I've been thinking about viewing the draft with a different approach. Setting the priority positions (IMO - LB (3-4 OLB/ILB), WR, RB, OL, and CB, with a 3rd string QB being interesting on day 2, and perhaps K), and find 20 or so players that are appealing at those spots *for the Patriots*, throughout the draft at places we could be picking (i.e. so ignore people in the top 15 or so, etc.). This list of 20 to perhaps 30 or so would be made with the goal of having perhaps a couple of options that could be available at each draft spot - although on day 2 you can't narrow people down that accurately, so for those it's more of just people who could be there in a big range.
That said, my top priority is getting a replacement for either Willie or TJ. The draft this year is loaded with talent at OLB (and DE/OLB tweeners), not ILB. So, getting a replacement for Willie makes more sense.
With all the talent at LB this year, I'd like to see us take at least two - possibly even three.
In round 1, the players I like in the 20-27 or so range are:
Bobby Carpenter (OLB)
Manny Lawson (OLB convert from DE)
DeAngelo Williams (RB)
Chad Jackson (WR)
Some people would put some CBs there, but I don't see that as a top priority. Of the four above, I'd prefer Carpenter - he fills the biggest immediate need, could start in week 1, is a perfect fit for a 3-4, and could learn ILB as well. Add to that that he's been working out with Vrabel for quite a while, and the fact that he's likely to last longer into round 1 than the other three (due to not all that many teams playing a 3-4), and we could trade down perhaps 5 picks or more and still get him easily (especially if NY Giants sign a FA OLB, such as Arrington - so they won't be looking at LB in round 1).
So, my top wish is I'd like to see us trade down about 5 picks in the first round (picking up perhaps a 3rd rounder?) and take Bobby Carpenter - primarily an OLB now, but he could learn ILB well.
Jumping ahead (later in the draft) for a moment - I'd like to also see us take at least one of these three later on : Ryan LaCasse, Chris GoCong, or Kai Parham. All three will likely be 3rd-5th round picks. LaCasse and GoCong are appealing as DE->OLB converts, with LaCasse having great physical tools to be a stellar 3-4 OLB, and great intangibles. Of the three, he's perhaps the one I'd like the best. But, if one of the others slips down into the 5th round, they'd definitely be worth taking there - giving us a stellar group of young 3-4 LBs for years to come IMO.
I don't have a full list of the 20-30 players I like at our positions of need, and spread throughout the draft yet, but I'd like to make one - seems like it could be a nice approach. For example, I see RB being another top need (not for this year, but as an RB of the future). While the 4 guys that will go late 1 early 2 are appealing (Williams, White, Maroney, and Addai), I'd prefer to go with Carpenter there - and there are some RBs later in the draft who I feel are almost as good. The RBs I'm looking at are:
Brian Calhoun (5'9", 205ish, 4.45 - plays bigger than he is though)
Jerrius Norwood (5'11.5" 210ish, 4.4 speed )
These guys could end up being had in the 3rd round, and could be great value there. Calhoun will likely go in round 2 though (and Norwood could drop into day 2, although his workouts are likely putting him on day 1). Addai is very appealing, but likely will go in the top of round 2 - which would mean trading up. Still an option though, and should be on the list of RBs to keep an eye on.
A couple of perhaps surprising prospects I'd put on the total list are a few QBs who could convert to WRs, and will be available on day 2 (most of them at least):
Michael Robinson (Penn) and Brad Smith (Missouri). They could be interesting possibilities later on in day 2 as guys who could serve as the 3rd string QB (behind Cassel), while potentially developing into decent WRs.
Need to find some day 2 OLmen to add to the list. I'm thinking that most likely BB will take a CB somewhere in round 2-4 - and likely someone none of us expect. He seems to have a knack for finding surprise-pick CBs, who we all say "huh?" when we see them get drafted - but then turn out pretty good. Since I think that's more likely for him to do as far as CBs, I'm not even going to bother putting CBs on the list.
That said, my top priority is getting a replacement for either Willie or TJ. The draft this year is loaded with talent at OLB (and DE/OLB tweeners), not ILB. So, getting a replacement for Willie makes more sense.
With all the talent at LB this year, I'd like to see us take at least two - possibly even three.
In round 1, the players I like in the 20-27 or so range are:
Bobby Carpenter (OLB)
Manny Lawson (OLB convert from DE)
DeAngelo Williams (RB)
Chad Jackson (WR)
Some people would put some CBs there, but I don't see that as a top priority. Of the four above, I'd prefer Carpenter - he fills the biggest immediate need, could start in week 1, is a perfect fit for a 3-4, and could learn ILB as well. Add to that that he's been working out with Vrabel for quite a while, and the fact that he's likely to last longer into round 1 than the other three (due to not all that many teams playing a 3-4), and we could trade down perhaps 5 picks or more and still get him easily (especially if NY Giants sign a FA OLB, such as Arrington - so they won't be looking at LB in round 1).
So, my top wish is I'd like to see us trade down about 5 picks in the first round (picking up perhaps a 3rd rounder?) and take Bobby Carpenter - primarily an OLB now, but he could learn ILB well.
Jumping ahead (later in the draft) for a moment - I'd like to also see us take at least one of these three later on : Ryan LaCasse, Chris GoCong, or Kai Parham. All three will likely be 3rd-5th round picks. LaCasse and GoCong are appealing as DE->OLB converts, with LaCasse having great physical tools to be a stellar 3-4 OLB, and great intangibles. Of the three, he's perhaps the one I'd like the best. But, if one of the others slips down into the 5th round, they'd definitely be worth taking there - giving us a stellar group of young 3-4 LBs for years to come IMO.
I don't have a full list of the 20-30 players I like at our positions of need, and spread throughout the draft yet, but I'd like to make one - seems like it could be a nice approach. For example, I see RB being another top need (not for this year, but as an RB of the future). While the 4 guys that will go late 1 early 2 are appealing (Williams, White, Maroney, and Addai), I'd prefer to go with Carpenter there - and there are some RBs later in the draft who I feel are almost as good. The RBs I'm looking at are:
Brian Calhoun (5'9", 205ish, 4.45 - plays bigger than he is though)
Jerrius Norwood (5'11.5" 210ish, 4.4 speed )
These guys could end up being had in the 3rd round, and could be great value there. Calhoun will likely go in round 2 though (and Norwood could drop into day 2, although his workouts are likely putting him on day 1). Addai is very appealing, but likely will go in the top of round 2 - which would mean trading up. Still an option though, and should be on the list of RBs to keep an eye on.
A couple of perhaps surprising prospects I'd put on the total list are a few QBs who could convert to WRs, and will be available on day 2 (most of them at least):
Michael Robinson (Penn) and Brad Smith (Missouri). They could be interesting possibilities later on in day 2 as guys who could serve as the 3rd string QB (behind Cassel), while potentially developing into decent WRs.
Need to find some day 2 OLmen to add to the list. I'm thinking that most likely BB will take a CB somewhere in round 2-4 - and likely someone none of us expect. He seems to have a knack for finding surprise-pick CBs, who we all say "huh?" when we see them get drafted - but then turn out pretty good. Since I think that's more likely for him to do as far as CBs, I'm not even going to bother putting CBs on the list.
