Two Day To Go - Up, Stay Put at 23, or Trade Down

[mgteich]

We haven't come very far. We don't even know the first pick in the draft!

I would TRADE UP for
Curry, Jackson, Jenkins, Andre Smith, Maclin, or Oher

I might TRADE up for
Maualuga if Belichick is convinced that the his staff can handle any character issues.

I would STAY PUT (or a minor trade up or down) for
Matthews
Everret Brown
Laurinitis
Gilbert
Cushing (if Belichick believes that his weight can be maintained)

 

[BPF]

We haven't come very far. We don't even know the first pick in the draft!

I would TRADE UP for
Curry, Jackson, Jenkins, Andre Smith, Maclin, or Oher

I might TRADE up for
Maualuga if Belichick is convinced that the his staff can handle any character issues.

I would STAY PUT (or a minor trade up or down) for
Matthews
Everret Brown
Laurinitis
Gilbert
Cushing (if Belichick believes that his weight can be maintained)

Remove E.Brown from the list and replace him with English and I agree. Also remove Laurianitis and Gilbert totally as far as 1st Rd picks anywhere from 23-30. I might be tempted for Laurianitis at 31 and 32 but not Gilbert, although a phenomenal athlete that I was really high on inititally his lack of defensive temparamant concerns me.

 

[mayoclinic]

I have two preferred scenarios for the draft:

1. Trade up from 23 for (in order of preference) Aaron Curry, BJ Raji, or Malcolm Jenkins. Then draft Connor Barwin (or your OLB of choice) at 34, and BVA at 47, either a safety or a DE/OL candidate. I prefer this scenario, as I think Curry/Raji/Jenkins will all be immediate impact players on our defense, and we can then add 2 guys in the 2nd round with high ceiling growth potential like Barwin, Gilbert, Sean Smith, William Moore, Louis Delmas, etc.

2. Draft Connor Barwin at 23 and William Beatty at 34 (or vice-versa), and then ideally Jarron Gilbert and a safety in the 2nd round, possibly moving up for a top safety candidate. An interior lineman like Eric Wood or Alex Mack might also be an option here.

Other possibilities that I see:

- Trading up for Andre Smith if BB is convinced he is the real deal. I doubt this will happen as I think Smith goes top 10 and there are too many questions about him, but he is probably the most talented OT in the draft.

- Drafting Maualuga at ILB at 23 (or a slight trade up) if BB thinks he is the real deal. Cheaper than Curry, but I think Curry is a much more complete player and a better fit for the Pats and as a complement to Mayo.

 

[mgteich]

I would note that, as you have stated, you have no position for Raji. You just want him because he is a huge talent (which he is). He is a 3-4 NT or a 4-3 DT. He is not worth a trade as a backup to Wilfork or for situational work when we run a 4-3, where he would be awesome. And no, Belichick isn't changing our defense to a 4-3.

 

[Metaphors]

I don't like the value that is likely to be there at #23 and the players I would consider trading up for (Raji, Tyson Jackson, Curry, top OTs) will likely be too expensive to get.

As a result, I'm in favor of trading back into the 2nd round and picking up a 2010 (should be loaded at the top) 1st. Carolina should be a willing partner since they don't have a 1st this year and Fox's job is anything but secure.

 

[Clonamery]

I don't like the value that is likely to be there at #23 and the players I would consider trading up for (Raji, Tyson Jackson, Curry, top OTs) will likely be too expensive to get.

As a result, I'm in favor of trading back into the 2nd round and picking up a 2010 (should be loaded at the top) 1st. Carolina should be a willing partner since they don't have a 1st this year and Fox's job is anything but secure.

I would not be disappointed at all with that move.

 

[stinkypete]

I'd stay put for Curry, Maualuga, Pettigrew, Oher, Moreno and Jenkins.

Otherwise, trade down.