Drafting WRs...thoughts?

[BradyManny]

I was a huge Chad Jackson homer, so it hurts to make this thread.

But when Brady comes back next season, we know he will have Moss & Welker under contract. It'd be ideal to bring back Gaffney, but can't take that for granted. That's about it for reliable receiving options, Kelley Washington has not proved to be more than an STer yet.

So ideally the Pats need to a) bring a guy in to challenge Gaffney (assuming we can retain him) and also b) provide a different skillset [that was supposed to be you Chad!!]. Not to mention that long term, an outside receiver is still a general need for this team with Moss only signed through 2010.

Any thoughts on potential WR prospects for the Pats? It has to be the most frustrating position to draft. Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson...those seem to be the norm nowadays, Deion Branch is the exception. It seems its just generally hit or miss drafting a WR, and coming off of the Chad Jackson experience, I'm reticent to spend anything in the first two rounds on a WR, but I think it is relatively high up on the needs list.

 

[Jimke]

I was a huge Chad Jackson homer, so it hurts to make this thread.

But when Brady comes back next season, we know he will have Moss & Welker under contract. It'd be ideal to bring back Gaffney, but can't take that for granted. That's about it for reliable receiving options, Kelley Washington has not proved to be more than an STer yet.

So ideally the Pats need to a) bring a guy in to challenge Gaffney (assuming we can retain him) and also b) provide a different skillset [that was supposed to be you Chad!!]. Not to mention that long term, an outside receiver is still a general need for this team with Moss only signed through 2010.

Any thoughts on potential WR prospects for the Pats? It has to be the most frustrating position to draft. Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson...those seem to be the norm nowadays, Deion Branch is the exception. It seems its just generally hit or miss drafting a WR, and coming off of the Chad Jackson experience, I'm reticent to spend anything in the first two rounds on a WR, but I think it is relatively high up on the needs list.

I think drafting a wide receiver would be low on the list of Patriots'
needs. The Patriots prime offensive needs are an OT, OG, and TE.
The Patriots also need a MLB, CB, and S on defense before addressing
the wide receiver position. If Gaffney leaves, maybe they would sign a UFA replace him.

 

[condon84]

I don't think we need a MLB. I think we have Mayo and yesterday, I saw Guyton a lot playing in regular defense. I've seen Guyton's PT increase so I believe the Pats have their two ILBs of the future.

What we need is a WR to step in once Moss is done and some OLs. Our OL has been the biggest disappointment this year. We need some young talent there.

 

[BradyManny]

I think drafting a wide receiver would be low on the list of Patriots'
needs. The Patriots prime offensive needs are an OT, OG, and TE.
The Patriots also need a MLB, CB, and S on defense before addressing
the wide receiver position. If Gaffney leaves, maybe they would sign a UFA replace him.

I'm not overwhelmed with the list of UFA or RFAs:

2009 NFL Free Agents: WR

I like Roy Williams, but that doesn't seem too likely. Lee Evans is off the list now. Houshmandzadeh, I dunno, seems to be redundant to Welker.

So I don't know. Getting a guy who is either an upgrade or provides a different skillset to me is high up on the list of needs. I agree OT & OG are top needs, but I disagree about ILB, CB, S as being needs above WR for the moment. Guyton could be the answer at SILB, we may have two future starters at CB in Whealtey and Wilhite - only time will tell. Safety, I think I like a Sanders-Meriweather combo.

 

[KillEM]

ILB,CB,SS,OT,OG

Those are NEEDS. WR is a luxury at this point.

 

[Patsmaniac]

I liked what I saw of Greg Carr this past weekend vs Miami. Not sure of his speed but he looked awesome in the red zone and looked very acrobatic, which made me think he is very fluid physically. I would love a six foot six wideout.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

In order to figure the draft or FA, we have to look at what we have on the roster.

Moss - vertical threat
Welker - master of the underneath routes
Faulk - screens and swing routes

What does that leave. The answer is the intermediate routes. Which means we are looking at 2 positions, TE and 3rd WR.

Ideally BB would love to have a TE that can handle the deep seam routes. I think BB has given up on Watson ever fulfilling that role. And Thomas does not have the speed to fill that role either.

At WR we need to look for a WR that can be reliable in the 8 - 15 yard range. Someone with speed and quick twitch; that has great hands and has to be able to read defenses and be on the same page as Brady since it is all option route running.

Gafney is filling this role now, but is nothing special. Roy Williams could be special in that role, but how much money is BB willing to invest at the WR position?

I have not seen 1 college WR this year, that can fill the 3rd WR role better than Gafney is doing now. I thought for a while that Chris Jones was going to beat out Gafney for the spot in training camp, but that didn't happen. Maybe Jones just needs a little more seasoning.

 

[maryjane]

Drafting a WR is a wasted pick, IMO. Pats have proven they can't do it with Jackson and Johnson. Maybe just avoid the letter "J"?

Maybe find a mature guy who had a lot of production in college in the 5th or 6th.....kind of the opposite of Jackson and Johnson.

 

[BradyManny]

In order to figure the draft or FA, we have to look at what we have on the roster.

Moss - vertical threat
Welker - master of the underneath routes
Faulk - screens and swing routes

What does that leave. The answer is the intermediate routes. Which means we are looking at 2 positions, TE and 3rd WR.

