DaBruinz 2008 Patriots Mock V1

[nickw308810]

I like the draft, you hit all of the team's needs. I wouldn't expect the first trade to happen, but when it comes down to it nobody knows what a team is willing to do, so you never know. Really like the idea of two third round corners and those two would definitely be good fits here.
I am beginning to think that Keglar won't make it out of the 4th round, a lot of teams are looking for linebacker help. Though if we could get him there that would be a steal.

 

[BradyManny]

Ok.. Here is my mock (and I know it will be mocked.. LOL ) :

Round 1: Patriots trade down with Baltimore. Baltimore trades the #8 and a 4th round pick. Baltimore Selects Matt Ryan.
Trade down with Carolina: Carolina trades their 1st, 2nd and 5th round picks to the Patriots for #8 over-all. Carolina takes Sedrick Ellis.

Patriots select Brandon Albert (OG)

2nd round pick: 43: Cliff Avril (OLB)
2nd round pick: 62: Jonathan Goff (ILB)
3rd round pick: 69: Antwaun Molden (CB)
3rd round pick: 94: Chevis Jackson (CB)
4th round pick: 106: Jeremy Zuttah (OL)
4th round pick: 129: Quentin Demps (SS)
5th round pick: 141: Corey Lynch (FS)
5th round pick: 164: Stanford Keglar (LB)
6th round pick: 197: Anthony Aldridge (RB/WR/KR)
7th round pick: 238: Gary Barnidge (TE)

Nice mock. Avril, Goff, Jackson, Molden, Zuttah, Keglar, really everybody is a good pick, and selected at a realistic point in the draft (maybe Molden is too high, though he's really rising of late). I do think Albert is taken a little too early. I'd rather go Chris Williams there if we're going OL, and mainly I'd rather get Groves there. But that's just personal preference.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Ok.. Here is my mock (and I know it will be mocked.. LOL ) :

Round 1: Patriots trade down with Baltimore. Baltimore trades the #8 and a 4th round pick. Baltimore Selects Matt Ryan.
Trade down with Carolina: Carolina trades their 1st, 2nd and 5th round picks to the Patriots for #8 over-all. Carolina takes Sedrick Ellis.

Patriots select Brandon Albert (OG)

If Baltimore is getting Matt Ryan out of the deal, they'd better be giving up more than a lousy 4th round pick.

I hope Brandon Albert can play right tackle at a high level, otherwise that's a lot higher than I'd like for a guard. At #13 why not get Chris Williams instead?

 

[DaBruinz]

If Baltimore is getting Matt Ryan out of the deal, they'd better be giving up more than a lousy 4th round pick.

I hope Brandon Albert can play right tackle at a high level, otherwise that's a lot higher than I'd like for a guard. At #13 why not get Chris Williams instead?

Why do people want to draft a tackle who doesn't fit into the Pats Zone blicking scheme? Williams isn't an agile player and can't get to the 2nd level when being used on screens. He's also not very physical.

I just don't see Williams as being a fit for the Patriots. Not nearly as much as Albert with his nasty attitude.

 

[Metaphors]

I just don't see Williams as being a fit for the Patriots. Not nearly as much as Albert with his nasty attitude.

I like Albert as much as the next guy. He is a steamroller when he gets out on screens. But I can't see taking anyone on offense in the first 2-3 rounds. The 2007 offense set a record for points and the scoring efficiency was unheard of. The offense returns pretty much intact (Stallworth/KBrady replaced by CJack/DThomas) and isn't very old outside of Faulk.

Albert is an upgrade in talent on the right side but will that translate to results on the field? Maybe in 3 years or so. I know the offense coughed up a hairball in the SB but would someone like Albert have made a difference? More than someone like Gholston/McKelvin on the defensive side? Those are the questions I find myself asking.

 

[DaBruinz]

I like Albert as much as the next guy. He is a steamroller when he gets out on screens. But I can't see taking anyone on offense in the first 2-3 rounds. The 2007 offense set a record for points and the scoring efficiency was unheard of. The offense returns pretty much intact (Stallworth/KBrady replaced by CJack/DThomas) and isn't very old outside of Faulk.

Albert is an upgrade in talent on the right side but will that translate to results on the field? Maybe in 3 years or so. I know the offense coughed up a hairball in the SB but would someone like Albert have made a difference? More than someone like Gholston/McKelvin on the defensive side? Those are the questions I find myself asking.

