Today's draft Q&A with Mike Reiss

The Patriots will trade up with the Texans to grab DE LSU Tyson as the PATS will sign Wilfork to a long term deal and let Seymour go for his eventual younger replacement. He is the best 3-4 end and a beast and hoodie knows it...we give up our 1 and late 2nd to move up 8 or so spots

Mike,

There has been a lot of talk about the money paid to top ten draft picks, so, I was curious to know if there has been any analysis on the contract offers these players would get if they were considered unrestricted free agents. I think they are over paid, but the owners did this to themselves. The owners use past and present (slotting) contracts as a reference to get deals done as opposed to all contracts by position. For rookies, they even pay premiums for positions like QB, but don't do the opposite with positions like safety and ILB. As far as I am aware, there are no rules forcing the owners to pay the ridiculus amounts. Is that correct? If so, the owners could fix this now without even re-visiting the CBA.

Thanks for passing along the thoughts, AJ. On the contract offers to top10 picks if they were unrestricted free agents, that's a tough analysis L-train, because so much of what determines a free agent's value is what he did on the field the last 1-2-3-4 years in the NFL. I appreciate the thought, and you are right, there is no rule forcing owners to pay these salaries. I think the idea is to collectively bargain a better solution, rather than take matters into their own hands.
--Mike

Mike, I'm a little early, but hopefully you can reply...

It seems like no one expects the Patriots to choose anything but a LB or CB with the 23rd pick. Seeing how Bill never seems to do the expected, I'm wondering what offensive player is a possible selection? I love the idea of selecting Pettigrew and giving Brady a TE to throw to. Watson and Thomas didn't get the job done last year and Baker is just OK.

JeffThanks, Jeff

You have Ayers slipping to the Pats in your mock pick and list several other good defenders available at #23. Who do you see them targetting at #34 since at least a few should slip that far? Why do you see Ayers slipping?

Hi Jeff. I was going through the roster last night and sort of soured on the TE possibility. I was thinking more of an OL if they go on that side of the ball. They have 11 of their 14 offensive linemen in the last year of their contract. I was thinking TE would be an outside shot, maybe 10 percent, if they have a good report on Pettigrew.
--Mike

Do you think the Pats are in trouble if Tom Brady goes down again?

With the loss of Heath Evans to free agency, are there any solid fullback-type players in this draft that intrigue the Pats, and if so, who might they be? Thanks! Your column is great! Keep up the good work,

Mike,
The Patriots will always surprise people with their moves. Since a few of the players they seem interested in like Connor Barwin, Evander Hood, Larry English and others are borderline late 1st and early to mid 2nd round picks. Do you think the Patriots would consider trading the 23rd pick to another team for a 2009 2nd round pick and a 2010 first round pick. Several teams including the Broncos, Bengals have had poor drafts and need players immediately. In addition, the move could allow money to be available to sign Wolfork, Mankins and others.

Hi Mike,
Watching the Pats last year, I became a big Gary Guyton fan. In reading through your mailbags, readers don't seem to hold him in the same high regard. Is it just me? Do you also have high hopes for Guyton?

I'm still scratching my head on the Cassell / Vrabel deal - what are hoodies plans with the extra cap room etc...Julius Peppers still in the mix?

Mike, what about the Brown (RB UCONN) possibility I have seen bandied about?

Isn't conerback still the biggest need? there seems to be more talent in the DE LB areas that would be there at #34. I believe a stud RB will still be available then too.

Mike,
I know that he isn't the ultimate answer but why don't the pat's bring Rosie Colvin back? He played well at the end of last season and his contract money would not be that much...

Where is everyone.... If Moreno, Butler, Matthews, English or Mauluga were available at 23 and not 34 who do you think they'd take?

Where is everyone.... If Moreno, Butler, Matthews, English or Mauluga were available at 23 and not 34 who do you think they'd take?

Mike -
What are the chances that the Patriots will draft Pat White?

Mike -
What are the chances that the Patriots will draft Pat White?

On a scale of 1 to 10, what do you think the odds of acquiring Julius Peppers are? I know it would be difficult to pull off, but I would LOVE to see what Belichick could do with him.
-Nick, Belchertown

Patriots re-signing of Kenny Smith-insurance for Wilfork or means Pats won't go DLine early on Sat? I know thaqt he is experienced with Oakland, but could he actually p\ay before the arm injury?

Do you think it's possible we might go after one of the 3 USC linebackers if they are still available at 23?

If Aaron Curry drops to the tenth pick, the Pats trade up to get him and forget about inside linebacker for the next 10 years. He and Jerod Mayo, behind Wilfork would allow the lowest rushing average in the league. Even lower than the Steelers.

Again, if the Bengals had to use the Patriots blue print as a successful franchise, the were ranked the least successful franchise, who would they have to hire away for Coach, President, Head of Scouting, Capologist, and a great OL coach like Dante to make Lemonade out of lemons.

My thoughts were Cowher, Casserly, Tannenbaum, and the OL Coach of Denver who uses a light and mobile OL
Thank you,

N.
Both a Pats and a Bengals Fan

Zack,
In the group I watch the NFL with - we're all huge Guyton fans. It's not the fact he's fast but he uses that speed in traffic. And yeah, the (law firm) RB is high on the list too. Would love to see both develop as full-time players.

Not alot of people are talking about the center class this year. The top 3 all play multiple positions and can be along the line playing guard. This type of versatility is what the Pats are all about and they need an injection of youth on their offensive line.
It's an area hardly anyone talks about; but, I think it is an almost certainty they pick one of these guys in round 2 or 3.

Mike do you think that stud like Ayers would be a good fit if hes there at 23 and then draft Larry English or say Darius Butler at 34?

I can't believe the Falcons just got Tony Gonzalez for a 2nd round pick in 2010....I guess any talk of 'favors' between BB & SP weren't correct.....if Pioli wanted to 'hook us back up' he would have delivered Gonzalez to us for our 2nd rounder.....NEXT YEAR. Man, how nice would it have been to have TG lining up at TE next year....seriously......who would the defense keyed on then?? Not that our O is anything bad, but TG would have eliminated ANY flaws whatsover.....the only concern would have been fullback and if the OL can guard any passrush.....darnit.....