Who is the OT you want the Pats to take?

[mgteich]

If I remember correctly solder was considered the most athletic tackle in his draft class.

Vollmer was ranked as a fifth rounder, but we took him in the second because he was considered a perfect fit for a zone blocking scheme like ours.

In this draft spriggs is the perfect zone blocking offensive tackle.

Clark is the second best fit for us,

Haeg is the developmental fit,

With San Diego, Seattle and several other teams needing an offensive tackle, it is doubtful spriggs or Clark makes it to #60.

Should be an interesting draft full of obstacles for bb.

I don't disagree with your analysis.

BTW, as I recall, the guy form Dallas gave Vollmer a second round grade.

My open question is how much quality we can get at OT without moving up from 60.

 

[Jimke]

I don't disagree with your analysis.

BTW, as I recall, the guy form Dallas gave Vollmer a second round grade.

My open question is how much quality we can get at OT without moving up from 60.

The higher we can draft the OT, the better the chance he fills Vollmer's spot in 2017.

 

[mgteich]

The higher we can draft the OT, the better the chance he fills Vollmer's spot in 2017.

A month or so ago, many thought that the #1 draft priority was an OT for 2017. The idea was earlier was better, and that we might need to trade up in the 2nd, using a 3rd.

 

[IllegalContact]

A month or so ago, many thought that the #1 draft priority was an OT for 2017. The idea was earlier was better, and that we might need to trade up in the 2nd, using a 3rd.

you're not looking for an LT........there are plenty of guys in rounds 2 or 3 who project to starting RT by the end of their rookie year

 

[mgteich]

you're not looking for an LT........there are plenty of guys in rounds 2 or 3 who project to starting RT by the end of their rookie year

If our OT cannot play LT, then he will be inactive. Belichick wants more flexibility than that.

And yes, if Belichick is content with what is available in the 3rd, he way trade down from 61.

 

[IllegalContact]

If our OT cannot play LT, then he will be inactive. Belichick wants more flexibility than that.

And yes, if Belichick is content with what is available in the 3rd, he way trade down from 61.

unless he can play RT.....and last time I checker, Solder is the LT

and the need for RT help is more immediate than LT

if he can play RT, he will play RT even if he is not ready to play LT

 

[captain stone]

...and the need for RT help is more immediate than LT...

I don't agree with this. Vollmer is no longer an acceptable backup LT, although he was clearly the best
option last season. What happened to Brady in the AFCC must never, ever be allowed to happen again.

 

[IllegalContact]

I don't agree with this. Vollmer is no longer an acceptable backup LT, although he was clearly the best
option last season. What happened to Brady in the AFCC must never, ever be allowed to happen again.

The way I see it, vollmer is going to have to be replaced before solder, so RT is the priority. I think a guy like Clark is perfect in round 2.....already prepared for pass pro and can swing... Spriggs is better, but this guy is no slouch....I mean we could mortgage the rest of the draft to get to the top of round 2 to get Spriggs, but the value isn't there. As for Haeg, he's a project

 

[captain stone]

I agree with your takes on LaRaven Clark, Jason Spriggs and Joe Haeg.
The way I see it, if we have the chance to draft Clark at the end of round 2, I also would do it in a heartbeat and train him to be our #1 Swing Tackle, as you would. Then we have the year to determine if Clark is our LT of the future. If he is, then Solder moves to RT in 2017 when Vollmer is released; if he isn't, then at worst he's our RT of the future and we either restructure Solder or look for our LT of the future in the 2017 draft.
I would not be averse to drafting Haeg or Willie Beavers in the 4th round if we could acquire a pick there, in addition to Clark.

 

[manxman2601]

I agree with your takes on LaRaven Clark, Jason Spriggs and Joe Haeg.
The way I see it, if we have the chance to draft Clark at the end of round 2, I also would do it in a heartbeat and train him to be our #1 Swing Tackle, as you would. Then we have the year to determine if Clark is our LT of the future. If he is, then Solder moves to RT in 2017 when Vollmer is released; if he isn't, then at worst he's our RT of the future and we either restructure Solder or look for our LT of the future in the 2017 draft.
I would not be averse to drafting Haeg or Willie Beavers in the 4th round if we could acquire a pick there, in addition to Clark.

Where I disagree with you is that a) I don't think it's a given that Clark will be better than Solder at any time, and b) he won't be better than Vollmer in year one at RT or as a backup LT. I think we're looking for a RT to replace Vollmer in '17 and who might be able to replace Solder in '18

 

[Luxusdk]

I think Pats draft a furture LT in 17. So Vollmers replacement or atleast a swing is in 16.

Pats draft for 17> Not this season.

 

[manxman2601]

I think Pats draft a furture LT in 17. So Vollmers replacement or atleast a swing is in 16.

Pats draft for 17> Not this season.

Depends who's there when we pick but you could be right. It also depends on whether re-sign the likes of Sheard, Butler and the linebackers. Any of those we don't re-sign will need replacing too.

 

[IllegalContact]

I think Pats draft a furture LT in 17. So Vollmers replacement or atleast a swing is in 16.

Pats draft for 17> Not this season.

my scenario is drafting someone like Clark given what I see in his abilties and play him at RT sooner and LT later and bring in the next RT the way they brought in Clark

The funny thing about Clark is that his weakness (2 point stance all the time) is mitigated by the needs the Pats have......unlike someone like Mason, this guy is undeveloped in the running game, but I don't see that as being much of an issue since given the Pats offense.

