Who could you not pass on?

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Tombonneau brought up the question of what people would do if we took Pope at #21. At #21, the selection of Pope wouldn't be questioned if it was another team, his draft value is good at that spot. It would be a questionable pick by the Pats because of who's already on the roster. What if someone falls though? Wilfork was a sure top 10 pick that fell in our laps at #21 in 2004. It just so happened that NT was a big need so it was an easy pick. What about a spot that isn't a need right now? Any studs you wouldn't be upset about if they fell to the Pats?

Vince Young? Mario Williams? Haloti Ngata? Vernon Davis? D'Brickashaw Ferguson?

I add Ferguson because there was a split on whether to take a tackle or not in the 1st round when it was brought up a while back. Some people think we're set. Others think we would do well to take one and upgrade.

Obviously taking Young would be the most questionable. How do you get him on the field? Williams, Ngata and Davis would have to split time with other players. My opinion is so what? If we were paying top 5 money, I think those selections would be beyond stupid. However, at #21, we get great players and insurance against injuries at a modest cap hit for years. Of course there's greater needs but I would be thrilled with any of those players.

While I'm not trying to say any of these guys are sure things or already trying to compare them to anyone, who would you rather have? The next Richard Seymour splitting time or the next Eugene Wilson starting? I for one would prefer the former.

 

[Murphys95]

Tombonneau brought up the question of what people would do if we took Pope at #21. At #21, the selection of Pope wouldn't be questioned if it was another team, his draft value is good at that spot. It would be a questionable pick by the Pats because of who's already on the roster. What if someone falls though? Wilfork was a sure top 10 pick that fell in our laps at #21 in 2004. It just so happened that NT was a big need so it was an easy pick. What about a spot that isn't a need right now? Any studs you wouldn't be upset about if they fell to the Pats?

Excellent question. I totally agree with Pope, and would love it if BB snagged him at #21. Also, if Santonio Holmes is still available when the Pats turn comes - do they take him? I think you can make a case for that; I consider him to be the best wideout in the draft.

The biggest problem lies at where the Pats select. After around the first 10-12 players, the talent drops off. So 21 could be a tenous position for New England, meaning it might be easier for them to "over-reach" at their draft position.

 

[mgteich]

We wouldn't pass on anyone bb has in his top 15 with the exception of Lienhart and Cutler who we would draft and trade or trade the pick. I find it strange that you question Davis or Fergeson. I suspect that bb would trade our first three picks for either of them, especially Fergeson. Can't miss studs are hard to find. But then this isn't really on point. Those two will be long gone. The real question is who bb has on his top 15 list.

A related question is how far down does a top piick have to fall before we trade up for them. How far would be trade up for Davis or for Justice (substitute your own favorites).

 

[tatepatsfan]

Michael Huff - still the guy I wish we could get all along, but it'll never happen

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

"I find it strange that you question Davis or Fergeson. I suspect that bb would trade our first three picks for either of them, especially Fergeson."

The question though is what would the fans think. At the senior bowl, reports had us talking to a lot of the top tackles. It started a big debate on the board about whether or not to take one. Some people were dead set against it.

Some people are all about team needs and will look at anyone besides a RB, LB or DB as a questionable pick. Experts as well. People on the other thread said they would break their TV if we took Pope. My question was to see if there were any players that fans wouldn't mind seeing us take even if they weren't a "needed" player.

 

[Feep_FLA]

Michael Huff...... no brainer...
Chad Jackson also I do believe

 

[smg93]

have to state the obvious for me, R.Bush

 

[Brick]

Realistcally D'Brick has NO chance of being available for the Pats. There's a better chance of Anna Kournikova being turned down at a Single's Bar than drafting him at our current position.

 

[ilduce06410]

they'll reach to get the player they want. e.g. mankins

Excellent question. I totally agree with Pope, and would love it if BB snagged him at #21. Also, if Santonio Holmes is still available when the Pats turn comes - do they take him? I think you can make a case for that; I consider him to be the best wideout in the draft.

The biggest problem lies at where the Pats select. After around the first 10-12 players, the talent drops off. So 21 could be a tenous position for New England, meaning it might be easier for them to "over-reach" at their draft position.

IMO someone from the top 10-12 will fall to #21.
maybe there is a dropoff after the first 10-12 players. but IMO then the talent level remains pretty high, and stays that way, all the way out to pick, #64?
i just can't see BB/SP taking a TE or QB just because he's there. they might trade down, tho, and get an extra pick somewhere.

 

[Mosi Moose]

IMO someone from the top 10-12 will fall to #21.
maybe there is a dropoff after the first 10-12 players. but IMO then the talent level remains pretty high, and stays that way, all the way out to pick, #64?
i just can't see BB/SP taking a TE or QB just because he's there. they might trade down, tho, and get an extra pick somewhere.

I agree with this..I think that (barring a situation like Wilfork falling to us) I think there is a good chance that we trade down a few spots to grab someone at 24-27 and also try to improve our #52 pick. But answering the original question, I would think that if Holmes, Jackson or Jimmy Williams fell, we would have to just stay at #21 and take one of them.

 

[onegameatatime]

Wilfork fell, but was it from top 10 down to 21? I seem to remember it was more like a 10-15 guy falling to 19. Good deal, but not outrageous.

Unless it's a QB this year, I think you almost always take any big steal and figure things out from there.

Of course you can think you are getting good value like Wilfork and Watson, and certain writers who hate the Pats will say it shows that previous draft picks were flops. But some things never change.

I have no problem with Pats taking a potentially great TE.

 

[GoWhalers]

I tend to agree with onegameatatime -- I don't think Wilfork was a top 10 pick, but he was definately one of the top two DT's in that draft, and was drafted right after the Bears got Tommie Harris.

I think the meaning of "top ten pick" is getting thrown around a bit carelessly here. How many positions are there on the football field -- 22, give or take some overlap? For each position, you'll have a top ten ranking of talent. Then, for each team, you'll have a top ten ranking of positions based on need. Somehow, the overlap of those two rankings will define who the real "top ten" picks are. Is the #2 overall RB worth more than the #1 overall LT for a team that has RB needs greater than LT needs?

 

[Digger44]

IMO someone from the top 10-12 will fall to #21.
maybe there is a dropoff after the first 10-12 players. but IMO then the talent level remains pretty high, and stays that way, all the way out to pick, #64?
i just can't see BB/SP taking a TE or QB just because he's there. they might trade down, tho, and get an extra pick somewhere.

I don't think there is any question if BB would pull the trigger on Davis @ 21. Kiss Graham goodbye as we have to deal with his contract next year anyway. It doesn't matter bcs Davis will not make it past 15 in Denver.

 

[dryheat44]

I couldn't pass on Michael Haynes. That guy was awesome.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

I couldn't pass on a nice, dry martini. Stirred, counter-clockwise. (3 olives ...I skipped lunch today)

 

[nickw308810]

Vince Young, the top WR in the draft.