Does anyone see us taking a WR in round 1?

[Patriot Missile]

Yea, I have seen a lot of mocks saying the same things, which is funny, because I can see the Pats taking Meachem and Bowe before Rice (which doesnt mean much, Defense is more my specialty when it comes to the draft)

I'm not too sold on Sidney Rice either. If BB/Pioli are then fine. But when I look at his 06 numbers,5 of his 10 Tds were caught in one game vs Florida Atlantic. All that comes to mind here is Mario Williams and his inflated sack total from the year before where 6 of his sacks came vs crappy teams.

 

[cstjohn17]

From Football Futures...

http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/2007/01/six-receivers-in-kipers-updated-top-20.html

It looks like there will be a lot of talent at wide receiver in the 2007 NFL draft. Mel Kiper lists six wide outs in the top 20 on his latest big board.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech (1)
Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio St. (8)
Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC (13)
Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU (18)
Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee (19)
Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina (20)
-----------------------------------------------

6 WRs in the top 20? Seems pretty high, but at a minimum 1-2 of these guys should slip to us if the Pats are interested. It could be tempting as they will have the player signed for 5 years.

 

[shirtsleeve]

If we take another WR early, I will definitely throw up in my mouth a little.

WR's SUCK!!!!! to take early. WAY too big a risk. No earlier than a third rounder and pick up a sure thing through FA.

 

[cstjohn17]

If we take another WR early, I will definitely throw up in my mouth a little.

WR's SUCK!!!!! to take early. WAY too big a risk. No earlier than a third rounder and pick up a sure thing through FA.

Hopefully none of us are around to witness this. I am warming up to the idea of adding an impact WR in round 1 (I have the right to change my mind in 10 minutes..), the reason is that I don't think our defense will be as strong next year. Statiscally this was the best scoring defense in Pats history, in 07 there may be more of a need for the offense to pick up the slack. Rice, Meachem, Ginn, Jarrett and Bowe appear to be at least as good as any of our WRs (and we would have them signed for 5 years). Add a round 1 WR and a mid level FA and WRs would be a position of strength.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

If we take another WR early, I will definitely throw up in my mouth a little.

WR's SUCK!!!!! to take early. WAY too big a risk. No earlier than a third rounder and pick up a sure thing through FA.

For 2007 WR is the top need on offense and maybe the top need on the team until injuries hit at LB and DB. Now, we need youth in some areas but in terms of on field play for 2007, WR is the most upgradeable position. You're right, they're high risk - if they take one I'll be nervous until he produces on the field. But WR is a HIGHLY upgradeable position for us.

 

[patchick]

My thought on WRs is quantity over (perceived) quality this year. The Pats have a history of drafting multiple players at a position in a year, like Wilson & Samuel, Branch & Givens. You already have one young gun with spectacular physical skills who hasn't proven anything (Jackson) a couple of mid-level vets (Gaffney and Caldwell) and hopefully the canny elder statesman (Brown). Pick up another vet then load up on day-2 draft prospects and see if you can come away with a Baskett, Colston, Givens, Houshmandzadeh, etc.

Here's a stab I posted on another thread (note that the WRs are not named, per my no-WR-research pledge)

1a. Jarvis Moss, DE/OLB Florida
1b. Josh Gattis, S, Wake Forest
2. David Harris, LB, Michigan
3. Tanard Jackson, CB, Syracuse
4. Unnamed WR#1
4b. Jason Snelling, RB, Virginia
5. Allen Barbre, OT, Missouri Southern
6a. Unnamed WR #2
6b. Matt Toeaina, DT, Oregon
7. Matt Gutierrez, QB, Idaho State

 

[everlong]

2005 vs 2006 I only included players with ten or more receptions to simplify.

2006.....................................2005
Player No Yds
Reche Caldwell 61 760 ................. Deion Branch 78 998
Benjamin Watson 49 643 .............. David Givens 59 738
Troy Brown 43 384 ................. Troy Brown 39 466
Kevin Faulk 43 356 ................ Ben Watson 29 441
Doug Gabriel 25 344 ................. Tim Dwight 19 332
Daniel Graham 21 235 ................ Kevin Faulk 29 260
Laurence Maroney 22 194 ............. Daniel Graham 16 235
David Thomas 11 159 ................... Patrick Pass 22 227
Chad Jackson 13 152 .................... Corey Dillon 22 181
Corey Dillon 15 147 ..................... Heath Evans 10 88
Jabar Gaffney 11 142

I think Caldwell has done exactly what they've brought him in to do which is replace Given. I do not see anybody on the current roster who can do what Branch did for us on his own next year. IF Jackson starts to turn it around he could stretch the field in time but I cannot see him having a 900+ yard season next year. If he could have a Troy Brown year of 39/466 I would be happy with that.

