One guy who has really flown under the radar is USC's Robert Woods.  He got over shadowed by stud teammate Marquise Lee last year, but he was also a bit slowed by an injury.  Make no mistake about it, this guy can play.  He made Barkley look very good for most of his career at USC and I think he is probably the best route runner in the draft.  If we could get him at 59 it would be an absolute steal, and to be honest I wouldn't be disappointed if we pulled the trigger on him at 29.  Thoughts?

It's prob a given, but below are my most underrated players in this class on both offense and defense... curious to who everone else thinks is underratd on both sides of the ball?

Offense:  West Virginia WR Stedman Bailey

Defense:  Houston CB DJ Hayden

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

In response to PatsEng's comment:

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

My guess is he was taking a look at the below:

QB EJ Manuel (had this kid on my Big 53 Board for a short time, but he's getting talked up like a Top 50-64 kid, not sure BB is looking to go that high on a QB yet, but his big and skilled), WR Rodney Smith (this kid is 6-5 I believe, surprised Bred isn't on him yet, he loves him some tall WR's... could be a late round type kid with some upside), OT Menelik Watson (British, former basketball player with one year of D1 experience, heck I'm not sure he's played more than a year or two of football and some publications have him as a Rd 1 kid... though I think more Day 2).

In response to PatsEng's comment:

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

My guess is he was taking a look at the below:

QB EJ Manuel (had this kid on my Big 53 Board for a short time, but he's getting talked up like a Top 50-64 kid, not sure BB is looking to go that high on a QB yet, but his big and skilled), WR Rodney Smith (this kid is 6-5 I believe, surprised Bred isn't on him yet, he loves him some tall WR's... could be a late round type kid with some upside), OT Menelik Watson (British, former basketball player with one year of D1 experience, heck I'm not sure he's played more than a year or two of football and some publications have him as a Rd 1 kid... though I think more Day 2).

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

My guess is he was taking a look at the below:

QB EJ Manuel (had this kid on my Big 53 Board for a short time, but he's getting talked up like a Top 50-64 kid, not sure BB is looking to go that high on a QB yet, but his big and skilled), WR Rodney Smith (this kid is 6-5 I believe, surprised Bred isn't on him yet, he loves him some tall WR's... could be a late round type kid with some upside), OT Menelik Watson (British, former basketball player with one year of D1 experience, heck I'm not sure he's played more than a year or two of football and some publications have him as a Rd 1 kid... though I think more Day 2).

Mayock said teams are salivating over the chance to coach up Watson.  He said Watson showed amazing movement skills and while raw, could develop into a top OT in the league.  Given our situation with Vollmer, proved by the signing of Svitek and our reported interest in Winston, it's clear the Pats are interested in the OT position.  Watson is moving up board.  CBS has him at 63 right now.

I could see us going WR, OT, WR with our top 3 picks.  Or DT, OT, WR.

In response to Faucetman's comment:

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

My guess is he was taking a look at the below:

QB EJ Manuel (had this kid on my Big 53 Board for a short time, but he's getting talked up like a Top 50-64 kid, not sure BB is looking to go that high on a QB yet, but his big and skilled), WR Rodney Smith (this kid is 6-5 I believe, surprised Bred isn't on him yet, he loves him some tall WR's... could be a late round type kid with some upside), OT Menelik Watson (British, former basketball player with one year of D1 experience, heck I'm not sure he's played more than a year or two of football and some publications have him as a Rd 1 kid... though I think more Day 2).

Mayock said teams are salivating over the chance to coach up Watson.  He said Watson showed amazing movement skills and while raw, could develop into a top OT in the league.  Given our situation with Vollmer, proved by the signing of Svitek and our reported interest in Winston, it's clear the Pats are interested in the OT position.  Watson is moving up board.  CBS has him at 63 right now.

I could see us going WR, OT, WR with our top 3 picks.  Or DT, OT, WR.

