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After reading the Kevin Faulk thread, I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of players that may be on the bubble who have trade value. The Pats appear to have depth at RB, OL, TE, DL, K (I won't touch CB and S because who the hell knows there)
RB .... Dillon and Maroney are locks, Faulk and Pass are legitimate NFL players, Evans has experience, Cobbs has potential, the rest are tackling dummies. Now when you include Mills into this discussion of FB, the options open up considerably. The key to who may be expendable is the health of Pass. Assuming that he will be healthy enough to make a NFL roster....my list would be:
1) Faulk
2) Pass
Although Faulk has more value than Pass IMO, Pass can be an effective 3 down back in a back up role and the presence of Marone/Mills makes Pass a tradeable piece. Faulk could be used as the Tradeable Player if BB decides that WR or LB MUST be upgraded. Evans could net a very low draft pick(conditional) from a team desperate to add a backup and impatient enough not to allow Evans to hit Free Agency after he is cut.
KICKER .... Gramatica has looked great according to all reports. The dilemma for BB not only is production, but contract status. Gramatica has a one year deal while Gostkowski is signed through 2009. Will BB be willing to dump his 4th round pick and keep a player that will be a Free Agent after this year? So I add to my list...
1) Gramatica
There will be teams unsatisfied with their own kickers as training camp breaks and MG has been doing a fine job resurrecting his career(so far).
TE .... The Pats have depth, especially when Mills is considered with this group. Graham has to stick because he is clearly the best blocker. Watson is the emerging star(we hope) and Thomas will not be dropped considering his catching skill and draft placement. Mills versatility keeps him on the roster and his presence may affect the RB personel more. The Pats are stacked with skill players at TE and I expect BB has a plan to utilize all four. I add to my list...
0) No TEs.
DL .... In short, the D Line is deep but includes some underperformers...Hill and Sullivan. The Pats have some young beef (Wright,Smith, and Thomas?)that may push these guys into the trade market. Unfortunately, Sullivan might eat the bag of donuts he's traded for. The amount of depth seen at DL may depend on the LB situation. If BB is satisfied that his team can succeed in a 3-4, this may free up a roster spot from the DL. I add to my list...
1) Hill
2) Sullivan
Maybe some GM will be enamored by their draft positions and toss a conditional pick the Pats way...or this could be a classic addition by subtraction scenario. Jarvis Green would get considerable value in the trade market but the DL depth would get crushed. No go.
OL .... Because I expect at least 2 rookies to stick to the roster, the key is the health of Kaczur. If he gets healthy by the beginning of the season, let me be the first to place on the list
1) Gorin
A RT has some value, especially to a team in need. If BB believes that O'Callaghan has the right stuff, it could be ...Gorin, Gorin, gone.
In Summary, Faulk looks like the chip that could net the most in return. Unfortunately, I doubt he would be enough to get an impact LB or WR.
RB .... Dillon and Maroney are locks, Faulk and Pass are legitimate NFL players, Evans has experience, Cobbs has potential, the rest are tackling dummies. Now when you include Mills into this discussion of FB, the options open up considerably. The key to who may be expendable is the health of Pass. Assuming that he will be healthy enough to make a NFL roster....my list would be:
1) Faulk
2) Pass
Although Faulk has more value than Pass IMO, Pass can be an effective 3 down back in a back up role and the presence of Marone/Mills makes Pass a tradeable piece. Faulk could be used as the Tradeable Player if BB decides that WR or LB MUST be upgraded. Evans could net a very low draft pick(conditional) from a team desperate to add a backup and impatient enough not to allow Evans to hit Free Agency after he is cut.
KICKER .... Gramatica has looked great according to all reports. The dilemma for BB not only is production, but contract status. Gramatica has a one year deal while Gostkowski is signed through 2009. Will BB be willing to dump his 4th round pick and keep a player that will be a Free Agent after this year? So I add to my list...
1) Gramatica
There will be teams unsatisfied with their own kickers as training camp breaks and MG has been doing a fine job resurrecting his career(so far).
TE .... The Pats have depth, especially when Mills is considered with this group. Graham has to stick because he is clearly the best blocker. Watson is the emerging star(we hope) and Thomas will not be dropped considering his catching skill and draft placement. Mills versatility keeps him on the roster and his presence may affect the RB personel more. The Pats are stacked with skill players at TE and I expect BB has a plan to utilize all four. I add to my list...
0) No TEs.
DL .... In short, the D Line is deep but includes some underperformers...Hill and Sullivan. The Pats have some young beef (Wright,Smith, and Thomas?)that may push these guys into the trade market. Unfortunately, Sullivan might eat the bag of donuts he's traded for. The amount of depth seen at DL may depend on the LB situation. If BB is satisfied that his team can succeed in a 3-4, this may free up a roster spot from the DL. I add to my list...
1) Hill
2) Sullivan
Maybe some GM will be enamored by their draft positions and toss a conditional pick the Pats way...or this could be a classic addition by subtraction scenario. Jarvis Green would get considerable value in the trade market but the DL depth would get crushed. No go.
OL .... Because I expect at least 2 rookies to stick to the roster, the key is the health of Kaczur. If he gets healthy by the beginning of the season, let me be the first to place on the list
1) Gorin
A RT has some value, especially to a team in need. If BB believes that O'Callaghan has the right stuff, it could be ...Gorin, Gorin, gone.
In Summary, Faulk looks like the chip that could net the most in return. Unfortunately, I doubt he would be enough to get an impact LB or WR.
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