I think they need to at least bring in a David Patten type. Not as good as Branch but teams would have to respect his speed. That would also help open things up for Watson/Graham/Thomas over the middle. Between Gaffney, Caldwell, Jackson and a Patten circa 2001 I think the offense would be much more dynamic. If that's a Gonzalez early in the second by trading up or a FA I'm fine with it.

I would like to see in 2007:

1. Watson have better hands. He fumbles too often and doesn't make catches he should.

2. I'd like to see them get Maroney more involved out of the backfield. Not just on screens but on some of the sneak out of the backfield passes that go to Faulk now. They tried this year but he had several miscommunications with Brady some of which resulted in picks. When he did get the ball he made things happen. I wouldn't mind them spreading him out either that would cause major match-up issues for any defense.

3. When Thomas was used he showed great hands and caught the ball in traffic well. He was able to sit down in the zone as well and showed good instincts looking to pickup the first down and move the chains. I think he'll make a very good possession receiver and I'd like to see him used more in that capacity.

 

[mgteich]

How about this for 2007? Is this terrible? Is it doable?

Caldwell l 60
Watson 45
Gaffney 45
Faulk 45
Jackson or Brown 45


2007 total top 5 240

2006 total top 5 221

2005 total top 5 234

2005 vs 2006 I only included players with ten or more receptions to simplify.

2006.....................................2005
Player No Yds
Reche Caldwell 61 760 ................. Deion Branch 78 998
Benjamin Watson 49 643 .............. David Givens 59 738
Troy Brown 43 384 ................. Troy Brown 39 466
Kevin Faulk 43 356 ................ Ben Watson 29 441
Doug Gabriel 25 344 ................. Tim Dwight 19 332
Daniel Graham 21 235 ................ Kevin Faulk 29 260
Laurence Maroney 22 194 ............. Daniel Graham 16 235
David Thomas 11 159 ................... Patrick Pass 22 227
Chad Jackson 13 152 .................... Corey Dillon 22 181
Corey Dillon 15 147 ..................... Heath Evans 10 88
Jabar Gaffney 11 142

I think Caldwell has done exactly what they've brought him in to do which is replace Given. I do not see anybody on the current roster who can do what Branch did for us on his own next year. IF Jackson starts to turn it around he could stretch the field in time but I cannot see him having a 900+ yard season next year. If he could have a Troy Brown year of 39/466 I would be happy with that.

I think they need to at least bring in a David Patten type. Not as good as Branch but teams would have to respect his speed. That would also help open things up for Watson/Graham/Thomas over the middle. Between Gaffney, Caldwell, Jackson and a Patten circa 2001 I think the offense would be much more dynamic. If that's a Gonzalez early in the second by trading up or a FA I'm fine with it.

I would like to see in 2007:

1. Watson have better hands. He fumbles too often and doesn't make catches he should.

2. I'd like to see them get Maroney more involved out of the backfield. Not just on screens but on some of the sneak out of the backfield passes that go to Faulk now. They tried this year but he had several miscommunications with Brady some of which resulted in picks. When he did get the ball he made things happen. I wouldn't mind them spreading him out either that would cause major match-up issues for any defense.

3. When Thomas was used he showed great hands and caught the ball in traffic well. He was able to sit down in the zone as well and showed good instincts looking to pickup the first down and move the chains. I think he'll make a very good possession receiver and I'd like to see him used more in that capacity.

 

[AzPatsFan]

i wouldnt be etirely shocked if we took a qb in the mid rounds
although we do have a young backup
what we need is the vet backup
flutie, testaverde....whos next? bledsoe ahhahhahahahhah

No an intelligent vet, Brad Johnson from the Vikes, who can mange a good offense...

 

[mgteich]

The real question for the pats is not whether we want to draft one of the top receivers at #24. The real question is whether any will be left, as Kiper points out.

From Football Futures...

http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/2007/01/six-receivers-in-kipers-updated-top-20.html

It looks like there will be a lot of talent at wide receiver in the 2007 NFL draft. Mel Kiper lists six wide outs in the top 20 on his latest big board.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech (1)
Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio St. (8)
Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC (13)
Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU (18)
Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee (19)
Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina (20)
-----------------------------------------------

6 WRs in the top 20? Seems pretty high, but at a minimum 1-2 of these guys should slip to us if the Pats are interested. It could be tempting as they will have the player signed for 5 years.

 

[jczxohn1]

If Bowe happens to be there at 24, sign me up. This guy will be a very good pro for many years.

He reminds me of Irvin w/o the attitude.

PFW Pro Prospects describes him as definitely being a solid #2, not a #1. Their description reads like a description of David Givens.

 

[jczxohn1]

To answer the question, I don't see us taking a WR until the 2nd day.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

To answer the question, I don't see us taking a WR until the 2nd day.

The second day ?

We have Gaffney and Caldwell who are average and unsigned after 2007.
Chad Jackson who is ???
Troy Brown who will be retired or a non factor after 2007.

Unless we're signing some decent FA WR the next year or two we're drafting a WR on the first day this year - if not for 2007 then so he'll be a second year guy in 2008.