Which OL would you take at 62?

[mayoclinic]

IF the Pats were to use their 2nd round pick on an offensive lineman (possibly with a slight trade back), which of the following would you take, and why?

 

[Kontradiction]

Swanson is my favorite center in the draft and center is a huge position of need along the OL. If the team doesn't have faith in Connolly at C and Cannon at RG, I would love to see Swanson. Big, strong, and physical center that can move downfield quickly.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree with Grid about Richburg over Swanson - I think he has better core strength, and will be a standout center for the next decade. Sort of like Ryan Kalil. Jackson could be a dominant road-grader But I voted for Bitonio, because of his versatility, and because he plays with such strength. I think he could start at RG right away, replace Mankins at LG in a year, or become a dominant center, and he's got the ability to play tackle at a reasonable level.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well he would have to be a Beast who could start right away if I were to spend a 2nd round pick on an OL.

Good guards/Centers can be found in the mid rounds and later. We got Koppen with a 7th and we got Cannon with a 5th and those guys played real solid for us.

With a 2nd round pick on an OL I'm looking for an athletic guy who can contribute almost right away.

Center/Guard is a need but it all depends on who is available when we pick. Can't force a square peg into a round hole. But if we find the next Vollmer, or Mankins for example, you've got to pull the trigger.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Tough choice between Richburg and Bitonio, Bitonio is very tempting because of his skill and versatility but I think Richburg would go a long way towards dilling an immediate need.

At this point I'd go with Richburg, though that could change if we sign Alex Mack or Brian Loomis de la Puente.

 

[Wilfork#75]

While I think C is a bigger need, I love me some Gabe Jackson. Just plug him in at RG and watch him maul people.

 

[everlong]

Good guards/Centers can be found in the mid rounds and later. We got Koppen with a 7th and we got Cannon with a 5th and those guys played real solid for us.

Koppen was also a 5th not a 7th. I'd like to have a guy like Mangold who can go toe to toe with both the big NTs and the fast DTs and win a one on one battle and not have to rely exclusively on combo blocks.

 

[CTHuskies]

I prefer Antonio Richardson, Tenn or Morgan Moses, Virginia and move Cannon inside to guard and Connolly back to center.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Good guards/Centers can be found in the mid rounds and later. We got Koppen with a 7th and we got Cannon with a 5th and those guys played real solid for us.

Cannon is, at best, a JAG. While Koppen was solid he wasn't a stud, and plenty of mid-late round OL players fail.

 

[mayoclinic]

I prefer Antonio Richardson, Tenn or Morgan Moses, Virginia and move Cannon inside to guard and Connolly back to center.

Those would both be reasonable options if they are available at 62. I suspect both will be gone by around pick number 40.

 

[SalemPats]

Gabe Jackson is a beast

 

[manxman2601]

Well the only 2nd round players that BB has drafted are Vollmer and Light so whomever it is, I hope they'll be as good and long-serving as those two. I'd say that Swanson has the athletic upside to be the most likely, but I'm not convinced I want a second round OL.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I am in favor of taking multiple lineman in this year's draft, and I really like the depth at the interior line spots. I'd be a big fan of trading this pick down and taking Richburg/Bitonio/etc later on, if available. Also Marcus Martin is an intriguing prospect, and Bryan Stork was a very good center for Florida State. If the Patriots do not bring in Mack, they had better go get a guy that can play center. Wendell has to go.

Interior of the o-line, tight end and defensive line are all absolute must drafts this year. The Pats must, must, must address those positions.

 

[mayoclinic]

Well the only 2nd round players that BB has drafted are Vollmer and Light so whomever it is, I hope they'll be as good and long-serving as those two. I'd say that Swanson has the athletic upside to be the most likely, but I'm not convinced I want a second round OL.

I'm not either. It was a hypothetical to compare opinions on a number of potential prospects if the team should choose to invest a pick somewhere in that range.

 

[mayoclinic]

I am in favor of taking multiple lineman in this year's draft, and I really like the depth at the interior line spots. I'd be a big fan of trading this pick down and taking Richburg/Bitonio/etc later on, if available. Also Marcus Martin is an intriguing prospect, and Bryan Stork was a very good center for Florida State. If the Patriots do not bring in Mack, they had better go get a guy that can play center. Wendell has to go.

Interior of the o-line, tight end and defensive line are all absolute must drafts this year. The Pats must, must, must address those positions.

Your point about the depth at interior OL (Bryan Stork, Marcus Martin, Billy Turner, etc.) is well taken. And with 3 months until the draft, a lot can change. But it's looking quite possible that guys like Richburg and Bitonio won't last much beyond our 62 pick, which is why I included them.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Your point about the depth at interior OL (Bryan Stork, Marcus Martin, Billy Turner, etc.) is well taken. And with 3 months until the draft, a lot can change. But it's looking quite possible that guys like Richburg and Bitonio won't last much beyond our 62 pick, which is why I included them.

I like the topic and wouldn't be upset if they went that route. I'm merely opining that, like tight end, this year has a lot of depth in that area. Which is nice, because as mentioned I'd really like to see the Patriots add to both spots. If they could get some of those guys in the middle rounds, then add more of an impact player on the defensive line or at safety, I'd be doing backflips.

 

[captain stone]

I am in complete agreement with this line of thinking. I believe that we should double-up
not only on the OL, including a Center capable of starting in 2014 once Wendy is gone and
if Connolly refuses a restructure, but also on the DL, including a Pass-Rusher capable of
keeping Ninko & Jones fresh.
My ideal first 4 picks (not necessarily in order) are: C/G, Move TE, Pass-Rusher & best value
at either SS, OLB, or CB, depending on free agency. The last 3 picks would then be: another
OLman, another DLman, and whichever of SS, OLB, or CB hadn't been taken earlier.

 

[captain stone]

Edit: I voted for Swanson.

 

[State]

Jack Mewhort of The Ohio State Buckeyes. Guy is like Logan Mankins: tough, proficient at all positions on the O-line, a thumper. Needs to put on some muscle. A great second-round pick, coveted by the Browns as it appears here: Ohio St. Jack Mewhort prepares for Draft

Doesn't he remind you of a taller, thinner Logan Mankins?

Project second-rounder: Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

OT is a position we need to look at. The ability to move Cannon inside and the significant injury problems to both Solder (numerous concussions) and Seabass (last season's ending serious leg injury & repeated lower back problems) are making this a need position.

If Connelly moves back to center at a re-negotiated salary this line can be even better. He's bigger and was more athletic than the brainy Wendell. Svitek is a free agent and I suspect is 50/50 to return.

 

[manxman2601]

Matt Patchan is a very interesting RT candidate. Did a lot of good work blocking for Andre Williams. Re-sign Blount, draft ASJ for some double TE power and add Patchan as a backup RT and 3rd TE and ram the ball down defenses throats.

How about this for a power set up:


ASJ-Solder-Mankins-Mack-Cannon-Vollmer-Patchan-Gronk


Blount