Should Pats draft a WR?

[ATippett56]

But you just told me yesterday that you wanted WR with the first two picks...

Actually, I'm leaning more towards Dont'a Hightower with the New England Patriots draft selection at #27 overall since recent rumors are the Steelers selecting an offensive lineman in the first round. Never thought Hightower would reach the New England Patriots that far down in the first round.

 

[supafly]

Actually, I'm leaning more towards Dont'a Hightower with the New England Patriots draft selection at #27 overall since recent rumors are the Steelers selecting an offensive lineman in the first round. Never thought Hightower would reach the New England Patriots that far down in the first round.

To be completely honest, I am 100% on board with any pick(s) that do not line up on TFB's side of the ball in the majority of the first three rounds.

I wouldn't be remotely surprised to see some type of WTF pick on offense, and I expect a trade (or more), but there had better be the majority of defensive picks in the top 75 or so selections.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I think it's certainly a possibility that the team could draft a WR prospect for the future, although we are all likely in agreement that it's not an immediate need for 2012.

As you said, that hasn't stopped them before from taking prospects to build for the future.

Hopefully, there will be a priority of sorts which primarily focuses on the defensive side of the ball more, at least with the earlier picks.

I do not think that many of the WR's that are listed besides Welker, Llyod, Edelman, and ONE of Branch/Johnson/Stallworth are "safe" from being upgraded if possible. Most posters will differ on their opinions as to who is safe and who is not safe, but I think it's reasonable to consider 4 WR positions safe right now, with Welker and Llyod being the 2 of 4.

Edelman, as always in many discussions, is a wildcard of sorts; depending upon where you'd personally put him as a position.

I'm fine with taking a WR, but I certainly hope to see defensive picks with at least 2 of the picks through the second round. Anything less will be very bad, in my opinion. There are weaknesses, needs, and positions that need upgrading and depth on that side of the ball more.

With 4 total picks through the 2nd rd, I am imagining the possibility of 2 defensive picks, 1 offensive pick, and 1 trade.

I agree. The beauty of what BB has done with the draft is that we can use a high pick on a WR and still have a defense heavy draft because of the extra high picks. Apart from WR and maybe a mid/late round RB there aren't many if any offensive needs. You could draft a WR in the 1st/2nd/3rd round and still use 3 or 4, or maybe 5 picks in the top 100 on defense.

One thing I think they do have to be careful of though is taking too many defenders in the draft. We have seen recently some of the problems associated with having too young of a defense. So while I think it should definitely be the focus, there still needs to be some balance.

 

[supafly]

I agree. The beauty of what BB has done with the draft is that we can use a high pick on a WR and still have a defense heavy draft because of the extra high picks. Apart from WR and maybe a mid/late round RB there aren't many if any offensive needs. You could draft a WR in the 1st/2nd/3rd round and still use 3 or 4, or maybe 5 picks in the top 100 on defense.

One thing I think they do have to be careful of though is taking too many defenders in the draft. We have seen recently some of the problems associated with having too young of a defense. So while I think it should definitely be the focus, there still needs to be some balance.

Great point. I am wishing for the possibility of 2-3 defensive players who can contribute on some type of level by about mid-season or so. Not all weaknesses will be solved, nor can they be with the draft alone(unfortunately).

I think it may even be almost a requirement to draft a WR and let him red shirt a year, just due to the complexity of the offensive scheme--as strange as that may sound.

The possibilities of bringing in a young kid and expecting him to be able to contribute a lot as a WR in year one probably is not very realistic at this point. I know it's been done before, but the odds are certainly against it. Whether or not those have been specific situations that may not hold a pattern, I honestly don't know. The point is, the thought has crossed my mind.

I fully believe that we still have a bit of a luxury in the draft this yr, just as I believe that we have had in the past several yrs. A lot of people may not fully understand that comment, but those who do will likely agree. Belichick has continuously put the team in position to be able to take BPA while not having to worry too much about immediate needs lately. That situation is a lot closer to the same this year than many seem to wish to admit, even with the 'needs' on defense in several areas. I don't believe that there are many teams who don't have needs in several areas just the same, and I don't believe that the 2012 draft will be all that much different than other drafts that have allowed Belichick to be able to take some different types of picks, while also stockpiling for the future in both picks and players.

