If Kyle Rudolph is the best player on the board available at #33....

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I can watch TV and see that the guy can't block. He has no interest in it. Could he be taught/coerced? Maybe.

Let's assume he can be at least achieve average TE run blocking ability.

Is it a good idea to spend the #33 pick in the draft on what will be your third TE? A guy who might get five snaps + special teams a game ... if he even cracks the gameday 46? When both of our TEs are FIAP as young as he is, and have contracts that run concurrent? When we have needs along both lines, linebacker, RB, WR?

Besides K, P, and LS, I can't think of a bigger misuse of an early pick than on TE. Even quarterback makes more sense.

I don't think he will last but would you think a little more of him at 60?

 

[dryheat44]

I don't think he will last but would you think a little more of him at 60?

No. Unless Hernandez's hip is a lot worse than expected, Rudolph just doesn't provide enough value to this team to justify being picked in the first two days, IMO. Even after Crumpler moves on, at best he'd be third on the depth chart at a position where, at most, two players get on the field. I don't feel like checking birthdays, but I'm guessing he's a bit younger than Gronk and a bit older than Hernandez, so it's not like the incumbents are getting older....in fact, they haven't even hit their prime yet.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

No. Unless Hernandez's hip is a lot worse than expected, Rudolph just doesn't provide enough value to this team to justify being picked in the first two days, IMO. Even after Crumpler moves on, at best he'd be third on the depth chart at a position where, at most, two players get on the field. I don't feel like checking birthdays, but I'm guessing he's a bit younger than Gronk and a bit older than Hernandez, so it's not like the incumbents are getting older....in fact, they haven't even hit their prime yet.

Crumpler being cut would be a surprise considering he was a leader-type player last season,but I would not rule out that possibility if they have 4 on the roster come TC

 

[dryheat44]

Crumpler being cut would be a surprise considering he was a leader-type player last season,but I would not rule out that possibility if they have 4 on the roster come TC

I was referencing the 2012 season. I don't think Algernon is going anywhere this year.

 

[reflexblue]

I would thow the remote at the tv if the pats took a TE at 33, the team has much more pressing needs than to take another TE.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

I would thow the remote at the tv if the pats took a TE at 33, the team has much more pressing needs than to take another TE.

Not in Bill's mind. Im telling you we're going to get a TE, maybe not at 33 but probably in the third.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Not in Bill's mind. Im telling you we're going to get a TE, maybe not at 33 but probably in the third.

TEs Middleton from Washington or Watson from Maryland will probably land in the 3rd and 4th rounds if the Pats want a TE later on.

 

[State]

Could you imagine a safety having to worry about both Gronk and Rudolph? That's enough to give them nightmares.

I love the idea. Blocking is a lot attitude, like rebounding in basketball.

Crumpler can't catch, even to score a TD in a playoff game. Hernandez is great, but more like a H-back or possession receiving TE.

Gronk and Rudolph together? Wow.

 

[dryheat44]

Could you imagine a safety having to worry about both Gronk and Rudolph? That's enough to give them nightmares.

I love the idea. Blocking is a lot attitude, like rebounding in basketball.

Crumpler can't catch, even to score a TD in a playoff game. Hernandez is great, but more like a H-back or possession receiving TE.

Gronk and Rudolph together? Wow.

Who are you going to take off the field to put Rudolph on? I'll assume that 5 OL, Brady, Branch, Wekler, RB, Gronkowski are in. That leaves one spot for Hernandez, Crumpler, or a 3rd WR before adding Rudolph to the mix. I'm willing to bet that a safety would much prefer that you replace Hernandez or Tate/Price/Edelman with Rudolph.

 

[manxman2601]

Rudolph is my pick at #33 although I realize it's unlikely.

I'll admit it's partly because my list is based on players I want on the team (thus Ingram at #28) and not just need/value. But it also works for me. Crumpler is likely gone after this year and Hernandez is good at what he does but more of a usable part as a move TE than a true TE. Rudolph would not just insure a true TE if Gronk ever got hurt but would give us a killer two TE package long term and we use that package a lot.

Do I think it will happen ? Absolutely not. But I'd be happy if it did. Other holes ? Plenty of picks to fill those.

My Pats mock from 3 days ago :

1a) C. Jordan
1b) M. Ingram
2a) K. Rudolph
2b) A. Bailey
3a) C. Boling
3b) W. Rackley
4) G. Romeus

I flipped 3a and 3b after feedback that Boling likely wouldn't make it to 3b. I also realize we probably won't get Jordan at 1a. In that case I'd trade it down, take Heyward later in the first and add a 2012 pick.

