2014 Draft Needs

Snake Eyes · Dec 26, 2013

Archeryaddict12 said:
Mankins was originally drafted as a LT and moved to LG because of light.

And he's shown to be very effective in the interior, I suggest he stays in the interior

ATippett56 · Dec 26, 2013

2014 New England Patriots Draft Needs

Offense:

Center
Tight End
Running Back (backup)
Center (backup)
Left Tackle (backup)

Defense:

Cornerback
Defensive Tackle

Salary Cap Casualties:

Kelly, Tommy
Sopoaga, Isaac
Wilson, Adrian
Gregory, Steve

Retirement:

Andre Carter

Not worth the time or money:

Cole, Marquice

captain stone · Dec 26, 2013

I would add a Pass-Rusher to that list.

In fact, I would place Pass-Rusher at the top of it.
Andre Carter as our 3rd DE is a criminally negligent, cheap-ass joke.

Coach42 · Dec 26, 2013

captain stone said:
I would add a Pass-Rusher to that list.

In fact, I would place Pass-Rusher at the top of it.
Andre Carter as our 3rd DE is a criminally negligent, cheap-ass joke.

I think that all depends on how they view Buchanan developing or not developing.

ctpatsfan77 · Dec 26, 2013

captain stone said:
I would add a Pass-Rusher to that list.

In fact, I would place Pass-Rusher at the top of it.
Andre Carter as our 3rd DE is a criminally negligent, cheap-ass joke.

And despite that negligence, and the injuries to Wilfork, Kelly, and Mayo, the team ranks 9th in points allowed through 15 games. And that's fewest PA.

captain stone · Dec 26, 2013

kennyb said:
Definitely think they need a wr early. Jarvis landry in the second maybe. Drop son seems like a bust. Willing to give him more time. Tomkins isn't a very natural wr. Leaps when he doesn't have to. Lots of drops. Jury is still out on boyce. Hopeful for him. And edelmen is a fa. Hope he doesn't want amendola money even though he deserves it more than amendola does.

While I agree with your take on our underwhelming rookie WRs, I still wouldn't use a top-100 pick
on one next year. I would rather sign a young vet during the free agency period, and concentrate
precious draft capital on C/G, Pass-Rusher & DL.

Lamanai · Dec 26, 2013

Aren't the Pats 6th in sacks this season?

I think across the league QBs are getting rid of the ball quicker, so fewer sacks

captain stone · Dec 27, 2013

ctpatsfan77 said:
And despite that negligence, and the injuries to Wilfork, Kelly, and Mayo, the team ranks 9th in points allowed through 15 games. And that's fewest PA.

They also rank 28th in 3rd-down %, meaning that they are allowing opposing drives
to be extended, resulting in at best poor field position after they finally force a punt.

The Pats must find ways to stop drives earlier than they have been doing, and that
starts with having at least 3 legit threats to pressure the QB on a consistent basis.

ctpatsfan77 · Dec 27, 2013

captain stone said:
They also rank 28th in 3rd-down %, meaning that they are allowing opposing drives
to be extended, resulting in at best poor field position after they finally force a punt.

If you look at the first four weeks—i.e., before losing Wilfork and Mayo—the Pats were only allowing 37% conversion on third down, and that was with basically Ninko and Jones as the only pass rushers.

I'm not saying this defense can't be better, merely that a lot of the problem is losing the Wilfork-Kelly-Mayo triangle.

Hercules Rockefeller · Dec 27, 2013

kennyb said:
He's thought to be a higher draft pick than where the pars are drafting ie top 20. I've seen some game film of his. Sometimes makes great plays but seems to disappear for stretches too.

Ok, thanks for weighing in. You've basically described every good defensive line prospect ever, as there are no defensive lineman who are constantly making plays on every single drive. I get what you're saying to a degree, but Hageman disappearing is not for lack of effort...he is a very hard working player.

I'm happily surprised to know that his hard work and his decision to return for his senior season are paying off. Just looking, I see that DraftNasty has him as the #8 player overall, that's a pleasant surprise.

Ivan · Dec 27, 2013

When you look at it in terms of beating your division first and foremost the interior OL definitely becomes the bigger issue, as the Jets and Bills really have good D Lines that can hurt them in coming years. If they can address RG with a really good player then they could have a great OL next season. Wendell is never going to be a dominant roadgrading center, but i think Belichick favors a Center who runs the line and calls and protections properly over the more dominant athlete. I'm not sure if there's an OG that would command a first round pick when the Patriots pick, and while they can certainly get a great prospect later it would be great if they could lock in a really good player in free agency. If there's another Mankins there then by all means scoop him up, as an OL that is not only really clinical and efficient, but also physically dominant would make this a really tough team to get by for the next few years.

manxman2601 · Dec 27, 2013

Ivan said:
When you look at it in terms of beating your division first and foremost the interior OL definitely becomes the bigger issue, as the Jets and Bills really have good D Lines that can hurt them in coming years. If they can address RG with a really good player then they could have a great OL next season. Wendell is never going to be a dominant roadgrading center, but i think Belichick favors a Center who runs the line and calls and protections properly over the more dominant athlete. I'm not sure if there's an OG that would command a first round pick when the Patriots pick, and while they can certainly get a great prospect later it would be great if they could lock in a really good player in free agency. If there's another Mankins there then by all means scoop him up, as an OL that is not only really clinical and efficient, but also physically dominant would make this a really tough team to get by for the next few years.

