WR is a need now...

[ctpatsfan77]

Robiskie is a nice safe option, but I'd rather do something more risky and see if a star is born.

Ventrone?

 

[DaBruinz]

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...8974-free-agency-wide-receivers-interest.html

Curry, Bennett, Coles, B. Johnson, Engram. Just to name a few.

No thanks on Hackett or the one-trick pony Henderson.

As someone else mentioned, it is interesting that none of the WR crop signed yesterday.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ventrone?

"Binky - Binky - Binky"

 

[Jimke]

Is Chad Jackson available?

Yes! McDaniel will trade him to us for a second round pick.

 

[Seneschal2]

How many more 1000+yds seasons does Moss have left? Moss has two years left on his contract....I wouldn't be surprised if we go for a WR on day one.

Well, currently we have only one first-rounder, but we do have two second-rounders -- both rounds are subject to change pending any Cassel trade. If we're looking for a future Moss replacement, the pickings are slim compared to possession receivers (like Gaffney).

Heyward-Bey has arguably the highest ceiling among the speedsters, but is considered raw and inconsistent. He's currently being mocked as a mid to late first rounder. If that's accurate, he won't make it to the Pats second rounder. Is he worth #23 as a developmental prospect? I doubt it.

If we draft a WR, I believe it makes more sense to select one who is more NFL-ready as a route runner, and has the hands to match. I'd start with Brian Robiskie. Mayock says, 'There may not be a better round two prospect in this draft.' He certainly doesn't qualify as a future Moss replacement, but he may be able now to fill Gaffney's shoes with a solid TC and pre-season. And there are other possession-type receivers later on.

JMO.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

I would love to see Curry working in a good offense and a consistent QB.

 

[DaBruinz]

I would love to see Curry working in a good offense and a consistent QB.

When I saw that Curry was available, I immediately said to myself that I hope the Patriots sign him because he is, arguably, the best WR available in this free agency class.

 

[MetalBleachers]

I like Mike Wallace from Ole Miss as a 3rd-4th round pick. He's 6', 199#, ran a 4.33 40 and ahd a 40" vertical. Good hands, smooth. Reminds me a bit of Greg Jennings, with a splash of Deion Branch thrown in.

I don't see us panicking for a WR. Moss and Welker are gold, and with Chris Baker I see us running more 2-TE/2-WR sets. Watson has speed if nothing else and can help open up the field. I also see us using RBs out of the backfield a lot.

I don't see us spending a 1st day pick on WR, and if we can't pick up a decent one cheaply in FA before the draft we'll probably pick one up over the summer. Plus I expect to see more balance between the passing and running game.

LOVE Mike Wallace. Returns kicks, too. Though I agree (and hope) that NE doesn't take a WR on Day One, I hope they start looking early on Day Two. Not too many solid number threes can be found as UDFAs, especially with a Pats scheme that seems to require some experience.

 

[Lampshade]

My boy Sam Aiken moving up that depth chart!

Michael Clayton an option to come in?

 

[RussFrancis]

Well, currently we have only one first-rounder, but we do have two second-rounders -- both rounds are subject to change pending any Cassel trade. If we're looking for a future Moss replacement, the pickings are slim compared to possession receivers (like Gaffney).

Heyward-Bey has arguably the highest ceiling among the speedsters, but is considered raw and inconsistent. He's currently being mocked as a mid to late first rounder. If that's accurate, he won't make it to the Pats second rounder. Is he worth #23 as a developmental prospect? I doubt it.

If we draft a WR, I believe it makes more sense to select one who is more NFL-ready as a route runner, and has the hands to match. I'd start with Brian Robiskie. Mayock says, 'There may not be a better round two prospect in this draft.' He certainly doesn't qualify as a future Moss replacement, but he may be able now to fill Gaffney's shoes with a solid TC and pre-season. And there are other possession-type receivers later on.

JMO.

And one I completely agree with. Robiskie has TJHoush potential as a versatile, reliable possession type guy. If we were to steal him in the 2nd round, Id be doing cartwheels.

 

[BradyManny]

Robiskie is a nice safe option, but I'd rather do something more risky and see if a star is born.

DHB?

My main binkies in this draft are at wideout. I have guys I like on the defensive side obviously, but wide receiver seems to offer a lot of solution to the Pats short term need (#3 WR).

I love Robiskie for the obvious reasons - and I think a safe wideout pick would be a good thing. I think Moss has more than 2 effective years left in him, Moss, in a sense, has already "lost a step", and while he's still fast, its more about his size, body control, football intelligence and skills with the ball in the air now. Those things aren't going to go away anytime soon. I can see Moss being an effective wideout for another 5 years.

