2014 draft priorities

[Get it shawtaay]

Draft priorities
1. Ra'Shede Hageman
2. Not Ra'Shede Hageman

 

[Get it shawtaay]

I am not at all worried about Mayo, I think he comes back as strong as ever. Much as i hate to say it Big Vince is the one who worries me the most because that injury with that body is a recipe for trouble. I hope he has already started his comeback because he is going to have to get into the best shape of his life to make a healthy return from this injury. I think he can do it because i think he's a really dedicated guy who will do all he can to get back to form and to the field, but it is going to be tough.

I wouldn't worry too much about Wilfork. The most common long-term lingering effect of an Achilles injury in football is a loss of explosiveness. Wilfork's game isn't really predicated on that at all. I'd guess that as long as the heel can support him again (not a given but I'd like the odds) he'll be back and in something resembling pre-injury form.

 

[fester]

I wouldn't worry too much about Wilfork. The most common long-term lingering effect of an Achilles injury in football is a loss of explosiveness. Wilfork's game isn't really predicated on that at all. I'd guess that as long as the heel can support him again (not a given but I'd like the odds) he'll be back and in something resembling pre-injury form.

Even if Wilfork comes back next year in pre-injury form, he is getting old. The Patriots have not invested significant draft capital in the past five years at the defensive tackle position (Brace and anyone else in the top 150?) so the pipeline is fairly dry right now, so I would want a Top-75 pick on a run stuffing DT who can get push on a pass-rush even if they'll never get by their blocker 1 v 1.

I agree that the draft hinges on the following players:

1) Talib
2) Wilfork
3) Mayo

If all three are back and at pre-injury form, the draft is a BPA draft -- if not, it is a multi-position need draft.

 

[RayClay]

Draft priorities
1. Ra'Shede Hageman
2. Not Ra'Shede Hageman

Certainly intriguing if raw. I wonder if we can grab him at out pick? Seems like he's moving up.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Certainly intriguing if raw. I wonder if we can grab him at out pick? Seems like he's moving up.

Not a snowball's chance in hell to be honest.

You know he's going to only rise when the shorts stuff happens, so where he is now right now in pads is probably the lowest we can expect him to be barring character concerns or similar baggage. And he's already pushing the top 15.

Still love him as a prospect though.

 

[BobDigital]

It really depends on how things unfold. Assuming Talib is resigned and Wilfork/Kelly/Sopoaga are all back and healthy then you have a lot of options.

I see DT as a need but I don't spend my top 1 or 2 picks on it if those guys are back. Also I like Chris Jones as the pass rusher DT and wanna see what Armstead can do.

My need order if we sign Talib and the DTs come bark are #1 TE, #2 OL, #3 DT, #4 DE #5 LB #6 CB #7 SS. That is what I would like us to draft assuming we keep all our picks.

I like WR next year. I think Dobson/Thompkins will both be good. Especially Dobson.

 

[BobDigital]

Also as a side note. My current top prospects in our range (as well as fitting a need).

#1 Austin-Seferian Jenkins - TE
#2 Ra'Shede Hageman - DT
#3 Cyril Richardson - OG/OT
#4 Eric Ebron - TE (he may go higher but his blocking limitations could drop him)
#5 OT. any of the top ones. One will be there at the end if we want him I think. There are 5 legit guys in this draft. Maybe 6.

 

[jmt57]

I agree that the draft hinges on the following players:

1) Talib
2) Wilfork
3) Mayo

If all three are back and at pre-injury form, the draft is a BPA draft -- if not, it is a multi-position need draft.

The dilemma is that for the latter two, it may be far too soon to determine whether or not they are back to pre-injury form when the draft takes place.

 

[goheels22002]

OL
DT
QB
- The three oldest position groups on the Patriots.

The Patriots don't have anybody else's draft picks next year and will once again draft late in every round, if things proceed as they have so far.

 

[farn]

The lines. BB loves going bigs in the first round. And that is where we need help.

 

[jah]

1. DT - need to start thinking about Wilfork's replacement, and it might be necessary sooner than we'd hoped.
2. G/C - pretty much every spot on the interior line could be upgraded. Even Mankins isn't playing well.
3. S - Gregory has stepped it up this year but his ceiling is low. Maybe Harmon or (unlikely) Wilson will progress, but if they don't, we should try to improve the position.
4. TE - would be nice to get the 2 TE offense back.
5. LB - it seems like the LB corps is thin, hopefully Collins will improve.
6. DE - Buchanan is a seventh round pick, Bequette is a bust, and Carter will retire soon.
7. T - Vollmer is injury-prone, so depth is especially important there.

 

[supafly]

It really depends on how things unfold. Assuming Talib is resigned and Wilfork/Kelly/Sopoaga are all back and healthy then you have a lot of options.

That'd be one hell of an assumption though, Bob Didgie.

Talib and Wilfork will be interesting enough in their own respect, but Kelly and Sopoaga are a whole other story altogether. The chances aren't looking too good for Kelly, as the contract is supposedly structured in a way where it pretty much makes it a no-brainer. That's certainly not my area of expertise by any stretch, but I've read a couple/few articles which stated that he's likely to be cut.

Sopoaga's number is also too high to keep, although they very well could get him to restructure and make that more affordable. Actually they could in theory get all of Wilfork, Kelly, and Sopoaga to restructure or extend, so it will definitely be interesting to see what happens. I'm not thinking that the odds are too good of keeping all 4 though. Just my opinion.

