Pats offering #23 & #47 to Jax @ #8 According to Peter King

[Ungeheuer]

This is all strongly reminiscent of the non-move to non-take Dewayne Robertson.

 

[SoxPatsFaninIndy]

Here is the link, but it's pretty much what has already been said.

New England Patriots eyeing spot in NFL draft top 10 - Peter King - SI.com

 

[ctpatsfan77]

This is all strongly reminiscent of the non-move to non-take Dewayne Robertson.

Or the smoke regarding one Vernon Gholston?

 

[SamBamsFan]

Or the smoke regarding one Vernon Gholston?

IIRC, both of those smokescreens worked out pretty well....

 

[Rob0729]

I can't see why the Pats would pull the trigger for a deal without knowing if the player they are targetting is available. My guess is it is the Pats doing their due dilligence of working out potential trades if the player they want is available so they can pull the trigger when the Jags are on the clock. All teams who are potentially interested in moving up or down usually do predraft feelers to see what it takes to make a move. I don't know the percentages, but many of the first round trades are initially negotiated before the draft and then the trigger is pulled if the team moving up still wants to move. Last minute negotiations can happen if another team jumps into the fray.

But if you intend on moving up in the draft, the worst time to start negotiations on the trade is when the team you are looking to trade with is on the clock. If the team isn't desperate to move out of the spot, you give up a lot of leverage because you only have 10 minutes to get a deal done.

 

[BlackFrancis]

I don't see why people think getting Jackson would be bad/iffy. There is a lot of speculation that he is the top 3-4 DE prospect to come out since Seymour. If he is really that good, why not take him when every year Seymour or Warren miss a handful (if not more) games.

Best since Seymour? Hell, Marquise Hill had more promise coming out of school than Jackson has.

 

[bakes781]

So if Tyson Jackson is this year's Gholston who is this year's Jerod Mayo?

 

[Nestapats]

The first thing i'm thinking is a guy like andre smith. He said it might be an offensive player and i believe he doesn't like to draft WR's out of college. TE is way too high, QB is obviously not it. So it's either RB which i strongly doubt or OT. (If it's an offensive player at all, of course).

 

[Rob0729]

BTW, I have no problems with the Pats moving up to 8 or 9.

 

[Synovia]

I can't see why the Pats would pull the trigger for a deal without knowing if the player they are targetting is available..

Because, with 23 and 47, theres still surplus value. If the player they want isn't there, theres a good chance they can take less than what #8 is worth, and still end up with better picks then they started with.

 

[LloydBraun]

So if Tyson Jackson is this year's Gholston who is this year's Jerod Mayo?

Andre Smith or Beanie Wells is my prediction.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

This could just be BB probing the value of his 2nds vs. this years top tens... And he may have a couple of guys in the concensus top ten (the QB's for openers) not remotely in his top ten. They could in his opinion be counted on to drop a player he grades as a top 5 into the 8-10 range which could represent value.

Or he could just be bored and have too much time on his hands. He's been at this for several weeks longer than he's used to, after all.

 

[mayoclinic]

Well, we think Rey won't go in the top 13. I'm just reaching. It seems like such an odd move for the Pats to make, unless they thought they had a great player filling a big need up there. And who might that be? Maualuga is one of the few guys I see filling a big need. Curry, but putting Curry in as a Mike seems odd. He's also not a 3-4 OLB. Maybe they're looking at Orakpo? The eighth pick is too high for one of the blue-chip tackles; they don't need a wideout or a quarterback; that really leaves a pass-rusher or an inside linebacker or a defensive back. Which means Orakpo, Curry, Maualuga or Jenkins. Maybe Maybin. Nobody else makes any sense. Would they really trade up for Oher? I don't see it.

I guess Tyson Jackson is also a possibility. Even that seems like a very odd pick to me, however.

