Updated Patriots 3-4 OLB Types

[Metaphors]

As I recall, Dan Klecko was a 4th round pick, at the Combine he stood just under 6' and weighed 283. Risking a 6th rounder on the taller, lighter Klug doesn't quite seem the same to me.

The Klecko comparison was meant to be a compliment. High-effort, football smart, coachable, productive, position misfit.

You have hit on my main point though. The round you take someone only matters in the context of the rest of your draft picks (and other signings). Bair in the 6th is a better value than A.Smith in the 1st or Sheard in the 2nd only if your team is better at the end of the day. I realize that is an amazingly obvious statement, but it is necessary for coming up with a viable draft plan.

I consider an outside pass rush (end or LB) to be the overriding consideration in this draft. If the Pats keep passing on this because the perfect "value" isn't there and then end up with only Bair and/or Klug to show for their efforts, the rest of the draft won't matter. You didn't explicitly say this was your plan, but your comments were generally negative until you hit Bair and Klug.

The Pats need to address the pass rush and the OL future (or possibly even present). Ever other aspect of the team is good enough (when healthy) to win a championship next year and compete for one in the foreseeable future. For this draft, time to go big or don't bother.

 

[bucky]

Players left on my draft board:

Quinn 6'5" 270 (1st round grade) Perfect fit for our defense, probably won't make it past Houston.

Kerrigan Purdeue 6'4" 267 (1st round grade) But looks more like a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB. I think Jacksonville is locked and loaded on him at #16, if they pass on a QB.

Sheard Pittsburgh 6'3" 264 (2nd round grade) Could sneek into the first round given his explosive first step. Currently our pick at #33 on my latest mock.

Reed Arizona 6'3" 263 (2nd round grade) If only he was a better run defender.

Acho Texas 6'2" 262 (3rd round grade) Strictly a sub package pass rusher.

Keiser Stanford 6'5" 244 (4th round grade) My Sleeper candidate especially if he can get his weight and strength up. I really miss Woicik already.

Romeus Putsburgh 6'5" 264 (5th round grade) Will need an injury red shirt year.

Elmore Arizona 6'5" 255 (5th round grade) If only the production matched his measurables.

Unfortunately, I would take Quinn, Kerrigan and Acho off your list. Kerrigan just won't be able to convert for 3 years at least. Quinn has too many ?. And Acho projects to ILB in this scheme.

Three guys I would add -

Miller: irrelevant cause he'll be gone in the top 5.

Ayers - not a pure pass rusher per se, but an all-around OLB who would pair well with Cunningham and be an upgrade to Ninkovich.

Martez Wilson - lacks instincts for an ILB, but has size, athleticism and LB experience to play OLB. A similar player to Ayers with a lower floor and higher ceiling.

 

[Wilfork#75]

If anyone else here thinks that Da'Quan Bowers is the perfect fit at the elephant OLB position for the Pats, they may be interested in his private workout going on right now. According to Tony Pauline he has put up the following UNOFFICIAL numbers so far:

6'3.5'', 276lbs
9'-2" Broad Jump
34.5 Vertical Jump
4.92, 4.85- 40 yard
6.95 Three cone
4.34 Short Shuttle

Not too bad for a guy coming off a knee injury. I just hope he doesn't increase his draft stock too much.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The Klecko comparison was meant to be a compliment. High-effort, football smart, coachable, productive, position misfit.

You have hit on my main point though. The round you take someone only matters in the context of the rest of your draft picks (and other signings). Bair in the 6th is a better value than A.Smith in the 1st or Sheard in the 2nd only if your team is better at the end of the day. I realize that is an amazingly obvious statement, but it is necessary for coming up with a viable draft plan.

I consider an outside pass rush (end or LB) to be the overriding consideration in this draft. If the Pats keep passing on this because the perfect "value" isn't there and then end up with only Bair and/or Klug to show for their efforts, the rest of the draft won't matter. You didn't explicitly say this was your plan, but your comments were generally negative until you hit Bair and Klug.

The Pats need to address the pass rush and the OL future (or possibly even present). Ever other aspect of the team is good enough (when healthy) to win a championship next year and compete for one in the foreseeable future. For this draft, time to go big or don't bother.

The Klecko comparison is still a bit of a backhanded complement in terms of 'where does he fit?' That said, in the context of your pass rush desires I see a fit, but the upper limit will still be a factor of the overall pass rush. Bair at OLB or bulked up for DE is a pocket collapser who uses his long arms very well (8 pass break-ups in 2010). Klug is quick off the ball with strong hands for battling through blockers. Neither one alone is the kind of threat a Von Miller or Robert Quinn is with their outside speed, yet included in an overall pocket harassment attack, they would be quite effective, while bringing a proven run defense which Mr. Miller and Mr. Quinn are currently unable to match.

For this draft, time to go big or don't bother.

Therein lies the paradox. If we define "go big" as a move into the 5-10 range for a pass rusher, who is there? Does "his" all-round game, measurables, and intangibles offer true return on investment? Especially when compared to the practice of trading around to get multiple draft opportunities to improve the team?

As fans we keep looking for the quick score in the game and in the draft. With a Randy Moss at his peak teamed with a Welker & Brady for their ability to pressure a defense, you could play that kind of game to get into the Super Bowl, but NE is moving back to the execution game plans of the Super Bowl years - getting back to what worked with a 'whole team' approach. When BB drafts Nate Solder, or Muhammad Wilkerson after trading down from #17, or a Mark Ingram for that matter, we can only sigh as our pass rush dreams return to "normal."