In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

Those are serious matters but most of it stems from smoking weed and covering it up.  The kid is immature.  He needs a mentor.  Maybe he'll fall to 93.  If he does, certainly he's worth the chance.  We haven't had any luck in the 3rd round for awhile.  Having a bunch of kids isn't that unusual with some of these guys, not intended to be a racist remark but a bunch of players coming out of college already have kids and with multiple women.

I was very critical of the kid if you go back and look.  I said no way in the first round but late 2nd or better yet, late 3rd, he's worth rolling the dice.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:


The real question with Jenkins is NOT whether he has the skill-set nor whether he is in a temporary "funk" with poor judgment, decision-making etc.  The real question is whether he is so "immature" that no amount of guidance, supervision or peer pressure  will make a difference!  Some kids NEVER grow up and the risk with Jenkins is whether he will prove to be a greater disruptive influence, a supreme TEASE, by his lack of commitment to football as well as his indifference to consequences. Is he the "second-coming" of Packman Jones?

Thanks for the list, you really know who' who for sure!!!! It's not too early to start draft talk, the draft is April 26th. I just hope that the PATS use their picks and not trade them. So far I have been happy with their acquisitions. I am not sure about Stallworth and I hope they sign Wes. I think he is one of the hardest workers and does what he asked to do. I love watching him play and don't want to have to play against him. There are some players I just can't see in another jersey and he's one of them.....

In response to "Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!": You, bedard, and others might be right on the Harrison smith pick. I think 27 is way too early, but I don't see ant other way given who drafts behind us, and the lack of safety talent in this years class. He fills an obvious need. On Jenkins, I may be in the minority here, but there is no way I take him in this draft. Unquestionable talent or not, he has more than his share of issues, and doesn't compare at all to Hernandez or mallet. PatsEng detailed this pretty thoroughly above so no need to rehash. Personally, I don't get how Jenkins drops a round or two, but vontaze burfict, who is arguably a 1 st round talent as well drops completely out with far less off the field issues? I would be more inclined to take a chance on burfict later in the draft than Jenkins . Jenkins is a timebomb ticking.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

Agreed, those are the risks.  BB will have far more information to make a more informed decision on the kid.  The kids needs to realize he has maybe just one chance to get his act together and have a career and if he's fortunate to be drafted by the greatest NFL coach of all time and to play with HOF Brady, he needs to seize this chance and not blow it. 

But you're right, some kids never get it.  So the question is, where do you take the chance?  I'm thinking 93 now.  That would be our 5th pick of the draft.  Other teams don't have as many so early so less likely to risk one of their top 3 picks on the kid.

You have a 50/50 chance on any draft pick making it in this league.  The risk with this kid isn't talent or even lack of effort, it is off the field stuff.  I'd give him a 50/50 chance of cleaning up his act at least enough to be effective. 

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

Thanks on Smith.  27 is too high.  I think if Konz is still on the board at 27, we can pass on Smith because I think BAL will take him at 29 and BAL is the biggest threat at this point.  We can then allow Smith to get to 31.  Perhaps at that point we can trade back a bit and still land him as the bad teams have other priorities.

I'm seeing some mocks having Kirkpatrick making to us at 27.  I would love to get him and Smith with our top 2 picks.

Outside of Cox and Brockers, there isn't a DT I'm excited about in the first round.  I love Hightower and some of the OLB conversion types but I don't think BB will go there.  I think he has to go defensive backfield. 

I like Thompson, Martin and Wolfe a little later on but the first two are strictly interior types and we are pretty set there with Pryor, Love and Brace.  But for 34 ends after Brockers and Cox, I don't see anyone who is going to be better than Fanene at this stage.

There is no way the Pats should go offense at the top of the draft so that leaves LB or DBs.  Kirkpatrick and Smith or McClellin and Smith would be a nice start.

to MB and others with extensive draft canidate profiles.

NFL radio had an interview today with Noah Miller  ILB/ OLB from Ohio Univ. He said that he has a workout on Tuesday with the Pats.I have not even seen his name on any of the publications I have ( OK just the USA today sports weekly! I actually rely on you guys.)

What do you have on him? Although he played in the MAC , he showed well against OSU,Va Tech, and Tennessee.

It was interesting that Randy Cross said this is what BB does. He will look at canidates that he might not draft but does research for possible FA signings ..but moreover, guys that would be drafted late by other teams  and quite possibly be cut. He then has some assurety and knowledge when he needs to add someone later in the season because of injuries. I was impressed that, if this is true, BB is doing homework for seasonal long term contingencies, not just the short term , ie April draft.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:



mg,
Not a kid that I'm familiar with, but after looking into him, he has the size BB looks for at ILB (6-1 245) and while  he's a limited athlete, he runs well (4.63), can stack and shed, has excellent instincts and is a solid tackler.