I think the possibilities at #8 are:

1. Aaron Curry. I think he would be the perfect Mike opposite Mayo. Here's what Nolan Nawrocki has to say about him: Thickly built and very, very strong, particularly at the point of attack. Blows up lead blockers and ragdolls linemen. Packs a punch in his powerful hands and uses them extremely well to stack and shed. Rips off blocks effortlessly. Drives through contact and is a physical tackler. Times blitzes and shows good closing burst to the ball. Understands leverage and takes on blocks with the proper shoulder. Smart, instinctive and aware. Alert in coverage and handles tight ends with ease. Football savvy. Sounds like a perfect MIKE to me. Curry and Mayo would be the top ILB combo in the NFL for the next decade. Along with Adalius Thomas, we would have 3/4 of the best LB corps in the NFL. Imagine what this would do to covering TE's over the middle.

2. BJ Raji. BB could cause mayhem using Raji in addition to his current DL. Raji is a talent similar to Baltimore's Haloti Ngata. BB could play some 4-3 fronts with Wilfork and Raji up front as an unmoveable wall, could bring Raji in for Wilfork on 3rd down where he has more penetrating ability, could use them to keep each other fresh, could move Raji outside to DE on occasion, and would have insurance in case of injury or inability to resign Wilfork.

3. Andre Smith. If BB is sold that Smith's immaturity issues are overcomeable, then he is certainly a top 5 talent. He would immediately upgrade RT and be a pro bowler for the next decade, and would potentially be a pro bowl LT.

4. Tyson Jackson. I'm not sold on Jackson, but if BB thinks he is a Warren or even Seymour type player then it's well worth the investment.

5. Michael Crabtree. I'm not a big fan of going WR early, but Crabtree is a special talent. Crabtree and Moss would be an unbelievable combination, and with Moss aging we would be set at #1 WR for the foreseable future.

I agree that Malcolm Jenkins is unlikely here, as he probably won't go before New Orleans at #14, and we could probably trade up with #23 + 58. I don't see Brian Orapko as being a fit, but if BB felt otherwise then I suppose it would be justifiable.

The bottom line is that at least one of these 5 players is pretty much guaranteed to be available at #8, and probably more than one. I'd guess 2-3 of them will be available. Plus, we would still have picks at 23 and 58 to add quality depth and potential future impact players.

Again, I'm a contrarian. When the "smart money" says trade down, I think it's a good time for a team like the Pats to look at potential impact players near the top of the draft who they generally would not be able to get.

 

[bakes781]

Andre Smith or Beanie Wells is my prediction.

No thanks to either of them.

 

[apple strudel]

I think the possibilities at #8 are:

1. Aaron Curry. I think he would be the perfect Mike opposite Mayo. Here's what Nolan Nawrocki has to say about him: Thickly built and very, very strong, particularly at the point of attack. Blows up lead blockers and ragdolls linemen. Packs a punch in his powerful hands and uses them extremely well to stack and shed. Rips off blocks effortlessly. Drives through contact and is a physical tackler. Times blitzes and shows good closing burst to the ball. Understands leverage and takes on blocks with the proper shoulder. Smart, instinctive and aware. Alert in coverage and handles tight ends with ease. Football savvy. Sounds like a perfect MIKE to me. Curry and Mayo would be the top ILB combo in the NFL for the next decade. Along with Adalius Thomas, we would have 3/4 of the best LB corps in the NFL. Imagine what this would do to covering TE's over the middle.

2. BJ Raji. BB could cause mayhem using Raji in addition to his current DL. Raji is a talent similar to Baltimore's Haloti Ngata. BB could play some 4-3 fronts with Wilfork and Raji up front as an unmoveable wall, could bring Raji in for Wilfork on 3rd down where he has more penetrating ability, could use them to keep each other fresh, could move Raji outside to DE on occasion, and would have insurance in case of injury or inability to resign Wilfork.

3. Andre Smith. If BB is sold that Smith's immaturity issues are overcomeable, then he is certainly a top 5 talent. He would immediately upgrade RT and be a pro bowler for the next decade, and would potentially be a pro bowl LT.

4. Tyson Jackson. I'm not sold on Jackson, but if BB thinks he is a Warren or even Seymour type player then it's well worth the investment.

