4/11 7 round mock from Abromowitz

[tanked_as_usual]

I 100% agree, IBWT. If he passes on Barwin for Matthews, it's fine with me. I don't think that will happen, but I can't predict Paris Hilton either.

I like Matthews, but Matthews and Laurinaitis together makes no sense to me. Matthews is a more athletic version of Laurinaitis as far as I'm concerned, and I would project him inside if he can learn to handle OT's.

If I were going by a strict BVA approach following my board with no trades, my draft following Abromowitz's order would look something like this:

23 - Connor Barwin, OLB (41)
34 - Louis Delmas, S (37) - I would have taken William Beatty here, but he went #33 to the Lions
47 - Jarren Gilbert, DE (53) - next best value on my board; happy to get him at 47
58 - Eric Wood, C (63)
89 - Jason Williams, LB (91) - I project him inside to SILB
97 - Chris Baker, DT (108) - TJ Lang (107) or Trevor Canfield (115) could go here, but with Eric Wood at 58 I go DT
124 - Mike Wallace, WR (177) - a steal here; considered one of the top 1- WRs and a possible 2nd round pick by NFL.com
170 - Kevin Huber, P (182) - Ladarius Webb (174) could also be the pick here
199 - Joe Burnet, CB - a steal this late
207 - Devin Moore, RB - a steal this late
234 - Brian Hoyer, QB (250)

I would have to consider that a pretty darn good draft. Unless BJ Raji falls my "perfect" first day would be Barwin, Beatty, Delmas and Gilbert, and Wood instead of Beatty would be a pretty decent alternative. I could see every 2nd day pick seriously competing for a roster spot, or at least the PS. I would be very pleased with that draft.

ding!!!!!!!!!

 

[TriplecHamp]

I'm actually really on board with Laurinaitis. Only problem is I doubt he's around at after rd 1. I would love to see him at 23. The guy is the total package and is without a doubt the best LB in coverage in the entire draft. I do have some questions on him taking on blockers though. If you watch him on tape he had a tendancy to run around blocks and because he was so athletic he could make the play. Very productive in college abd he got better every year.

Matthews is much better in coverage IMO, both are good at getting to the QB but Matthews is more versatile and more athletic. Advantage Matthews.

 

[mgteich]

You talk about BPA and then discuss adding Sintim and English to our first round considerations. I don't see these statements as compatible unless you are discussing your own BPA. I just checked the most recent top BPA lists from Gosselin, Huddle, NFLdraftscout, Brandt/nfl.com, and PFW. None have English or Sintim as one of the top 30 BPA's.

I am NOT saying that we shouldn't consider these players at 23 and at 42 (and between). However, I don't think these players would be the "best player available".

It depends how the draft is going. If none of them has gone when we're up then I'd take my chances. If only one is left then I'd get one while the getting is good (if that's a player I really want out of this draft).

But I do see a bigger group because I'm willing to put English and Sintim in with the others. Are they the same player ? No. But I don't think Belichick has to have the exact player for a given position, I think he can take Maybin and use his pass rushing skills or English and use his power and strength and work around the players. With the group of Barwin, Matthews, Johnson, Maybin, Cushing, English, Sintim, I think they're all viable, I just don't know how closely the Patriots rank them. If there's small gaps between the rankings then I take the BPA at #23 and revisit 11 picks later. If there's a guy they love, that's different. But I could see them liking English and Maybin for the same position even though they'd use them differently.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

You talk about BPA and then discuss adding Sintim and English to our first round considerations. I don't see these statements as compatible unless you are discussing your own BPA. I just checked the most recent top BPA lists from Gosselin, Huddle, NFLdraftscout, Brandt/nfl.com, and PFW. None have English or Sintim as one of the top 30 BPA's.

No, I wasn't meaning E or S would be the BPA. I was saying there's so much depth at OLB that I wouldn't take one at @23, that I would take the BPA, then come back to OLB at #34 or even at 2b depending how the draft is going. I would consider one of the OLB at #23 only if there's a much faster run on the group than expected.

 

[mgteich]

makes sense

BPA and then expect an OLB to be near BPA at 34 is certainly reasonable.

No, I wasn't meaning E or S would be the BPA. I was saying there's so much depth at OLB that I wouldn't take one at @23, that I would take the BPA, then come back to OLB at #34 or even at 2b depending how the draft is going. I would consider one of the OLB at #23 only if there's a much faster run on the group than expected.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I agree with all these comments (especially the last one). I would pick differently, but this would be an excellent result of the draft.

