I Would Still Like To Add.....

[Ring 6]

Offensively I am good with the roster we have. It would be nice to draft a young WR, and at some point we need some RBs to compete for a backup job.

Defensively, I see needs and wants.

DL
Assuming a 34 base, and heavy use of a 4man line sub package:
I am OK with Deaderick, Wilfork, Fanene, Love, and whatever shakes out as the rest of the depth. But I think we need another 34 DE that can be anywhere from #1 to #3 in the rotation.
I would prefer to not rely on Fanene as a base starter, so he can be fresh as an inside rusher. We also need another inside pass rusher.

1) 34 DE to start or at least be the #3
2) Inside pass rusher for sub packages (this could be the same guy)
I would like to see both a 1st or 2nd round pick and a vet FA

In the sub package we also need another outside rusher

3) Andre Carter

LB
Inside we are fine. Outside Ninkovich is fine. We could nitpick and say he would be an awesome #3, but he is versatile and talented enough to be relied as one of the starting OLBs. He can be a LB or DE in sub.
Assuming he is healthy, Cunningham is fine in the base, but has not shown sub package pass rush skills yet, although that was considered a strength coming into the league.
Scott is a very interesting pickup both as a base OLB and sub DE. I would like to be setup where he has a chance to surprise us with his upside, but we are OK without him, or without much from him.
That means we really need to use a 1 on an OLB.
After last year, I cannot imagine there can be a huge fear in grabbing a rookie OLB who can rush the passer and throwing him out there. We kind of learned last year that the fear of putting players on the field on defense who could turn out to be slugs won't be the end of the world. This guy would be the sub DE, and even if he is only that (see Aldon Smith) it would be a homerun.
4) 1st round pick on a OLB

SECONDARY
Clearly we need to add a safety. I am good with a steady, average vet, and almost good with a rookie.
I would like to add a corner that like the DE would fit in anywhere from #1 to #3. I think we are good with McCourty/Dowling/Arrington. I would be very confident we are good if we added another corner anywhere from above McCourty to above Arrington. Then players are in the roles I have no worries, and we are equipped to handle injuries. This may be tough to find, given the resources.
5) 2nd or 3rd Safety
6) Starter to nickel corner.FA or 1st or 2nd round

 

[strngplyr]

I would like to see McCourty locate the ball quicker this season and have Ras-I stay healthy so he can matchup against the bigger WR's that kill DMC. Arrington would be great in the slot.

Moore filled in nicely as a corner when asked to but he looked like a disaster at safety. I like him, but I don't think he's a full time starter.

As for who I would like to add, a 1st round talent OLB if any are left and safety to compete for playing time along side Chung, someone with coverage skills. Another 34 DE wouldn't hurt either. I actually liked our defense once Carter got hurt (nothing against him but his injury prompted a change, and that change worked, granted, it wasn't against the best offenses in the NFL).

 

[ATippett56]

I would like to add two 3-4 defensive ends, three 3-4 outside linebackers, and three safeties. Then again, I get can't everything I want.

 

[Ring 6]

I would like to add two 3-4 defensive ends, three 3-4 outside linebackers, and three safeties. Then again, I get can't everything I want.

Yeah, I was trying to be realistic.

 

[Marqui]

I don't think it's out of the question that Carter could get his starting job back if he's healthy by the season opener.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I pretty much agree with you guys. Assuming we go back to a 3-4 base, I think we still need:

- 2 Base DE's, ideally one vet (Luis Castillo) and one high pick (Brockers, Still or Reyes) to form a solid 3 man rotation with Deaderick.

- 1 Base OLB high in the draft. Ideally Upshaw, but there are some other late 1st round possibilities. Retain Carter as a sub rushing 4-3 DE.

- CB and safety depth. I would like to draft a bigger CB like Trumaine Johnson to play opposite Dowling and give us the ability to move McCourty to FS for certain match-ups. Also take a shot at a veteran safety like Melvin Bullitt.

- At least 1 high draft pick (probably 2nd round) on an outside WR. I wouldn't be agaisnt drafting 2 if there was someone of value in the late 3rd or 4th round.

- Veteran RB that can backup Ridley. I wouldn't mind taking a chance on someone like Cedric Benson or Justin Forsett.

 

[ATippett56]

Yeah, I was trying to be realistic.

You want realistic, huh?

You want to improve the defense?

2012 NFL Draft - New England Patriots

#27 Devon Still, DT Penn State or Kendall Reyes, DT Connecticut (conversion to 3-4 defensive end)
#31 Trade down
#48 Vinny Curry, DE Marshall (conversion to 3-4 outside linebacker)
#63 Josh Chapman, DT Alabama
#95 Markelle Martin, FS Oklahoma State
#127 Aaron Henry, FS Wisconsin or Brandon Taylor, SS LSU or Shaun Prater, CB Iowa

Draft rankings based upon NFLDraftScout @ CBS Sports

NFL Draft - 2012 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Additional draft picks from the trade down from #31 overall are gravy.

 

[supafly]

You want realistic, huh?

You want to improve the defense?

2012 NFL Draft - New England Patriots

#27 Devon Still, DT Penn State or Kendall Reyes, DT Connecticut (conversion to 3-4 defensive end)
#31 Trade down
#48 Vinny Curry, DE Marshall (conversion to 3-4 outside linebacker)
#63 Josh Chapman, DT Alabama
#95 Markelle Martin, FS Oklahoma State
#127 Aaron Henry, FS Wisconsin

Draft rankings based upon NFLDraftScout @ CBS Sports

NFL Draft - 2012 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Additional draft picks from the trade down from #31 overall are gravy.

I like the 2 safety picks, but I'm not sold on there being 2 as early as you may have them. I think that we see something a bit later on maybe, but your point is still valid. It's a good idea.

