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This is a little outside the box because it goes against what the Pats have normally done in recent drafts, which is accumulate massive amounts of them. And its worked. However this year I think we need to do the opposite.
A number of people have done speculative 53 man rosters including myself. In every case its fairly easy to fill those rosters with a good mix of current players on the roster without any draft. I did one and could only see room for 3-4 rookies and STILL winding up cutting a lot of good players. To use all 7 picks would only mean that at least close to half are likely to end up on another team's roster come September.
So I propose to limit my picks to 4 by trading up and trading out to 2013 and still get 3 players who can make an immediate (at least by mid season) impacts on the team. Using more than 4 picks will ultimately be a waste
A few assumptions - Light retires, Waters doesn't, Carter is re-signed
1. I look at our biggest need and I see it being S. However there isn't a S in this year's draft who would make a huge impact on our defense or be worthy to move up for.
2. The next biggest need is an interior pass rusher who can push the pocket from either a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. There is one player who fits that description and that's Fletcher Cox. If he's available I'd go to the Cards who don't have a 2nd round pick and trade the 27 and 48 for the 13, and select Fletcher Cox. And for those of you who don't like this pick because you don't think he can play 2 gap. Bull puckie. Most college DLmen don't learn to 2 gap. The guy is 6'4 300lbs with 4.7 speed, and a good 3 cone time for his position. He can LEARN to 2 gap over time. In the mean time he can play an immediate important role in our defense
3. Then with the 31 I trade down with either Cleveland who is trying to move up into the first round to get one of the 2nd tier QBs or St Louis who might want to get ahead of the Giants to grab Fleener. I should be able to get at least 3rd in the 2013 draft for that trade possibly a 2nd. Then with that pick early in the 2nd round I grab Shea McCellin. Another fast riser, he put his hand down as a DE or stand up as an OLB. A situational player this season and Andre Carter's understudy.
4. Now comes pick #62 Lots of ways to go with this one. Here is one scenario. We take the #62 and the Pats 4th round pick plus Sergio Brown (a proven solid special teamer) and move up in a trade with the Eagles because Jenoris Jenkins will still be there and both Detroit and Cincinnati will be there ready to pounce Yes I think his fall will be that deep. He is NOT a good guy and is a serious risk. However his talent is just too great to pass up and the Pats locker room is as good a place for him to find stability as any in the league.
5. Now with #92nd pick in the 3rd round the Pats can go a lot of ways positionaly but I think it would be best if the Pats went for their developmental FS and pick Markelle Martin
So here is the Pats 2012 draft
1. Cox - DE/DT
2. McClellin DE/OLB
3. Jenkins CB
4. Martin FS
5. A 2nd or 3rd round pick in 2013
You then bring in McCourty and tell him that starting in OTA's he'll be working as the FS with the starting D. Jenkins and Dowling will be the starting outside CBs, while Arrington plays the slot and Chung plays the other S. Moore, Barrett, Cole and Martin provide depth.
I'd rather Jenkins be a strong 6 footer, but you just can't deny Jenkins effectiveness against some of the best WRs in the SEC, and who are currently doing well in the NFL, like Julio Jones
A second scenario in case Fletcher (as I fear) will land outside our reach in the top 10. We now swap our #31 and 62 and move up to #19 (Eagles) to pick Dontario Poe who is falling fast. This is a risk pick I WOULD take and like much more than Brockers because I think the kid just needs better coaching. Its no like people are saying his lack of production is a function of a lack of a motor, but a lack of skill. The Pats are a perfect place for him to learn under Pepper and Vince....and the upside is enormous.
Now with the 27 and 47 still in the bag the Pats now have a lot of flexibility. Now if they want to trade down to the early part of 2nd they would definitely get a 2nd OR if they move down to later in the round they could pick up a first next year and a 3rd this year. So if they did the former. They could pick up Poe with the first trade. Trade down to the early 2nd and pick up McCellin as before. Get Jenkins with the 48. Get Martin with the 3rd and trade out of the 4th round pick for a 3rd next year
That scenario would net:
1. Poe DT/NT
2. McClellin DE/OLB
3. Jenkins CB
4. Martin S
5. 2013 2nd round pick
6. 2013 3rd round pick
These aren't all the players I would want, but I think they are the best players we can get in the positions we are going to draft. I see no reason to draft a RB, TE, WR, or OLman. What do you think
A number of people have done speculative 53 man rosters including myself. In every case its fairly easy to fill those rosters with a good mix of current players on the roster without any draft. I did one and could only see room for 3-4 rookies and STILL winding up cutting a lot of good players. To use all 7 picks would only mean that at least close to half are likely to end up on another team's roster come September.