I keep hearing that they love Cannon and Svitek is more of a backup swing guy (one reason they wouldn't mind letting Vollmer leave). But, even if they do go OT in the draft I can't see them not taking a CB. There are too many reasons for them not to take one:

• Talib is on a one year deal with no certainty he'll be back. Getting a young player who can develop over a year in a nickel position and take over next year makes sense (ala Solder with Light)
• Arrington is almost purely an inside guy. Arrington has shown he can't handle outside duties on a regular basis so having him as the main outside backup right now would not make much sense
• McCourty is a starting FS. I've heard the logic "you can always move McCourty back to CB" and while true McCourty is a much better FS than CB so you would essentially be weakening two positions because of lack of depth
• Talib's never completed a full season. Going back to Arringtons not an outside guy point, Talib has yet to finish a 16 game season so at some point he's more then likely going to miss time. Right now if you keep Arrington on the inside that leaves Ras, Cole as the replacements?
• Cole is a STer only. The few chances he had to play CB proved this point
• Ras has less of a chance to complete a season then Talib does. Ras I wouldn't even consider a backup at this point because he's to unreliable to be a backup. If he can last more then 3/4 of a season that would be icing

Right now as I see it we have Talib, Arrington, and Dennard. I don't even consider Ras and Cole as reliable CBs at this point. We need another CB and imo it would be best to grab a young CB with high upside in the draft and cross our fingers. 

Eng,

if you can't rely on cole and Ras, and the idea is to draft a young cb who we  might not be able to rely on due to youth unless we land a nugget like Dennard, isn't our best shot to acquire another FA cb?

my bigger concern right now is at WR. As much as I want us to take a DT early, I would rather have us double up on wr's early because we need them. i think we can get by with who we have On the DL.  I would feel even better if we grabbed Abraham. Not optimal, but we have limited picks and big holes. give me Rogers and Bailey at WR and we will be good to go. Trade back in round 1, take Rogers round 2, take a cb/DT with other round 2 pick, take bailey in round 3. Sign Abraham. Sign another ot or draft one late for depth. Lets get busy!

In response to PatsLifer's comment:

Eng,

if you can't rely on cole and Ras, and the idea is to draft a young cb who we  might not be able to rely on due to youth unless we land a nugget like Dennard, isn't our best shot to acquire another FA cb?

my bigger concern right now is at WR. As much as I want us to take a DT early, I would rather have us double up on wr's early because we need them. i think we can get by with who we have On the DL.  I would feel even better if we grabbed Abraham. Not optimal, but we have limited picks and big holes. give me Rogers and Bailey at WR and we will be good to go. Trade back in round 1, take Rogers round 2, take a cb/DT with other round 2 pick, take bailey in round 3. Sign Abraham. Sign another ot or draft one late for depth. Lets get busy!

I would say yes, but who's left at CB in the FA? Their aren't a lot of stand out CBs left on the market that I think would come to NE. Grimes I think many are concerned over the ACL and Nnamdi I just don't see coming to NE. To me draft is the best way to go and roll the dice. This is my biggest complaint about the FA so far. There was a glut of starting caliber CB, most in their prime, this year and all went for reasonable rates. Why we didn't get one more and essentially stuck with the same CB core that wasn't all that great without Talib is beyond me. 

If they sign Abraham (crossing my fingers) then I can see them taking a DT early and CB/WR with the next two picks. If they move Mallett and get a mid round pick I can see them using that on OL but honestly I think they were alright letting Vollmer walk because they like Cannon and I think they like Wendell a lot too. They picked up a swing T so really they need to add a swing T/G and I wouldn't want to use a 1-3 round pick on a backup swing OL.

The funny thing about CB this year is it's very weak in the 1st round. But, rounds 2-3 it's got some great depth and good players. Maybe not #1 caliber CB's but RCB's and slot CB's I think there are a lot to take your choice. Same with WR really

DT in the first makes sense. Who do you pick at 29 if the following are taken?

Floyd, Richardson, J Williams, Hankins, Short

Therefore available are...