Def projects as a late round/URFA type, but as was mentioned above, BB is doing his homework... good fit inside where his lack of range will be minimized a bit.

Thanks for the name, gonna add him to my late round watch list.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

Here is my second attempt at a Pats mock.  Let me know what you think.

I don't know that much about McClellin but I wonder if players from the Mountain West are a little overated since they play in a weaker conference than, say, the SEC. PFW's draft chart has him as mid 3rd rounder.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

Hey guys.  Wanted to discuss Shea McClellin for a minute.  I love the guy.  Living in the NW, I've jumped on the BSU bandwagon a bit, and I watch most of their games.  Looks like he could become a very good pro, but I have to wonder whether or not he would really be the smartest pick for NE at 27.  I think he would be a great player to draft mid-second round, but lately it seems like GB is all set to take him at 28 if we don't grab him at 27.  McClellin has gotten a ton of hype the past month or so, and I hate to say it, but his stock might be a bit too high at this point.  I wouldn't be disappointed if we ended up drafting him at 27, as I'm a huge fan of his, but I really believe that there will likely be a better player there when pick 27 rolls around.  We'll see.  Maybe the GB interest is being over-blown too.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:


Waz,

I see a lot of similarities between McClellin and Brooks Reed in that Reed had a similar meteoric rise from projected Rd 3/4 kid to projected Rd 1 kid as we got closer to draft time.  Reed was being talked about as an option to NE at 28, but wasn't taken until 42.  While I think McClellin is more versatile than Reed, I'm not sold on him as a Rd 1 kid... he was an "alternative" for me at pick 31 in my latest mock, but I have him as a Rd 1-2 kid on my draft board, would prefer him in Rd 2.  Overall, I don't see him getting past NE at 48.

I'm still holding out hope that they come away with one of Barron/Brockers/Cox/Upshaw/Kirkpatrick/Gilmore in Rd 1, trading up a bit if need be.  Reyes/Smith/Curry/McClellin etc., fall into my next grouping of defenders.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

Probably is Wazzu; there's a lot of misinformation going on out there at this time of year.

are we running out of gas in the last week?

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:


Agree, MB. Brooks Reed is an excellent comparison to McClellin.  I really like both prospects, but both are probably realistically 2nd rounders. If NE got McClellin at 48, that would be ideal, IMO.

Title, I'm no draft expert but just enjoy reading here to be prepared for the draft each year.  I like your mock and players but it seems to me we don't have too many sure openings--we were in the SB and BB has filled in with Free Agents before the draft.  My point is I think many here expect him to trade into next year's draft but I don't know about trading down for more players this year.  That's the only part of your take I question. 

It seems like every year, NE drafts a guy or two in the 2nd/3rd round who have gotten "lost in the shuffle" of the draft process a little bit.  Spikes is a perfect example.  His college production @ UF was mid 1st round worthy, but slow 40 times combined with "character/work ethic questions" caused teams to pass on him and for him to slide to late 2nd.  Sometimes these guys work out great (like Spikes) and sometimes they don't.  Two under-the-radar guys to watch this year, who were at one time considered 1st rounders but who's stock have dropped significantly, are a pair of Cornhuskers.  Alfonzo Dennard & Jared Crick.  Dennard was once thought to be a top 20 lock, but after having a disappointing Senior Bowl week and a mediocre combine it seems that he his stock has slipped to mid 2nd round range.  He could slide as far as #62, and if he is still on the board there, don't be suprised if BB nabs him.  Crick has lost all kinds of momentum after tearing a pectoral this past season, but if his health checks out, he could be another dropping prospect that BB might take a chance on in the mid-rounds of the draft.

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:

That would be some kind of draft, you've manipulated the board as artfully as BB.

I actually don't think we'll draft more than 5-6 players this year.  We're pretty loaded already.  Its tough for me to see where we can fit more than 5 guys.

Alright my good fellows. With a week and half until the draft I think it might be time to break down the positions and determine what could have room to add players through the draft.

