Changes:
I'll post the new mock in the 199overall thread later, but there's a few changes. Here's what I'm projecting for the Patriots:
14. Aqib Talib CB Kansas - No change here -- still projecting Talib after a trade down.
44. Anthony Collins OT Kansas - Do we dare go CB-CB with our first two picks? If Samuel and Gay both leave and aren't adequately replaced, it's possible Charles Godfrey, Branden Flowers, or Patrick Lee is the pick here. Beau Bell is available. Quentin Groves has fallen down the boards, and could be a target -- especially if Colvin goes away. Groves always struck me as a malingerer, but perhaps that's the result of playing with multiple dislocated toes. If WR gets wiped out in free agency, Andre Caldwell would look awfully good right here. In other words, I have no idea who this pick would be without the benefit of free agency. So, a quick guess...Samuel leaves, Gay re-signs. Colvin re-structures. Bruschi, Seau, and Harrison stick it out another year. Moss and Gaffney stay. Washington re-signs and Stallworth leaves. Belichick signs 1 veteran ILB and 1 veteran OLB, (Thomas and Pace), along with a vet corner on the downside. When the smoke clears, the pick is Collins.
62. Quentin Demps S UTEP - I think we're in the territory now of Best Available Player, or Player That Could Fill a Specific Need, or PTCFSN, for short. So what are specific needs? Cover linebacker. Kickoff man so we're not exposing Hobbs or Maroney. Perhaps a nickel back type. Backup QB (Joe Flacco is still on the board). Or we look to guys who's contracts will be up after 2008 (Kyle Brady, Rodney Harrison, James Sanders, Sammy Morris) The player at the intersection of all this is Demps, a hard-hitting safety who also has some coverage ability and returned kicks and punts for the Miners.
69. Ezra Butler OLB Nevada - It's time to roll the dice and take a gamble on potential greatness. Butler is an animal rush linebacker with great first step quickness. The knocks against him are lack of discipline playing the run and he's never had to cover. He has experience as a 3-4 OLB. He was reportedly one of the best Special Teamers in the NCAA last year, so the worst-case scenario is that we get a ST demon. The upside is Rosey Colvin.
94. Brad Cottam TE Tennessee - Nobody's really necessary here, so every pick from here on out could be traded into next year. Let's take the huge target with soft hands to battle with Thomas and Spach. He's also coming off a serious wrist injury, so he's a candidate to aggravate it during training camp, if necessary.
