The latest buzz...

[Seneschal2]

:gossip: Pats-related or not, here's the thread to post the latest draft rumors, or what-the-experts-are-hearing leading up to the draft. All buzz is pertinent, as there may be some truths to weed out which may influence the Pats draft. Please link to source.

NFL draft rumors | National Football Post

Auburn running back Mario Fannin is generating a lot of interest as a potential later round, third-down type back. Teams love his ability to help out in blitz pick-up and catch the football out of the backfield. Hearing he's getting long looks from the Patriots, Redskins, Steelers, Dolphins and Bengals.

Zobels Blog

New England – There’s some talk that the Patriots could “swing for the fences” and trade up to land an elite prospect or use most, if not all of their top picks. With Tom Brady entering the back end of his career, the Patriots are attempting to reload on the fly while still contending. With six picks in the first three rounds, they could be extremely active on draft weekend.

 

[mgdouche]

Some would like to trade up. Others would like to trade down.

:New England – There’s some talk that the Patriots could “swing for the fences” and trade up to land an elite prospect or use most, if not all of their top picks. With Tom Brady entering the back end of his career, the Patriots are attempting to reload on the fly while still contending. With six picks in the first three rounds, they could be extremely active on draft weekend.

 

[Off The Grid]

:gossip: Pats-related or not, here's the thread to post the latest draft rumors, or what-the-experts-are-hearing leading up to the draft. All buzz is pertinent, as there may be some truths to weed out which may influence the Pats draft. Please link to source.

NFL draft rumors | National Football Post

Zobels Blog

From Mock #1 to Mock #120, I have had as many as FIVE Running Backs in my picture. And 4 of the 5 have changed, and changed many times.

But Mario Fannin has been a CONSTANT.

As a Running Back, he is raw as hell, though he offers IMMENSE possibilities.

As a Blocker and Receiver, though, he is already EXCEPTIONAL.

And yet he is a Late Rounder at BEST.

LOVE this kid, and I would love to see us bring him in.

 

[MaineMan]

Some would like to trade up. Others would like to trade down.

:New England – There’s some talk that the Patriots could “swing for the fences” and trade up to land an elite prospect or use most, if not all of their top picks. With Tom Brady entering the back end of his career, the Patriots are attempting to reload on the fly while still contending. With six picks in the first three rounds, they could be extremely active on draft weekend.

I'm for whichever way works, within reason.

On trading up, "within reason" might mean 3-5 spots to snag Watt or Jordan (or maybe even Amukamara) at the cost of the #17 and a 3rd. It would NOT mean trading up 10 spots at the cost of the #17 AND #33 to grab ANY DE-OLB conversion project, no matter how "hot".

Trading down "within reason" might mean trading the #17 for the #20, still getting "our guy", PLUS picking up a 4th (for later trades UP) and a 7th (to spend on guys who'd be UDFAs in "normal" years). It might alternatively mean trading the #28 for an early 2nd plus other picks, again as long as we still "get our guy". It would NOT mean willy-nilly trading out of the first round altogether for "a bunch of mid-rounders" or for 2012 1st rounders (or anything in 2012, for that matter) - as some folks seem to believe is the exclusive definition of "trading down".

 

[stinkypete]

First I've ever heard of Fannin. Seems to have a lot to offer in this offense in way of creativity, along with Woodhead and the TEs.

 

[patfanken]

Zobels Blog

In other news pundits are predicting today that there is a 95% chance that the sun will rise in the East.

I read recently that over the BB era the Pats have AVERAGED over 4 trades a draft, so predicting that the Pats will make trades during the draft IS NOT news

 

[NewFeep]

In other news pundits are predicting today that there is a 95% chance that the sun will rise in the East.

I read recently that over the BB era the Pats have AVERAGED over 4 trades a draft, so predicting that the Pats will make trades during the draft IS NOT news

Agreed................. BB having 17,28,33,60 and 74 and not seeing trades we would go into shock and be sipping from straws till opening day, if there is one!
(fingers crossed)

 

[Ochmed Jones]

:gossip: Pats-related or not, here's the thread to post the latest draft rumors, or what-the-experts-are-hearing leading up to the draft. All buzz is pertinent, as there may be some truths to weed out which may influence the Pats draft. Please link to source.

NFL draft rumors | National Football Post

Zobels Blog

I have thought about this a good bit and outside of Dareus, who is worth trading up for? I mean is there a player outside of Dareus, who could be available at #5 that is worth two first round draft picks?

Some might think Quinn. But I think there are a lot of if's surrounding him. For instance, if the doctors clear him medically and if BB is comfortable with his character and if BB is willing to gamble on a guy with limited tape.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Swinging for the fences means only one thing to me- Von Miller. The cost would be high, but he could be the difference maker that the defense needs. The patriots could bundle #17,28, and maybe #60 to get him.

#33 could be used to trade down for other picks to pick up interior OL help and a RB later.

 

[Seneschal2]

An interesting read from Rick Gosselin, which may have an affect on the Pats throughout rounds one and two. He talks about his top rated OTs, Ingram, and the QB picture.

Feedback appreciated...

SportsDay writer Rick Gosselin was interviewed on 1310 The Ticket on Wednesday to discuss the Dallas Cowboys and the 2011 NFL Draft. Here are some highlights:

Gosselin

 

[SamBamsFan]

An interesting read from Rick Gosselin, which may have an affect on the Pats throughout rounds one and two. He talks about his top rated OTs, Ingram, and the QB picture.

