Which direction would you go.( Pats draft)

[Eja117]

I don't see lots of need for DBs with young DBs growing up and Bodden coming back as long as they improve the pass rush and nobody gets hurt or arrested or anything

McCourty is great. But the other CB position is question mark. Darius Butler is awful. Arrington struggles on the deep ball. Bodden is decent, but is an injury risk. And no one knows how he will return from the injury.

Well I'm definitely ready to give up on that Wheatley guy.  I wouldn't mind drafting a replacement for him later in the draft

I'm pretty sure they already have given up on Wheatley. I don't believe he is with the team anymore.

You're right. Well there's a cut I missed. Wasted 2nd rounder

[MBz]

The pass rush is important.  Either get a DE and switch to the 4-3 or find a Terrell Suggs/DeMarcus Ware type OLB to stay in the 3-4.  If they're going to stay in the 3-4, they need an OLB that can get the QB whenever he wants.  I think they need a running back too.  Mark Ingram looks like he'll be available at 17, I wouldn't mind taking a chance on him. 

[boom]

I'd really like them to target the OL and DL. Not really the LB position, because I believe Spikes and Mayo at the core we can plug in decent players like Guyton to fill in the rest to cover the short-middle of the of the field plays as well as provide a second line of defense. I also think that with Merriweather, Butler, McCourty, and Bodden we should be fairly set at DB.

I think the issue is to get Brady more protection, and to get some DL men to be able to rush the passer. Wilfork is amazing, we just need big bodies next to him that can penetrate.

I dont believe we need a big-threat WideOut or a RB, however I wouldn't mind going after Fitz if the price was right. Imagine what Brady and Moss did 2.0 - it leaves you drooling at the mouth. Granted, Arizona also has Hightower riding the bench. Maybe a package deal to snag both?

I wouldn't mind going after Champ either in a S position or going after Asomugha, if the prices are right. But that's every team.

Our picks this year are below, from the Pat's website. 

------
Below are the Patriots Draft selections for 2011 (as of 1/19/2011). The 2011 NFL Draft will take place from April 28-30.
(Additional Compensatory Selections May Be Awarded)

Round   Selection   Overall   How Acq.
1A   17   17   From Oakland
1   28   28   Assigned selection
2A   1   33   From Carolina
2   28   60   Assigned selection
3A   10   74   From Minnesota
3   28   92   Assigned selection
4   28   *   Assigned selection
5   28   *   Assigned selection
6   28   *   Assigned selection
*-To be determined following assignment of compensatory selections

NOTES
1A - The Patriots acquired Oakland's 2011 first-round selection during a 2009 trade of DT Richard Seymour.
2A -The Patriots acquired Carolina's 2011 second-round pick during a 2010 draft day trade in exchange for the Patriots 2010 third-round pick (89th pick overall).
3A - The Patriots acquired Minnesota's 2011 third-round pick in exchange for WR Randy Moss.
------

[Chris]

I don't see lots of need for DBs with young DBs growing up and Bodden coming back as long as they improve the pass rush and nobody gets hurt or arrested or anything

McCourty is great. But the other CB position is question mark. Darius Butler is awful. Arrington struggles on the deep ball. Bodden is decent, but is an injury risk. And no one knows how he will return from the injury.

Well I'm definitely ready to give up on that Wheatley guy.  I wouldn't mind drafting a replacement for him later in the draft

I'm pretty sure they already have given up on Wheatley. I don't believe he is with the team anymore.

Yes, he was cut earlier in the season.  I personally think Bodden/McCourty/Butler/Arrington is a nice core.  If they like someone later in the draft, sure, go for it, and they will certainly need to add some depth in free agency...but top tier cornerbacks are incredibly expensive in the free agent market, and I just don't see them making that kind of investment, given the guys they already have locked up.

[jasail]

OL and DL are my first priorities, followed by sub-package/olb rusher, secondary, then running back. 

OL:
1) Resign Mankins;
2) Resign Light if price is right;
3) Draft best available OT w/17th on 28th pick;
4) Use later round draft picks to draft a prospect C and RG and groom to replace DC/Neal and Koppen.

DL:
1) Pray Ty Warren comes back healthy.
2) Draft best available DL with 17th or 28th pick.

OLB/Sub-Rusher:
1) If prime-time DL is not available in at 17 or 28 use pick to draft a pass rusher;
2) If DL is available, try to bring in a veteran pass rusher through free agency.

Secondary:
1) I like the mix of corners in the secondary with Bodden, McCourty, Arrington and Butler;
2) With 2nd or 3rd round draft pick look for a physical safety or try to bring a veteran in through FA to replace big bang clock;
3) Use later draft pick to sign a sub-package DB to replace the use of Merriweather/Chungg as coverage backs in the dime.