I like the idea of the first pick being used on a DT too. I think this may be very realistic.

The only thing I would maybe change is one of the DT to a pure DE; if the right guy's there of course.

 

[ATippett56]

I like the 2 safety picks, but I'm not sold on there being 2 as early as you may have them.

I'm not sure what you are saying?

Markelle Martin, FS Oklahom State rated #89 overall

Aaron Henry, FS Wisconsin rated #143 overall

Aaron Henry is considered a "super sleeper" or "diamond in the rough".

Diamonds in the Rough: Breaking down potential draft bargains - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

 

[Sciz]

I'm not sure what you are saying?

Markelle Martin, FS Oklahom State rated #89 overall

Aaron Henry, FS Wisconsin rated #143 overall

Aaron Henry is considered a "super sleeper" or "diamond in the rough".

Diamonds in the Rough: Breaking down potential draft bargains - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Yeah, he's a sleeper because he could be good if he ever gets some instincts. He's got good measurables, but is lacking in the "upstairs" department. Doesn't sound like a Patriot.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Yeah, I was trying to be realistic.

Agreed. I want to see heavy on D, especially up front. We need some Off. ditch diggers too. I'm all for picking up some big uglies. The wars are won in the trenches.

We can get the "skill" guys later on. History has shown there a huge risk early.

 

[ATippett56]

Yeah, he's a sleeper because he could be good if he ever gets some instincts. He's got good measurables, but is lacking in the "upstairs" department. Doesn't sound like a Patriot.

Shaun Prater, CB Iowa in lieu of Aaron Henry, FS Wisconsin.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Shaun Prater, CB Iowa in lieu of Aaron Henry, FS Wisconsin.

It sucks we don't have a pick after Rd.4. Knowing Bill's history though.....yeah, that could change.....nothing he doe's suprises me, but yet it doe's...doe's that make any sense?

 

[ATippett56]

It sucks we don't have a pick after Rd.4. Knowing Bill's history though.....yeah, that could change.....nothing he doe's suprises me, but yet it doe's...doe's that make any sense?

Watch Bill trade down that #31 pick overall and the subsequent picks thereafter.

 

[aurakilla]

kevin smith IF cheap......and any olb

 

[OhExaulted1]

Watch Bill trade down that #31 pick overall and the subsequent picks thereafter.

That's exactly what I excpect. If I've learned anything over the last decade+, he's a cagey and crafty HC that continues to defy convention. Then again he could screw with my head and stand pat for once.

I'll never take a seat at a poker table with that dude.

 

[ATippett56]

That's exactly what I excpect. If I've learned anything over the last decade+, he's a cagey and crafty HC that continues to defy convention. Then again he could screw with my head and stand pat for once.

I'll never take a seat at a poker table with that dude.

That is my draft trade down prediction for the New England Patriots. After that, who knows?

 

[OhExaulted1]

That is my draft trade down prediction for the New England Patriots. After that, who knows?

And everyone says he's boring and predictable? Yeah, BS. He was worth losing a 1st in 2000. Best move Kraft ever made my freind. Up yours Roger!

I know you love it, so don't I.

 

[supafly]

I'm not sure what you are saying?

Markelle Martin, FS Oklahom State rated #89 overall

Aaron Henry, FS Wisconsin rated #143 overall

Aaron Henry is considered a "super sleeper" or "diamond in the rough".

Diamonds in the Rough: Breaking down potential draft bargains - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

I'm just saying I like the idea of doubling up at certain positions, with any of the obvious S, DT, DE/OLB fitting that criteria. In this case doubling up makes sense, just the same way it did with the TE's and RB's.

The only thing I would maybe disagree with, or not even really disagree--just see as a bit unrealistic, is the choosing of 2 safeties BOTH that high, regardless of where they project, etc.

I could see an early pick used on safety, with a later one in the 5th on (as I think we'll definitely have some type of pick(s) later in the draft after the 4th). I think it's a good idea, just that I'm not sure that Belichick will use 2 'higher' picks both on safeties, that's all.

Trying to predict draft choices is always a hard task, although in my defense I did take part in the CB thread narrowing down to McCourty and Wilson in the 1st rounder with BelichickFan, which was certainly not the norm. I also started a very unpopular thread last year stating not only why we should primarily go offense, but also why we should draft a QB in the first few rounds--which was also very unpopular and outside of the box for most. All anyone could think of were DE's and LB's last yr, and there were even fewer who wanted offensive picks, let alone another QB. (Some would say that I got 'lucky' due to the lack of a better choice---so be it) The same went for the CB pick in the first the year before.

Other than that, I don't try to predict exact players b/c I do so horribly at it and it's too difficult with all of the trades etc. That all said, the position of safety doesn't seem to be there as much this year, so if I did have to predict with a gun to my head, I would think ONE at the most, probably not two; especially that high. Then again, like I said, I'm not too good at the whole process, so take my opinion with a grain of salt of course. You could very well be right. I wouldn't mind the thought, that's for sure.

 

[ATippett56]

I'm just saying I like the idea of doubling up at certain positions, with any of the obvious S, DT, DE/OLB fitting that criteria. In this case doubling up makes sense, just the same way it did with the TE's and RB's.

The only thing I would maybe disagree with, or not even really disagree--just see as a bit unrealistic, is the choosing of 2 safeties BOTH that high, regardless of where they project, etc.

I could see an early pick used on safety, with a later one in the 5th on (as I think we'll definitely have some type of pick(s) later in the draft after the 4th). I think it's a good idea, just that I'm not sure that Belichick will use 2 'higher' picks both on safeties, that's all.

Currently, the New England Patriots do not have draft selections in the 5th, 6th, 7th rounds.