Draft a power RB? Re-sign Blount? Get Foster?

[JoeSixPat]

Seems to me that Lewis is able to play multiple roles and be productive, which makes him that much more of a threat

But in general Belichick has presided over an era in which he's used RBs more as role players, and thus can usually find good role playing RBs cheap in free agency, as the cast offs of other teams, or late in the draft or even better as UFAs

So aside from a game breaking RB, I don't think you waste any high draft picks at RB or a lot of FA money - there's plenty of quality to be found if a coach knows what he's looking for

 

[mgteich]

I'm pretty high on Dixon as well.. IMO.. It's gotta be Henry or Dixon if we are looking for a lead back.

Manx tell me that Dixon is a fumbler.

 

[AzPatsFan]

It is refreshing to see everyone agrees that this should be an Offensive oriented draft.

Therefore, BB will probably draft only Defensive players.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I'd like to take a flyer on Ridley. He knows the system, and has learned not to carry the ball loosely, so fumbling is minimized. He did produce in the Pat's system too.

Sometimes it takes more than a year to return from a knee, especially one late in the year like he had. If available, I suspect BB would like to have Ridley back too.

 

[jimnance]

It is refreshing to see everyone agrees that this should be an Offensive oriented draft.

Therefore, BB will probably draft only Defensive players.

And THAT is why this dynasty is now 15 years and running...unlike us fans, who mostly are looking to fill immediate needs, BB is looking at big picture and taking best player available, regardless of position. Lot of posters on this board fancy themselves better gms than BB, lol,-if you were, youd be doing his job and making millions every year-instead of what youre doing. doesnt take a genius to know this draft is loaded with defensive talent-and after one or two-a crappy bunch of rbs, Why would you waste a valuable 2ndrd pick-which could be the next jamie collins-on a rb whos not going to be any better than blount? Im sure BB will add another rb this offseason-whether blount,another free agent or a LATE-round pick. But i look at the dl-which is the strongest area in this draft-and a MAJOR position of need for the Pats. MAJOR? YES! Chandler Jones is gone, long has injury concerns and has been weak vs. run last coupla years. Sheard is great, but hes suddenly playing way more snaps than before-which, for an edge-rusher can often mean decrease in production due to being worn-out.Remember how Chandler jones and nink were gassed at the end of 2014 because they were #1 #2 in the nfl of ALL defensive players snaps? Now look at dts and nts-another area of strength at first glance-malcolm is going to be very good-already solid-easley superb interior rusher with obvious injury concerns-branch also solid but getting old-all the rest, chris jones, kitchen,etc. are basically unproven. Bottom line, the starters across the dl-des,dts and nts-are all very good-but theres a lack of depth, especially at dt. Why else did BB try to get fairley and siliga? de depth is better-flowers and grissom have both looked good in preseason-but my guess is at least one of, if not both, 2nd rounders are going to be dl. Personally, i love it. Even in todays pass-happy nfl, after qb, the 2 most important position groups,BY FAR, are dl and ol. And thats the way its always been-in 1960 and in 2016.

 

[mgteich]

It is refreshing to see everyone agrees that this should be an Offensive oriented draft.

Therefore, BB will probably draft only Defensive players.

The question is who will be chosen with the early picks. I certainly could see all defense., especially if we think that draft is about the future, rather than 2016 major contributors.

Alternatively, there are certainly needs at OT, RB and WR.

 

[Love The Drake]

We are locking up Butler Collins Sheard and High no need for replacing those positions.
We have so many safeties id be disgusted if we drafted one early.
Defensive back is good unless we are looking to knock one of Roberts or the Raven off the roster.

 

[mgteich]

We are locking up Butler Collins Sheard and High no need for replacing those positions.
We have so many safeties id be disgusted if we drafted one early.
Defensive back is good unless we are looking to knock one of Roberts or the Raven off the roster.

Wow

So, you are so sure that we are locking up FOUR players, that you don't think that we need any backups. I guess you should add Ryan who is also in his contract year.

Our corners of the future are just great. After all, we are sure to have Roberts and Coleman for 2017.

 

[supafly]

Manx tell me that Dixon is a fumbler.

I believe that he fumbled either 13 or 14 total times during his four year career, so he's averaging about 3.25 to 3.50 fumbles per season. It's definitely a number that will keep him from going higher, just like an injury concern or character concern.

That said, he's also averaged almost 22 touchdowns per year over his four years, and he's hit 26, 28, and 28 in three of those years, which certainly makes him a compelling prospect to consider.

 

[supafly]

I'd like to take a flyer on Ridley. He knows the system, and has learned not to carry the ball loosely, so fumbling is minimized. He did produce in the Pat's system too.

Sometimes it takes more than a year to return from a knee, especially one late in the year like he had. If available, I suspect BB would like to have Ridley back too.

The main reason why I'm somewhat hesitant to buy into the "Ridley will be returning" theory is that he'd come at a very, very cheap cost and has been available for several weeks now. He was a cheap one year pickup for the NYJ and had a miserable season. He also probably still has some injury concerns.