Running Back:
1) I'm a BJGE fan, but if there is an upgrade in the late 2nd or 3rd round I would go for it;
2) However, I see them signing a veteran like Taylor or Morris to supplement BJGE, which I am fine with as well.

Wide Receiver:
1) Not a huge believer that we need to spend a draft pick on this position;
2) If they can upgrade Tate through a trade or free agency, I support that. 

   

[footey]

also need to draft a QB who is mobile, to groom to replace Tom in 2-3 years.  Don't think Coach Bill is not already thinking ahead on that.  Brady is at the end of his curve, while most of the D is at the beginning.

[Jeff]

best talent available (and if you don't need the top guy at your slot, then trade back)

as long as we are adding and developing talented players up and down the line, I'll be happy

they weren't far away from being back in the SB this year and they'll reload this offseason and get back at it next year

that said, for purely aesthetic reasons, I'd love to see a top-notch RB on our side for once - though I admit it probably isn't as critical in BB's gameplan as it would be for other schemes

[the_Bird]

One of the talking heads said something good for a change.

The Pats need to be able to run the ball when the other team's expecting the run.  Ain't nobody that appreciated BJGE more than me, but he's not really THAT guy.  If that means spending a first rounder on a top-tier RB, so be it.  If that means spending $$ to bring back Mankins, and drafting some other road-grader type linemen, so be it.  Take some of the pressure off Brady, keep working towards that better run/pass balance that helped so much in the regular season.

[PosImpos]

Mark Herzlich.

[Rondo2287]

Mark Herzlich.

I think they should take a stab at him with a 3rd or 4th rounder.   He is going to need some time still to get his legs back under him, but I think it could really pay off in the long run.

[PosImpos]

Mark Herzlich.

I think they should take a stab at him with a 3rd or 4th rounder.   He is going to need some time still to get his legs back under him, but I think it could really pay off in the long run.

Yes.

And I'd LOVE to see them get Luke Koechly eventually, as well, though he probably won't come out for the draft for a year or two.

[Chris]

The pass rush is important.  Either get a DE and switch to the 4-3 or find a Terrell Suggs/DeMarcus Ware type OLB to stay in the 3-4.  If they're going to stay in the 3-4, they need an OLB that can get the QB whenever he wants.  I think they need a running back too.  Mark Ingram looks like he'll be available at 17, I wouldn't mind taking a chance on him. 

The problem is, the guys who get the QB whenever they want are ussually gone in the first 10 picks.  After that it's a crapshoot, and you get a lot of guys who never make it past their rookie contract. 

I think what is more important is solidifying the D-line, with guys who can take up blockers, and collapse the pocket a bit.  Those guys are easier to find a little later in the first round, and they generally are easier to project success with than perimeter rushers (who are often just raw athletes, who have not had to show much of a knowledge of the game in college, but would have more responsibility in the NFL).  If they have that, it puts guys like Cunningham and Ninkovic on an island with the tackle, and makes him a much better player.

The success of the Pats defensively starts with the interior D-line, and if they are able to control the line of scrimmage with those guys, then they are going to be in much better shape everywhere else.

[sdceltsfan]

Pass rush #1 priority for sure. Secondary, we need a tall defender back there with some speed. Pass rush again. Then maybe if we can somehow get a great offensive lineman that would be nice.

Either way the pats need a legit running back. Get rid of BJGE, Sammy Morris. Keep woodhead but we need a legit, Mojo, Mendenhall, AP type of running back. Tom brady clearly cant do it by himself offensively.

      You lost all credibility with this suggestion....BJGE was the only starting RB this year to not fumble ONCE, with over a thousand yds and 13 TD's I believe......borderline pro-bowl numbers.......I do think that our running game needs more depth and we need a true power-runner to force teams to respect that, opening up the passing game more.
     
       Off-season priorities: Pass-rush, O-line, #1 WR, RB depth, secondary depth......in that order of importance. If I had my way with the team this is what I would do:

1. Re-sign Mankins, Green-Ellis, and also Matt Light (just for depth).....all other FA's can take a hike.....respect to Kevin Faulk, but I think some team overpays for him and he walks.

2. Sign Champ Bailey to come in and be our vocal leader on D.....he wants to play for a ring and between he, McCourty, Bodden, Arrigton, Chung, our secondary goes from middle of the road to top-shelf. No need to overpay for Nnamdi Asomugha.

3. Pick your favorite FA RB who needs a change of scenery: DeAngelo Williams, Pierre Thomas, Cedric Benson......shoot, I'd even look Ricky Williams way.....don't think DeAngelo happens, or Benson b/c of $$$......Pierre Thomas won't get a max- contract b/c of his injuries (none of which are seemingly career threatening).....he would thrive in the New England system, and would not be looked to to be THE MAN like they needed him to be in New Orleans.....the rotation of Thomas/BJGE/Woodhead would be deadly

4. On to the draft- #17 needs to be the best pass-rusher available (DE or OLB)....would love for Robbert Quinn to fall, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it.....any of Aldon Smith, Akeem Ayers, Von Miller, Adrian Clayborn, or Ryan Kerrigan would make me more than happy.