Our OTs have been enigmatic with the exception of Light to a degree......and the OL is what hurt us before (super bowls against the Giants)...I think last year was the perfect storm of injury and the remaining complete lack of experience....we have bodeis on the inside and we need depth/future starters on the outside.

It may not be Clark, but it would appear to me with this free agent season that one of the 2 2nd rounders is going to be an OT........it is possible they move up to target someone

generally, I think we all agree that an OT is coming early

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I am thinking the pats draft defense heavily this draft. Dt, lb, CB and rb with the first four picks.

 

[manxman2601]

I am thinking the pats draft defense heavily this draft. Dt, lb, CB and rb with the first four picks.

OT?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Been going back over tape of Tyler Johnstone. If he's recovered from the ACL injury, then I think he could be a good pick up in the mid rounds. He only reinjured the knee because it sounds like he rushed back in half a year the first time, and took longer on the rehab the second time around, so I'm not too worried about the injury history (disclaimer: I've torn knee ligaments and recovered my athleticism with no ill effects).

He did a very good job against Shilique Calhoun, aside from a few plays, and overall he projects pretty well. Excellent 3-cone time, and he breaks the 30" mark in the vertical. I'm starting to warm up to the idea of taking him at the end of the 3rd. He keeps his feet moving, and just seems active in all facets of the game.

40 YD 20 YD 10 YD 225 BENCH VERTICAL JUMP BROAD SHUTTLE 3-CONE DRILL
5.21 3.00 1.78 24 30 1/2 8'8" 4.60 7.31

 

[captain stone]

Johnstone looks like an excellent developmental LT, but it wouldn't surprise if he were drafted closer to one of our 6th-rounders than to one of our 3rd-rounders. He'd be the one with whom I could double-up at the position, but as the 2nd choice not as the first choice.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Johnstone looks like an excellent developmental LT, but it wouldn't surprise if he were drafted closer to one of our 6th-rounders than to one of our 3rd-rounders. He'd be the one with whom I could double-up at the position, but as the 2nd choice not as the first choice.

Yeah, I could see that. Double-dipping would be smart, given that we've got, what, Cannon and Waddle? I'm not that confident in our backups. I'd love to see if we could get Spriggs, but he'll be long gone, imo. Clark might have the best tools, but the technique just isn't there. Difficult for me to figure out which direction they may go. Last year I was zeroed in on Mason from start to finish, but this year no one stands out as a perfect scheme fit who may be available in the late 2nd.

Man I hate the NFL for taking our 1st.

 

[manxman2601]

Yeah, I could see that. Double-dipping would be smart, given that we've got, what, Cannon and Waddle? I'm not that confident in our backups. I'd love to see if we could get Spriggs, but he'll be long gone, imo. Clark might have the best tools, but the technique just isn't there. Difficult for me to figure out which direction they may go. Last year I was zeroed in on Mason from start to finish, but this year no one stands out as a perfect scheme fit who may be available in the late 2nd.

Man I hate the NFL for taking our 1st.

In terms of 'scheme fit', watch Hawkins. The blocking scheme looks similar. There's stuff I'm less keen on with Hawkins but in terms of walking in and understanding the scheme, I think he has a good a chance as any.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'm all for building for the future but the first priority has to be filling the remaining needs they have for this season, and unless a prospect drops to them that is really high on their board I would fill the greater need, which imo is running back. Belichick has done an exceptional job of addressing their needs and both creating cap space and utilizing it so far in this offseason, as a result they really don't have any starting spots available other than RB, and I think that will be Belichicks priority on draft weekend. Other than RB I think it will be more prospect driven than need driven in terms of their selections. The list of contracts coming due in 2017 is long and they first have to determine who they really think they can get signed and who they most likely won't be able to re-sign and how they can keep the team strong while losing some key players. It won't make any sense to take an OT at 60/61 if they don't think that player can become their long term starter, so while OT may be a greater need than CB they should take the CB if they think they will become the better player.

As far as immediate needs go I see RB as the clear priority and I want them to get their first down back as soon as possible in this draft and would be fine with them double dipping. If they can get a strong run game going their offense is going to be almost unstoppable.

Priority number two is now CB imo, and the only way that changes is it they are able to work a deal for a quality veteran who can come in and start for them. Butler is a really good starter but that's it at a position where you really need three quality startsers.. Ryan had a good season in 2015 but he's an average player who I would like to see further down the depth chart. Coleman played well also but he's also an average player, albeiit one who could turn into a better player as he gains experience. I had hoped they could get a good veteran in free agency but they made no move to bolster the unit. It's still possible that Belichick has his eyes on some possible trades for a veteran CB and will pull one off between now and the start of the season. If they are able to pull off a trade for J. McCourty (e.g...) or J. Gilbert (e.g...) Then the unit will be in better shape but right now they are gambling heavily on a very young unit that has limited depth. An injury to Butler would make Ryan their number 1 CB and I don't think anyone wants that. I would love a trade for a vet and a top four pick for them.

The next priority is a pass rusher DE E/OLB to replacee Chandler Jones, and like RB and CB you could fill a starting spot with the right pick. And with both Collins and Hightower up for big contacts you would be addressing both an immediate need and future need on the unit.

Although I do think that OT is a need it is a future need that would be nice to get into the system as soon as possible and not one where the pick would start next season. If they are on the clock have an OT prospect they can't pass up then I'm fine with it otherwise I would address CB OR DE/OLB with the highest rated prospect available.

I would put a WR next in terms of need but would still take one if they really liked them where they are picking. Overall any big board I would put together would be dominated by these positions and would put immediate needs RB, CB, DE/OLB first and only take the other positions if the protect wear to good to pass on.