6 Blue Chippers As Of Now - Do You Agree?

[mgteich]

Dorsey
Ellis
Long
Long
McFadden
Ryan
------------
If there are the six blue chippers, it might cost quite a bit to move up, unless someone had a #7 at least at high. And yes I would give our top 3rd to get Chris Long.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think your list is accurate.

Of those blue chippers listed, I think only McFadden or J Long could come in and start for us next season.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Seems about right, but I'm not sure how far removed those guys are from the rest of the pack either. There's no can't miss talent this year, in my mind, and the draft is pretty darn deep at several positions.

I'm not sure Gholston isn't the most high-upside guy in the draft, but he's not as sure a thing as the six you've listed.

 

[PonyExpress]

Dorsey
Ellis
Long
Long
McFadden
Ryan
------------
If there are the six blue chippers, it might cost quite a bit to move up, unless someone had a #7 at least at high. And yes I would give our top 3rd to get Chris Long.

M. Ryan, McFadden, C. Long, S. Ellis are my only blue chip locks at this point. There are some wild cards. The combine will answer alot of questions. Personally I'm not sold on Dorsey. Rogers-Cromartie is a wild card.

 

[ayjackson]

Dorsey
Ellis
Long
Long
McFadden
Ryan
------------
If there are the six blue chippers, it might cost quite a bit to move up, unless someone had a #7 at least at high. And yes I would give our top 3rd to get Chris Long.

I think consensus would separate those six from the pack. The group may change after the combine. Whether they actually are the six best prospects, I'm not certain about.

 

[jeffbiologist]

The only one I would question would be Ryan. QB is always a risk, and he didnt have much help at BC this year. As a pats fan we have to hope ATL doesnt take Ryan, and I can see KC and maybe every team in the coin flip calling Dallas to trade down if DMF is still on the board. I really hope someone emerges from the combine to push those guys down just a hair.....I dont think DRC is a top 10 shut down corner, but he sure is a 1st rounder I would love to trade down for....

 

[mgteich]

I understand things could change, but it seems likely that these players have separated themselves as of now, and absent a surprise, we won't get any of them. The hope is that after the combine there are 7 or 8 or 9 blue chippers. I also believe that Ryan is not worth a top five pick, but it seems that he will be picked there, which is of course good for us.

I think consensus would separate those six from the pack. The group may change after the combine. Whether they actually are the six best prospects, I'm not certain about.

 

[Seneschal2]

Dorsey
Ellis
Long
Long
McFadden
Ryan
------------
If there are the six blue chippers, it might cost quite a bit to move up, unless someone had a #7 at least at high. And yes I would give our top 3rd to get Chris Long.

Odds are, those 6 will remain somewhere in the top ten. IMO, Ellis, Long and Long won't make it to #7, therefore forcing our attention to the 7-20 range of prospects. This 7-20 group would not be considered as reaching, as far as Belichick is concerned. He doesn't allow consensus rankings to influence the Pats selection process, but simply seeks out players who fit the Pats profile.

Hypothetically, BB/Pioli aren't going to draft their highest ranked CB at #7, if he's not their highest ranked overall prospect when they're on the clock. McKelvin/ Jenkins/ Cason may be within range with the first pick...and the departed Samuel creates an obvious need...but there are other CB options to consider later on, along with other team needs to address:

The RT position appears to be a concern, but what are the roster evaluations of Nick and the others? Would BB attempt to upgrade again with perhaps a Clady?

Everyone content with our edge rusher position? Since Colvin went down, we've been operating with only one wing (Vrabel). Not a healthy situation for our CBs when you can't rush from both edges. Will BB consider Gholston/Harvey at #7? Knowing the position requires more than just rushing the passer, which one fits best?

Think BB wants to add a playmaking Safety to the roster? Well, there's only one in the 7-20 range (Philips). But does he fit the Pats profile?

Most here want to trade down from #7 -- but what if we can't? McKelvin/Jenkins/Cason/Clady/Gholston/Harvey/Philips are just several to consider if none from the top 6 slide. Which ones are truly worthy of #7 (according to BB?)

The Combine and Pro Days will influence round one with the usual risers and sliders, so we can adjust accordingly. Until then, let the weeding out begin...

 

[rookBoston]

Our 2nd rounder is only a few picks ahead of our early 3rd. May as well offer up the 2nd if that's what it'll take.

 

[Wretch]

I understand things could change, but it seems likely that these players have separated themselves as of now, and absent a surprise, we won't get any of them. The hope is that after the combine there are 7 or 8 or 9 blue chippers. I also believe that Ryan is not worth a top five pick, but it seems that he will be picked there, which is of course good for us.

I agree that Ryan is probably not a top 5 pick, but I take an opposite view about Atlanta. If Atlanta passes I think there are a few teams, like Chicago, that might want to get Ryan before Baltimore who picks after us.

