What to do with the #7 pick...

[VJ11]

Nice to read some names, however I think Chris Long and Matt Ryan will be off the draft boards before the seventh pick. There are several desperate teams picking ahead of the Patriots that will reach for these two guys.
The Patriots do have the luxury to watch and wait to see who is available with the seventh pick, and draft the best player available, regardless of position (although they might have a slight predisposition for defense). They might also be the ones looking to trade down into the bottom of the first round, with a second-rounder and a 4th-rounder to balance the worth, as soon as Miami is on the clock on Saturday. I think a lot will also depend what positions are needs, and that could depend on who they acquire (or lose) in free agency right up to draft day.

 

[PatriotsRule99]

Nice to read some names, however I think Chris Long and Matt Ryan will be off the draft boards before the seventh pick. There are several desperate teams picking ahead of the Patriots that will reach for these two guys.
The Patriots do have the luxury to watch and wait to see who is available with the seventh pick, and draft the best player available, regardless of position (although they might have a slight predisposition for defense). They might also be the ones looking to trade down into the bottom of the first round, with a second-rounder and a 4th-rounder to balance the worth, as soon as Miami is on the clock on Saturday. I think a lot will also depend what positions are needs, and that could depend on who they acquire (or lose) in free agency right up to draft day.

I hope MR is taken before...I remember someone on this board saying, a while go, "the worst thing the PAtriots can do now is a) not turn this loss into a revenge 16-0 streak next season (lol) AND!!??/or b) signing matt ryan" okay I paraphrased a bit...and added some words...

 

[Miguel]

The #7 pick last year was Adrian Peterson. He signed a 6 yr $40.5m contract.

FWIW - Peterson had to reach every escalator in his contract to get the $40.5 million. And he already missed out on $2million.

 

[JoePats]

Having Matt Ryan on the board at 7 would be a wonderful scenario for the Pats, since they could quite possibly pick up a mid #2 pick from the Bears to trade up from 14. Or if the Ravens believe that the Bears are willing to give up a mid-2, they might give up their early 2.

 

[primetime]

I took this post seriously until I saw that you consider Matt Ryan a serious option, then I just laughed.

I like Quentin Groves from Auburn as a OLB conversion guy. Freakishly athletic, Shawne Merriman type. Gholston's another guy, but I'll always take the SEC player over the Big 10 player in any situation. I'd want Chris Long, but I think he's going to be the first overall pick. Ryan Clady is a better OT than Jake Long.

That said, I'd rather trade down a few picks. The value at the top of this draft just isn't there, but there's alot of mid-to-late 1st and 2nd guys who are very good, unlike last year where it sort of dropped off quickly.

 

[BradyFTW!]

If Jerry Jones REALLY wants McFadden, and he's around when our pick is up, then maybe he'd consider throwing DeMarcus Ware or both of his first-rounders into the deal. Otherwise, he can go to hell.

 

[mcsully]

Dan Connor, LB, Penn State - We definitely need LB help and we missed the chance to take another Nittany Lion LB stud last year when we took Bradndon Merriweather instead of Paul Posluszny. Let's right that wrong!

Conner is rated a 2nd round pick... In the 2nd round, i could see it, not with the #7 pick.


And its to early to determine who the better player is.. Posluszny or Merriweather..

 

[mcsully]

Have you actually seen Chris Long play? What makes you think he has the skills to be a LB? He was a productive DE in a watered-down ACC. No coverage skills and poor pursuit speed. He has good strength but is primarily an effort and high-motor guy...which is like someone telling you your blind date has a good personality.

Al Groh is telling teams that Long will be best as a stand up outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme

 

[Metaphors]

Al Groh is telling teams that Long will be best as a stand up outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme

Then Al Groh is high. Which would explain the Cavs record over his time there.

Seriously, the next time Long covers a RB or TE will be the first time. You think the Pats current crop of LBs are slow? Unless Long totally transformed himself in the last 3 months, his times at the combine as a LB will be somewhere between "kinda slow" and "painfully slow". That is if he even tests as a LB.

Nothing against the kid. He is big, strong and smart. I'm sure he will be a fine pro somewhere. Just not for the Pats at $5M+ per.

 

[My2Cents]

Mark my words, the Pats rookie class looks something like this:

1. FS Kenny Phillips, Miami
2. CB Brandon Flowers, VT
3a. LB Phillip Wheeler, GT
3b. OL Mike McGlynn, Pittsburgh
4. HB/TE/FB Owen Schmitt, WV
5. WR Eddie Royal, VT
6. DB Tyvon Branch, UConn
7. LB Thomas Williams, USC

 

[Metaphors]

Mark my words, the Pats rookie class looks something like this:

1. FS Kenny Phillips, Miami
2. CB Brandon Flowers, VT
3a. LB Phillip Wheeler, GT
3b. OL Mike McGlynn, Pittsburgh
4. HB/TE/FB Owen Schmitt, WV
5. WR Eddie Royal, VT
6. DB Tyvon Branch, UConn
7. LB Thomas Williams, USC

Not the way I would go, but the overall team speed would definitely improve. Hard to argue with that. I do like having Schmitt opening holes for Maroney and Royal being a full-time return guy.

 

[Wretch]

Having Matt Ryan on the board at 7 would be a wonderful scenario for the Pats, since they could quite possibly pick up a mid #2 pick from the Bears to trade up from 14. Or if the Ravens believe that the Bears are willing to give up a mid-2, they might give up their early 2.

I think you nailed it on the head with that prediction.

QB play is so bad right now that I think teams will pay through the nose for a chance at a real QB prospect. Of course I thought Miami would take Brady Quinn last year when he slid to 9.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think you nailed it on the head with that prediction.

QB play is so bad right now that I think teams will pay through the nose for a chance at a real QB prospect. Of course I thought Miami would take Brady Quinn last year when he slid to 9.

I dunno, maybe that has something to do with the fact they have the #1 pick this year?

 

[BradyManny]

Really? That means you think he has 8-9 years left?

Not me.

The guy has won three Super Bowls, been the game MVP twice, been the league MVP once, is at or near the top of the list of some pretty important records (postseason and regular season winning %, TDs in a season), bangs supermodels like they're going out of style, is a multi-multi-millionaire.

He is going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer based on what he's done already. He has a definite career in politics in MA or CA, if he wants it. He could even be a model or an actor himself with his good looks and smarts. He IS the whole package.

Why would he put his body through any more than another 4-5 years?

What? For us? The fans?

Okay, forget that for a minute.

And, okay, forget Matt Ryan despite him being a PERFECT fit for the Pats.

I ask you this one question: Are you comfortable with Cassell and Gutierrez behind Brady if he gets injured?

Tom Brady would put his body through it because he loves the game he plays. I have a feeling Brady will be one of those guys who is tough to convince to retire.

And you're seriously contradicting yourself - so you ask if I'm comfortable with Cassel, yet you claim it takes 4 years for a QB to develop, so why would I be comfortable with Ryan then?? Furthermore, what team has the time and money to pay a QB in the neighborhood of 50-60 million dollars to take notes? Your argument doesn't make any sense.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

Right, and how long do most backups take to cultivate into strong starters? About 4-5 seasons...

Plus, we have become so spoiled by Brady's health and longevity, but what about injury? Can he continue to take beatings like he did in the Super Bowl and not go down?

And now that the word is out, and everyone was watching, he'll be taking more of them, unfortunately.

Seriously I don't see how you can even try to justify even suggesting this.