Time to grade the Patriots draft

[bostonia3333]

I'll go with B+

I like the Mayo selection, although he's going to be a target because he might be the 2nd highest paid LB on the team. Not sure how that's going to affect team chemistry. Wheatley is an absolute steal, my jaw dropped watching the video. I think we won't be missing Asante much. I just hope we found Ellis Hobb's replacement with the other CB pick.

I certainly am excited about the youth movement, but like the Yankees and their young pitchers, there will be some growing pains here in NE. If our goal is to win the SB next year, there is alot of pressure placed on these rookies. Hopefully they are mature enough to step into their roles and block everything out.

 

[Lampshade]

For the positions played by the first 5 picks (ILB, CB, OLB, QB, CB), I'll give an easy A. They were the areas that most people saw as biggest needs.

As for the players:
Mayo - absolutely love this pick. Young, (hopefully) studly, at a position of need.

Wheatley - didn't see nearly enough of him to have much of an opinion on this pick. His write-ups/highlights/workouts all pass the sniff test. Definite chance to be a nickel or dime in year 1.

Crable - love this pick too. I was in the Avril camp, but Crable may well fit our particular defense better. Could easily see time in sub packages in year 1.

O'Connell - like most people I saw this guy play 1 time (east/west), and he looked very promising. No problem at all with taking a QB at this point.

Wilhite - even with all the Auburn games shown, I don't remember much of Wilhite at all; whether that's a good thing at the college level or not I'm not at all sure.

Slater - if he can make himself felt on STs then it'll be worth a 5th.

Ruud - saw a fair bit of Nebraska. Solid, dependable, workmanlike. Skeptical about his pro potential, but for round 6 I'd be shocked if I wasn't.

 

[Patriot Missile]

B+

We have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds next season. We fill a need with LB's,CB's a QB project with lots of upside.

To be honest I always am a little dissapointed with a Pat's pick,but that's a knee jerk reaction. I read the mags, I watch and listen to tv and radio and they sometimes have a way of sucking you into what they think is best for us. Even on our draft forum. Bottom line I don't know jack and either does the next guy. Sometimes our picks bust and sometimes they exceed everyone's expectations, including the Patriot's. The scouts try their best to fill the profile and need of each postion the organization is looking to select.

IN BBSP WE TRUST.

 

[Ungeheuer]

B+

We have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds next season. We fill a need with LB's,CB's a QB project with lots of upside.

To be honest I always am a little dissapointed with a Pat's pick,but that's a knee jerk reaction. I read the mags, I watch and listen to tv and radio and they sometimes have a way of sucking you into what they think is best for us. Even on our draft forum. Bottom line I don't know jack and either does the next guy. Sometimes our picks bust and sometimes they exceed everyone's expectations, including the Patriot's. The scouts try their best to fill the profile and need of each postion the organization is looking to select.

IN BBSP WE TRUST.

How do we have 5 picks in the first three rounds next year? I understand the SD pick in the second, and three of our own -- what's the fifth?

 

[Patriot Missile]

A compensatory pick for losing Asante Samuel. Pretty sure we aren't going to get screwed out of that one.

 

[fgssand]

A+

No kidding....

 

[TruthSeeker]

That was a quick 3 years.

 

[drew4008]

Probably a B from first glance, but it's obviously early to say. That 2nd rounder next year is pretty good though.

 

[scout]

All the media is raving on how KC did in the draft. Well, they picked early every single round, they should do well. What is a 18-1 team supposed to do that has one early pick in rounds 1 and 3. They get their LB, who is athletic and smart, and maybe the one that they wanted all along.
Then, they parlay that 3 into a #2 from San Diego. I've forgotten how we got the #3 from Oakland (someone), but its huge. They still get the Crable who they were about to take with the early 3.
An impact special teamer at five.
A potential starting qb.
A potential starting cb.

If you want to measure the Pats draft, measure against teams who picked from a simmiliar position.
I'll go with a B+.

 

[D-cleater]

Grading this years draft before the players have showed up to mini camp... I understand it something to talk about but still just an exercise in futility.

How about the 2005 Draft?

Four starters in the first four rounds, and a #2 backup serving at least 3 years = A

1 32 Logan Mankins G Fresno State
3 84 Ellis Hobbs CB Iowa State
3 100 Nick Kaczur T Toledo
4 133 James Sanders SAF Fresno State
5 170 Ryan Claridge LB Nevada-Las Vegas
7 230 Matt Cassel QB USC
7 255 Andy Stokes TE William Pen

 

[reflexblue]

B. Like the mayo pick . He will be a stud for years to come.

Wheatley scares me a bit with his fused wrist and all.

Would have been an A if they had used a couple of the 3rd round picks to trade down and get one of the top 5 corners.

Well if its fused he can't break it. Theres a plus. ;

 

[SoonerPatriot]

B++

Mayo: Love the pick. Extremely productive in college. High character guy. Will contribute immediately.

Wheatley: Nice athlete with upside. His wrist is a little scary.

Crable: I'm really pumped about this guy, but he's going to have to add some bulk.

O'Connell: This was the one pick I'm not wild about. Wish we would have gone D here.

Wilhite: Has some upside. Unlike others, I couldn't care less that he's 5-9.

Slater: Special teams only, but he could be a really good player in that capacity.

Ruud: Camp/practice squad fodder.

 

[SaCaCh]

That was a quick 3 years.

Ding ding ding