If Ryan slips we will probably be able to trade out of the top 10 and still get a pick in the first half of round one, another day one pick or a day one pick next year.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I think you have the right 6. Gholston has been mentioned as a better fit for the Jets scheme 3-4 instead of S.Ellis. I have also seen some mocks having KC draft R.Clady - T - Boise St. KC has a decent defense and lousy offense. They have to go offense in this draft. Their worse-case scenario is J.Long going 2. Atlanta winning their coin-toss and getting M.Ryan. Then they have a couple of DL or Clady. I'm hoping S.Ellis drops to 7. I think there a couple of teams who
might move up to get him. Teams such as; Cincy,Denver,Carolina and Detroit.
We might be able to move out of Top 10. Save a ton of cash, still get the top-rated cb, and get an extra 2nd rounder. That would give us 2 2nd rounders, and 2 3rd rounders to wheal and deal with. Here's a link to PFW mentioning Denver's interest in moving up to get S.Ellis

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm?mode=afcwest

 

[PatsFan2]

Dorsey
Ellis
Long
Long
McFadden
Ryan
------------
If there are the six blue chippers, it might cost quite a bit to move up, unless someone had a #7 at least at high. And yes I would give our top 3rd to get Chris Long.

Glad you're coming around...it sucks to be @ 7 this year. This Draft is just not that Spectacular at the Top compared to prior years.

 

[PonyExpress]

People here and elsewhere keep saying that Ryan is not worth a top 5 pick, and I have to scratch my head. Ryan is a better prospect than Leinart, Cutler, Alex Smith, Quinn, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning or Philip Rivers. IMO he is the epitome of a top 5 pick and is very underrated by the public.

 

[tjones7]

The only one I would question would be Ryan. QB is always a risk, and he didnt have much help at BC this year. As a pats fan we have to hope ATL doesnt take Ryan, and I can see KC and maybe every team in the coin flip calling Dallas to trade down if DMF is still on the board. I really hope someone emerges from the combine to push those guys down just a hair.....I dont think DRC is a top 10 shut down corner, but he sure is a 1st rounder I would love to trade down for....

The only reason Ryan is not considered to be at the talent level of past #1 QBs is because he a) played in the acc a vastly underrated conference and b) his leading reciever was his running back because noone on his team was capable of catching and holding onto the ball

 

[Fencer]

QBs usually move up the charts as draft season progresses. It is VERY rare for a QB not to go in the top 6. And if that indeed happens, we'll get a nice trade out of it. If nothing else, we'll extort good value from Baltimore to move down one spot.

I'd hold out for their 1st and 2nd in return for our 1st, 2nd, and late picks who won't make our roster anyway.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I'd like to get one of the blue chippers. But if we can't, maybe a trade down to 12 and take Kenny Phillips out of Miami wouldn't be so bad. Imo he is a better safety then any CB coming out of college this year at their positions.

People are complaining about a pass rush but our secondary is a bigger issue imo. Unfortunately our pass rush lived and died with Colvin this season but if they pick up his option for 08 and he can stay healthy it's all better. Especially if Lua and another option can be had via free agency or this years draft.

Significantly thin will our secondary be with possible departures of Asante,Wilson,Gay etc. Rodney has got at most 1 or 2 years left in him. Yes he is smart and can still lay the hits with the best of them, but ultimately his best days are behind him. Adding Phillips would add depth and maybe a blockbuster player in the process.

 

[Patsmaniac]

I like Patsfaninpa's thoughts. If we could trade back to still get a good player of need in the first, get an additional second, and then still have our second and two thirs, WOW. We could get five good players in the top 100.
I would find it hard to believe we could not get a CB, DE/LB, offensive guard for the right side, and possible a luxury pick of the best player available. Maybe that would be a RB, TE, or Safety....

 

[dryheat44]

People here and elsewhere keep saying that Ryan is not worth a top 5 pick, and I have to scratch my head. Ryan is a better prospect than Leinart, Cutler, Alex Smith, Quinn, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning or Philip Rivers. IMO he is the epitome of a top 5 pick and is very underrated by the public.

According to who? In the words of Demi Moore, I strenuously object. Of those seven quarterbacks you've listed, he is probably a better prospect than Smith (who was drafted because he was an easy sign) and maybe Cutler. Eli was the hands down number one pick, and whether is was because of his name or his game, he was a much stronger prospect than Ryan. In hindsight, it's easy to say Aaron Rodgers, but if he were willing to sign for what Smith did, he would have likely been the #1, as the Cal offensive system was (at the time) considered a good one for NFL development. Ryan a better prospect than Quinn? Short memory. This is the weakest QB draft since 2005 (Alex Smith). If Ryan was in last year's draft, I seriously doubt he's in the first round. If he was in the 2006 draft, I doubt he goes in the first two rounds.

That said, I do think he's the best QB prospect in this draft by a good margin.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I like Matt Ryan a lot as a QB as well, but I can not see Miami taking him at #1. Miami has so many needs and QB is high on the list, but they get such little immediate return for the investment that I can't see an impatience man like Parcells going that route.

Besides QB, Miami needs help in the trenches, secondary and at receiver.

They can resign Lemon and still groom Beck while building infrastructure.

 

[Handel]

Dorsey
Ellis
Long
Long
McFadden
Ryan
------------
If there are the six blue chippers, it might cost quite a bit to move up, unless someone had a #7 at least at high. And yes I would give our top 3rd to get Chris Long.

I would not tag Ryan as elite.