Another try at No. 7

hey Mike,
You are going mel kiper on us. That way you will say on draft day that knew the pats were going to pick that guy. nice stuff though, thanks for keeping us up to date.

Mike,

I agree with your senario if the Pats keep the pick,either Harvey, Gholston or Ellis. However based on this mock if Matt Ryan slides to 7, I believe the Pats will trade back with Carolina etc. Also, DMAC may slide to the Jets at 6 if as he been projected the Raiders draft Dorsey or Ellis.

Now you are thinking like BB!.

Yes the Pats need LBs but rookie linebackers just don't come in and contribute in the Pats 3-4. College linebackers (or projected linebackers ) are a huge gamble for the Pats since it is impossible to predict their performance at a completely new position. It takes time and experience to learn BB's 3-4. I just don't see the Pats risking a 20 million guarantee on such a crapshoot.

Big Defensive lineman like Ellis, Offensive lineman and Cornerbacks are the surest bets to contribute right away (from this draft).

I don't think the Pats would take Ellis. Ellis is not a good fit for this team's system. Ellis would, inevitably, become a bust, just like Robertson has for the Jets, since they are similar players.

If Gholston or Long is not there and a trade can't be completed, speed on the edge is the way to go. I predict Harvey being the pick in this scenario.

Mike

I'm sure trading picks wasn't in this mock drafts parameters, but I have to agree with ampats about trading the #7 pick with somebody who wants Ryan - and somebody will want him. The Panthers and Bears are the most likely to want to trade up. The Falcons could be a possiblitly. They have 4 - 2nd round and 2 - 3rd round picks ( a total of 11 overall ). Not looking at a pick value chart, but perhaps getting 2 of those 2nd round and 1 of those 3rds along with next years 1st round could be enticing. This is a good CB draft and the Pats should find good players in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. But always expect the unexpected is my motto.

The Pats have a scheme/personnel problem. There's not enough speed at the LB position and if you are not going to send your lineman up the field that means old guys like Seau and Bruschi have to be the ones making the plays. I'd rather see guys like Wilfork, Green, Warren and Seymour blowing up the pocket and getting plays behind the line if the Pats can't find a LB worthy of the grand scheme. Ellis is not a 2 gap guy and while he might get there I don't see why they need to draft a young guy to sit on the bench making big money when they could have an impact player on the field.

This team has 1-2 years left before it falls apart. One more SB would allow them a few rebuild years and most of the fans would understand.

Totally disagree. Their biggest need, right now, is cornerback. With Samuel gone, Hobbs is penciled in as the number 1, and that is totally unacceptable. He isn't even a number 2, IMO.

Bryant could start at one corner, and then a CB pick at number 7 is a must.

I, for one, go with Cromartie or Cason.

Mike Allen,

I really have to say that I think you are falling into the trap that too many Pats Fans have gotten into; scapegoating Ellis Hobbs. It was clear that he was a #2 to Samuel, but the guy is a really good corner and is not likely to be outplayed by a guy like D R-Cromartie in 2008.

The D's biggest problem last season was the lack of pressure generated on the opposing quarterback -- see Kyle Boller / Jay Feely for reference. We gave QBs so much time to throw that any cornerback is going to eventually get beat.

In the superbowl, that winning pass play to Plaxico came as a result of an ineffective all-out blitz more than anything. When you send both safeties to blitz, the corner HAS to protect the slant route and that's exactly what Hobbs did. It's not his fault that the LBs and safeties couldn't get there in time.

If we add a young player like Gholston or Harvey that can wreak havok on opposing QBs, Hobbs and Bryant are gonna look like superstars by picking off all the rushed passes that come their way. Not to mention, we might see Mr. Seymour return to form next year too.

Don't forget that Asante was a 4th round pick. To me, burning a #7 overall pick on 1 of 5 corners where none of them can legitimately prove that he is the best of them, it's a waste.

Only one problem with your theory, he is not a 3-4 gap control player. He is a much better fit in the Tampa 2 scheme where he would excel at getting upfield. If you actually watch college football, you may pick players who can play in our system.

i say gamble on a corner like cromartie. if hes anything like the other one thatll be amazing! we need 1corners,2linebackers,3o-line

At the No 7 spot taken should be ellis or gholston if available because the pats could use both and in the 2nd rd get a corner.

Guys, Wilfork wasn't a two-gapper either when he came into the league. A good coach can work wonders if the talent is there. I don't think Ellis' talent would be wasted here.

Also, I think there's a very real possibility that this is Seymour's last year as a Patriot. Unlike some, I still think he's among the best in the league at what he does (I'm also think he had a very underrated season last year), but his cap hit is going to be close to $10M next year. They're going to need to extend Wilfork soon, and it will be hard to justify dedicating that much money to the line. Wright will probably be gone too, and as much as I like Green as an interior pass-rusher, I'm not convinced that he's the best option as an every down lineman.

Another option that I haven't seen Mike pick would be Ryan Clady. I'm disappointed that O'Callaghan didn't win the job this year, and I don't think it's because Kaczur was so good. Also, Light's due to make over $5M next year (not terrible for a LT these days, but still kinda high...).