Absolutely agree with this. My point about the strike issue was that it likely had a bigger impact on draft considerations THIS year vis-a-vis rookies who could more easily step and play if needs be sooner rather than later.
Agree. Here's the underlying logic that could explain the Patriots' draft:
Robert Kraft probably has better insights on the labor situation than anyone.
Maybe the Patriots are assuming that there will be no more than two or three weeks of training camp before the season starts.
Take a day or so with no pads at the start of camp, and the final week of camp for game preparation. That leaves hardly any time to evaluate or teach rookies.
After less than two weeks of practice, each of these draftees has to beat out a veteran for a roster spot, go on a list, or be put on waivers. Given the impending anti-trust litigation, the league may also be warning teams against the traditional practice of using the IR list to stash rookies for a red-shirt year.
Within that context, it makes sense that several of the draft picks are in plug-and-play positions with corresponding open roster spots, such as CB and RB. Solder has a roster spot as the starter or swing tackle from day one. Mallett fits on the roster as the 3rd QB, Cannon is NFI or PUP, and Lee Smith and Malcolm Williams are practice squad. The rest of the picks were moved into 2012.
This year, there will probably be little or no opportunity for most college DE/LB types to earn playing time. The Pats are acting like there won't be enough time for one of those types to come in and learn enough about the system to upgrade the roster. There is room for an upgrade at this position, but I believe BB has already determined that the upgrade will be provided by a free agent, not a college DE with two weeks of practice.