Patriots 2012 Offseason: Free Agency and Draft

[Smokeeye123]

- Teams can start signing free agents on March 14th
- NFL Draft is April 26-28 (Spread out 3 days this year).
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What do you guys want to see the Pats address this offseason? I'd like to see the Patriots sign Brandon Lloyd and possibly 1 big name defensive free agent along with Welker. Seeing how they are well under the cap, this is very possible.

The Patriots also have 2 1st round and 2 second round picks

Hopefully they can draft a player like Dont'a Hightower or Whitney Mercilus to help out with their defensive line. and Maybe Mohamed Sanu at WR with the 31st pick (Which I know they will trade away  )

Interested to see what you guys think.

[Evantime34]

I'd like to see them grab a de (outside rusher) s or big wr in the first two rounds. At wr I like floyd and jeffries. I expect to see a few bama guys drafted.

[PosImpos]

Get a 6 foot+ wide receiver who can play outside the numbers.

Get at least one guy for the defense who can make some big plays. 

Otherwise, just shore up what we already have and as always make sure the O-line and D-line are as strong as possible.

[Smokeeye123]

Mohamed Sanu could be a great pick in the late first round for the Pats with either their 27th or 31st picks...Of course the Patriots will trade their 31st pick for the sole purpose of trying to get a higher first pick next year.

[Eja117]

this is some interesting stuff

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/38605/patriots-who-stays-and-who-goes

[steve]

Alshon Jeffrey, I think his name is... WR 6' 4 .. one year wonder?  Could be a steal for the PATS.  I like Whitney Mercelious too. 

[boscel33]

Calais Campbell, DE from Arizona and Brandon Lloyd, WR from KC are the two top external free agents.

[boscel33]

Mohamed Sanu could be a great pick in the late first round for the Pats with either their 27th or 31st picks...Of course the Patriots will trade their 31st pick for the sole purpose of trying to get a higher first pick next year.

True, but they will also land an additional pick this year with it, probably at least a 4, giving them a 1st, two 2nds, two 3rds, and two 4ths, then two 1sts again next year.  Sometimes I hate how BB moves around the board, but with no 5, 6, or 7 (I believe), i can see him doing it this year.

[boscel33]

Mohamed Sanu could be a great pick in the late first round for the Pats with either their 27th or 31st picks...Of course the Patriots will trade their 31st pick for the sole purpose of trying to get a higher first pick next year.

True, but they will also land an additional pick this year with it, probably at least a 4, giving them a 1st, two 2nds, two 3rds, and two 4ths, then two 1sts again next year.  Sometimes I hate how BB moves around the board, but with no 5, 6, or 7 (I believe), i can see him doing it this year.

After looking at last years draft, we traded the second first to NO for a 2012 1st and a 2011 2nd.  Following those guidelines, we would have three seconds this year again.

[Cman]

Every time I think about the offseason priorities for the Pats I think of different angles.  The two consistent ones are:

(1) Welker (tag or new contract)
(2) O-Line (resign Connolly and target O-Line in the draft)

I know the Pats need younger/better/depth at D Line and DB. I suspect BB will deal with the D Line via free agency, and will pick and choose among available DBs in the draft.

An outside/burner WR would be great, but I see it as a bit of a luxury. I think other than Welker, the OLine is a really big need, given potential retirements and injury history. Really the only sure things we have on the roster right now are Mankins, Solder and Cannon. That's it. 

[Cman]

I like what the Pats have done so far in the offseason. The one additional move I'd like to see them take before the draft is to sign Yeremiah Bell. This is a weak draft for safeties, and I don't want to see the Pats draft out of need.

[Cman]

Here's an article that ranks NFL team drafting ability based on the number of All-Pros they've selected in the last decade. There is no correction for draft order (which is something I think is important in any head to head comparison of draft ability).
http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2012/04/new_england_patriots_best_clev.html

NE, Baltimore, SF, Indy, Philly among the best,
St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, Miami, Jacksonville, Atlanta among the worst.

[Eja117]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/7895138/new-england-patriots-sign-joseph-addai-source-confirms

signing Joseph Addai? I love it I love it I love it I love it

[Eja117]

This offense is going to be really really good with all the new weapons. The O Line has only added Robert Gallery, so they have to get some tackle depth, but other than that they're ready to go, and on D they definitely strengthened the LBs and DBs, and arguably the D Line as well.

This should be a very competitive camp and a very deep team

Injuries are the only major issue to me.