2014 draft priorities

[ATippett56]

Practice Squad, but regardless he is a student currently enrolled in the Dante Scarnecchia Academy of Offensive Line Arts.

More accurately Dante Scarnecchia's School for Dancing Bears.

 

[CelticPatriot]

I'd say we need to go: DT, TE, S with the top 3 picks. Whether that is 2 1st rounders, 1 or none at all, they seem to be the most important positions.

Atm we've got a 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7. I'd be up to trading Mallet for a 2nd/3rd .

I'd trade out of the first for a future pick and then trade up into the 2nd round with a later package (say 3, 6, 7). So we'd have 3 picks in the 2nd round and we'd select a TE, S, DT with those picks. Then use the rest of the picks on a QB, CB, LB, OL and maybe another TE/S

 

[Banjo]

QB... we need Tom Brady's successor and we need him now

 

[ATippett56]

I'd say we need to go: DT, TE, S with the top 3 picks. Whether that is 2 1st rounders, 1 or none at all, they seem to be the most important positions.

Safety?

The New England Patriots drafted a safety in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft and drafted a safety in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Safety is not as high a priority as offensive center since the New England Patriots have six safeties under contract next year:

Devin McCourty
Steve Gregory
Adrian Wilson
Tavon Wilson
Duron Harmon
Nate Ebner

Meanwhile, offensive center Ryan Wendell will be unrestricted free agent and offensive center Nick McDonald was a training camp casualty.

 

[varjao]

Please no more safety, BB will draft another bust. Address that via FA.

Let's see if Wilson has something left in the tank.

 

[Snake Eyes]

QB... we need Tom Brady's successor and we need him now

Why, is Brady going somewhere? Maybe we should draft an O-lineman or two to better protect Brady instead of a QB who probably stink.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

QB... we need Tom Brady's successor and we need him now

Plenty of good quarterbacks in next year's draft so its not out of the question for the team to look at one especially if one drops like Mallett did where its the best player on their board at that given point.

 

[Fencer]

QB... we need Tom Brady's successor and we need him now

Not really. Tom Brady will probably be playing in 5 years, and will be an above-average veteran starting QB when he does.

 

[supafly]

Atm we've got a 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7.

We have FOUR 6th round picks in next spring's draft? I'm wondering if you are correct about that? I thought we had TWO. (Edit: I see, you are assuming 2 more comp picks in the 6th)

I'd be up to trading Mallet for a 2nd/3rd .

If they were even considering a trade for Ryan Mallett, they'd have had to bring someone in this season--either through the draft, through a vet signing, or through the practice squad.

It would be virtually impossible to expect our "new" backup QB to step in next season and immediately pick up the most important and complicated position on the team, in a very complex scheme.

When Hoyer was deemed expendable, it was due to the fact that we already had Mallett here for a year, and that they were comfortable enough with his progression of picking up the offense.

We will be forced to bring in an additional backup/future backup QB next season, as it is Mallett's last year of his contract. That could even be done through a practice squad method, but it's a no-brainer. It's a must. It will definitely have to be addressed next season. The fact that they chose not to address it this year leads many to believe that Mallett won't be going anywhere, and is much more important to us than a mid round draft pick.

It's going to take a bit of time to expect anyone to pick up our offense, likely at least a year or so. No one is going to be able to be brought in during the spring and realistically be expected to be our backup QB for the summer and fall.

 

[supafly]

Plenty of good quarterbacks in next year's draft so its not out of the question for the team to look at one especially if one drops like Mallett did where its the best player on their board at that given point.

Absolutely. It's not out of the realm of possibility to think that they could choose a QB at some point during the draft, as they did in 2011.

I tend to lean towards thinking that it wouldn't be done quite as high at Mallett was chosen (3rd), but that will all depend on if there is someone they like who may have slid a bit, as you said.

I think the odds may be higher that they'd choose one in the mid to later rounds, but anything is possible. If there is a guy there that they like, they could strongly consider it.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Not really. Tom Brady will probably be playing in 5 years, and will be an above-average veteran starting QB when he does.

Maybe, maybe not.

How many good QBs have their been past 38 years old? The wrangler jean man himself?

This QB class is loaded. Getting a prospect like Jimmy Garoppolo in late round 2 or round 3 would be a smart thing to do IMO.

The worst case is Brady plays for 5 more years and the kid is traded or left to walk in free agency. A likely scenario is he learns under Brady for three years and takes over when Brady turns 40.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Maybe, maybe not.

There has been a total of 1 good QB past 38 years old, the legendary Wrangler jean man himself.

This QB class is loaded. Getting a prospect like Jimmy Garoppolo in late round 2 or round 3 would be a smart thing to do IMO.

The worst case is Brady plays for 5 more years and the kid is traded or left to walk in free agency. A likely scenario is he learns under Brady for three years and takes over when Brady turns 40.

Have you seen Alex Tanney play for the Cowboys in the pre-season?

tanney throw - YouTube

I thought he did really well with what he was given, he'd make for a really nice grooming project.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Have you seen Alex Tanney play for the Cowboys in the pre-season?

tanney throw - YouTube

I thought he did really well with what he was given, he'd make for a really nice grooming project.

This is all I want,a grooming project. Brady will be 37 next year and Mallett in the final year of his deal. We need the next developmental kid. However, the difference this time is that whatever kid we draft COULD end up being the successor in 3-4 years. There will be 1st round QB talents in rounds 2 and 3; we should take advantage.

