Would the Pats take a RB in the 1st Rnd? Yes, but of course it would depend who is there. Personally, unless Lendale White or Deangelo Williams is there at 21, I say wait till the later rounds or get one in a trade. LB is the way to go, providing we can get a top guy. Anyway, who could we get at RB, assuming that's what BB wants? I think the only considerations for the first Rnd are: Bush, Deangelo Williams, Lendale White or Laurence Maroney. The texans are taking Bush, so there are really only the three to consider. (I am assuming no one trades up)
The teams who I feel would absolutely not consider a RB in the 1st Rnd are: Bills, Dolphins, Bengals, Browns, Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, Bears, Lions, Saints (unless Bush were to fall, which he won't), Carolina, rams, and Seahawks.
The teams who may are: Arizona (who knows what they'll do.) Jets (but would they spend one that early on a RB? I don't think so, unless they love Lendale White), Steelers (they will pick after us), Jaguars (they pick after us), Titans, Raiders, Packers, Tampa (but the same goes for these teams..would they take an RB that early. I'm thinking, no)
The teams that would most likely consider a RB in the 1st Rnd are: Texans (They take Bush), Colts (they may have to dump Edge James, but they pick after us), Pats, and the 4 most likely teams to pick a RB: 49'ers (they could take Lendale White, but if a good LB is there, that's what they may do), Falcons (if they feel offense is more important than defense), Viking & Ravens (they could easily go for Lendale White or Deangelo Williams.)
So, anyway you look at it, Laurence Maroney will most probably be there at 21. I think that's where the Pats should go. If by some act of God, Lendale White or Deangelo Williams falls, either one would be fine. The only knock on Maroney is his catching ability, but, as I said in another post, Minnesota never asked him to catch. It was run, run, run. Any thoughts?