Vince is in the fold. Updated needs rankings and draft order preferences

[Deus Irae]

Current needs rankings:

IOL
TE
DE
S
LB
DT
WR


Draft order preference*:

Round 1: DE
Round 2: TE
Round 3: IOL
Round 4: S & LB
Round 6: DT
Round 6: DT/WR
Round 7: WR/DT



*I reserve the right to change this order if a CB/S drops in round one


What you got?

 

[Deus Irae]

Also, I would gladly watch the Patriots trade a 2014 6th and a 2015 5th for a 2014 5th.

 

[strngplyr]

Current needs rankings:

IOL
TE
DE
S
LB
DT
WR


Draft order preference*:

Round 1: DE
Round 2: TE
Round 3: IOL
Round 4: S & LB
Round 6: DT
Round 6: DT/WR
Round 7: WR/DT



*I reserve the right to change this order if a CB/S drops in round one


What you got?

I like it, however replace the 2nd DT with a 2nd IOL for me. We have enough project DTs on the roster:

Armstead
Jones
Vellano
Siligia
Forston

And we have our 2 starters at the position, after redoing their deals, I'd say its extremely likely that both are locks for the roster.

IOL is another story, we're down 1 starter and just about everyone thinks the other isn't good enough and needs to be replace right now, rather than later.

Barring major free agency changes:

Round 1: DE (Sua-Filo would be great here too, IMO, would impact the rest if it happened tho)
Round 2: TE
Round 3: IOL
Round 4: LB & IOL
Round 6: S (I don't like our current situation, however, It appears it may be resolving itself with the Ryan info)
Round 6: DT/WR
Round 7: WR/DT

 

[Joker]

I want one of the four top centers...you guys can have whatever you want that's left

 

[reflexblue]

DT who knows how well VW can play. Armstead is an un-known. Jones and Vellano played very well, but was it a one year wonder situation?

OC Wendell is the weak link in the O-line

TE to compliment Gronk, and to step in if he gets hurt again

 

[patfanken]

The Pats have 4 areas of need right now.

1. A FA DE for depth - This draft is almost bereft of pass rushing 4-3 DE's. Even the top guys come with a ton of questions. So FA would seem to be the best place to find what we need. Robert Ayers anyone?

2. LB - We have a critical need to add LB depth. I'm hoping we find one in FA and draft another at a minimum.

3. TE - I think we are OK with our In line TE's with Hooman and Gronk, however we need to add 2 guys who fit the "move" TE role. A slightly beefed up Mark Harrison could be a possibility. But I wouldn't hate it if we got one in FA, even if its Dallas Clark. Of course we've discussed the top 5 guys for a while and getting one in the draft would be ideal. Niklas seems most likely to me.

4. This may or may not be a critical need. It depends on what BB's plans are for the guys who are already here. Signing Wendell and/or Svitek will tell us a lot. Who we draft and where we pick them will tell us more. We also don't know how BB feels about the young OLman already on the roster like Kline and Cave.

So yes we are going to add some OLmen to the roster via the draft or FA. But the fact is we have 4 of last year's starters back on the roster plus their back ups. the OL is not ideal, but probably in better shape at this moment than about 90% of the rest of the league. This is the foggiest area for me.

5. No to any WR's, just no - other than camp competition

6. My ideal draft - just because this is the most fun you can have until April

1. Hageman - DT- best pass rush upside of any interior DL

2. Niklas - TE - a TE who can contribute as a back in his first year.

3. Richburg - C - Assumes that BB thinks he can start right away and be an upgrade

4. Tripp - LB - a speed OLB - great depth and development guy

4. Exum - S - just because he could be one of those injury values and you can't have too many DB's these days.

After that, who cares after that haul All I know is that of the three 3rd day picks that are left plus all the UDFA's at least one will emerge and become a contributor in 2014

 

[Gwedd]

I want A.J. McCarron. He'd make an excellent understudy for Brady, and he's basically familiar with the system and terminology New England uses, thanks to Saban. I could certainly see him taking over when Brady hangs up his cleats.

I'd also like to see Blount back in the ranks too.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I don't see how the Wilfork extension changes anything at all, we are still in the same position we were before demanding his release. I don't have a particular order of needs as much as I have a grouping of needs.

Group 1
DT- while we have the potential here for a good group there is also the potential for an absolute train wreck here. I don't think there is anyone on the roster you can really have too much confidence in at this stage. Wilfork and Kelly are both ageing players coming off serious injuries. We still don't know what level either of them will be back at and even then they are only short term answers. Jones and Siliga were both impressive at times last year but can we expect them to keep up that level. Neither guy was highly regarded in the draft and neither made their original teams. Armstead is a complete unknown at this stage and Forston hasn't done anything to prove he is a capable NFL DT. If there is a guy I like available early I wouldn't hesitate to take them in the 1st.

TE- we need at least 1 capable backup TE and I would look for them in the first 3 rounds. I don't rate any in this draft a 1st rounder (except for Ebron) so rounds 2-3 would be ideal. Although double dipping in the mid/late rounds would also work

DE- Terrible draft for DE's. Outside of Ealy I don't have interest in any of them early.

Interior OL- We need a starter at either C or RG. I would love to add one of the top 3 C (Martin, Richburg or Swanson) or one of the top 3 OG's (XSF, Yankey and Jackson).

Group 2
Safety
Backup LBer
OG- 2014 could be Mankins last year with the Pats
Backup QB

Group 3
RB
CB
OL
DT
WR

My ideal first 3 picks would be

1. DT- Nix/Hageman
2. TE- ASJ/Niklas
3. C- Richburg/Swanson

 

[unoriginal]

There are now so many bodies at DT I can't see that as being a need any more. They started last year with three and there are six credible options in play. Wilfork and even Kelly could get PUP'd but they'll still have bodies, and it's good odds they'd find late round or UDFA fliers if they needed them.