Feedback appreciated...

Gosselin

I like this from Gosselin- mostly because he is reaffirming what we all think, and it gives great value to our early picks:
"There are eight quarterbacks in this draft. Six of them could probably start in a pinch this year, with Dalton being the last. You may have up to 12 teams looking for a quarterback in the first three rounds. There are eight to get; there are 12 looking. Just figured the numbers out; there’s going to be a frenzy"

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I like this from Gosselin- mostly because he is reaffirming what we all think, and it gives great value to our early picks:
"There are eight quarterbacks in this draft. Six of them could probably start in a pinch this year, with Dalton being the last. You may have up to 12 teams looking for a quarterback in the first three rounds. There are eight to get; there are 12 looking. Just figured the numbers out; there’s going to be a frenzy"

But there are potentially veteran QB's that might be available as well; Kolb, McNabb and Young that teams might feel better about pursuing rather than drafting inexperienced kids.

 

[SamBamsFan]

But there are potentially veteran QB's that might be available as well; Kolb, McNabb and Young that teams might feel better about pursuing rather than drafting inexperienced kids.

Absolutely. I think that you can add Palmer, and Orton (reportedly) to that list of trade candidates. But with the lockout this year, the sequence of the off season has been reversed so we have a great unknown for these teams. It would hard to explain to your fan base that this years starting QB might be a placeholder like Bulger/ Hasselback, or worse, a retread like like A. Smith. At least if you make a strong pick in the draft you would be able to sell that you have, "our quarterback of the future", as the fans have not seen the warts and moles.
We'll see what happens next Thursday/ Friday. I just see this a potentially pushing better players down to the Pat's picks (if it does come to pass).

 

[DW Toys]

But there are potentially veteran QB's that might be available as well; Kolb, McNabb and Young that teams might feel better about pursuing rather than drafting inexperienced kids.

Nice call sir. I agree.
Everybody take this with you when you look at Draft Choices from top to bottom:

17% chance of success to make a squad, become a top tier starter for many years and achieve a high level status within the NFL.

We are all mesmerized by this "build through the Draft" only crap. You are talking one or two players per team per year.......maybe. The good Drafts can "mine" perhaps three. The average is 1.17!!!

So at the end of three years, if you have six Draft choices who have become starters and proficient at their position, you have..... "built through the Draft".

If you have a 34 year old QB who is at the back end of his prime, should we "Build through the Draft" in our case?, or should we use some valued high picks to package them (yeah, I know no CBA) or opt for a guy like Larry Fitzgerald, or opt for a FA like a Sidney Rice, a Carl Nicks, a Marshal Yanda in case we lose Mankins or on the Defensive side to make it easier for TB, a Kiwaunka, a Hali , a real Free Safety play maker like Weddle or think of what Asomugha could mean for the Pats if they are serious about winning now.

Statistics say we will get one blue chip starter and the other two will blend in in three years from the Draft. Do we wait for the three year time lag or do we Draft some and Trade for some current NFL players and a sprinkling of top FAs?

Use 17% as an example. Not too many MLB baseball players who hit .170 stay in the bigs!
DW Toys

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Mayock chatters

 

[Seneschal2]

Five potential first-round trades | National Football Post

Excerpt...

New England Patriots: Picks 17 and 28
The Pats are a very talented team and are just a couple dynamic weapons away on defense from lifting the Lombardi trophy once again. Therefore, don’t be shocked to see them package some of their picks this year in order to go up and get an impact-caliber prospect on the defensive side of the ball, possibly in the top ten.

---

Making patfanken ecstatic.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Five potential first-round trades | National Football Post

Excerpt...

---

Making patfanken ecstatic.

Now that Wes Bunting has said it, it's gospel. :beersign:

 

[upstater1]

When you look at all the teams that need QBs in the top 10 or so, you have to think that many of these teams would much prefer to pick some of the QBs available at 17 or 28 rather than the top 10.

In fact, if you have several teams trying to make that move down, the Patriots might be able to move up pretty cheaply.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

When you look at all the teams that need QBs in the top 10 or so, you have to think that many of these teams would much prefer to pick some of the QBs available at 17 or 28 rather than the top 10.

In fact, if you have several teams trying to make that move down, the Patriots might be able to move up pretty cheaply.

I remember a quip I read somewhere about those top picks in the draft. Apparently GM A was calling GM B to see if he might be willing to move up a couple of spots within the top 5 or so. GM B's response? "What else will you give me?"

 

[patchick]

Nice call sir. I agree.
Everybody take this with you when you look at Draft Choices from top to bottom:

17% chance of success to make a squad, become a top tier starter for many years and achieve a high level status within the NFL.

I think you might have mentioned that stat but it isn't meaningful in a vacuum. To take any guidance from it, we have to also know the percentage of veteran acquisitions that end up "becoming a tip tier starter for many years."

For instance, the 2009 season was pretty typical for the Patriots with 11 vet acquisitions: 2 via trade, 3 via decent FA contracts, and 6 via minimum or near-minimum deals:

Greg Lewis
Fred Taylor
Chris Baker
Alex Smith
Tully Banta-Cain
Steve Williams
Vinnie Ciurciu
Paris Lenon
Leigh Bodden
Herana-Daze Jones
Nathan Hodel

Of the 11, only 2 (18%) remain with the team two years later; none of the other 9 made any notable impact at all. IOW it's not at all clear that signing veterans is any more of a sure thing than drafting college kids.