Jones (huddle) has us with 0 front seven

[mgteich]

In his most recent 3 round mock, Fred Jones at huddle has us not even CONSIDERING defensive line or outside linebackers as one of oour first four options at any pick in the first three rounds. He doesn't see the NEED at DL or OLB.

RB Ingram
OL Watkins
WR Smith
CB Burton
OC Weisnewski
FS Gilcrest

 

[Ochmed Jones]

He doesn't see the NEED at DL or OLB.

RB Ingram
OL Watkins
WR Smith
CB Burton
OC Weisnewski
FS Gilcrest

Or he does not see any athletes at DL and OLB on the board that BB would take. I know that after looking at all the 3-4 OLB candidates, I have none with a first round grade for our defense.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Hasn't BB always said they draft based on fit into the system vs. need?
Also something along the lines of 'why draft a player if he doesn't fit our system just because we need a player in that position'.
I forget where I read that - possibly Patriot Reign or the Education of a Coach

But the key take away for me, is that the Pats don't walk into a draft looking for help in set positions but rather rank the guys who think can help the team the most . Then assign a value to that pick for which they would draft said player.
Example: Bowers has a pick value of the 11th pick. This means if were to drop to 11 they would explore trading into that spot to get him - for the right price of course.

Similarly, if there is nobody available they want at that position they will drop down if the price is right.

I'm overly simplifying this but my point is that the Pats may very well not draft any perceived players at need areas in the early rounds like we all want them to.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'm overly simplifying this but my point is that the Pats may very well not draft any perceived players at need areas in the early rounds like we all want them to.

After what happened last year, I agree 100%. The only difference I see this year is with no free agent signings to bolster roster depth and add bodies to weak positions, BB has less options. He may be more predictable this year than any other previous draft in a long time.

 

[sbpatfan]

Hasn't BB always said they draft based on fit into the system vs. need?
Also something along the lines of 'why draft a player if he doesn't fit our system just because we need a player in that position'.
I forget where I read that - possibly Patriot Reign or the Education of a Coach

But the key take away for me, is that the Pats don't walk into a draft looking for help in set positions but rather rank the guys who think can help the team the most . Then assign a value to that pick for which they would draft said player.
Example: Bowers has a pick value of the 11th pick. This means if were to drop to 11 they would explore trading into that spot to get him - for the right price of course.

Similarly, if there is nobody available they want at that position they will drop down if the price is right.

I'm overly simplifying this but my point is that the Pats may very well not draft any perceived players at need areas in the early rounds like we all want them to.

Which is why I wouldn't be shocked if we walk out of the first day with Ingram. Not sure which 1st round players in a reasonable range would have a bigger impact than him. Note: I want Watt, but just sayin'.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Which is why I wouldn't be shocked if we walk out of the first day with Ingram. Not sure which 1st round players in a reasonable range would have a bigger impact than him. Note: I want Watt, but just sayin'.

Except that, relatively speaking, there may be no position where there is LESS of a difference between a first-round pick and a seventh-round pick than RB.

 

[VJCPatriot]

He doesn't understand the team's draft needs. But a lot of the so-called draft analysts don't seem to do that well.

 

[sbpatfan]

Except that, relatively speaking, there may be no position where there is LESS of a difference between a first-round pick and a seventh-round pick than RB.

That couldn't be more farther from the truth, but whatever you want to think. I'd like to see some stats for that.

 

[jsull87]

Except that, relatively speaking, there may be no position where there is LESS of a difference between a first-round pick and a seventh-round pick than RB.

quarterback?

 

[patchick]

quarterback?

Not hardly. Brady is a rare exception in a league dominated by first-round qbs.

Point to ponder: None of the last 5 superbowl winners featured a leading rusher drafted in the top 32 picks. Many of the feature backs were late-round picks and udfas. But EVERY one of those 5 superbowl teams has started a quarterback drafted in the top 32 picks.

 

[sbpatfan]

Not hardly. Brady is a rare exception in a league dominated by first-round qbs.

Point to ponder: None of the last 5 superbowl winners featured a leading rusher drafted in the top 32 picks. Many of the feature backs were late-round picks and udfas. But EVERY one of those 5 superbowl teams has started a quarterback drafted in the top 32 picks.

That's such a narrow stat. This was the first time since 2006 [Driver wasn't a 1st rounder] (thanks to the Colts, but going back farther than that.. 2000 when the Rams won?) that a receiver in the top five for receiving yards won a Superbowl. There has been plenty of first round running backs in the Superbowl / deep in the playoffs. And half of being a leading rusher is having a team whore out carries. They can still be plenty effective and a huge asset to their team without 300+ carries (example: Reggie Bush).

Edit: I forgot Donald Driver wasn't even a first round pick, I just think trying to make a connection between yardage, draft position, and Superbowl winners is terrible. When was the last time a team that selected a 1st round corner who was top 5 in picks won the Superbowl? ....

 

[patchick]

That's such a narrow stat. This was the first time since 2006 (thanks to the Colts, but going back farther than that.. 2000 when the Rams won?) that a receiver in the top five for receiving yards won a Superbowl. There has been plenty of first round running backs in the Superbowl / deep in the playoffs. And half of being a leading rusher is having a team whore out carries. They can still be plenty effective and a huge asset to their team without 300+ carries (example: Reggie Bush).

FWIW, I wasn't really arguing against top rushers so much as the idea that good QBs are regularly scattered throughout the draft. It's pretty amazing how much round-1 qb's dominate.

 

[sbpatfan]

FWIW, I wasn't really arguing against top rushers so much as the idea that good QBs are regularly scattered throughout the draft. It's pretty amazing how much round-1 qb's dominate.

Gotcha, I guess I'm just confused as to why people are so quick to write off a first round running back.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gotcha, I guess I'm just confused as to why people are so quick to write off a first round running back.

A couple of points of clarification:

(A) I'm not advocating that the Pats should wait until UDFA time to get a RB.
(B) I didn't say there is no difference between a first-rounder and a seventh-rounder, merely that the difference for RBs is smaller than it is for almost all other positions.

 

[stinkypete]

After what happened last year, I agree 100%. The only difference I see this year is with no free agent signings to bolster roster depth and add bodies to weak positions, BB has less options. He may be more predictable this year than any other previous draft in a long time.

The same could have been said a year ago. There was virtually no free agency last offseason.