With the first round pick (1 Viewer)

[chris1969]

Limas Sweed WR Texas.

They would love to have Mcfadden, but he won't be there. I know most people think they would trade down. But, If they don't have the cap room for Moss, I think this guy would be a great replacement. He doesn't have Moss type speed. But he's a huge athletic mismatch and would be a good compliment to Welker and Stallworth.

 

[paulbertini]

not happening. moss will be a patriot. he is a selfish player and although winning superbowls are important to players... moss wants to be known as the greatest wide reciever in football history and new england is where that will happen. they will work something out to keep him there. brady will push for it. and what brady wants, brady gets. i think the pats take that Laurenitis LB kid out of Ohio State. Hes awsome and there linebacking core is what needs help with everyone aging.

 

[Festivus]

I'd expect Moss to be in NE because he's producing, but not because Brady is calling the shots. Brady wanted them to pay Branch

 

[chris1969]

As you mentioned he is selfish and he took a pay cut to go to NE. He's gonna want to get that money back and more. I can see the owner of the Cowboys salivating of the thought of lining Moss next to T.O. I can also see Favre asking for Moss again this year. If one of those teams outbid NE, what's to keep Moss from going there? He can be the greaset WR ever on any team with great weapons.

 

[Serenity Now]

The Pats will trade down and get better value.

 

[Ned]

i'll eat my hat if the pats actually use the sf pick. they will trade down.

 

[RUSF18]

The Pats will trade down and get better value.

Trading down isn't as easy as it used to be...teams aren't willing to move the picks and have to pay top 5 salaries.

 

[Marc Levin]

The Pats will trade down and get better value.

Trading down isn't as easy as it used to be...teams aren't willing to move the picks and have to pay top 5 salaries.

Agree - and this could be the only time in the next 10 years the Pats have a shot at such a high draft spot.My guess is they spend the pick on the defensive side of the ball, probably on whoever they rate as their #1 LB (is Lofton worth that high a pick?) or #1 CB. I think they have to re-sign Assante Samuel and Harrison is aging, so I am guessing they go D backfield. They also could use another speedster on ST to free Welker from the sole PR/KR duties.Moss Welker and Stallworth will all be back, IMO, so they will use the pick and use it at a need position rather than developing a WR. They will draft someone who will start for them next year and help them repeat this year's performance. They also could afford an "unsexy" pick and go for the highest rated LT in the draft and groom him for a year or two to protect Brady's blind side for the next 10 years.They are in the bird's nest right now and have no need to trade down.

 

[Serenity Now]

The Pats will trade down and get better value.

Trading down isn't as easy as it used to be...teams aren't willing to move the picks and have to pay top 5 salaries.

It's worked pretty well for them over the years.

 

[Marc Levin]

BTW, in jest here, but the Dolphins are a team that would be willing to take that high first round pick off of them for next year's #1 and a couple of #2 picks in this draft.

 

[Marc Levin]

The Pats will trade down and get better value.

Trading down isn't as easy as it used to be...teams aren't willing to move the picks and have to pay top 5 salaries.

It's worked pretty well for them over the years.

When was the last time the Pats had a top-5 pick?

 

[Pat Patriot]

The Pats will trade down and get better value.

Trading down isn't as easy as it used to be...teams aren't willing to move the picks and have to pay top 5 salaries.

It's worked pretty well for them over the years.

When was the last time the Pats had a top-5 pick?

Richard Seymour (#6) and they made that pick. There is not a lot of precedent (none actually) for this regime trading out of the top 5. I dont know why everyone assumes they will. If they dont like the players at the top of the draft, they will attempt to trade down, if they like someone, they will pick them. The Pats arent cheap. The cap is going up significantly again next year. The Pats will have room for Moss and their #1 even if they pick in the top 5.What they wont do is trade the #5 pick in the draft for 2 #2's and a #1 next year.

 

[David Yudkin]

Very, very unlikely that would the Pats use an early pick on a WR, especially not a Top 5 pick. If the Pats keep the pick, look for them to take DL help. The Pats have been very vocal about NOT taking an early round LB (and have never done so in the BB era), so that would be equally unlikely.

