My Gut Feel Is That We Won't Emphasize Defense At All

[mgteich]

I see this draft (at the the first 7 picks) focused almost totally on offense, filling needs at TE, WR, OL, and perhaps a QB.
===============
I suspect that Belichick will sign at least a couple DL's in free agency. One would be in the DT mix with Pennel, Guy and Butler (and Parry). One would be in the DE mix with Bennett, Simon and Wise (and Rivers, Davis, Kamalu and Harris).

Adding DL's could happen before the draft (e.g. Shelton), during (via trade) or after. There are plenty of DL's out there.

Sure, we need depth at LB and DB, but we have lots of prospects already in Jackson (already a starter), Bentley, Sam, Crossen, Dawson, Melifonwu and Brooks.

 

[holyredeemer]

I agree. Some solid DL still in FA, not mention what we don’t know that could be available in trade. I wouldn’t be shocked if we went the route you suggest.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I remember saying this in my thread months ago.

So much defensive talent teams could just get silly & leave the top tier offensive guys alone for the picking. Bill zigs where everyone else zags type thing.

 

[captain stone]

We absolutely MUST have a top-100-calibre DE from this draft to replace Flowers.

 

[pazrul72]

edit double post

 

[BelizePats]

You could be right because all that top tier D talent will leave some players on offense to slide.
I'm with the Captain on this one. We definitely need some youth on the at the DT position and I'll be pissed if we don't go that route early. It is a clear top 100 need.

 

[pazrul72]

We absolutely MUST have a top-100-calibre DE from this draft to replace Flowers.

Flowers wasn't a top 100 DE, nor was he ready to be a plus starter for two years. Like it or not Bennett is the flowers replacement. Now I agree we need talent there and would not be upset at all with a top pick to groom or even a double dip hoping lightning strikes twice with a late rounder who fills the holes in his game but it's not a MUST level need like WR, TE, and DT. IMO of course.

 

[SBLIII]

We absolutely MUST have a top-100-calibre DE from this draft to replace Flowers.

We will rely on JAGs and give Tom some legit weapons probably.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Flowers wasn't a top 100 DE, nor was he ready to be a plus starter for two years.

Hmm. Not sure that I really agree with this take. 101 is close enough to top 100. He flashed immediately but then had an injury in preseason, tried to play through it, and ended up on IR -- I think he was definitely ready to be a full time starter if he'd been healthy. His second season started a little slowly as he returned to form, but he still led the team in sacks and had a monster SB performance.

Incidentally, we pick at 101 again. That's about the latest I'd want to see some sort of DL, ideally.

 

[SBLIII]

A WR in the 1st round is more likely than ever because nobody it seems wants to trade us a decent WR. Now we need to put more draft capital in it.

 

[pazrul72]

Hmm. Not sure that I really agree with this take. 101 is close enough to top 100. He flashed immediately but then had an injury in preseason, tried to play through it, and ended up on IR -- I think he was definitely ready to be a full time starter if he'd been healthy. His second season started a little slowly as he returned to form, but he still led the team in sacks and had a monster SB performance.

Incidentally, we pick at 101 again. That's about the latest I'd want to see some sort of DL, ideally.

I did some quick math in my head, I knew Flowers was round 4 so I went 32 X 3 plus comps and the pats usually pick towards the end of the round so I thought he was closer to 140 then 101. I agree he flashed and I was excited about him but it was more like Wise, hmm there is a nice play let’s see what he grows into, not Wow we got a steal and this guy is gonna be a superstar.

As for his second season that sounds like a player growing into his role and becoming the guy we saw in his 3rd and 4th season, a monster that just got paid 18m a year. My point wasn’t so much that Flowers wasn’t awesome just that even he took a little time. He wasn’t a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rounder so if the pats wait until the 4th or 5th and take a guy with holes in his game but could develop into something that’s ok too because we have Bennett for at least this year and likely next as well.

IMO you can’t use the draft to fill immediate holes, most rookies are not ready and your team gains major long term benefits to have them sit and learn for at least half the year then gradually throw them into the fire...at least until injuries hit and you no longer have a choice. For that reason I would be pretty happy if they did select a top DE to replace Bennett in the next couple years. I just rank that need like safety, or swing tackle, or LB not a NEED like WR or TE for example where I want a double dip at both hoping at least one of the four is a pro bowl caliber player eventually.

 

[stinkypete]

I mostly agree.

The biggest priority in this draft is OL. Wynn is untested, Cannon is aging and oft-injured, the depth is lacking, Thuney is a free agent next winter and we lost Gronk's blocking. It is essential that this team loads its OL to maintain the power run game that propelled it to SB#6.

But...how many drafts has Belichick did not taken at least one defensive back in the first two rounds? I fully expect a DB to be taken early.

People will be losing their minds when the Pats trade down from #32 to select a OT, and OG and a CB in round 2.

 

[SBLIII]

I'm always in favor of drafting a quality DB. People vastly underrate the impact of DBs. Without at least 4 competent DBs there is no chance you win a SB nowadays and injuries happen so you need even more.

I mostly agree.

The biggest priority in this draft is OL. Wynn is untested, Cannon is aging and oft-injured, the depth is lacking, Thuney is a free agent next winter and we lost Gronk's blocking. It is essential that this team loads its OL to maintain the power run game that propelled it to SB#6.

But...how many drafts has Belichick did not taken at least one defensive back in the first two rounds? I fully expect a DB to be taken early.

People will be losing their minds when the Pats trade down from #32 to select a OT, and OG and a CB in round 2.

 

[scott99]

I get the opposite feel. I think Belichick is plugging holes with inexpensive players at TE & WR. Before the Sefarian-Jenkins signing and Thomas signing, I thought they’d go heavy on WR & TE at the draft. Now I’m not so sure. With the losses of Flowers and Malcolm Brown/Danny Shelton, I could see DT and edge rush being a priority, especially early on in the draft. On offense, I see them grabbing Oline, wouldn’t surprise me at 32 if a stud tackle is there, but most likely later on.

 

[mgteich]

I'm fine with a stud OL or two in the top picks.

I get the opposite feel. I think Belichick is plugging holes with inexpensive players at TE & WR. Before the Sefarian-Jenkins signing and Thomas signing, I thought they’d go heavy on WR & TE at the draft. Now I’m not so sure. With the losses of Flowers and Malcolm Brown/Danny Shelton, I could see DT and edge rush being a priority, especially early on in the draft. On offense, I see them grabbing Oline, wouldn’t surprise me at 32 if a stud tackle is there, but most likely later on.