Cousins, I have grown weary of this constant banter between the Sports talking heads discussing the Draft and who we should take and why. Fact is the Draft is just a huge gamble and sometimes I think certain teams like the Pats, out think themselves.
Our First round picks from 2000 (no 1st pick that year) until 2009 (no first last year)have had some success and some mediocrity. 2001 Graham (we miss him), 2004 Watson and 2006 Maroney were nothing more than serviceable and questionable as far as actual first round value. Many others had Pro Bowl seasons and were top tier players. We had a 66% success rate of high quality picks (not saying these three or the 33% were not quality but I don't know if you can truthfully say first round quality) in the first round of the Drafts.
Our bigger misses have been in the second round. Since 2000 we have had 13 second round Draft picks. To date only 38% of the Pats second round picks can be classified as being anywhere near top tier NFL players and that is giving a pass to Volmer, Butler and Eugene Wilson because he had one or two outstanding years here and has become NFL dependable but surely not elite.
So we go into the 2010 Draft with one first, and three second rounders that our track record has said will be 38% successful. Are we all happy about the Draft saving our 2010 Team?
Cousins, I am not a gambler. Just for fun I have explored possibilities of removing the temptation of taking these "sure thing" first four picks and turn them into viable trades. Now contracts do take a part in this I understand but most will be reasonable. I would like your feedback and ideas. They will all fill our needed holes with quality players with NFL experience and will be no worse and more than likely better than any combination of Draftees we can take....plus NFL READY!
I think that this platform can change four picks to five as well.
#22 RFA pick to Minn. for DE/OLB Ray Edwards. 11 Sacks in the last 11 games including Playoffs. That is 11 more sacks in the NFL than Ordick or Dunlop etc. have. He is only 25. They dis him because he plays on a great D-Line but are Wilfolk and Warren not top D-Line mates too? This will cost us a bit more but again NFL ready. You pay for that curve and the battle tested ability. This is a no-brainer. Who is better at #22 in the NFL Draft?
#44 to Carolina for WR Steve Smith. The Panthers have no first round pick. They need to reboot and rebuild around a young QB. Smith doesn't have that time at 31. He is perfect for the Pats. A Pro Bowl type player who can still stretch the field and take over a game. He makes Moss a better player in 2010 and a luxury for TB. He has a present contract of about $5m-$6m and it is up in 2012. He still has some gas in the tank. Moss may be gone after 2010 which Smith solves another issue.
#47 to Philadelphia for OLB Chris Gocong and their third round pick #87. This 26 year old kid was mis-cast in a 4-3 defense from day one. His true position is rush OLB in a 3-4. We will have to contend with three other teams for his services. He is 6'2" and 263lbs so he can set the edge. His pass rushing abilities were wasted in the Philly 4-3. His contract was just resigned for one year at reasonable money. 35 NFL starts. I can see a possible Vrabel scenario.
#53 to Chicago for 26 year old Greg Olsen and his 70 2009 receptions. We would spend a second rounder for Gronkowski or Hernandez or the 25 year old Pita but not take this kid now? Why not? Neither one of those will light it up blocking. Olsen is still young. You have to admit the Pats made Watson a better blocker. You have Crumpler as your blocking TE. This is another no brainer. We needed a TE anyway. His contract is still reasonable.
#87 from the Eagles would be a gamble but I feel this could be THE STEAL. 25 year old former first rounder Adam Carriker DE from the Rams. He had a decent rookie year in 2007 but added 20 lbs to play DT and was dinged in 2008 and 2009. Now healthy if he can play at his best weight at about 6'5" and 292 lbs and get back his great speed, his NCAA measurables were terrific. AND he has NFL experience. The Redskins would like him as well. I think and third rounder #87 (+player?) might spring him to be our starting 5 technique DE. His contract is realistic by today's standards.
O.K. I would match these guys up to anyone's "mock" picks of #22,#44,#47 and #53. Fire away!
I am not a fan of some of these guys. I just think there is a fit here. Most are still young and they are all ready for 2010 while a Draft pick no so much. The success curve goes up.
DW Toys
