starter in the pros. Not a Day 1 pick for me right now.

3(95)-TE-Cottam-Tenn-- looks like the real deal in the senior bowl. Not much experience but great size, liked the way he used his hands too.

4(120?)-SS-Wesley Woodyard-Kentucky- This guy is a ball hawk,playmaker, nose for the ball but without the big hit. Could learn from Rodney.

5(150?)-ILB-Goff-Vanderbilt--kinda doubt he will be here but scoutsinc says he should,lol. We do need bodies here, hoping someone will turn out smart..

6(180?)-WR Arrington- Michigan--big reciever with decent speed.

7(210?) CB Ikegwuonu-Wisconsin-likely wont be here, blew out his MCL last week but we put him on IR and hope to get 1st round talent cheap, nothing to lose really....

Has a serious criminal past. Charged with felony theft. I'll pass.

7(230?)Compensatory-P-Dragosavich-N.Dakota St-- our punter continues to cost us field position, this guy looked great in the senior bowl setting a record.

DEPTH CHART

QB- Brady/Gutierrez/Cassel(looking for GUT to win backup role)
RB- Maroney/Morris/Faulk/Evans/Eckel or FA
TE- Watson/Thomas/Cottam
WR- Moss/Gaffney/Welker/Jackson/Arrington/Brown
LT- Light/OCallaghan
RT-Baker/Kazur
LG- Mankins/Hochstein
RG- Neal/Yates
C- Koppen

DT-Wilfork/Bryant
DE-Seymour/Warren/Green/Smith
OLB- Vrabel/Colvin/Crable/Woods
ILB- Thomas/Foote/Goff/Seau
CB- Hobbs/Terrell/Florence/Richardson/Scott/Andrews
S- Harrison/Sanders/Merriweather/Woodyard/Mitchell

K-Gostkowski
P-Dragosavich
LS-Paxton

Now I dont pretend to think that every pick down to the 7th round punter could make a super bowl team, but have to count numbers. There will be more FAs brought in and competition and injury will always change the ideal. To blend intelligence, flexibility, talent, speed and youth on defense is a must because its in a serious transition stage. We need backups to be starters, starters to become playmakers more than ever.

Sorry, hadn't got around to reading this yet.