 

[AzorianPats]

Even if Wilfork comes back next year in pre-injury form, he is getting old. The Patriots have not invested significant draft capital in the past five years at the defensive tackle position (Brace and anyone else in the top 150?) so the pipeline is fairly dry right now, so I would want a Top-75 pick on a run stuffing DT who can get push on a pass-rush even if they'll never get by their blocker 1 v 1.

I agree that the draft hinges on the following players:

1) Talib
2) Wilfork
3) Mayo

If all three are back and at pre-injury form, the draft is a BPA draft -- if not, it is a multi-position need draft.

I agree with NT being a need, but I think that's a position you can get a really good player late in the draft now. Couple of things to note too though, NT aren't really a full time position now, maybe we find a way to platoon both Vince and Sopogao? Obviously with reworked contracts. Here's another theory, didn't the team cut Kyle Love in the off season in order for him to get his health back in check? Who's to say the team not keeping track on his progress? Just a couple of things to think about.

 

[Gwedd]

I'm just gonna jump in here and say that if New England got the chance, which likely they won't, then getting Alabama's CJ Mosley would be a no-brainer. The kid's impressed me consistently as a linebacker. He's almost always where he needs to be, making tackles, deflecting passes, rushing the passer, whatever.

He'll prolly go a lot higher than New England's position, but I'd not have any problems making a trade if it was possible to go up and get him.

I know others will disagree, but the kid's just been a steady producer at Alabama, and he's gonna have an impact in the NFL foe sometime if he gets the right team and the right coaching.

 

[goheels22002]

I am really surprised that this thread is not about the depth or lack thereof of the QB class in 2014 and the Patriots need for a top shelf Quarterback to compete with Mallett to succeed The Oldest Player on the Team.

There are several 1st round prospects:
WalterFootball.com: 2014 NFL Draft: Quarterback Rankings

Late first/second round guys I like are Zach Mettenberger from LSU, AJ McCarron from Alabama who plays in a pro set and Tajh Boyd who lacks height but is a Geno Smith-type QB.

A starter who is The Oldest Guy on the Team is an automatic designation for an early draft pick and maybe two.

 

[Gwedd]

I am really surprised that this thread is not about the depth or lack thereof of the QB class in 2014 and the Patriots need for a top shelf Quarterback to compete with Mallett to succeed The Oldest Player on the Team.

There are several 1st round prospects:
WalterFootball.com: 2014 NFL Draft: Quarterback Rankings

Late first/second round guys I like are Zach Mettenberger from LSU, AJ McCarron from Alabama who plays in a pro set and Tajh Boyd who lacks height but is a Geno Smith-type QB.

A starter who is The Oldest Guy on the Team is an automatic designation for an early draft pick and maybe two.

FWIW, I'd hold off a bit on Mettenberger until we see the extent of his injuries. He got sacked multiple times last night by Alabama and at the end, he was pancaked and was trying to crawl off the field with a hobbled/unresponsive right leg.

He eventually pulled himself up and, in a show of great strength and courage, pushed away those trying to help him so he could walk/limp off on his own.

I might be an Alabama fan (ROLL TIDE!) But I give great props to that young man for his play and his example with LSU.

But again, let's see what the medical types have to say in the next couple days.

 

[Gwedd]

And I would LOVE to see the Patriots draft AJ McCarron as a backup to TFB, but I suspect he'll be long gone by the time New England's pick comes around.

 

[kennyb]

I am really surprised that this thread is not about the depth or lack thereof of the QB class in 2014 and the Patriots need for a top shelf Quarterback to compete with Mallett to succeed The Oldest Player on the Team.

There are several 1st round prospects:
WalterFootball.com: 2014 NFL Draft: Quarterback Rankings

Late first/second round guys I like are Zach Mettenberger from LSU, AJ McCarron from Alabama who plays in a pro set and Tajh Boyd who lacks height but is a Geno Smith-type QB.

A starter who is The Oldest Guy on the Team is an automatic designation for an early draft pick and maybe two.

I'd rather them try to go all out and win SBs in his last years than waste a pick on someone who won't play until he is gone. Brady said he wants to play many more years anyway so the guy would just sit on the bench until his rookie contract is up then leave.

 

[mgteich]

ASSUMPTIONS
1) We will sign a starting CB in free agency (either Talib or another).
2) Spikes will be gone.
==================

QB
We can decide when, but not IF we need to draft a quarterback. Mallett will be in his last year. We need to develop a backup QB. I expect to see a couple of rookies in camp. The alternative is extending Mallett.

OG/OC
We need another interior lineman. The key question is whether Wendell is re-signed.

TE
We need to be able to do more than rely on Gronk's health for all our TE production. I don't think anyone else is signed for 2014.

S
How can this not be a top need?

LB
We need to replace Spikes.

DE
Perhaps Buchanan or Bequette is the answer. I suspect not. Carter is a fine stopgap.

=====
DEFENSIVE TACKLE

I don't see this as a top draft priority. Obviously, we can bring in a 6th rounder to compete with the rest.

We have the vets: Wilfork, Kelly and Sopoaga) at least one should be pack, likely two). We have the kids: Jones, Vellano, Forstson. We also have Armstead and a PS prospect.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I know we all are thinking about Wilfork and Brady's advancing age. But if Brady is gonna play a couple more years, let's think about getting him some more weapons. Look at all the top QBs in the league, they all seem to have various weapons. Look at what Peyton Manning has, it almost seems unfair. Look at what Brees has now with Colston back, look at what Tony Romo has, just unbelievable. Maybe we need more weapons for Brady. Personally, I'd trade my whole draft for a chance at WR Mike Evans of Texas A&M. If we can't get him, that 6'6 receiver from our minor league team (Rutgers) looks good. Several beast tight ends and other good receivers out there.