Its all about value. I won't pretend to know what the value the Pats are putting on RG currently. Nor on CB, ILB or OLB. I can only base it on where I see the most value being.

When I look back at the SB, I see failures on both sides of the ball. But also with the coaching staff. But we'll focus on offense and defense. I see that the entire O-line coughed up the fur-ball, but losing Neal was probably the biggest blow. Not only was there not much of a running game after that, but Brady got hammered worse. I like Hochstein, but he and Yates couldn't cut it. And Kaczur proved, in my eyes, that he's a jag swingman at best. Having a healthy Neal (who has been pretty injury prone over the years) for the whole game may have helped, but I believe that Albert is an upgrade over him.

Not having a running game hurt the Pats in that it made them even more one dimensional than normal.

On defense, the Pats were hurting from losing Colvin and a lack of depth at LB (both ILB and OLB). The poor play of Asante didn't help matters much. Yes, I realize that he had an interception, but what did he do the rest of the game besides let one go through his fingers. He was burned on several occasions by the likes of David Tyree.

Hobbs was playing hurt (sports hernia) and it was definitely noticable. And Gay didn't do the Pats any favors out there, to be honest.

So, while the O-line was good, it certainly can be upgraded. And when I look at the talent available, I don't see enough talent at guard or tackle for the Pats to not look at that area early.

There is a ton of talent at OLB and CB. Enough so that the Pats can get good talent in the outside the 1st round to fill those positions.

 

[Metaphors]

Its all about value. I won't pretend to know what the value the Pats are putting on RG currently. Nor on CB, ILB or OLB. I can only base it on where I see the most value being.

There is a ton of talent at OLB and CB. Enough so that the Pats can get good talent in the outside the 1st round to fill those positions.

Good point. It is safe to say that the Pats draft board is considerably smaller than ours. If the LBs and CBs on their draft board are all expected to be available in the 2nd round or later, then Albert (assuming he is on their board) wouldn't have much competition in the 1st round. The trick would be to try and maximize his value (draft him + gain picks as your mock suggests).

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Hobbs was playing hurt (sports hernia) and it was definitely noticable. And Gay didn't do the Pats any favors out there, to be honest.

I think Gay played hurt through most of the super bowl as well.

That's why I see BB bringing in more actual depth to the team and less ST only players.

 

[dryheat44]

I'll just weigh in and, without evaluating the trades, I like every single player you drafted except for Lynch, and I'm not going to quibble with a fifth rounder. I like other RBs ahead of Aldridge also, but again, at that point it's a mice nuts issue. Good job.

 

[sebman2112]

I'll just weigh in and, without evaluating the trades, I like every single player you drafted except for Lynch, and I'm not going to quibble with a fifth rounder. I like other RBs ahead of Aldridge also, but again, at that point it's a mice nuts issue. Good job.

OK, what's your problem with Lynch? Taken to high, or you don't like him? Please do explain.

 

[dryheat44]

OK, what's your problem with Lynch? Taken to high, or you don't like him? Please do explain.

I'd rather use the draft pick on a more proven guy who has been a successful D-Back against D-1 offenses....preferably good D-1 passing offenses. Honestly, I haven't seen any film on him, so I really can't evaluate him. Like I said, it's a minor quibble. A question of other people I would much rather draft being available.

 

[sebman2112]

I'd rather use the draft pick on a more proven guy who has been a successful D-Back against D-1 offenses....preferably good D-1 passing offenses. Honestly, I haven't seen any film on him, so I really can't evaluate him. Like I said, it's a minor quibble. A question of other people I would much rather draft being available.

Lynch actually dominated vs that lower level of comp, and was a huge factor in their team success. He's a tough kid with good size for the position (6'0.3" 202lbs), decent speed (4.58 forty), and good quickness (3.99 short shuttle & 6.71 3-cone).

From what I've seen, Corey takes great angles, has a good knee bend, very good awareness and route recog, reliable tackler, he's good at fighting through traffic on his way to the ball carrier, and has very good ball skills.

You didn't watch any of Appalachian State's games? Not even their game vs Michigan? Did you watch the Texas vs The Nation game? He was among the better players. I only ask because I figured you must have, when we were discussing Dexter Jackson.

 

[DaBruinz]

That's fine but they also have him below the second round where I would absolutely not take him.


They're still the best source for draft stuff for me. To each his own I guess.

PFW is amongst the worst in providign draft information. Sorry BBFan.