As supafly and you say though, if BB likes a late round/UDFA kid like this I'm fine with that too.

 

[supafly]

More accurately Dante Scarnecchia's School for Dancing Bears.

How can you honestly make a statement like that while attempting to keep a straight face?

Dante Scarnecchia has been a mastermind in spinning straw into gold. That's a proven fact, and we always have one of the top 10 offensive lines in the NFL just about every year.

You can't just blame the OL on the fact that we are currently using plays that take a longer time to develop, in terms of the young, rookie WR's for this specific season.

 

[supafly]

There will be 1st round QB talents in rounds 2 and 3; we should take advantage.

As supafly and you say though, if BB likes a late round/UDFA kid like this I'm fine with that too.

It's possible that you may be right and that they take someone who they really like in the higher rounds, as they did with Mallett in 2011. I think it's a fair point that shouldn't be overlooked.

I'm just pointing out that they'll need to address it one way or another, even if it only comes down to a developmental practice squader, since it's Mallett's last year in 2014.

 

[supafly]

How many good QBs have their been past 38 years old? The wrangler jean man himself?

Actually, there have been a lot more than you'd think off the top of your head.

Favre, Montana, Young, Elway, Marino, Warner all played past the age of 38, and were anywhere from late 30's to early 40's. QB's (especially the more traditional pocket passers) who don't need to be too athletic tend to hold up much better than any other positions, obviously. If you'd want to go back even further in time, both Stauback and Tarketon played in their later 30's too.

In my opinion, there's no reason to believe that Brady--who keeps himself in excellent shape compared to most of these other individuals, won't be able to play for another 4-5 yrs; but that's just the way I see it. Lots can happen between now and then.

http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootball/story/0ap1000000216953/printable/time-isnt-always-the-enemy-for-qbs-over-35

 

[jsull87]

The New England Patriots drafted Aaron Hernandez in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots can draft another tight end in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Arthur Lynch, TE - Georgia (overall draft rank #125)

The New England Patriots don't need a serviceable center, the New England Patriots need at least an above average center due to Brady's lack of mobility.

I love to know where in your scenario all of this salary cap space will come from.

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2014 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page

I don't claim to be a Salary Cap expert. But from my understanding we are getting money back for Fenene and are currently arguing the same for Hernandez. Fenene's in 2014 is 2.5 dead money and was similar this year i think. I am not as hopeful on the Hernandez one but that is another 2.5m next year.

But i don't really want to get in a cap argument as it's beside the point really. As i said in my last post a lot of this speculation will be sorted during FA. But i'll list a few for you.

Extend:

Wilfork: (health the issue) 11.6 m hit then is reduced
Mankins: 10.5m hit is then reduced
Ghost: 3.8m hit then reduced
Greg: 3.1m hit then reduced

CUT:

Sopoaga: Save 2.75m (this will be done if Wilfork is healthy)
A Wilson: Save 1.6m (surplus to needs if it's between him and Talib)
Greg: Save 2.35m (similar to Wilson if Harmon is fine and we want Talib)
T Kelly: Save 2.5m (i'm not saying do it but as before if we want Talib)

8m+ in those cuts there. But as i said i'm not a cap expert.

» Over the Cap- New England Patriots 2014 Salary Cap and Contracts

is where i was getting my info from so if it's wrong i apologise. But my point is if you want Talib, Wilfork et al you can do it through cuts and extensions. The reality also is with TB doing us a favor with his contract... we better do all we can to retain our best players.

RE your point that we got Hernandez late in the draft and we could do it again. I think this is a bit of a straw man argument because the reality is you could find examples at all positions where in the 4th,5th, 6th 7th rounds e.t.c you find good players. My point is only that historically C's and interior lineman of a good NFL caliber can be found mid-later in the draft.

 

[jsull87]

Please no more safety, BB will draft another bust. Address that via FA.

Let's see if Wilson has something left in the tank.

Another Bust? Do you not think Harmon has played adequately?

 

[jsull87]

Finally, the New England Patriots need to avoid expending a first round draft pick on a prospect with medical red flags. The New England Patriots should have learned their lesson from the Ras-I Dowling draft selection.

They rolled the dice 3 times . Once on Ras-I, once on Gronk and once on Vollmer. All in the 2nd.

It's worked out pretty well for them i'd say. But i think you are correct even when it has worked for us in Gronk and Vollmer... they have still missed time due to injury.

But i guess it's that risk reward aspect.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Here's how I would prioritize. But yes that doesn't always mean that's the order we pick them.

1. Been begging to use our top resources on interior OL since '09-'10 when Neal retired and Koppen's began to decline. This year it's more evident than ever. We need to keep Brady upright. May need multiple picks here.

2. DT comes next, preferably a run stuffer while Sopoaga hopefully is good enough to remain as a stopgap.

3. LB depth as Spikes may not be back

4. TE obvious

5. QB with Mallet likely gone soon and try to get TB's eventual replacement

6. HB since Vereen and Ridley each will have just one year left on their rookie contract, may be tough to keep both. Also depth can be improved with Bolden being such a disappointment this year.

Not sure yet:
S depending on the Gregory/Harmon combo
CB depending on Talib getting a long term deal or not