There's no doubt that defense should be the main focus, but as you said--that also allows him to have the option to take a high pick (or even two) on offense if the BPA is there--even if we don't use them this year. To me, that defines 'luxury' as far as the draft is concerned.

Most people don't understand what I mean by 'luxury' though, because they see a bunch of holes on the defensive side and wrongly mesh the two thoughts together.

 

[ATippett56]

I wouldn't be remotely surprised to see some type of WTF pick on offense, and I expect a trade (or more), but there had better be the majority of defensive picks in the top 75 or so selections.

Unless Brian Waters decides to retire, I don't see the need to draft an offensive player until the fourth round. However, if the New England Patriots trade down and acquire an additional third round draft pick, another offensive player could be selected.

 

[ATippett56]

One thing I think they do have to be careful of though is taking too many defenders in the draft. We have seen recently some of the problems associated with having too young of a defense. So while I think it should definitely be the focus, there still needs to be some balance.

I would state that is more of a function of the quality of the defensive player on the field or lack thereof.

 

[ATippett56]

You could draft a WR in the 1st/2nd/3rd round and still use 3 or 4, or maybe 5 picks in the top 100 on defense.

With such a deep wide receiver class, why bother selecting a wide receiver in the first two rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft?

 

[supafly]

Unless Brian Waters decides to retire, I don't see the need to draft an offensive player until the fourth round. However, if the New England Patriots trade down and acquire an additional third round draft pick, another offensive player could be selected.

I also hold the same opinion.

However, one never truly knows what Belichick and his player grading system are going to come up with on the last weekend in April; especially if 'the' guy is still on the board at that time.

If he does take an offensive player, I would not personally be too thrilled, but with the extra picks it may not be as bad as we initially think either.

Always exciting on draft day(s), you've got to admit that!

 

[PatriotReign]

Jarius Wright (Really want him drafted.)
Juron Criner
Dale Moss

 

[Triumph]

I would state that is more of a function of the quality of the defensive player on the field or lack thereof.

Exactly.

If the Pats can draft a Dan Koppen like defensive player in the 5th round, Im all for trading down for a 5th this draft and a pick next draft. I just believe that you should nail a player who can help immediately and be around for a long time with your 1st and 2nd round selections.

 

[lurker1965]

Negative. Still need a WR.

Yes, the offenses was soooo problematic.

That was sarcasm, bbw.

 

[JFK]

We absolutely need to draft a WR with hopes he can mmediately contribute.
The reason Gronk and Hern got 2000yds is as due to lack of WR as is it to TE talent. Our offense wasn't as multi-dimensional as it could be.....
None of the WRs we added are young or long term solutions.
I believe our draft strategy would and should be based on BPA though.

 

[JackBauer]

Yes, the offenses was soooo problematic.

That was sarcasm, bbw.

Achilles was great, too, until he got shot in the heel.

 

[Ununcle]

Achilles was great, too, until he got shot in the heel.

Well, yeah but, do you actually think our Achilles heel last year was the lack of a developmental WR? Count me in the camp that says we need to address the defense in the 1st 2 rounds.

 

[Rob0729]

Maybe in a later round, but not early.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Muhammed Sanu if he's there in the 2nd round.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I want 20 wrs on the pats by training camp

 

[Snake Eyes]

Unless Brian Waters decides to retire, I don't see the need to draft an offensive player until the fourth round. However, if the New England Patriots trade down and acquire an additional third round draft pick, another offensive player could be selected.

The O-line is old, trying to replace them quickly will leave TFB in a wheelchair. I'm also not a big fan of Koppen, I'd like to grab Silatolu and groom him to play on the interior and eventually take over at Center.

 

[JackBauer]

Well, yeah but, do you actually think our Achilles heel last year was the lack of a developmental WR? Count me in the camp that says we need to address the defense in the 1st 2 rounds.

Our Achilles heel was an utter lack of a competent WR capable of threatening middle-deep.

 

[Joker]

uh..didn't we just sign an experienced WR familiar with McD's system to do exactly that?