 

[Deus Irae]

With all the run that Albert is getting right now, it's quite possible that he'll be gone by the time Carolina picks. I also get nervous about late rising players, especially when they are changing positions. I love the idea of the Baltimore trade to pick up that 4th rounder, but the Bengals, Saints and Broncos are three teams who could all take O-linemen.

I think that my "best case scenario" for New England would go something like this:

top 6, in no particular order:

Long
Long
Dorsey
McFadden
Gholston
Albert (I'd prefer to see a corner go as a shocker because it would give the Patriots more flexibility as far as who to deal with in trading down, but it's unlikely)

That would allow the Baltimore/Ne swap and net the Patriots a pick. New England would then be in position to offer to swap spots with the Bengals and allow them to get Ellis. This would net the Patriots another pick. If the Bengals refused, New England could offer to deal with New Orleans instead.

That would position New England perfectly to take Clady and use some combination of the picks gained in a package with the second third round pick to move up and get into the second round.

The Patriots would thus get the tackle and have 2 seconds and a high third to get corners and linebackers.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Why do people want to draft a tackle who doesn't fit into the Pats Zone blicking scheme? Williams isn't an agile player and can't get to the 2nd level when being used on screens. He's also not very physical.

I just don't see Williams as being a fit for the Patriots. Not nearly as much as Albert with his nasty attitude.

Maybe because I'd rather draft a tackle than a guard, that high up in the draft? If you don't like Williams, take Otah. Brendan Albert would be ok at pick 20, but not really a good value at pick 13. Remember this guy is a GUARD. And those who say he could possibly convert, you take extra risks with conversion PROJECTS, that's why they're called projects.

 

[DaBruinz]

Maybe because I'd rather draft a tackle than a guard, that high up in the draft? If you don't like Williams, take Otah. Brendan Albert would be ok at pick 20, but not really a good value at pick 13. Remember this guy is a GUARD. And those who say he could possibly convert, you take extra risks with conversion PROJECTS, that's why they're called projects.

So, You'd rather draft a guy (Williams) who will FAIL in the Pats zone blocking system? Yeah, that makes sense. And Otah isn't any better than Williams. Again, what you are saying is that you'd rather draft a guy who doesn't fit into the Pats system than draft a guy who WOULD fit and could play either RG or RT.

And, Albert is a G/T, not just a guard. He's not a conversion project. He's played both.

 

[Metaphors]

And, Albert is a G/T, not just a guard. He's not a conversion project. He's played both.

Do you know how many games he played at OT this past year? I thought I read 2 but can't find that reference anymore. Also, who did he play OT against? There are some seriously crappy ACC teams.

I don't think it is unreasonable to say that playing Albert at OT is a "conversion"...unless I'm missing something and he has a whole lot more experience against quality competition than I think he has.

 

[DaBruinz]

Do you know how many games he played at OT this past year? I thought I read 2 but can't find that reference anymore. Also, who did he play OT against? There are some seriously crappy ACC teams.

I don't think it is unreasonable to say that playing Albert at OT is a "conversion"...unless I'm missing something and he has a whole lot more experience against quality competition than I think he has.

While it was only 2 games, he regularly practiced there against his own team. And I am looking at him as a RG. Sorry, but he's exceptional value and I believe he'll give the Pats 4 players of outstanding quality where they only have 3 now.

 

[VJCPatriot]

So, You'd rather draft a guy (Williams) who will FAIL in the Pats zone blocking system? Yeah, that makes sense. And Otah isn't any better than Williams. Again, what you are saying is that you'd rather draft a guy who doesn't fit into the Pats system than draft a guy who WOULD fit and could play either RG or RT.

And, Albert is a G/T, not just a guard. He's not a conversion project. He's played both.

What makes you know that Albert fits into the Pats system any better than the other guys except for your unsupported opinion? Show me some scouting reports that say that Albert is the best FIT for the Pats blocking system... Yeah didn't think you had any.

 

[mgteich]

Albert is a road-grader RG who MIGHT be able to play RT. Is he a potential probowler at RG? Is Neal not coming back at anywhere near 100%. If the answers are yes, then #13 is fine.

DaBruinz get us a 2nd, 4th and 5th and Albert for 6 years for our #7. Might we take Williams or Otah instead. I suppose so, but the need is on the OL is at RG, if there is one.

If the need were for a LT or even for an OT, then we wouldn't messing around, we'd be drafting Clady, although we could be trading down and then picking Williams or Otah as indicated.