Debate: Where Do the Patriots Need to Add Depth in April's Draft?

[PatsFans.com Article]

Debate: Where Do the Patriots Need to Add Depth in April's Draft?
By: Derek Havens

On Tuesday, I participated in a debate with Bleacher Report's AFC East writer Erik Frenz. Erik and I spent awhile debating which position the Patriots need to add depth to in this April's draft. ...

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[Ron Sellers]

I'll agree with Erik Frenz that safety is the first position that immediately comes to mind. While I agree with Derek that the Patriots should get younger at WR, that to me is definitely not a top priority; there a far more prominent areas in need of attention.

I would also disagree with Derek about the offensive line; unless or until you know for a fact that Light and/or Waters are retiring then there really isn't much of any room for another player on that unit. More importantly, once again there are more pressing needs elsewhere - primarily defensive end and outside linebacker.

While getting younger and at the same time improving depth at WR and OL would be nice, to me those certainly should not be considered the two top areas of improving the roster heading into the draft, in my opinion.

 

[Mystery Pats Fan]

Slot Corner, Pass Rusher, Safety.

 

[EJ Blitz]

1. OLB/DE
2. FS
3. CB


If we don't get a pass rusher I'll eat my hat.

 

[Mystery Pats Fan]

1. OLB/DE
2. FS
3. CB


If we don't get a pass rusher I'll eat my hat.

Baked, fried or au naturale?

 

[DarMan]

1. OLB/DE
2. FS
3. CB


If we don't get a pass rusher I'll eat my hat.

How would you like it cooked?

 

[nukin]

1 - New look FS and SS
2 - Explosive DE
3 - Another Gronk

 

[Bostonian1962]

On balance, I agree with Erik. That said, with 6 picks in the first four rounds, we should be able to sure up more than one position.

To imply that we don't have youth on the O-Line doesn't ring true. Mankins is only 30, and core guys like Connelly, Cannon, Solder, and Vollmer are all in their 20's. This doesn't even mention roster guys like Wendell, Thomas, McDonald, and other 20 somethings.

We're not as old there as you think. I would expect Waters to come back, and will be sorry if Light retires (he had such a good year last year), so we do need more offensive linemen, but can get undrafted free agent offensive linemen that can play alot easier than DBs, IMHO.

 

[BlueThunder]

I expect BB to draft 2 more TE's and a couple of RB's in the first 2 rounds

 

[JoeSixPat]

While I'd expect them to draft a WR I think one is kidding themselves if they expect immediate contributions from a rookie WR no matter where in the draft they're taken


Besides WR is pretty much taken care of for this season through free agency - and one should expect a WR to take 2-3 years to develop anyways

So my guess is that we see a 3rd or 4th rounder used or converted into multiple late draft picks for use on a WR

As for help at LB, S, CB, and OL - yes, of course, all of the above

Baring injury I'm feeling OK about the OL even with Light's probable retirement - but quite simply you can never have enough quality linemen

OL is a great place to find value late in the 1st and early in the 2nd round too so I'd expect them to play it "safe" by taking an OL with one of those picks... that's just smart football.

 

[ATippett56]

If we don't get a pass rusher I'll eat my hat.

I'll pass you the salt and pepper.

 

[Deus Irae]

DL
OLB
WR
S
OL (maybe)




Not necessarily in that order