Offense:

TE - Gronk, Hern, Fells: The Pats run a 2 TE set which means you typically want 3 starting caliber TE's to run the offense. Gronk and Fells certainly fill the prototypical TE role while Hern plays more of a H-Back type of role. They could still add an additional TE and move Hern to a RB/WR role but I don't see that happening given the other acquisitions this off-season. Diagnosis, all set in the TE position

WR - Welker, Lloyd, Gonz, Branch, Stallworth, Slater, Edelman, Ocho: They made a lot of moves this off-season. Slater is an obvious #6 WR for ST with Lloyd and Welker making the team. This year they can go 7 WR's if they only carry 4 RB's instead of 5 or they can stick with their typical 6 WR's. I still have a gut feeling giving the age and question marks of the acquisitions this year they will get a WR late day 2 early day 3. It might be a STer who will primarily be a return man but I can see it happenings. One person I've been high on as a return man (Rainey), might be an ideal conversion type from RB to slot WR long term. He's about Welker size with good hands and is deadly with space. He might be a shocker convert WR none of us expected. Diagnosis 1 WR drafted

RB - Woodhead, Ridley, Vereen, Larsen, Fiametta: I might be in the minority here but I see the acquisition of a blocking FB as a sign that they will put their faith in the young guys. That the extra lead blocker is meant to give them a little more support that vets don't typically need. With Hern as a 5th RB I don't see them going after a RB persay in this draft unless it's as a returner or can work out of the slot. Rainey could be that kid providing additional depth as a 6th RB, 5/7th WR, and primary return man while only taking up 1 spot. Diagnosis, all set at RB position

OL - Mankins, Light, Waters, Solder, Vollmer, Cannon, Koppen, Connolly, Wendell, McDanold, Gallery, Thomas: Typically the Pats only travel with 8-9 OL and 1-2 in reserve, that doesn't leave much room to add players given who they currently have, even if Light retires. How I see it breaking down is T's - Solder/Vollmer, T/G's - Cannon/Gallery, G's - Waters/Mankins, G/C - McDonald, C's Connolly/Koppen traveling with Thomas in reserve and Wendell if he can make it to PS. Diagnosis, all set on OL

QB - Brady, Mallett, Hoyer: They will carry 3 if need be but I also see them trying to trade Hoyer on draft day (KC, Browns?). Diagnosis, all set at QB

So on O I can see 1 possible draft pick spent, mainly for a return man that adds flexibility depth or can be a long term starter on O. I'm really starting to convince myself Rainey is that man. He is a quality return man that can add depth to the RB core without taking an additional spot on the roster and has the potential to develop into a speedy slot WR with good burst and great vision in the open field

Defense:

DB - McCourty, Arrington, Ras, Brown, Chung, Gregory, Moore, Williams, Allen, Cole: I grouped them all together because depending on how they feel about McCourty will determine how they might approach the draft. If they view McCourty as a CB then the CB core might be alright without drafting an additional player but the S core will need some help, if they view McCourty as a FS then they might not need to draft a S but will need to find a replacement for the CB core. Diagnosis they will draft 1-2 DB's in the draft

LB - Mayo, Fletcher, Tarp, Nin, Niko, Cunningham, Spikes, White, Carter, Carpenter, Scott: It's a lot of names but not many starters. The ILB looks solid without the addition of another body but there still is a hole on the edge rushing position. Diagnosis, at least 1 edge rusher

DL - Wilfork, Pryor, Deadrick, Love, Brace, Fenena, Silvestro, Harrison: Other then Wilfork all the other players will need to prove they can handle a full time starting job. Deadrick, Love, Brace to me all look like backups and rotational type of players with Fenena being a possibility to be a full time starter. They need to get some consistency in their pass rush and help with the run up the middle. I expect Carter to be back but it's still unsure what he can provide. Diagnosis, at least 1 interior DL

So, given the current roster I see us targeting at least 1 return man (WR or RB/WR), 1-2 DB's, 1 edge rushing LB, and 1 interior DL. That's 4-5picks with 6 picks in hand. Of course BB will trade and we'll most likely end up with more then 6 picks total but I also see them dbling up at a couple positions on the D side (namely in the front 7) But given so few major holes on the team right now I can also envision them actually making some moves up to get players they really want 

In Response to Re: ***2012 Patriots Draft Thread***! UPDATED W/ MOCK V3 4/12!:


Waz,
I like the topic, they "lost in the shuffle" guy that may be dropping for one reason or another, that interests me the most is South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery.  This kid has the size and skill set to create a ton of matchup issues at the NFL level and was highly productive at the SEC level despite average to below average QB play.

I think Dennard is a good name, based on where he's no projected vs. how he was viewed earlier in the process.

Crick is a kid I like, blue collar, big motor etc., I just think he's a 43 kid only as I don't see where he fits into NE's 34 front based on his weight (279 combine, 276 Pro Day).