Sporting News MOCK

[PATSNUTme]

They had us taking DeAngelo Williams RB from Mmphis at #21.
This was in there weekly magazine and I don't know if its available on line.

Wouldn't get too excited - that will change 10X before draft day.

 

[Pats/Hokies Fan]

I know this all changes, but I definetly wouldn't complain about that pick. He'd have time to ease-in and learn protection schemes, as he'd start behind Dillon & Faulk and work his way up. You can nab your OL, DL, LB, DB, & possibly WR in later rounds.

 

[BelichickFan]

He'd have time to ease-in and learn protection schemes

He can learn them all he wants, he's too small for my liking as a pass blocker.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

He can learn them all he wants, he's too small for my liking as a pass blocker.

Williams 5'6 5/8" 213 per ESPN's player listings. Faulk 5'8" 202 per Patriots.com roster. Faulk is our best at blitz pickup, Williams could develop into a good blocker if he works at it. He's a good runner, nice talent, and not a need as I see it. The Combine should start upsetting a lot of mocks as the workout kings turn heads.

 

[BelichickFan]

Williams 5'6 5/8" 213 per ESPN's player listings. Faulk 5'8" 202 per Patriots.com roster. Faulk is our best at blitz pickup

Faulk isn't our best at blitz pickup, Dillon is. I don't want a RB less than 5'7" protecting Brady from blitzing LB.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Faulk isn't our best at blitz pickup, Dillon is. I don't want a RB less than 5'7" protecting Brady from blitzing LB.

We shall agree to disagree, I would rank Dillon behind Pass, that isn't to say he's bad at blitz pickup, but he is slower to recognize and react then Faulk, and he doesn't always get squared up on the blitzer. Faulk was holding off LBs for five counts in the Jacksonville game, he is very consistent game to game, whereas Cory has started slow and gotten better by the end of the season.

I agree short RBs will have more trouble winning the arm length/leverage game, as well as seeing the field behind the trees. That isn't to say they can't, but they start at a disadvantage.

 

[dhamz]

I also prefer Faulk in blitz pick-up to Dillon.

 

[BelichickFan]

I like a lot of things about Williams but if we're going to spend the #21 pick in a very strong draft on a RB I don't want it to be on a 5'7" RB. Of course, I'm biased as I want no part of a 1st round RB this year.

 

[workhorse]

Most of the mock drafts have Williams going much higher. I was surprised when I saw TSN projecting him to the Pats the other day. Most people have him as a top 10 pick, the lowest seem to be the Vikings at 17 taking him

 

[BelichickFan]

Most of the mock drafts have Williams going much higher. I was surprised when I saw TSN projecting him to the Pats the other day. Most people have him as a top 10 pick, the lowest seem to be the Vikings at 17 taking him

I don't expect to see him there either and I hope he isn't. But Maroney seems to be moving up and White is expected to be gone too. 4 RB in the top 20 may not happen and could leave one of them there for us, whether I like it or not.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I like a lot of things about Williams but if we're going to spend the #21 pick in a very strong draft on a RB I don't want it to be on a 5'7" RB. Of course, I'm biased as I want no part of a 1st round RB this year.

I'm with you on the 1st round RB, I'd even grumble if BB took a second day RB - well, at least shrug my shoulders and sigh.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'd even grumble if BB took a second day RB

Starting with the 3rd round I won't be upset with a RB. There is the real possibility that Dillon really is what we say last year (2005) and won't be back in 2007.

It'll be interesting to see what we do with his contract option. If we pick it up we could cut him this year with less cap impact (with the option bonus being spread over 3 years) but if we don't pick it up and he gets the $6M salary guaranteed we could cut him a year from now with less cap impact. It all depends how hurt he really was/wasn't, how his attitude was, etc.

 

[Digger44]

He can learn them all he wants, he's too small for my liking as a pass blocker.

This is the old NFL. It is now centered around pure athleticism. Emmitt Smith, Warrick Dunn, and Barry Sanders.

 

[pats1]

I agree with Box's disagreement.

Dillon, as Box said, doesnt' get completely squared up to a blitzer and tries to lower a shoulder and take them out, an act which I've seen fail some times and suceed others. There was also a time where Brady was forced into an interception, or a costly incompletiton, when Dillon totally blew a blitz pickup.

 

[workhorse]

I don't expect to see him there either and I hope he isn't. But Maroney seems to be moving up and White is expected to be gone too. 4 RB in the top 20 may not happen and could leave one of them there for us, whether I like it or not.

I hope you guys pass on a RB, at least that way the Colts would have the option to take one to replace Edge.

 

[drew4008]

Williams 5'6 5/8" 213 per ESPN's player listings. Faulk 5'8" 202 per Patriots.com roster. Faulk is our best at blitz pickup, Williams could develop into a good blocker if he works at it. He's a good runner, nice talent, and not a need as I see it. The Combine should start upsetting a lot of mocks as the workout kings turn heads.

Just to let everyone know, DeAngelo Williams weighed in at the Senior Bowl at 5"8.5 not 5"6.5...

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/features/seniorbowl/reports/weighin.html

DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
5084 208
* Looked very strong and compact.

 

[BelichickFan]

DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
5084 208

Even if he proves to be an average, or better, blocker, I just don't see Belichick looking at a guy that size as a full time RB. Maybe I'm wrong but I just don't see it.