Receivers

[dhamz]

I don't expect a WR in round 1. As far as value goes, in recent history it is quite possibly the worst value of any position in the first round. A lot are drafted, few make the impact you want form a first round pick. I expect somewhere in rounds 2-5 that we will take a WR.

I think TE is not a big need. If we take one it will be because the guy on the board at the time is too good to pass up which is a distict possibility in this draft.

 

[Pats726]

I think TE is not a big need. If we take one it will be because the guy on the board at the time is too good to pass up which is a distict possibility in this draft.

Only two signed now..Fauria gone...and Graham possibly after this year..NOT a big need??

 

[spacecrime]

I agree. The thrid tight end is primarily for blocking and for short yardage recieving situations. Nothing flashy. You can find a TE that fits the bill in the late rounds or even undrafted. Think Jeb Weaver.

Jeb Weaver was damage control. BB signed a FA TE in 2002 (Fauria) for a decent (4 mil 3 yrs) TE contract, then drafted a round one TE, then another round one TE.

BB did not set up his roster with a third TE for short yardage situations. He had three starters. Weaver came in as dmage control, an injury replacement.

This is smilar to the CB situation a couple years ago, when we had Omare Lowe as a nickle back. Yeah, we had Lowe and yeah, we had Weaver, but neither was BB's choice going INTO the season.

The key is that a TE on the Sept roster must block and catch. Luckily this year, a TE that can do both cna be had in third rouknd, maybe fourth.

But I;m off topic. This is the WR thread. Holmes is probably the only WR on my first round Pats board, the one I think they will take IF they take a round one WR. But I think their first pick will not be a WR.

 

[dhamz]

Only two signed now..Fauria gone...and Graham possibly after this year..NOT a big need??

No, it isn't a big need.

We have 2 starters for 2006-2007. Do we need a 3rd TE? Yes. Does it have to be a 1st or a 2nd rounder? No it doesn't. It could be a vet free agent.

Where does it say we cannot keep Graham after this season?

They may pick a TE because the talent pool is so good that a guy they can't refuse is there. There is no need at all to come out of this draft with a TE.

 

[Ring 6]

bb has said many times that we need three starting TE's. Also, Graham is in his contract year. Finally, this is a great TE draft, especially in the 2nd.

I havent heard that comment from BB, so maybe I am wrong in my thinking.

I think we need TWO starting quality TEs and an additional backup. That seems to be how we have always approached it.

I would be very disappointed in a day 1 TE. He will spend his rookie year backing up both the TE and Hback (which really is a starting position in our offense moreso than FB) and get very, very limited playing time (because they can also backup each other since 2 TEs are not on the field for 50% of the snaps) playing mostly in short yardage, and occasionally seeing a pass.

We have had a hard time using Graham and Watson as much as they are capable of in the passing game. Really TE is not 2 spots but more like 1 and a half.

The guy we need behind those 2 is surely available in FA, or could come in the 5th round. It would be a waste of a day 1 pick IMO, and I value TEs very highly.

 

[mgteich]

aj,

Are you simply planning for an extension of Graham? Otherwise you seem to be setting up for failure in 2007. The 2006 draft is mostly about planning for 2007 and 2008. I would be fine with a TE having limited playing time in 2006. But then I would be fine with that from almost any draftee. Unfortunately, this year we go into this draft with a couple of serious needs for 2006 contributers (LB and WR). This fact doesn't change basic draft philospohy. After all we have four day one picks, and six in the top 118 (could make it 6 in the top 100 if we wish).

Are you really saying that even though we have two holes in at TE in 2007, and even though there is quality at TE in the 2nd/3rd round, you would wait and hope a late rounder could be a potential starter in 2007, and at least be able to start in case of injury or the non-signing of Graham.

For me, I would draft a Day One TE even if Graham were extended, although that would be questionable. WIth Graham not extended, I think the issue is clear, unless the drafts ends up giving us a much greater opportunity.

I havent heard that comment from BB, so maybe I am wrong in my thinking.

I think we need TWO starting quality TEs and an additional backup. That seems to be how we have always approached it.

I would be very disappointed in a day 1 TE. He will spend his rookie year backing up both the TE and Hback (which really is a starting position in our offense moreso than FB) and get very, very limited playing time (because they can also backup each other since 2 TEs are not on the field for 50% of the snaps) playing mostly in short yardage, and occasionally seeing a pass.

We have had a hard time using Graham and Watson as much as they are capable of in the passing game. Really TE is not 2 spots but more like 1 and a half.

The guy we need behind those 2 is surely available in FA, or could come in the 5th round. It would be a waste of a day 1 pick IMO, and I value TEs very highly.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Are you guys crazy? We don't need recievers. I don't know what kool aid you guys are drinking but clearly it ain't the offical brand of the Patriots.

Branch averages 50 catches a season, and Caldwell, Childress, Smith McGrew and Johnson are ALL due to finally be more than "potential" players, so clearly there's no need at WR. ( I suppose we're screwed if they all have average seasons but that's not going to happen.)

Our 2 TEs average 30 catches a year (if they can both stay healthy for once or aren't needed to block on the line if an OL goes down to injury) - so that's not a need (frankly I always thought Ben Coates and his 70 - 90 catches a season were WAY over-rated)

And of course we've got RBs and all kinds of defensive players who can step in and grab some receptions as well.

So we're fully stocked.

Besides, everyone knows BB doesn't draft based on need. Its always the best football player available. (I'm predicting we take about 5 QBs)

 

[AzPatsFan]

Only two signed now..Fauria gone...and Graham possibly after this year..NOT a big need??

They could and probably will sign Jed Weaver before TC. Case closed.

 

[Pats726]

They could and probably will sign Jed Weaver before TC. Case closed.

And even with Weaver signed and with 3 TEs...they still drafted one last year. It's NOT a Round 1/2...but a late first day 2nd day BIG possibility. As spacec said, signing Weaver was damage control. He may be signed and they STILL may draft a TE. BB/SP have multiple solutions not just one.

 

[AzPatsFan]

And even with Weaver signed and with 3 TEs...they still drafted one last year. It's NOT a Round 1/2...but a late first day 2nd day BIG possibility. As spacec said, signing Weaver was damage control. He may be signed and they STILL may draft a TE. BB/SP have multiple solutions not just one.

You underestimate Jed. He was rated one of the best if not the best blocking TE in the League a few years ago as a starter. Recall that Fauria was kept because he was a proven pass catcher. Graham had a perceived hands problem. Watson was, in effect, a rookie and a damaged one at that. Now he is somewhat proven, Fauria is older and gone, and the Pats can afford a good blocking, short-route pass catcher as a their third TE. I beleive Jed had 25-30 catches a year with the Phish. Not bad foro a blocking third TE; he just was judged only fair as a starter.