5. #28- I think our O-line will be addressed here, especially if Mankins isn't retained....assuming he is though, Guard would still be more of a need, but there's only one I would want to use a 1st rounder on.....Mike Pouncey......the OT crop provides a lot more value at this spot (Solder/Costonzo/Carimi)......however, there is a WR by the name of Johanthan Baldwin who we should select to be our #1 WR.
    Same size and speed as A.J. Green.....not quite the athlete or ball-skills, but Brady desperately needs a big-target WR to stretch the field over the top, but more importantly be able to work the sidelines like Moss did for us.

6. #33- This is our bounus pick in the draft where I think we should take the best O-line player available.....any of the aforementioned from point #5 would be great, but I wouldn't mind either of Ben Ijalana or Orlando Franklin to step in at Guard for us.

7. #60- The luxury pick at 33 leaves us in a spot to then take the best available player.....I would go O-line or D-line here again.....if Allen Bailey (DE) Miami or Muhammad Wilkerson (DT) Temple are on the board still, we should swoop him up.....possible, but more likely would be a guy like Jason Pinkston (OT) Pitt will be around.

8. #74-- Even after bringing in Champ Bailey, I think we could find some real value for our secondary here picking up Ras-I Dowling (CB) Virginia.....solid cover corner and has good size at 6'2......im still not sold on Butler for the future to pair with McCourty.....Bodden and Bailey are older and will only be playing at their level for a couple more seasons.

9. #92- Best value here at the end of the 3rd round would be to go O-line again......I think Joe Barksdale (OT) LSU could be a solid rotational lineman right off the bat.....not an immediate starter though. If he's not there, Lee Ziemba (G) Auburn would could be a badass....6'6, 320.....imagine him and Vollmer on one side.....no way anyone could even see Woodhead running behind these ogres.

10. Round 4- back to the front-seven to give us some more depth.....although he is super-slow....nearly a 5.0 40-time, Ryan Winterswyk (DE) from Boise State had a great year, and just seems like a Patriot-type player to me.

11. Round 5- - At this point, we are just hoping to get someone who's good enough to make the roster.......why not trust lineage here and draft Casey Matthews (ILB)? Not that we really need much help up the middle with Mayo/Spikes....but injuries happen, and he could be a great special teamer at the least.

12. Round 6-- Tyrod Taylor would be a great depth pick here.....great athlete, and could be the Brad Smith for our team


How bout this???

[jc3celticsphan]

OL and DL are my first priorities, followed by sub-package/olb rusher, secondary, then running back. 

OL:
1) Resign Mankins;
2) Resign Light if price is right;
3) Draft best available OT w/17th on 28th pick;
4) Use later round draft picks to draft a prospect C and RG and groom to replace DC/Neal and Koppen.

DL:
1) Pray Ty Warren comes back healthy.
2) Draft best available DL with 17th or 28th pick.

OLB/Sub-Rusher:
1) If prime-time DL is not available in at 17 or 28 use pick to draft a pass rusher;
2) If DL is available, try to bring in a veteran pass rusher through free agency.

Secondary:
1) I like the mix of corners in the secondary with Bodden, McCourty, Arrington and Butler;
2) With 2nd or 3rd round draft pick look for a physical safety or try to bring a veteran in through FA to replace big bang clock;
3) Use later draft pick to sign a sub-package DB to replace the use of Merriweather/Chungg as coverage backs in the dime.

Running Back:
1) I'm a BJGE fan, but if there is an upgrade in the late 2nd or 3rd round I would go for it;
2) However, I see them signing a veteran like Taylor or Morris to supplement BJGE, which I am fine with as well.

Wide Receiver:
1) Not a huge believer that we need to spend a draft pick on this position;
2) If they can upgrade Tate through a trade or free agency, I support that. 

   

i aggree they will definetly upgrade both o line and d line... our free agency sucess will definetly have an impact on how we draft this year also.


MUST UPGRADES

WR: sign vincent jackson or sidney rice or move up and grab aj green.

Oline: resign mankins, and resign light, draft right guard

DLINE: with ty warren and mike wright coming back next season we still need insurance most likely draft picks here

CB : i hate our secondary butler is terrible arrington is not good enough to start next season. i would look to sign nnamdi  bailey or joseph here.

[Eja117]

I kinda like some productive under the rada rb late in the 3rd or in the 4th to replace Fred Taylor, give Sammy a run for the money and back up the law firm.

Maybe someone like Evan Royster or one of those Virginia Tech guys.

I'm glad Kevin Faulk will be back. I hope he can help

And I like Tyrod Taylor in the 6th

Also I figure we'll have compensatory picks