I think there's quite a lot of truth here. Wouldn't be surprised to see Wendell get re-signed fairly quickly.

fester · Dec 27, 2013

captain stone said:
While I agree with your take on our underwhelming rookie WRs, I still wouldn't use a top-100 pick
on one next year. I would rather sign a young vet during the free agency period, and concentrate
precious draft capital on C/G, Pass-Rusher & DL.

Statistically Dobson and Thompkins are better than expected rookie wide receivers unless you expect every rookie wide receiver to mirror Terry Glenn's or Maquess Colston's rookie production, and then you're being unreasonable. Compared to both peers and recent history the production out of Dobson and Thompkins is well above expectations, and Boyce is typical for a mid-round rookie (achieved value on ST and half a catch or more a game).

What are your expecations? Instant All-Pros or merely a reasonable Top-15 at their position?

reflexblue · Dec 27, 2013

1 Nose tackle/Defensive tackle

1A Center

2 Guard

3 Tight End

4 The best player available.

captain stone · Dec 27, 2013

So if Wendy is worth re-signing, Mankins is a beast, Solder & Vollmer when healthy
are All-Pro calibre, is Connolly then the one & only reason why Brady has been getting
hit & sacked so often, even when Solder & Vollmer were both playing? I'm not buying it.

Snake Eyes · Dec 27, 2013

Ivan said:
When you look at it in terms of beating your division first and foremost the interior OL definitely becomes the bigger issue, as the Jets and Bills really have good D Lines that can hurt them in coming years. If they can address RG with a really good player then they could have a great OL next season. Wendell is never going to be a dominant roadgrading center, but i think Belichick favors a Center who runs the line and calls and protections properly over the more dominant athlete. I'm not sure if there's an OG that would command a first round pick when the Patriots pick, and while they can certainly get a great prospect later it would be great if they could lock in a really good player in free agency. If there's another Mankins there then by all means scoop him up, as an OL that is not only really clinical and efficient, but also physically dominant would make this a really tough team to get by for the next few years.

Why is it impossible to have both? There are Centers out there that both make the right protection calls and also do their job well, it's just that Wendell isn't one of them and is often a liability when it comes to blocking.

Hercules Rockefeller · Dec 27, 2013

Snake Eyes said:
Why is it impossible to have both? There are Centers out there that both make the right protection calls and also do their job well, it's just that Wendell isn't one of them and is often a liability when it comes to blocking.

Dante Scarnecchia is the best guy on the team to make the protection calls and get everyone on the same page, but the Pats do not put him at center.

Wendell is stronger than Dante, but he is the worst regular center that Brady has had in his career. I find it absurd that he not be a candidate for upgrade.

Alex Mack will probably break the bank, so he probably won't be an option, but I'd love to see them find, if nothing else, some legitimate competition for Wendell.

zimmy · Dec 27, 2013

Don't particularly mind how these needs are ranked and happy to go BPA but I think we need:

1. Interior O-line depth. I think we re-sign Wendell but a guard/center prospect would be good as Connelly probably does not return.

2. DT. A young DT to learn behind Wilfork and take over a starting spot.

3. TE - suddenly become a need with Gronk's injuries and the Hernandez situation.

4. Pass rusher. Bequette has shown nothing and will be cut and there is just no depth. If Jones/Nink get injured then we are in trouble. Carter will not be back and Buchanan is a question mark. Would be happy to see a fairly high pick spent here.

5. Depending on if we don't sign Edelman/Talib then those positions go up a bit.

Think we can probably sort safety and DE in free agency. Think we have to look at o-line in the draft as we have a fair bit of money tied up there and need to find some cheap backups.

Snake Eyes · Dec 27, 2013

Hercules Rockefeller said:
Dante Scarnecchia is the best guy on the team to make the protection calls and get everyone on the same page, but the Pats do not put him at center.

Wendell is stronger than Dante, but he is the worst regular center that Brady has had in his career. I find it absurd that he not be a candidate for upgrade.

Alex Mack will probably break the bank, so he probably won't be an option, but I'd love to see them find, if nothing else, some legitimate competition for Wendell.

It's going to be more difficult to sign a Center than a Guard, move Mankins to Center and get a Guard.

kennyb · Dec 29, 2013

Definitely need a wr. Drop son looking like a bust. The guy can't catch in traffic apparently. Today he went out for a pass wasn't touched and got injured somehow.

Did you see the catch quentin Patton had? Huge catch with one arm being held. Wow we screwed up.

2014 Draft Needs

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Pro Bowl Player

PatsFans.com Retired Jersey Club

Third String But Playing on Special Teams

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On the Game Day Roster

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2nd Team Getting Their First Start

Hall of Fame Poster

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Third String But Playing on Special Teams

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Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

In the Starting Line-Up

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