2017 ILB draft

[thecore762]

Its highly likely Hightower is gone now that we didn't excersise the tag option, so looking st the draft it appears Foster from Alabama will be the first linebacker gone in the top 10. So my thinking is if the Browns give us their 12th do we go for Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt? He has the size and is good against the run and can easily plow through offensive linemen, he looks to be a solid guy. I think BB might even be able to trade down from the 12th to something in the 20s to get value and he might still be on the board.

Here is a list of other linebackers projected to go high in this years draft: WalterFootball.com: 2017 NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker Rankings

 

[luuked]

If we decide to trade Jimmy G. and end up with #12 I certainly hope we trade down a few times and pick up a couple of more picks in the top 50 and/or future picks. This draft is so stacked that it would almost be a crime to waste a 12 on one player.

Also you won't fix Hightower leaving -- if he signs somewhere else -- by drafting a rookie LB. Not even a top 15 selection will be able to handle that drop off in their first year.

Look at how long it took to get Hightower to where he is or how Shazier still isn't there.

 

[Minitron]

Maybe just wait and see if we really do not re-sign him. McCourty was also only re-signed in the last second.

 

[manxman2601]

Haason Reddick would be my choice outside of Rueben Foster. Tyrus Bowser fits a more Jamie Collins mould whilst Anthony Walker of Northwestern plays similarly to Hightower (and is nicknamed The Beast which sounds good ).

Forgot Jarrad Davies. Undersized but guy is a beast. Very explosive, good in coverage, plays with the heart of a lion. But does have injury issues.

 

[BKapatsfan]

Im not ready to move on

 

[long distance]

1. Hightower is not gone yet although it did become more likely now - and my guess is not only for money reasons.

2. BB tends to complete the core of the roster before Draft so he doesn't go there with any immediate needs and lets the draft come to him to get the most out of it. If Hightower leaves Pats will probably add a couple of mid-to-low cost LBs via FA and trade. There are quite a few solid options out there. I don't expect them to search for immediate Hightower replacement but add enough depth, versatility and some speed to the unit.

2. Its a weak ILB draft - esp. if you're looking for a full-size LB with complete game. Pats would probably have to use their #32 (or could slightly trade down) to get a good full-sized prospect at the position.

3. My choice there at the moment would be Raekwon McMillan. He reminds me most of Hightower, he had more tackles than Foster and there is strong BB connection in Ohio State through HC Meyer and DC Schiano. His game could complement well the remaining LB group.

4. The other choice would be Jarrad Davis. It will be interesting to see how this two do at Combine and what separates them there. They are currently close on draft boards in the 30-50 range.

5. If it turns out they could use more speed and rush, like Manx mentioned Reddick seems the best option but he might be gone by #32. One of the few official contacts Pats had so far was with somewhat similar (but bigger) Carroll Phillips, an early Day 3 prospect that is rising after good Senior Bowl.

Maybe Cunningham can fall, maybe they go for Anderson (in more Ninko-like capacity).. So much depends on how the LB carousel plays out before Draft.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Maybe just wait and see if we really do not re-sign him. McCourty was also only re-signed in the last second.

There was a healthy diologue btw the Pats and DMC.

Let's hope the same kind of dynamic is currently btw the Pats and High

 

[Minitron]

There was a healthy diologue btw the Pats and DMC.

Let's hope the same kind of dynamic is currently btw the Pats and High

I think i read on bleacher report that they tried to have a "respectful" conversation with him. Whatever that means.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think i read on bleacher report that they tried to have a "respectful" conversation with him. Whatever that means.

Hot take is they tried to talk money that was in his ballpark. Whether High thinks they did or not is the question.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

If we decide to trade Jimmy G. and end up with #12 I certainly hope we trade down a few times and pick up a couple of more picks in the top 50 and/or future picks. This draft is so stacked that it would almost be a crime to waste a 12 on one player.

Also you won't fix Hightower leaving -- if he signs somewhere else -- by drafting a rookie LB. Not even a top 15 selection will be able to handle that drop off in their first year.

Look at how long it took to get Hightower to where he is or how Shazier still isn't there.

The trade-down scenario has been mentioned numerous times, but only applies if we can find a trade partner. I'm sure many teams have stopped taking his calls.

BB had a few nice deals where he would trade for a future pick in a higher round (like trading the Saints this year's 1st for New Orleans's 2nd, plus next year's 1st). But that hasn't happened recently, not because of lack of trying I'm sure, but because teams weren't willing to do it.

And without knowing who is there, I wouldn't automatically trade down because we think we'll get more value. That's not always true. What if a top-5 guy drops there based on runs at other positions? Do you still trade down? Maybe you might even trade up to get a guy who is highly rated above the rest (like when we jumped up a few spots to grab Gronk).

So in principle, yes, if we get 12, there's often a lot of value in trading down. But without knowing who will be available as the draft plays out, I wouldn't necessarily decide to trade down in advance. BB doesn't make up his mind before he has to, he is patient, and he'll have scenarios where he will trade down, trade up, or take a guy in that range if they can't trade out at all.

 

[Minitron]

Hot take is they tried to talk money that was in his ballpark. Whether High thinks they did or not is the question.

I'm still pretty confident he'll re-sign with the Pats.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm still pretty confident he'll re-sign with the Pats.

Who knows. I think it's 50/50 with these things. I feel confident the Pats will make a good pitch and make a reasonable offer.

The problem is there are a lot of desperate owners out there with crappy teams and lots of money to spend

 

[Minitron]

Who knows. I think it's 50/50 with these things. I feel confident the Pats will make a good pitch and make a reasonable offer.

The problem is there are a lot of desperate owners out there with crappy teams and lots of money to spend

True. But I would be a bit disappointed if they didn't get to an agreement because this year we actually have a lot of money to spend like some of the bad teams.

