Patriots on the clock - CLOSED - LB Clay Matthews (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

1. Detroit Lions - QB Matt Stafford - 64%

2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jason Smith - 65%

3. KC Chiefs - OLB Aaron Curry - 44%

4. Seattle Seahawks - OT Eugene Monroe - 65%

5. Cleveland Browns - WR Michael Crabtree - 57%

6. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Andre Smith - 36.5%

7. Oakland Raiders - DT B.J. Raji - 32%

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Jeremy Maclin - 40%

9. Green Bay Packers - DE/LB Brian Orakpo - 40%

10. San Francisco 49ers - QB Mark Sanchez - 60%

11. Buffalo Bills - OT Michael Oher - 64%

12. Denver Broncos - DE Tyson Jackson - 49%

13. Washington Redskins - DE Robert Ayers - 25%

14. New Orleans Saints - CB Malcolm Jenkins - 42%

15. Houston Texans - OLB Brian Cushing - 31%

16. San Diego Chargers - LB Rey Maualuga - 31%

17. NY Jets - QB Josh Freeman - 24%

18. Denver Broncos - DE/LB Everette Brown - 30%

19. Tampa Bay Bucaneers - DT Peria Jerry - 54%

20. Detroit Lions - OT - Eben Britton - 28.5%

21. Philadelphia Eagles - RB Knowshon Moreno - 52%

22. Minnesota Vikings - WR/RB Percy Harvin - 43%

Patriots needs as per NFL.com

LB, S, RB, WR

Needs Analysis: The Patriots have enjoyed a successful offseason with their free-agent signings. They also have six picks in the top 100 in the draft and another six picks in the later rounds. They will package picks to move up in the draft and sell others for future selections because they realize 12 rookies can't make the team. If they don't land Julius Peppers or Jason Taylor, the Patriots might move up to take one of the top 3-4 outside linebacker candidates. A hybrid safety/cornerback such as Malcolm Jenkins also has to be on the Patriots radar screen. A running back with receiving skills might be a late-round consideration.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Maybin or Matthews here.

I think Clay Matthew is more of a BB type of player.

CLAY.

 

[the branded hand]

Clay all the way... Greene or Andre Brown in the second.

 

[Boston]

The Pats biggest exposure is at LB. They have Thomas and Mayo and a whole of questions after that. As it stands right now (i.e. if they don't add a veteran) I expect them to have a rookie or two be a part of their LB rotation in 2009. While I have no problem with a LB like Mathews here I'd prefer a LB that has the potential to really get to the QB...due to that I went with the English kid from Northern Illinois since he looks like he has some legit upside as a pass-rusking OLB in the 3-4 and the Pats are in dire need of that type of player.

All that being said I'd be real surprised if the Pats use this pick. Whether they deal for a veteran or trade-up I don't see them sitting tight at #23.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Pats have so many picks tomorrow, I love it.

If they don't make a trade to get a higher first round pick tomorrow,

I would really like to see them deal one of their 2nds for a 1st in 2010.

 

[ROCKET]

Watching this scenario only confirms my belief the Pats will be moving up. They are loaded with picks and I don't see them sitting back and watching all the impact guys come off the board. I think they move up somewhere between 8 and 16 for a OT/DE or DB. ETA: I think they address LB early in round 2 with a guy like Barwin or Sintim.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

V.Davis is the BPA here, although it does seem like the Pats are determined to move.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Watching this scenario only confirms my belief the Pats will be moving up. They are loaded with picks and I don't see them sitting back and watching all the impact guys come off the board. I think they move up somewhere between 8 and 16 for a OT/DE or DB. ETA: I think they address LB early in round 2 with a guy like Barwin or Sintim.

I'm loving all the NFL Network stories about teams desperate to trade down. Imagine Pioli trades 3 to NE and we get Curry. LOL.Expect the unexpected from the Dark Sith Lord. In Bill We Trust.

 

[Faust]

While it is doubtful that the Pats will stay with this pick, as they are one of the most active teams at trading up or down, Clay Matthews would be an excellent choice.

Silva mocks the following pick to the Patriots with this selection:

23. Patriots - Cincinnati DE/TE Connor Barwin

Barwin's amazing versatility will appeal to New England more than most teams. Capable of playing tight end, linebacker, and defensive end, Barwin is a logical replacement for Mike Vrabel. The Pats will likely invest in multiple pass rushers this weekend

 

[Ron_Mexico]

While it is doubtful that the Pats will stay with this pick, as they are one of the most active teams at trading up or down, Clay Matthews would be an excellent choice. Some boards have him as the top USC linebacker in this draft and if he is available here, he would be a good choice.Silva mocks the following pick to the Patriots with this selection:23. Patriots - Cincinnati DE/TE Connor BarwinBarwin's amazing versatility will appeal to New England more than most teams. Capable of playing tight end, linebacker, and defensive end, Barwin is a logical replacement for Mike Vrabel. The Pats will likely invest in multiple pass rushers this weekend

Bill love players who he can plug in at multiple positions,so Barwin would make a whole lot of sense.I still hope Clay is the pick, if he stays put at 23.

 

[Faust]

While it is doubtful that the Pats will stay with this pick, as they are one of the most active teams at trading up or down, Clay Matthews would be an excellent choice. Some boards have him as the top USC linebacker in this draft and if he is available here, he would be a good choice.Silva mocks the following pick to the Patriots with this selection:23. Patriots - Cincinnati DE/TE Connor BarwinBarwin's amazing versatility will appeal to New England more than most teams. Capable of playing tight end, linebacker, and defensive end, Barwin is a logical replacement for Mike Vrabel. The Pats will likely invest in multiple pass rushers this weekend

Bill love players who he can plug in at multiple positions,so Barwin would make a whole lot of sense.I still hope Clay is the pick, if he stays put at 23.

RM,Do you think Barwin will be available with one of the Patriots later picks?

 

[bostonfred]

Love the idea of trading up to get Curry, but I doubt it. Instead of choosing, I'd like to see them trade up and get both Davis and Matthews if things work out the way this mock did. Pat Kirwan also mentioned on an interview with WEEI this week that he thinks a trade for Peppers is still in play.

 

[Faust]

Love the idea of trading up to get Curry, but I doubt it. Instead of choosing, I'd like to see them trade up and get both Davis and Matthews if things work out the way this mock did. Pat Kirwan also mentioned on an interview with WEEI this week that he thinks a trade for Peppers is still in play.

I could see this playing out. Many analysts are commenting how the value in this draft is from picks 20 to 50 - and the Patriots have the ammunition to trade up to get both.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

I really think the Pats are going to be the big winners of this draft.

They're weighed down with solid picks. I would like to see them deal one of their

2nd rounders for a 1st in 2010, like they did with SF a few years back.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

It may be time to call this one for CLAY, Faust.

 

[Faust]

It may be time to call this one for CLAY, Faust.

Agreed. With the 23rd pick in the FBG consensus draft, the New England Patriots pick LB Clay Matthews

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Let's make it so.