J Jenkins, S Williams, Lotulelei (Supposedly cleared to play, but certainly will have question marks about how much physical exertion he can take on). 

In response to PatsEng's comment:

In response to PatsLifer's comment:

Eng,

if you can't rely on cole and Ras, and the idea is to draft a young cb who we  might not be able to rely on due to youth unless we land a nugget like Dennard, isn't our best shot to acquire another FA cb?

my bigger concern right now is at WR. As much as I want us to take a DT early, I would rather have us double up on wr's early because we need them. i think we can get by with who we have On the DL.  I would feel even better if we grabbed Abraham. Not optimal, but we have limited picks and big holes. give me Rogers and Bailey at WR and we will be good to go. Trade back in round 1, take Rogers round 2, take a cb/DT with other round 2 pick, take bailey in round 3. Sign Abraham. Sign another ot or draft one late for depth. Lets get busy!

I would say yes, but who's left at CB in the FA? Their aren't a lot of stand out CBs left on the market that I think would come to NE. Grimes I think many are concerned over the ACL and Nnamdi I just don't see coming to NE. To me draft is the best way to go and roll the dice. This is my biggest complaint about the FA so far. There was a glut of starting caliber CB, most in their prime, this year and all went for reasonable rates. Why we didn't get one more and essentially stuck with the same CB core that wasn't all that great without Talib is beyond me. 

If they sign Abraham (crossing my fingers) then I can see them taking a DT early and CB/WR with the next two picks. If they move Mallett and get a mid round pick I can see them using that on OL but honestly I think they were alright letting Vollmer walk because they like Cannon and I think they like Wendell a lot too. They picked up a swing T so really they need to add a swing T/G and I wouldn't want to use a 1-3 round pick on a backup swing OL.

The funny thing about CB this year is it's very weak in the 1st round. But, rounds 2-3 it's got some great depth and good players. Maybe not #1 caliber CB's but RCB's and slot CB's I think there are a lot to take your choice. Same with WR really

DT in the first makes sense. Who do you pick at 29 if the following are taken?

Floyd, Richardson, J Williams, Hankins, Short

Therefore available are...

J Jenkins, S Williams, Lotulelei (Supposedly cleared to play, but certainly will have question marks about how much physical exertion he can take on). 

Exactly 5 weeks until the draft... let the countdown begin!

This is going to go against what I want, but given the holes on this team, DT imidi dined, although. Deep in this years draft is not a high priority. We have warm bodies...not great but warm. So, right now, given the current roster, making no assumptions, I am trading out of 1 to acquire an additional pick If it can be done. I believe JWilliams will be there in round 2, and, if I want a DT, I am going with him near the top of round 2, then Rogers at wr bottom of round 2. 

I still think there are some decent FA corners available and I would try like heck to land one, or land another WR or two. This will dictate how I use my round 3 pick, and to an extent , my second  pick which I said to be used on Rogers. 

Bottomline...feeling very un comfortable with big parts of this roster as it stands today. We really need bb to pull a couple of FA triggers here to strengthen it and not leave us hamstrung in the draft.

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

It's prob a given, but below are my most underrated players in this class on both offense and defense... curious to who everone else thinks is underratd on both sides of the ball?

Offense:  West Virginia WR Stedman Bailey

Defense:  Houston CB DJ Hayden

both could be explosive

short stocky, 4.5, 6.81

not what im looking for as you know :)

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

Exactly 5 weeks until the draft... let the countdown begin!

You get the link?

I can't see Manuel unless they are doing their due diligence. Depending what you get for Mallett in a trade, Manuel might not even be there at #59 and I doubt BB spends a pick that early on a QB who will sit on the bench for at least the next 3 years. Smith is a good possibilty that could be scouting. I can't see Watson either really. If you are looking to spend early on an OT then why send McDaniels and not Scar? Not to mention, from everything I hear they are perfectly happy giving the starting job to Cannon if they can't bring Vollmer back, which is why they are taking a hard stance with Vollmer. They already have a replacement plan in place