Shepherd in trade or another veteran seems likely.
The alternative is NOT necessarily a first round corner pick. We have done well in the past with picking corners in the 2nd through 4th rounds, and even an UDFA named Gay. This draft has fine quality and fine value in these round. I expect us to draft two or even three corners, two or even three by the 4th round.
Personally, I would like to have two corners by our first pick in the third, but I understand that the second pick could be a little later.
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LINEBACKERS
I don't know how many years we need to have one of the top defenses in the league for us to trust Belichick's and Pioli's methods of securing corners, linebackers and defensive linemen.
If you don't have faith in Bruschi, Hobson, Seau (or another veteran), and Alexander off the bench, then that's fine. Vrabel, Thomas and Woods off the bench should be more than fine on the outside.
I have wanted us to draft top linebackers for several years, especially in the first round. I ahve been disappointed in the draft and more than pleased with the on-the-field performance of our linebackers, except in 2005. I recall that we were all applauding the trading up to get Harris when the player turned out to be a TIGHT END! I've tried to stop expecting the patriots to draft a linebacker in the first four rounds.
I certainly do think we may an opportunity this year to draft a DE that can become a LB for us. This harkens back to drafting Bruschi. Drafting his replacement in the first round seems only right. But in the end, I won't be disapointed if we draft Clady or even Otoh and two corners in first 100 picks.
we are definitely getting a corner with the first pick unless we get lito sheppard via trade. how can we not? we have no one decent a cornerback right now and peyton will light up our secondary the way it stands. there is a reason why BB personally went down to Tampa to meet with Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams of South Florida. There's something about Jenkins that he likes and IMO will probably be our first round pick.