If Belichick really wanted Ridley back even as possible TC fodder or depth competition, he's certainly dragging his heels a bit in bringing him in. I'm not really sure there'd be all that much to negotiate, would there? No matter who signs him (if anyone), he's certainly taking a very minimal contract under 1m dollars a year where he can be cut at any given time without consequence.

 

[zipster9]

Ridley is past tense, now.

 

[Rhodey]

If you’re in the war room, New England’s on the clock in the second round, and Belichick says “Hey, we going running back or wide receiver for this pick?”, which one do you go with?


The poll results? Pretty decisive:

Running back: 12.5%

Wide receiver: 87.5%


Link: New England Patriots Draft: What Do the Fans Want?

 

[Gronk]

If you’re in the war room, New England’s on the clock in the second round, and Belichick says “Hey, we going running back or wide receiver for this pick?”, which one do you go with?


The poll results? Pretty decisive:

Running back: 12.5%

Wide receiver: 87.5%


Link: New England Patriots Draft: What Do the Fans Want?

That's weirdly decisive and counter intuitive given the current makeup of the roster.

 

[Rhodey]

That's weirdly decisive and counter intuitive given the current makeup of the roster.

Of course, polls are not science. It was as you stated coming from over 1,000 pollsters.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I'd like to take a flyer on Ridley.

.

lol

 

[supafly]

That's weirdly decisive and counter intuitive given the current makeup of the roster.

Agreed, although I'm guessing that the continued lack of an actual OWR is playing into this quite a bit. The majority likely feel as though there's a significant dropoff in talent after the first two rounds, and that a RB (in a RBBC system, mind you) could be had later on in the draft. It also seems as though many here still believe that a veteran running back like Blount is returning, whereas I'm not as sure.

 

[mgteich]

And THAT is why this dynasty is now 15 years and running...unlike us fans, who mostly are looking to fill immediate needs, BB is looking at big picture and taking best player available, regardless of position. Lot of posters on this board fancy themselves better gms than BB, lol,-if you were, youd be doing his job and making millions every year-instead of what youre doing. doesnt take a genius to know this draft is loaded with defensive talent-and after one or two-a crappy bunch of rbs, Why would you waste a valuable 2ndrd pick-which could be the next jamie collins-on a rb whos not going to be any better than blount? Im sure BB will add another rb this offseason-whether blount,another free agent or a LATE-round pick. But i look at the dl-which is the strongest area in this draft-and a MAJOR position of need for the Pats. MAJOR? YES! Chandler Jones is gone, long has injury concerns and has been weak vs. run last coupla years. Sheard is great, but hes suddenly playing way more snaps than before-which, for an edge-rusher can often mean decrease in production due to being worn-out.Remember how Chandler jones and nink were gassed at the end of 2014 because they were #1 #2 in the nfl of ALL defensive players snaps? Now look at dts and nts-another area of strength at first glance-malcolm is going to be very good-already solid-easley superb interior rusher with obvious injury concerns-branch also solid but getting old-all the rest, chris jones, kitchen,etc. are basically unproven. Bottom line, the starters across the dl-des,dts and nts-are all very good-but theres a lack of depth, especially at dt. Why else did BB try to get fairley and siliga? de depth is better-flowers and grissom have both looked good in preseason-but my guess is at least one of, if not both, 2nd rounders are going to be dl. Personally, i love it. Even in todays pass-happy nfl, after qb, the 2 most important position groups,BY FAR, are dl and ol. And thats the way its always been-in 1960 and in 2016.

No matter how many times we post it, Belichick does NOT draft the best possible player, regardless of need. Need is always part of the process of evaluating a potential acquisition or draft pick.

 

[Mack Herron]

BB will nab a couple of young, healthy, strong RBs in the draft, then a veteran during cut downs. I believe the majority of carries will go to guys not yet on the roster, and I'd be surprised if we see Ridley or Blount.

 

[supafly]

BB will nab a couple of young, healthy, strong RBs in the draft, then a veteran during cut downs. I believe the majority of carries will go to guys not yet on the roster, and I'd be surprised if we see Ridley or Blount.

Ridley signed with DET, so we can safely remove him from any consideration.

I agree with your take on the draft for RBs.

 

[supafly]

No matter how many times we post it, Belichick does NOT draft the best possible player, regardless of need. Need is always part of the process of evaluating a potential acquisition or draft pick.

While you make a fine point, that whole idea of "need" has a lot of gray area to it. For example, the position of LB very well could be considered a need for next season, unless you believe that it's somehow automatic that both HT/Collins are definitely returning.

If that's the case, having a top 2-3 round LB would be a solid move, seeing as how it would allow them some valuable rotational reps and a head start at taking over. Also, we need depth in case of injury, and I'm not sure that guys named Bostic, Freeny, or McClellin are the answers for the future.

Obviously, the same argument can be made at any number of positions including OL, WR, DL, CB, LB, and even TE.