Ideally BB would love to have a TE that can handle the deep seam routes. I think BB has given up on Watson ever fulfilling that role. And Thomas does not have the speed to fill that role either.

At WR we need to look for a WR that can be reliable in the 8 - 15 yard range. Someone with speed and quick twitch; that has great hands and has to be able to read defenses and be on the same page as Brady since it is all option route running.

Gafney is filling this role now, but is nothing special. Roy Williams could be special in that role, but how much money is BB willing to invest at the WR position?

Reading the bolded paragraph, sadly, the first name that I think of is Deion Branch...

Yeah, Roy Williams I listed above as unlikely. But he is a pretty co*ky guy [not a bad thing], and based on a few quotes I've seen from him, he might be a guy whose ego is bigger than his value on the market. And like Stallworth, might be forced into taking a one year prove it deal somewhere like New England in order to get the kind of contract he really wants. Plus, if his #s this season stay down, he would fit that Stallworth type situation even more. So, there, I just upgraded it from "not likely" to "slightly more likely than not likely"

 

[BradyManny]

Drafting a WR is a wasted pick, IMO. Pats have proven they can't do it with Jackson and Johnson. Maybe just avoid the letter "J"?

Maybe find a mature guy who had a lot of production in college in the 5th or 6th.....kind of the opposite of Jackson and Johnson.

Based on what I'd read about him, I thought Eddie Royal would be a good fit for the Patriots.

Really, they want to find Deion Branch part 2.

 

[dryheat44]

I'm not overwhelmed with the list of UFA or RFAs:

2009 NFL Free Agents: WR

I like Roy Williams, but that doesn't seem too likely. Lee Evans is off the list now. Houshmandzadeh, I dunno, seems to be redundant to Welker.

.

I agree. But some of the lower profile guys could get a shot to produce in a bigger role. Maybe Sam Hurd or Brandon Jones.

Or maybe Sam Aiken or Kelly Washington gets their shot if Gaffney leaves.

 

[BradyManny]

I agree. But some of the lower profile guys could get a shot to produce in a bigger role. Maybe Sam Hurd or Brandon Jones.

Or maybe Sam Aiken or Kelly Washington gets their shot if Gaffney leaves.

Good point - Aiken certainly looked impressive at times in camp, and is a real big target. He's gotten some PT already. Hard to get a read on Washington as a WR, seems like injuries have sidetracked him this year.

However, normally, I'd be all for going lower profile, but it seems like this Brady-Moss window is shrinking. I'd say you have to be really aggressive in that window. With this draft, they've made the steps needed to shore up the defense short term and long term, I think 09 has to be about upgrading a couple areas in the offense...which could truly make the team unstoppable over the next couple seasons.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

However, normally, I'd be all for going lower profile, but it seems like this Brady-Moss window is shrinking. I'd say you have to be really aggressive in that window. With this draft, they've made the steps needed to shore up the defense short term and long term, I think 09 has to be about upgrading a couple areas in the offense...which could truly make the team unstoppable over the next couple seasons.

Remember, though, that the Pats mantra--as is the Sox mantra these days--win now and win later. They're not going to sell the farm to try and win a SB. [Please note I'm not saying you're wrong, merely noting the degree to which they will (not) go.]

 

[BradyManny]

Remember, though, that the Pats mantra--as is the Sox mantra these days--win now and win later. They're not going to sell the farm to try and win a SB. [Please note I'm not saying you're wrong, merely noting the degree to which they will (not) go.]

Good point. I can't think of a single move they've made that has been a knowing detriment to the future of the franchise for the sake of winning now. They'll definitely find balance.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Yeah Royal would have been a great fit... but our priority was defense this year. And it still looks like we're a good CB/S away from a good secondary. Rodney is't getting any younger. As for drafting WRs, no earlier than round 2 I think. But next year I am guessing we will go DB/OL in rounds 1 and 2. Then again we have an extra second round pick. So we might be able to take a WR if there's one we love. For some reason we haven't been having luck with the 2nd rounders lately though.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

At WR we need to look for a WR that can be reliable in the 8 - 15 yard range. Someone with speed and quick twitch; that has great hands and has to be able to read defenses and be on the same page as Brady since it is all option route running.

Maurice Price is getting a longer look since being re-signed to the Practice Squad.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

For some reason we haven't been having luck with the 2nd rounders lately though.

The old third round jinx seems to have migrated up a round.

 

[BradyManny]

What do people here think about Deon Butler?

 

[maryjane]

Based on what I'd read about him, I thought Eddie Royal would be a good fit for the Patriots.

Really, they want to find Deion Branch part 2.

Patriots should be beaten if they draft a WR in the first 4 rounds. Huge needs at DB/OL even DL.

WRs are a guaranteed bust-aroo. At least for Pioli.

 

[BritPat]

Patriots should be beaten if they draft a WR in the first 4 rounds. Huge needs at DB/OL even DL.

WRs are a guaranteed bust-aroo. At least for Pioli.

You remind me of someone.....

Going back to the WR's with a quick twitch and being able to read a D - Pat White perhaps? I've seen it suggested he could well be a conversion project candidate for teams, either at RB or WR. You'd think that as a QB he'd have good hands and be able to read a D. His athleticism is unbelievable, all he'd need is to put on some weight.

Also, anyone else high on Brandon LaFell?