Not sure about Ingram, but I would bet you a gigantic Hershey bar that a skill position player goes in the top 75. And to be honest, I feel as though we can use youth and speed in those positions--particularly if you are looking ahead to next year. I believe that we have a bit of a luxury in this draft, with little needs + coming off a 14-2 record.
Brady is still always going to be our greatest asset, and why not surround him with talent too? You already said you don't care for Tate (or aren't 'sold' on him--me neither), and Branch and Welker are due to be UFA's after the season (obviously hoping we keep Welker).
The RB position consists of an overachieving player who may or may not be able to duplicate his success (FWIW--I love him and have stood by him since day one), and a 3rd down back or two. We will almost certainly draft a RB in the first 2 1/2 rounds (your number '75' ).
As far as backup QB--that is the ONLY position that really cannot be replaced, and once again, with a luxury in the draft + a plethora of QB talent, I wouldn't be surprised at all if we took a backup QB in the first 2-3 rounds. Why not?? Especially if there's talent to be had at the position. Why wait for other years when the talent seems to be there now? We have seen great backup QB's groomed under Vets before (see SB winner Rodgers/Favre). Why waste the pick on another Wheatley, Gus Scott, or Garrett Mills who will never make an impact and be lucky to see the field when you can use the pick to grab your future QB + improve on our starting 53 now?? (with a backup QB, or maybe you're sold on Hoyer?)
Yes, yes, yes--we all know about the front 7 woes, and there's an obvious likelihood that BB will take at least ONE if not TWO front 7 picks. But, does Belichick agree with us? (the all knowing fanbase)
He may very well be good with taking his chances with Stroud/Deaderick at RDE, in addition to even signing another free agent when it's time. We already have :
Ty Warren
Wilfork
Brace
Stroud
Pryor
Deaderick
Wright
(possibly G.Warren???--although we 'think' it's doubtful)
Love
Richards
(possible free agent/mid to late round draft pick/possible EARLY pick)
That's a lot of players for 3-4 positions, especially considering how all of the so-called 'experts' on the board told me last year "There's no need to keep SEVEN guys on the DL, we only keep SIX. There's no way, blah, blah, blah"
Yet somehow we kept 7---go figure Regardless, there very well may not be as huge of a need that Belichick sees at the position, although I certainly expect ONE early DE pick
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As far as the LB's go, again, usually not BB's nature to take first round LB'ers. Again, he may feel as though taking ONE earlier pick (by round 2) is PLENTY sufficient, and that with Ty Warren coming back, the addition of Stroud, and an early DE--that may very well be enough to open up the LB'ers, especially a guy like Cunningham....OR, he could also target one in free agency.
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As far as the Offensive line goes, it all depends on if Belichick thinks Light will be coming back OR if he's pretty sure that Mankins will play for his 10 million dollar franchise tender (duh?, I think he will). The point is, again, this is another position that may not be as DIRE as we fans think it is. Belichick may feel as though he can add a mid round pick or 2, OR maybe add some mid round picks AND a possible free agent (when he's able)
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The bottom line is that only one man knows what his analysis of the positional needs are, and how HE (not us) intends on addressing those needs. We can only guess as to what he'll do, but in my opinion, our 'needs' are nowhere near what most of the fanbase thinks they are. I think that a lot of posters are so excited to have EARLY draft picks spent on these positions, (and I'm sure there will be a couple--pretty sure ), that they forget that these so-called 'needs' will also be addressed in the mid to later rounds too.
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In my humble opinion, we are a lot closer to being a 14-2 team again than some realize, and in this particular draft, we have the LUXURY of still being able to draft BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE---something Bill Belichick is used to. Sure, that will likely include an early DE, and maybe even an early OL, but that does not mean that a RB, WR, or QB cannot/will not be taken in the first 2 1/2 (your magic number of '75') either.
You very well may be walking back to that ledge, Cap'n