5. Michael Crabtree. I'm not a big fan of going WR early, but Crabtree is a special talent. Crabtree and Moss would be an unbelievable combination, and with Moss aging we would be set at #1 WR for the foreseable future.

I agree that Malcolm Jenkins is unlikely here, as he probably won't go before New Orleans at #14, and we could probably trade up with #23 + 58. I don't see Brian Orapko as being a fit, but if BB felt otherwise then I suppose it would be justifiable.

The bottom line is that at least one of these 5 players is pretty much guaranteed to be available at #8, and probably more than one. I'd guess 2-3 of them will be available. Plus, we would still have picks at 23 and 58 to add quality depth and potential future impact players.

Again, I'm a contrarian. When the "smart money" says trade down, I think it's a good time for a team like the Pats to look at potential impact players near the top of the draft who they generally would not be able to get.

Agree with all except for Crabtree. Replace him with Oher.

 

[Seneschal2]

I'd hope for Jenkins or Andre. I've seen most of Tyson's game and -- he ain't no Seymour (even though I understand the value for BB).

 

[LloydBraun]

No thanks to either of them.

Both have risk, but huge upsides.

Raji is a nice guess. With more teams going 3-4, maybe Bill wants to use more 4-3 or 4-2-5 formations.

 

[apple strudel]

No thanks to either of them.

If the Pats draft Smith you are guaranteed he's a good enough kid to have no problems here. Belichick trusts Saban implicitly.

 

[patsinthesnow]

MAULAULAUGA!!!!!!!!!!

:yeeha:

 

[amazinPats]

I think the possibilities at #8 are:

1. Aaron Curry. I think he would be the perfect Mike opposite Mayo. Here's what Nolan Nawrocki has to say about him: Thickly built and very, very strong, particularly at the point of attack. Blows up lead blockers and ragdolls linemen. Packs a punch in his powerful hands and uses them extremely well to stack and shed. Rips off blocks effortlessly. Drives through contact and is a physical tackler. Times blitzes and shows good closing burst to the ball. Understands leverage and takes on blocks with the proper shoulder. Smart, instinctive and aware. Alert in coverage and handles tight ends with ease. Football savvy. Sounds like a perfect MIKE to me. Curry and Mayo would be the top ILB combo in the NFL for the next decade. Along with Adalius Thomas, we would have 3/4 of the best LB corps in the NFL. Imagine what this would do to covering TE's over the middle.

2. BJ Raji. BB could cause mayhem using Raji in addition to his current DL. Raji is a talent similar to Baltimore's Haloti Ngata. BB could play some 4-3 fronts with Wilfork and Raji up front as an unmoveable wall, could bring Raji in for Wilfork on 3rd down where he has more penetrating ability, could use them to keep each other fresh, could move Raji outside to DE on occasion, and would have insurance in case of injury or inability to resign Wilfork.

3. Andre Smith. If BB is sold that Smith's immaturity issues are overcomeable, then he is certainly a top 5 talent. He would immediately upgrade RT and be a pro bowler for the next decade, and would potentially be a pro bowl LT.

4. Tyson Jackson. I'm not sold on Jackson, but if BB thinks he is a Warren or even Seymour type player then it's well worth the investment.

5. Michael Crabtree. I'm not a big fan of going WR early, but Crabtree is a special talent. Crabtree and Moss would be an unbelievable combination, and with Moss aging we would be set at #1 WR for the foreseable future.

I agree that Malcolm Jenkins is unlikely here, as he probably won't go before New Orleans at #14, and we could probably trade up with #23 + 58. I don't see Brian Orapko as being a fit, but if BB felt otherwise then I suppose it would be justifiable.

The bottom line is that at least one of these 5 players is pretty much guaranteed to be available at #8, and probably more than one. I'd guess 2-3 of them will be available. Plus, we would still have picks at 23 and 58 to add quality depth and potential future impact players.

Again, I'm a contrarian. When the "smart money" says trade down, I think it's a good time for a team like the Pats to look at potential impact players near the top of the draft who they generally would not be able to get.

Great post, Mayo! I'm salivating over the thought of getting Raji on this team.