WR - 1st or 2nd round draft pick
I'm not sure I'm feeling a WR in the 1st round. I don't see a clear #1 receiver in this draft class and the #2 type receivers could extend into day 3. Not suggesting going the FA route since Wallace will want 11M+ and Jennings will almost certainly be overpaid. Better to just keep Lloyd and his manageable contract numbers.
Unless he takes below market value (and he shouldn't/won't), I'm thinking it is time for Wes to move on. The Pats have plenty of options between the hashes and Welker seems like dedicating one too many players to the same area of the field. Welker becomes a crutch for Brady and that can be a liability in the playoffs. If Welker does go, it becomes very important to bring Edelperson back. Not the same player, but his versatility and familiarity could be the "patch" that helps Brady kick his Welker habit.
Maybe this is the year to double-up on WR in the middle rounds. Maybe Corey Fuller (good size, long speed) and Aaron Mellette (solid routes, good hands) could grow up together like Gronk and Hernandez.
LG - Mankins
C - Wendell
RG - Connolly
Nothing wrong with these guys and McDonald has shown up when needed...but I'm thinking this is my wildcard position for a mid-late pick. Dallas Thomas would be my choice for a day 2 pick. Fits the Mankins profile of a legit LT with the footwork and strength to slide inside. Day 3 option could be JC Tretter (same MO but small school). Doesn't seem to be a area of need but just got a feeling...
RT - Cannon/2nd/3rd Rnd draft pick
I've convinced myself that the only reason Vollmer isn't signed is that the Belichick let him explore his value in FA (that is important for some players). There is no excuse for Vollmer not lining up to Brady's right next year unless his medicals are a problem. Nothing will blow up this championship window (and my pleasant demeanor) than someone Kaczuring up the offense. This offense comes with a side of Vollmer. NO SUBSTITUTIONS!
LE - Ninkovich/ Free agency pickup (Freeney etc)
If the Pats get this position right, they could effectively punch their ticket to the SB. Ninkovich is a steady player that puts himself in position to make a difference, but like later-years Vrabel he just doesn't have the juice to deliver in the 2nd half if the opposing QB is chucking the ball around the field. I'm not sure Freeney is the answer but I don't have a better one. Would love to see Francis and Bequette step up this year.
CB - FA pickup x2 (Smith, Asomugha, Talib etc)
Almost certainly going to have 1 FA. I think CB may be where opportunity and need align for the Pats first pick. I would go to battle with Sean Smith, Xavier Rhodes, Dennard and Dowling.
FS - McCourty
SS - FA pickup (Reed etc)
While this seems to be conventional wisdom, I'm not buying. McCourty looked like a potential elite safety. Gregory is a fine player when you don't ask him to do too much (like the 2nd half of the AFCC game with Talib out). Wilson showed flashes and looks to be a prime candidate for a 2nd year leap forward. I do expect a FA safety to be added just because there are so many available...and Belichick isn't going to pass on a bargain. But I don't anticipate it being a priority early in FA.
So add a CB early in FA and the draft. Keep Lloyd, re-sign Edelperson and get a couple of WR in the middle rounds of the draft. Try to find an inexpensive pass rushing DE in FA, hope for Francis and Bequette to progress and find a TBC-like slipper late in the draft (Taylor?, Buchanan?, Goodman?). Re-sign Vollmer at all costs and get a development interior lineman late in the draft. Pray for health and roll the dice...