So I propose to limit my picks to 4 by trading up and trading out to 2013 and still get 3 players who can make an immediate (at least by mid season) impacts on the team. Using more than 4 picks will ultimately be a waste
A few assumptions - Light retires, Waters doesn't, Carter is re-signed
1. I look at our biggest need and I see it being S. However there isn't a S in this year's draft who would make a huge impact on our defense or be worthy to move up for.
2. The next biggest need is an interior pass rusher who can push the pocket from either a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. There is one player who fits that description and that's Fletcher Cox. If he's available I'd go to the Cards who don't have a 2nd round pick and trade the 27 and 48 for the 13, and select Fletcher Cox. And for those of you who don't like this pick because you don't think he can play 2 gap. Bull puckie. Most college DLmen don't learn to 2 gap. The guy is 6'4 300lbs with 4.7 speed, and a good 3 cone time for his position. He can LEARN to 2 gap over time. In the mean time he can play an immediate important role in our defense
3. Then with the 31 I trade down with either Cleveland who is trying to move up into the first round to get one of the 2nd tier QBs or St Louis who might want to get ahead of the Giants to grab Fleener. I should be able to get at least 3rd in the 2013 draft for that trade possibly a 2nd. Then with that pick early in the 2nd round I grab Shea McCellin. Another fast riser, he put his hand down as a DE or stand up as an OLB. A situational player this season and Andre Carter's understudy.
4. Now comes pick #62 Lots of ways to go with this one. Here is one scenario. We take the #62 and the Pats 4th round pick plus Sergio Brown (a proven solid special teamer) and move up in a trade with the Eagles because Jenoris Jenkins will still be there and both Detroit and Cincinnati will be there ready to pounce Yes I think his fall will be that deep. He is NOT a good guy and is a serious risk. However his talent is just too great to pass up and the Pats locker room is as good a place for him to find stability as any in the league.
5. Now with #92nd pick in the 3rd round the Pats can go a lot of ways positionaly but I think it would be best if the Pats went for their developmental FS and pick Markelle Martin
So here is the Pats 2012 draft
1. Cox - DE/DT
2. McClellin DE/OLB
3. Jenkins CB
4. Martin FS
5. A 2nd or 3rd round pick in 2013
You then bring in McCourty and tell him that starting in OTA's he'll be working as the FS with the starting D. Jenkins and Dowling will be the starting outside CBs, while Arrington plays the slot and Chung plays the other S. Moore, Barrett, Cole and Martin provide depth.
I'd rather Jenkins be a strong 6 footer, but you just can't deny Jenkins effectiveness against some of the best WRs in the SEC, and who are currently doing well in the NFL, like Julio Jones
A second scenario in case Fletcher (as I fear) will land outside our reach in the top 10. We now swap our #31 and 62 and move up to #19 (Eagles) to pick Dontario Poe who is falling fast. This is a risk pick I WOULD take and like much more than Brockers because I think the kid just needs better coaching. Its no like people are saying his lack of production is a function of a lack of a motor, but a lack of skill. The Pats are a perfect place for him to learn under Pepper and Vince....and the upside is enormous.
Now with the 27 and 47 still in the bag the Pats now have a lot of flexibility. Now if they want to trade down to the early part of 2nd they would definitely get a 2nd OR if they move down to later in the round they could pick up a first next year and a 3rd this year. So if they did the former. They could pick up Poe with the first trade. Trade down to the early 2nd and pick up McCellin as before. Get Jenkins with the 48. Get Martin with the 3rd and trade out of the 4th round pick for a 3rd next year
That scenario would net:
1. Poe DT/NT
2. McClellin DE/OLB
3. Jenkins CB
4. Martin S
5. 2013 2nd round pick
6. 2013 3rd round pick
These aren't all the players I would want, but I think they are the best players we can get in the positions we are going to draft. I see no reason to draft a RB, TE, WR, or OLman. What do you think