Deon Butler, who [thanks to his combine] is moving up, probably a mid round selection. He reminds me a lot of Branch.

Kenny Britt is interesting b/c he's a big guy, but would be a good complement to Moss, as he's OK with going over the middle.

DHB's blazing speed is enticing. But I as someone who was on the Chad Jackson bandwagon until the bitter end, I am going to be more cautious in how I evaluate burners such as DHB.

 

[upstater1]

I've watched a lot of Britt. Have seen him play in close to 15 games.

In 10 of those games he had hands of stone. But he improved catching the ball this year.

That being said, I don't trust his hands at all.

 

[BradyManny]

I've watched a lot of Britt. Have seen him play in close to 15 games.

In 10 of those games he had hands of stone. But he improved catching the ball this year.

That being said, I don't trust his hands at all.

I feel like thats coachable, and as you said, its an issue he has improved. Mayock is big on him.

 

[upstater1]

What about WR in the first round?

Crabtree has surgery, doesn't recover in time for the draft, or recovers and ends up running an unbelievably slow time that the Patriots brass attribute to his inactivity.

Do you take him if he falls to #23?

Or, do you perhaps trade out of #23 for a 4th round pick, drop down 5 and take Hakeem Nicks?

Can anyone assure me the Patriots will definitely not be looking at a big WR such as Crabtree or Nicks in the first round? It's often that you can land big WRs who can play.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

"Binky - Binky - Binky"

Hey, you did say you wanted to try something riskier.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

DHB?

My main binkies in this draft are at wideout. I have guys I like on the defensive side obviously, but wide receiver seems to offer a lot of solution to the Pats short term need (#3 WR).

I love Robiskie for the obvious reasons - and I think a safe wideout pick would be a good thing. I think Moss has more than 2 effective years left in him, Moss, in a sense, has already "lost a step", and while he's still fast, its more about his size, body control, football intelligence and skills with the ball in the air now. Those things aren't going to go away anytime soon. I can see Moss being an effective wideout for another 5 years.

Deon Butler, who [thanks to his combine] is moving up, probably a mid round selection. He reminds me a lot of Branch.

Kenny Britt is interesting b/c he's a big guy, but would be a good complement to Moss, as he's OK with going over the middle.

DHB's blazing speed is enticing. But I as someone who was on the Chad Jackson bandwagon until the bitter end, I am going to be more cautious in how I evaluate burners such as DHB.

My approach is not to shop for a #3 WR, but be looking for #1/#1b type who can develop as the #3 WR. As you noted, Robiskie and Iglasius are pretty much #3s coming out, which is why I'd go with Iggy now because he has #1b potential. Robiskie is a finished product who will have a solid career, but I don't see him moving much beyond Gaffney. Butler may be an option, but I just don't know enough about him or Derrick Williams coming out of Penn State's offense. Britt is interesting, the question on his hands is stone or concentration? DHB and Nicks come recommended by one of the better CB's in this draft, DHB could be a true #1 and Nicks looks to have at least #1b potential - his game against WV was unreal and I could see Randy and Wes mentoring him on routes and technique into something great.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Aiken was higher than Washington on the depth chart anyway. So the Pats need to replace Gaffney at number 3, not Moss at #1. Replacing your #3 WR is not a daunting task.

I agree with this, our offense is going to be fine people. Remember 2006 when Reche Caldwell was our #1 WR? We had some struggles early on but in the playoffs we had maybe the highest PPG average of any year in the BB era. And now we have MOSS and WELKER, sure #3 WR can't be completely neglected but I'd say it's a ways down on the priority list.

 

[JMarr]

What about WR in the first round?

Crabtree has surgery, doesn't recover in time for the draft, or recovers and ends up running an unbelievably slow time that the Patriots brass attribute to his inactivity.

Do you take him if he falls to #23?

Or, do you perhaps trade out of #23 for a 4th round pick, drop down 5 and take Hakeem Nicks?

Can anyone assure me the Patriots will definitely not be looking at a big WR such as Crabtree or Nicks in the first round? It's often that you can land big WRs who can play.

I don't know anything about Nicks, but I can assure you that the Pats and every other team are drooling over Crabtree. This guy has a realistic shot at being better than Fitzgerald. But even with the injury question, he probably still doesn't fall out of the top ten.

 

[crowell33]

Pats website lists WR Maurice Price as being on the roster. This is not accurate. Price signed with 49ers a month ago. ( interesting that the Pats removed Vrabel from the website roster even before the trade is official but Price remains on the roster a month after officially signing with another club )

 

[tobias funke]

If the ultimate happens and we actually get a high draft pick for Cassel, I would love to see Crabtree in a Pats uniform. Our offense is predicated largely on intelligence and precise routes much more than breakaway speed, Randy notwithstanding.