Long was a 3-4 DE at Virginia. Besides running for 15 seconds in pre-defined directions at the Combine, I'm not sure why anyone thinks he will be an effective OLB. I'm not saying he can't be, just that there is little to no evidence to make a judgement. That is fine for a 3rd round conversion project. Not so much for #7 overall.
To be honest, I think Long's ultimate position could be ILB.
Clearing up some other issues:
For me, I think that some of the WR's are just a little too high. I cannot think of a single wide reciever that I would give a first round grade to for any team, let alone the patriots, but that is just me.
I agree that there are no really clear-cut #1 WRs in the draft, although the five listed here could be in the right environment. It is a value game, though, and I feel those guys have late first-early second value. Maybe into the middle of the second round, but I've tried to widen tiers before and it just gets sloppy. But if I'm Belichick, and somebody on that list is available at #69, I'd consider drafting him.
Also, I do not see the name Beau Bell on that list anywhere. Is this by design or just a name that you may have forgotten? I bring him up because I think he fits the Patriots system perfectly inside and he is a playmaker. Thoughts?
I feel Bell is horribly overrated by this board, because he's projected to be an ILB, which we always talk about as a need. It seems all scouts agree that he is stiff and struggles to move laterally. We'll see at his Pro Day, if he does mobility drills. But the thinking is the shuttles and 3-Cone are going to be off the charts in the wrong direction. He's also on the short side with short arms, which is another handicap.
Where are the rb's? I think there are 3 sure-fire 1st round picks. D.McFadden, R.Mendenhall and J. Stewart. I think Mendenhall might have the best NFL body of the 3. Reminds me of Ronnie Brown except faster. J.Charles could have a good career as a kevin faulk type back too.
Remember, I'm operating from the standpoint of Patriots brass, and IMO there's no way they can justify taking an RB in the first round, not with clear needs (and solutions available) at LB and CB (and I would argue OL) and the presence of a very good, former first round pick RB on the roster. Forget what you read about how Maroney and McFadden would be a dynamite 1-2 punch. I'll say the same thing I said to the Marshawn Lynch fans last year....unless Belichick is planning on giving the greatest offense in the history of the NFL a total overhaul, we're a one-back offense, and while every team needs to have a good back-up running back, it's not smart to use a #1 pick acquire one. So, while I love Stewart, and I think Mendenhall and McFadden will have good NFL careers, they would have to fall to the late second round. In fact, I have Felix Jones on my list too, because on my first list he was regarded as late 2/early 3 talent. It looks like he's moved into the top 40 picks, so I could probably remove him too. Besides Jones, the guys you see on my list are guys like Forte, Brown, Parmele, etc....guys who will likely be available at the time when Belichick could justify taking an RB. Same goes for every position...no Ryan or Brohm on my list either.
Don't see Otah from pitt on your lost. You're leaving some guys who are going to drafted completely off of your list. You might eliminate McFadden for character reasons. I understand that. But, what's wrong with the guys I mentioned?
I think Otah could be a colossal bust. Seems very non-athletic who beat up bad competition and was neutralized by good. He may have to move to guard eventually, or the HC might be resigned to giving him help every pass play, because he's going to get beat to the outside with frightening regularity.