With the possible exception of Rudolph, that's probably my favourite mock I've seen for The Pats. If that's what we get on sunday morning, I'd be thrilled. well done.

 

[State]

Who are you going to take off the field to put Rudolph on? I'll assume that 5 OL, Brady, Branch, Wekler, RB, Gronkowski are in. That leaves one spot for Hernandez, Crumpler, or a 3rd WR before adding Rudolph to the mix. I'm willing to bet that a safety would much prefer that you replace Hernandez or Tate/Price/Edelman with Rudolph.

Sure, if he didn't have to tackle him.

I was thinking Price and Branch at wide-outs with the two monster TEs who are young and athletic with a Todman or even Ingram RB. I have high hopes that Price will have a break-out season and Rudolph is a much better blocker than you give him kudos for.

Even Parcells gives him a first round grade. I think he probably gets taken by Atlanta at 27, though.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Casserly:

"Saffold last year was a better prospect than any lineman in this draft"

Thats a ******ed statement.

I DO NOT like good time Charlie.

I like Saffold, he had a good season ... Casserly on the other hand always makes me laugh when he starts grading OL, then I wince in sympathy for David Carr.

 

[MaineMan]

Who are you going to take off the field to put Rudolph on? I'll assume that 5 OL, Brady, Branch, Wekler, RB, Gronkowski are in. That leaves one spot for Hernandez, Crumpler, or a 3rd WR before adding Rudolph to the mix. I'm willing to bet that a safety would much prefer that you replace Hernandez or Tate/Price/Edelman with Rudolph.

I'd think a very good all-around true FB (in the 4th round) would offer more tactical options than a would-be Gronk duplicate, anyway.

 

[Calciumee]

Terrible idea!

 

[mgteich]

1) I like your picks.

2) I would have no problem with Randolf. My thought if we drafted him is that the early availability of Hernandez is in question.

3) MY PREFERENCE is to use 33 differently. I would draft an OL: Watkins or Capenter or Sherrod. Or, I might draft Reed. Or I might trade down.

Rudolph is my pick at #33 although I realize it's unlikely.

I'll admit it's partly because my list is based on players I want on the team (thus Ingram at #28) and not just need/value. But it also works for me. Crumpler is likely gone after this year and Hernandez is good at what he does but more of a usable part as a move TE than a true TE. Rudolph would not just insure a true TE if Gronk ever got hurt but would give us a killer two TE package long term and we use that package a lot.

Do I think it will happen ? Absolutely not. But I'd be happy if it did. Other holes ? Plenty of picks to fill those.

My Pats mock from 3 days ago :

1a) C. Jordan
1b) M. Ingram
2a) K. Rudolph
2b) A. Bailey
3a) C. Boling
3b) W. Rackley
4) G. Romeus

I flipped 3a and 3b after feedback that Boling likely wouldn't make it to 3b. I also realize we probably won't get Jordan at 1a. In that case I'd trade it down, take Heyward later in the first and add a 2012 pick.

 

[italia44]

I would thow the remote at the tv if the pats took a TE at 33, the team has much more pressing needs than to take another TE.

Rudolph would be like the famous boast by the team from New Jersey* that plays in Giants stadium......"We have not one,not two....but,THREE pro-bowl caliber Fullbacks!":singing:

 

[Marqui]

My Pats mock from 3 days ago :

1a) C. Jordan
1b) M. Ingram
2a) K. Rudolph
2b) A. Bailey
3a) C. Boling
3b) W. Rackley
4) G. Romeus

Wow, that would be a great draft.

 

[SamBamsFan]

Well, since he isn't on my board until the low 60's I would suggest we trade back.*


*I have no known issues with Kyle Rudolph, nor do I anticipate any in the next 30 days.

 

[DaBruinz]

Of course I would have a problem with that....you don't need 3 elite TEs when you have other holes. Need ALWAYS factors into the BPA analysis.

Just for clarification, Need and BPA are the antithesis of one another.

NEED - Drafting the highest rated player at a given position regardless of other players still on the board.

BPA - Drafting the highest available player regardless of need. Hence the reason why the Lions drafted a WR 3 straight years..

Drafting for VALUE: ranking your players based on a total combination of tangibles, intangibles, and need.

The Patriots have drafted for VALUE, which incorporated need into it. And they use their own scouting analysis for ranking players and setting up their draft boards with horizontal and vertical groupings. They do not subscribe to any of the scouting services.

There was a great article some years ago that described their process in detail. Wish I still had a link for it..

 

[Holy Diver]

Don't we always draft a tight end high?