What about 2008? The FA/draft cycle

[Box_O_Rocks]

Here is just one publications opinion on this years draft class. Form the Pro Football Weekly's draft magazines "primer' that I recieved today.

Position Grade
QB's B
Rb's B
WR's A
TE's D
Ot's B+
OG's A
OC's C-

DE"s A this surprised me
DT's C
ILB B I really like the top 4
OLB's B-
CB's C-
S's A

Overall not a bad class. Weak in some area's - strong in some. No wonder Graham hit the jack pot with only one TE 1st round consideration.

Okay, but how does it grade out for Patriots' caliber players?

 

[PATSNUTme]

Okay, but how does it grade out for Patriots' caliber players?

I bet you think I don't know.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I bet you think I don't know.

For some reason the theme from Jeopardy is running through my mind.

 

[SamBamsFan]

Here is just one publications opinion on this years draft class. Form the Pro Football Weekly's draft magazines "primer' that I recieved today.

Position Grade
QB's B
Rb's B
WR's A
TE's D
Ot's B+
OG's A
OC's C-

DE"s A this surprised me
DT's C
ILB B I really like the top 4
OLB's B-
CB's C-
S's A

Overall not a bad class. Weak in some area's - strong in some. No wonder Graham hit the jack pot with only one TE 1st round consideration.

My reply (and I am trying to be fair)
QB's b- (two players plus those who might develope)
RB's c- (see above, but we expect more from the rb classes)
WR's A- (lots of depth @ top end)
TE's- D
OT's - C (only 2 guaranteed 1st rounders, many project to guards(
OG'c- A (best class in 10 years IMO)
OC's- C (I could see 4 taken the first day- Average)

DE's- A- (some of these will wind up as LB's but this draft class is great in its depth)
DT's- D- (2 first rounders + Harrell, than a long drop talentwise, Many will reach this year...)
ILB- C (I see 5, maybe 6 first day players. Not a great crop in my mind)
OLB- C+ (save for some of the conversion players, this would be the worst draft in years)
CB- B- (I know others differ, what it lacks in top end, it makes up in depth. 16 CB's the first day IMO)
S- B+ (Better in SS than FS. Depth w/ some top end)

 

[PATSNUTme]

For some reason the theme from Jeopardy is running through my mind.

It does list about 12 "good fits" for the Patriots. I liked what I have seen of Patrick Willis on a limited basis. After reading an article and their write up on him , I have a total man crush on him. He has everything that the Patriots want in a LB, a player, a leader, and a person.

The payers that they listed as "good fits":

Meachen, Gonzales:rocker:, Craig Davis,OT Doug Free, OL Jon Palmer, OT Chris Denman.

Leon Hall,Revis,Bradley,Harris,Hughes,Wendling.

I was really looking at Rouse but they say he's slow in the head.

 

[Clonamery]

I was really looking at Rouse but they say he's slow in the head.

Hey, he could contribute here at least.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hey, he could contribute here at least.

Huh?

 

[SamBamsFan]

Huh?

I think he is refering to the intellectual kinship that he might find w/ many of the posters.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I think he is refering to the intellectual kinship that he might find w/ many of the posters.

Huh?

 

[dryheat44]

Huh?

Nice.

Next year should have a great RB class: McFadden, Slaton, Rice, Stewart, Ore, James Davis, Ian Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Andre Brown, Brad Lester, etc.

 

[Clonamery]

Huh?

"I think he is refering to the intellectual kinship that he might find w/ many of the posters."

Jeesh. How many times do we have to say things around here to make a point.? Am I going to have to start a thread about this?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

"I think he is refering to the intellectual kinship that he might find w/ many of the posters."

Jeesh. How many times do we have to say things around here to make a point.? Am I going to have to start a thread about this?

Well yes, but if you insert it into every thread...

 

[Clonamery]

Well yes, but if you insert it into every thread...

Ah, I'd have to start my own site for that kind bombastic barrage of bile.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The 2008 RB class could the best in the past 5 years or so. A lot of really good RB's that were sophomores this year.
The 2008 CB class has a chance to be special as well.
And if the 2008 class has at least 1 decent TE in it, then it will beat the 2007 class.
I really like Richardson of Clemson, Long of Michigan and Baker of USC at the OT position. I'm not sure if any of them fall to #32 in next year's draft, but any of the three would be an upgrade over the Kazkur/O'callaghan/Britt threesome.

Goff of Vandy remains the ILB beast that all 3-4 teams will be looking very closely at.

 

[cstjohn17]

Goff of Vandy remains the ILB beast that all 3-4 teams will be looking very closely at.

Add Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolina into the mix, I was surprised he didn't come out this year. Very physical and active ILB.
Height: 6-2 Weight: 258

Getting back to the original question, I am sure the Patriots have general ideas about the overall positional strength of each class but I would be surpirsed if they base too many roster decisions on it. The main reason is I don't think they enter a draft and say "we have to get a CB", the board may not break that way. I am also skeptical about draft "depth", each year some units are stronger than others but overall the players are not that much different.

In the end you get to draft 8-10 of them, 6 or 7 make the roster, you develop them the best you can and then repeat the process the next year.