And I wouldn't ! What has Matthews ever done? Start all of half season. Does he even have a single sack? Or even a single INT? So how come he is so great that he commands a first round pick? Because his uncle and dad played football? BFD. Mike Mamula version 2.0

 

[Patriot Missile]

23 - Connor Barwin, OLB (41)
34 - Louis Delmas, S (37) - I would have taken William Beatty here, but he went #33 to the Lions
47 - Jarren Gilbert, DE (53) - next best value on my board; happy to get him at 47
58 - Eric Wood, C (63)
89 - Jason Williams, LB (91) - I project him inside to SILB
97 - Chris Baker, DT (108) - TJ Lang (107) or Trevor Canfield (115) could go here, but with Eric Wood at 58 I go DT
124 - Mike Wallace, WR (177) - a steal here; considered one of the top 1- WRs and a possible 2nd round pick by NFL.com
170 - Kevin Huber, P (182) - Ladarius Webb (174) could also be the pick here
199 - Joe Burnet, CB - a steal this late
207 - Devin Moore, RB - a steal this late
234 - Brian Hoyer, QB (250)

I could sleep well with that draft Mayo

 

[WaterfallJumper]

And I wouldn't ! What has Matthews ever done? Start all of half season. Does he even have a single sack? Or even a single INT? So how come he is so great that he commands a first round pick? Because his uncle and dad played football? BFD. Mike Mamula version 2.0

Actually, he had 4.5 sacks and 9 tackles for a loss this year. Not great, but not bad by any means. He's got deceptive closing speed, and I think he's going to be a very good player in another 2 - 3 years, but I definitely do not think he's first round material. First rounders should be able to immediately contribute to their team, at least in some way, shape or form, and I think Matthews would strictly play ST his first year.

I really like Matthews, for the record. In fact, I would be ecstatic if we got him--with pick 47 or later. There's no way he lasts that long. Not a chance. But if he somehow does last, then I think he's a very good pickup after finding a few other players who have a chance to play a large percentage of meaningful snaps in year one.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Actually, he had 4.5 sacks and 9 tackles for a loss this year. Not great, but not bad by any means. He's got deceptive closing speed, and I think he's going to be a very good player in another 2 - 3 years, but I definitely do not think he's first round material. First rounders should be able to immediately contribute to their team, at least in some way, shape or form, and I think Matthews would strictly play ST his first year.

I really like Matthews, for the record. In fact, I would be ecstatic if we got him--with pick 47 or later. There's no way he lasts that long. Not a chance. But if he somehow does last, then I think he's a very good pickup after finding a few other players who have a chance to play a large percentage of meaningful snaps in year one.

At his pro day, Mathews showed tremnedous athletism and above average change of direction.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Actually, he had 4.5 sacks and 9 tackles for a loss this year. Not great, but not bad by any means. He's got deceptive closing speed, and I think he's going to be a very good player in another 2 - 3 years, but I definitely do not think he's first round material. First rounders should be able to immediately contribute to their team, at least in some way, shape or form, and I think Matthews would strictly play ST his first year.

I really like Matthews, for the record. In fact, I would be ecstatic if we got him--with pick 47 or later. There's no way he lasts that long. Not a chance. But if he somehow does last, then I think he's a very good pickup after finding a few other players who have a chance to play a large percentage of meaningful snaps in year one.

I'm not a proponent of the argument requiring first round picks to "immediately contribute." Meriweather didn't get on the field much until late in the season. I believe the greater the transition and the more complex the assignment, the more BB is going to ease rookies into the job.

Warren and Wilfork split time with veterans as rookies, before being assigned the primary role at DE and NT respectively. Both were halfway into their sophomore seasons before you could see the light starting to come on as the reps became ingrained into their reactions.

Mayo's rookie year looked like Patrick Willis' rookie year, a little out of position, a little late, struggling to get off the block or keep up in coverage - his athleticism let him make some nice plays, but he had rookie written all over his game. Meriweather was slow off the start as an injury substitute, he started to really flash a grasp of the game near the end of the season. Maroney struggled trying to adjust his running style to the blocking system in place for Dillon, he still may have problems, we'll know more after we see him back and healthy.

I have no problem with the idea of a first round pick playing primarily on Special Teams as a rookie. I don't think Matthews is the ideal NE 3-4 LB outside or inside, but if he's BB's choice I'm not expecting a lot of reps to start out.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm not a proponent of the argument requiring first round picks to "immediately contribute." Meriweather didn't get on the field much until late in the season. I believe the greater the transition and the more complex the assignment, the more BB is going to ease rookies into the job.

Warren and Wilfork split time with veterans as rookies, before being assigned the primary role at DE and NT respectively. Both were halfway into their sophomore seasons before you could see the light starting to come on as the reps became ingrained into their reactions.

Mayo's rookie year looked like Patrick Willis' rookie year, a little out of position, a little late, struggling to get off the block or keep up in coverage - his athleticism let him make some nice plays, but he had rookie written all over his game. Meriweather was slow off the start as an injury substitute, he started to really flash a grasp of the game near the end of the season. Maroney struggled trying to adjust his running style to the blocking system in place for Dillon, he still may have problems, we'll know more after we see him back and healthy.

I have no problem with the idea of a first round pick playing primarily on Special Teams as a rookie. I don't think Matthews is the ideal NE 3-4 LB outside or inside, but if he's BB's choice I'm not expecting a lot of reps to start out.

I would agree with this. I like Matthews a lot, but I also don't see him as an ideal fit inside or outside. He looked very fluid and athletic at his pro day, but he lacks ideal size or ability to take on blockers. But IBWT, and if he's BB's choice I'm fine with it, and would hold him to the same standards as the other players I would consider at 23 - contribute immediately on ST and situationally, get considerable playing time by the end of his rookie year, and be starting caliber by his 2nd year.