Food for thought: if the Pats do what many people here have been wanting them to do, which is move Cannon to RG and Connolly to C, then the need is not IOL, but OT.

With Solder / Mankins / Connolly / Cannon / Vollmer, you have currently signed top backups of Kline, Barker, and Cave, all interior guys supposedly with upside. It's been awhile since we've seen an OT make it off the practice squad (Ashworth?) so if the Pats have an open swing OT spot it makes sense to draft him, probably 3rd - 4th.

Personally I am far more confident in Connolly's ability to play center again than Cannon's ability to play guard, but as Cannon is probably our most talented reserve lineman and has paid his dues I can understand him getting pencilled in there. It's either that or they take the next Mankins.

I would be surprised if the Pats were looking to draft their opening day starter at any position on the OL after the 1st round.

I think we're looking at a two TE draft. That is the one smoking hole on the roster.

1.TE
2.DE
3.TE
4.LB + OT
6. - 7. whatever floats

 

[ripatsfan91]

One question I have in my mind with regard to the need at DE, is WHAT HAPPENED TO JUSTIN FRANCIS?! Guy showed promise and if Jake Bequette is on the roster still why can't Francis be?

 

[Sciz]

One question I have in my mind with regard to the need at DE, is WHAT HAPPENED TO JUSTIN FRANCIS?! Guy showed promise and if Jake Bequette is on the roster still why can't Francis be?

He had a high ankle sprain, went on IR, and then got an injury settlement. The Pats lately worked him out on November 4 and didn't bother signing him, even to replace Bequette.

 

[JMC00]

1st. DT/DE- Hageman/Tuitt
2nd.TE- Niklas/ASJ
3rd. C-Swanson/Richburg
4th. LB- C.Jones/Kirksey/Tripp
4th. S- Exum/Loston/Ladler
6th. LB/WR- Pierre-Louis/Williamson/Norwood/Janis
6th. OL- Patchan/Schofield /Leno
7th. TE/FB(H-Back)- Pedersen/Millard/Hoskins/Jensen


Would have listed Lyerla somewhere but I think he is off the Pats board.

 

[patchick]

Current needs rankings:

IOL
TE
DE
S
LB
DT
WR

I suspect you'll get the most flak for where you rank DT. That one's tricky -- a major talent, especially of the penetrating variety, would be a serious upgrade to the defense. But "contributor" level they have plenty of. (Similar to the WR situation, in fact.)

Personally, I'd argue that LB is the position that deserves to get more attention. The depth is virtually nonexistent -- even DE is better off with Buchanan and Armstead as backups. And the roster fairly screams for a fast, agile cover LB.

Draft order preference*:

Round 1: DE

Alas, that just doesn't line up with the reality of this draft class. 4-3 DE is a very weak position, and a lot of the more intriguing physical specimens are small-school guys expected to go day 3.

 

[JoeSixPat]

DT who knows how well VW can play. Armstead is an un-known. Jones and Vellano played very well, but was it a one year wonder situation?

OC Wendell is the weak link in the O-line

TE to compliment Gronk, and to step in if he gets hurt again

Yes - I think despite the Wilfork restructuring they are still actively looking for a DT who can play multiple positions, and potentially be a NT of the not so distant future.

There is no guaranteed money for him in Year 2 or 3. If someone can claim the job from him Belichick will allow them to do so.

TE - Belichick will absolutely use a pick there

OL - without a doubt

I expect there will be a deep threat WR as well.

It's really going to be who the best available player is - plus whether Belichick thinks he can trade back and still get "his" guy

I expect to see a decent amount of trading back on draft day - starting with #29

 

[BobDigital]

Absolute needs

#1 DE
#2 TE

Fairly bad needs

#3 IOL
#4 OLB
#5 SS

Kinda needs

#6 RB - We got 2 good ones but could use insurance/depth
#7 DT - Insurance incase depth is not what we think it is
#8 WR - could use another to come in and compete

Could be needs

QB - If we trade Mallet
CB - If we trade Arrington which has been talked about a bit

 

[ATippett56]

Draft order preference*:

Round 1: DE
Round 2: TE
Round 3: IOL
Round 4: S & LB
Round 6: DT
Round 6: DT/WR
Round 7: WR/DT

What you got?

This year is a crap draft for defensive ends just like 2012 was a crap draft for safeties. So let's waste another draft pick on the Tavon Wilson's of defensive ends during the 2014 NFL Draft.

 

[ATippett56]

This thread is a complete waste of time and is redundant:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/1034735-2014-mock-draft-thread.html

 

[patchick]

This thread is a complete waste of time and is redundant:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/1034735-2014-mock-draft-thread.html

Redundant thread? We've got a whole sub-forum! Anybody who thinks there's no such thing as too much draft talk should drop in:
Patriots Draft Talk - New England Patriots Forums - PatsFans.com Patriots Fan Messageboard

 

[TBR]

Draft a DT in the 1st or 2nd round next year - not this year.

TE, OL/C, DE are the top 3 needs for this draft IMO

 

[Pats-Phan]

Current needs rankings:

IOL
TE
DE
S
LB
DT
WR


Draft order preference*:

Round 1: DE
Round 2: TE
Round 3: IOL
Round 4: S & LB
Round 6: DT
Round 6: DT/WR
Round 7: WR/DT



*I reserve the right to change this order if a CB/S drops in round one


What you got?

Agree with the needs but I don't think we need to assign positions to rounds so strictly since none of the needs are really pressing. I'd do DE, TE, OL in the first 3 round but I don't care which need is addressed at what pick.