Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

[Brady6]

When I think about our offseason needs I question if any of these players can fill a need.

Jake Bequette - 4-3 LE / 3-4 OLB
Armond Armstead - 3-tech DT/ 3-4 DE
Jeff Demps - 3rd down back/ playmaking receiver (ie similar skill set to Austin)
Marcus Fortson - 4-3 DT/ 3-4 NT
Jason Vega - Pass rush specialist
Marcus Benard - Pass rush specialist
Rasi Dowling - Cornerback
Tavon Wilson - Starting strong safety
Josh Barrett - Hybrid cover LB
Nate Ebner - Safety/Hybrid LB (entire offseason in Foxboro for a guy new to football can do a lot)

These guys are all extremely young and high potential type talents so I'm interested to see everyone's thoughts or hear any behind the scenes knowledge.

 

[jah]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Josh Barrett had his chance in 2011. He was, to put it lightly, ******* terrible.

 

[DocHoliday]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Josh Barrett had his chance in 2011. He was, to put it lightly, ******* terrible.

He's also a FA

 

[Brady6]

Can these players address any UFA & Draft needs

Josh Barrett had his chance in 2011. He was, to put it lightly, ******* terrible.

As a starter yes he was terrible but at 6'2 225lbs he could be a sub hybrid cover LB.

 

[Brady6]

Can these players address any UFA & Draft needs

He's also a FA

Don't we own his rights still because he spent the year on IR?

 

[Jimke]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Armstead Will be disappointed if he does not provide inside pass rush.
Barrett Will not be re-signed
Bequette Didn't show much as rookie but was good p rusher in college.
Bernard Some pass rushing ability early on but now camp fodder.
Demps Hoping he is a good return man. Running track may hurt him.
Dowling Shows some ability but injury prone.
Ebner Good special teams player but zero college experience as a DB.
Forston Good player in college with injury problems. Could contribute.
Vega Some pass rushing ability in CFL but probably camp fodder.
Wilson Had a few interceptions and gross mistakes too early to jiudge

 

[DaBruinz]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Don't we own his rights still because he spent the year on IR?

No. Spending the year on IR accumulates a year of service. Spending the year on the PUP does not accumulate a year of service.

 

[DocHoliday]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

As a starter yes he was terrible but at 6'2 225lbs he could be a sub hybrid cover LB.

Barret's failure is why we drafted Tavon Wilson.

Armstead Will be disappointed if he does not provide inside pass rush.
Barrett Will not be re-signed
Bequette Didn't show much as rookie but was good p rusher in college.
Bernard Some pass rushing ability early on but now camp fodder.
Demps Hoping he is a good return man. Running track may hurt him.
Dowling Shows some ability but injury prone.
Ebner Good special teams player but zero college experience as a DB.
Forston Good player in college with injury problems. Could contribute.
Vega Some pass rushing ability in CFL but probably camp fodder.
Wilson Had a few interceptions and gross mistakes too early to jiudge

I think Bernard is going to the surprise success of FA so far. He's had decent pass rushing history just been injured here or there. Could make a Mark Anderson type of impact.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Nate Ebner - Safety/Hybrid LB (entire offseason in Foxboro for a guy new to football can do a lot)

These guys are all extremely young and high potential type talents so I'm interested to see everyone's thoughts or hear any behind the scenes knowledge.

Heck:

4.55 40
39" VJ
23 bench press reps
4.04 SS
6.59 3-cone
10'8" broad jump

Have they considered WR?

 

[Brady6]

Can these players address any UFA & Draft needs

No. Spending the year on IR accumulates a year of service. Spending the year on the PUP does not accumulate a year of service.

Oh ok thanks man!

 

[manxman2601]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Heck:

4.55 40
39" VJ
23 bench press reps
4.04 SS
6.59 3-cone
10'8" broad jump

Have they considered WR?

Can he catch the ball?

 

[goheels22002]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Armstead Will be disappointed if he does not provide inside pass rush.
Barrett Will not be re-signed
Bequette Didn't show much as rookie but was good p rusher in college.
Bernard Some pass rushing ability early on but now camp fodder.
Demps Hoping he is a good return man. Running track may hurt him.
Dowling Shows some ability but injury prone.
Ebner Good special teams player but zero college experience as a DB.
Forston Good player in college with injury problems. Could contribute.
Vega Some pass rushing ability in CFL but probably camp fodder.
Wilson Had a few interceptions and gross mistakes too early to jiudge

The other guy missing from this list may be the best "new" player of all - TE Jake Ballard, a tremendous blocker/receiver. It's amazing to think about how solid this team is at every position except defensive back and wide receiver. Urgent "needs" are focused on just two positions.

People are down on Wilson, but as a rookie in a complicated position at the NFL level he acquitted himself well. Really good safeties come into their own in the third and fourth year. Keeping McCourty at one safety and bringing in a solid veteran will only help Wilson's development.

Dowling could be huge if the Patriots sign Talib or an equivalent player, and Dennard is able to return in 2013-14. One full season from Dowling and those other two guys could make CB a strength. All three are huge ifs right now.

The other key position is pass rusher - it's not bad heading into FA and the draft with Bequette, Forston, Benard and Vega as competitors for one or two slots. All along I've felt the Patriots should use their #1 on a pass rusher. There are six or seven highly rated pass rushers in the 2013 draft. Let's hope a quality guy is there at 29.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

Can he catch the ball?

Well, he did play rugby. . . .

 

[Brady6]

re: Can these players currently on roster address any UFA & Draft needs

The other guy missing from this list may be the best "new" player of all - TE Jake Ballard, a tremendous blocker/receiver. It's amazing to think about how solid this team is at every position except defensive back and wide receiver. Urgent "needs" are focused on just two positions.

People are down on Wilson, but as a rookie in a complicated position at the NFL level he acquitted himself well. Really good safeties come into their own in the third and fourth year. Keeping McCourty at one safety and bringing in a solid veteran will only help Wilson's development.

Dowling could be huge if the Patriots sign Talib or an equivalent player, and Dennard is able to return in 2013-14. One full season from Dowling and those other two guys could make CB a strength. All three are huge ifs right now.

The other key position is pass rusher - it's not bad heading into FA and the draft with Bequette, Forston, Benard and Vega as competitors for one or two slots. All along I've felt the Patriots should use their #1 on a pass rusher. There are six or seven highly rated pass rushers in the 2013 draft. Let's hope a quality guy is there at 29.

I didn't include Ballard because I didn't really consider him an unknow. I expect he is going to be a strong player for us next year.

One player I did leave off and shouldn't of is Markus Zusevics who was an exciting draft prospect prior to his combine pectoral injury.

NFL Combine 2012: Markus Zusevics Injured During Bench Press - SBNation.com

Could be an option for swing tackle, back up OG or who knows even a starter one day.