 

[luuked]

What if a top-5 guy drops there based on runs at other positions? Do you still trade down?

Yes. In a heartbeat. In a draft as deep as this one, the only position I am not trading down is a QB if you need one. Mayock is saying that many of the fourth rounders could have been second rounders last year.

I prefer 2-3 really good players that fill starting roles to one blue chip player. Because you are not putting all your eggs into one basket. But I understand that this is obviously just my perspective and others might prefer to have that one transcendent player instead.

The trade-down scenario has been mentioned numerous times, but only applies if we can find a trade partner. I'm sure many teams have stopped taking his calls.

I mean it goes without saying that you can only trade a pick if you find someone who offers you value in terms of picks. Which is why I personally would prefer Cleveland's two second rounders (33, 52) + a conditional second rounder (that can become a first if Jimmy works out) next year to their 12th pick this year.

BB doesn't make up his mind before he has to, he is patient, and he'll have scenarios where he will trade down, trade up, or take a guy in that range if they can't trade out at all.

I understand all of this, this ain't my first picnic. I am not saying that "trade down" is a dogma but it's impossible to address all eventualities in a short paragraph written as a response instead I assume the most probable situation to come up (no "crazy" drops). What happens in reality on draft day is a different story anyway..

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Its highly likely Hightower is gone now that we didn't excersise the tag option, so looking st the draft it appears Foster from Alabama will be the first linebacker gone in the top 10. So my thinking is if the Browns give us their 12th do we go for Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt? He has the size and is good against the run and can easily plow through offensive linemen, he looks to be a solid guy. I think BB might even be able to trade down from the 12th to something in the 20s to get value and he might still be on the board.

Here is a list of other linebackers projected to go high in this years draft: WalterFootball.com: 2017 NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker Rankings

I do not like Cunningham in the 1st at all. He misses more tackles than any LB I've ever seen. Needs a lot of coaching and development before he can hit his potential (which, I will admit, is quite high). Just doesn't strike me as a Patriots type.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

1. Hightower is not gone yet although it did become more likely now - and my guess is not only for money reasons.

2. BB tends to complete the core of the roster before Draft so he doesn't go there with any immediate needs and lets the draft come to him to get the most out of it. If Hightower leaves Pats will probably add a couple of mid-to-low cost LBs via FA and trade. There are quite a few solid options out there. I don't expect them to search for immediate Hightower replacement but add enough depth, versatility and some speed to the unit.

2. Its a weak ILB draft - esp. if you're looking for a full-size LB with complete game. Pats would probably have to use their #32 (or could slightly trade down) to get a good full-sized prospect at the position.

3. My choice there at the moment would be Raekwon McMillan. He reminds me most of Hightower, he had more tackles than Foster and there is strong BB connection in Ohio State through HC Meyer and DC Schiano. His game could complement well the remaining LB group.

4. The other choice would be Jarrad Davis. It will be interesting to see how this two do at Combine and what separates them there. They are currently close on draft boards in the 30-50 range.

5. If it turns out they could use more speed and rush, like Manx mentioned Reddick seems the best option but he might be gone by #32. One of the few official contacts Pats had so far was with somewhat similar (but bigger) Carroll Phillips, an early Day 3 prospect that is rising after good Senior Bowl.

Maybe Cunningham can fall, maybe they go for Anderson (in more Ninko-like capacity).. So much depends on how the LB carousel plays out before Draft.

I think you are hinting at something no one really is talking about. I don't know that Hightower ever got over Collins' trade and don't get the impression he likes being a Patriot. I don't think it's just the $

 

[Ring 6]

Its highly likely Hightower is gone now that we didn't excersise the tag option, so looking st the draft it appears Foster from Alabama will be the first linebacker gone in the top 10. So my thinking is if the Browns give us their 12th do we go for Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt? He has the size and is good against the run and can easily plow through offensive linemen, he looks to be a solid guy. I think BB might even be able to trade down from the 12th to something in the 20s to get value and he might still be on the board.

Here is a list of other linebackers projected to go high in this years draft: WalterFootball.com: 2017 NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker Rankings

Why do people keep calling HT an 'inside LB'?
First we probably are down to less than 200 snaps in base defense per season any more, and nickel is our base.
Our nickel is 4-2-5.
When we do play base 4-3 Hightower is often OUTSIDE, not the MLB.
When we are in nickel or dime, Hightower plays all over the field, including some reps as DE, or a "OLB" in a 5 or 6 man front.

Our defense now is predicated on LBs, not inside or outside.

 

[Ring 6]

I think you are hinting at something no one really is talking about. I don't know that Hightower ever got over Collins' trade and don't get the impression he likes being a Patriot. I don't think it's just the $

Why would you think that? Sure he didn't like his buddy traded, but he has been a textbook Patriot, a captain, and has praised BB to no end.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

He is a pro for sure but go back and look at some of his comments after Jones and Collins' and also look at the interactions after wins in the locker room. Body language around BB and RK is off. Again, not saying it affected him in anyway as far as effort, but I just have the impression that if the money were equal, he would leave. In fairness to him, he has 4 championships between college and NFL so there isn't anything to prove if he wants to take a payday and play somewhere less demanding. Curran hints at the same thing in his article.

I hope I am wrong

 

[Ring 6]

He is a pro for sure but go back and look at some of his comments after Jones and Collins' and also look at the interactions after wins in the locker room. Body language around BB and RK is off. Again, not saying it affected him in anyway as far as effort, but I just have the impression that if the money were equal, he would leave. In fairness to him, he has 4 championships between college and NFL so there isn't anything to prove if he wants to take a payday and play somewhere less demanding. Curran hints at the same thing in his article.

I hope I am wrong

Body language?