Be prepared for the Pats to have Moss, Welker, Jackson, and Gaffney at WR next year.

 

[WhoDat]

Sweed is a Day One player but he is not a first round player. It is a shallow class at WR, which will help Sweed, but I cannot see a team taking him in the first 32 picks.

 

[Marc Levin]

What they wont do is trade the #5 pick in the draft for 2 #2's and a #1 next year.

BTW, in jest here,

 

[Balco]

Very, very unlikely that would the Pats use an early pick on a WR, especially not a Top 5 pick. If the Pats keep the pick, look for them to take DL help. The Pats have been very vocal about NOT taking an early round LB (and have never done so in the BB era), so that would be equally unlikely.Be prepared for the Pats to have Moss, Welker, Jackson, and Gaffney at WR next year.

Agree here. Can't see the Pats taking receiver so early especially if it is a top 5 pick. I was at the draft several years back, and I remember Patriot fans almost rioted when the Pats took Richard Seymour instead of David Terrell. Worked out pretty well for them, no?A guy like Chris Long fits in well, if they decide to not trade down. Can play 3-4 end or outside linebacker. BB loves versatile guys on D.

 

[Marc Levin]

Very, very unlikely that would the Pats use an early pick on a WR, especially not a Top 5 pick. If the Pats keep the pick, look for them to take DL help. The Pats have been very vocal about NOT taking an early round LB (and have never done so in the BB era), so that would be equally unlikely.

My gut says they keep the pick and spend it on a CB or down lineman from either side of the ball.

 

[awesomeness]

i'll eat my hat if the pats actually use the sf pick. they will trade down.

i'll hold you to that if your a man of your word.

 

[J Andersson]

Sweed is a Day One player but he is not a first round player. It is a shallow class at WR, which will help Sweed, but I cannot see a team taking him in the first 32 picks.

I agree - I think he'll run a slow enough forty to fall out of the first round - furthermore the lack of true star power from senior WRs will make guys like Malcolm Kelly and James Hardy declare. Imo both are much better options than Sweed.However, the Pats won't draft a WR early in this draft no matter if they trade down or not!

 

[David Yudkin]

Very, very unlikely that would the Pats use an early pick on a WR, especially not a Top 5 pick. If the Pats keep the pick, look for them to take DL help. The Pats have been very vocal about NOT taking an early round LB (and have never done so in the BB era), so that would be equally unlikely.

My gut says they keep the pick and spend it on a CB or down lineman from either side of the ball.

I don't disagree that at some point they will likely have to address CB if they can't keep Asante, but they would be more apt to pay Samuel what they would have to give a Top 5 rookie CB.I can see NE trading down and collecting picks for next year in return like they did with SF this past draft. I know it's getting more and more difficult to do that, but unless the Pats are in love with someone they will consider trading out of that pick.Of note, the only remaining playing from most recent draft is Meriweather. All their other picks are already gone.

 

[Pat Patriot]

What they wont do is trade the #5 pick in the draft for 2 #2's and a #1 next year.

BTW, in jest here,

Sorry, missed that part.

 

[Bri]

Very, very unlikely that would the Pats use an early pick on a WR, especially not a Top 5 pick. If the Pats keep the pick, look for them to take DL help. The Pats have been very vocal about NOT taking an early round LB (and have never done so in the BB era), so that would be equally unlikely.Be prepared for the Pats to have Moss, Welker, Jackson, and Gaffney at WR next year.

You're probably right in that they go DT given the amazing talent they've drafted on the DL the last so many years. However, I'd like to see them grab a top T. The always reliable Light has had some off games this year especially against Indy. I believe a DT is supposed to go #1, that guy from LSU, so I figure another DT that high is unlikely.

 

[Marc Levin]

I know it's getting more and more difficult to do that, but unless the Pats are in love with someone they will consider trading out of that pick.

I could see them trying to move down to the 8-10 range, but I don't think they will receive enough value back to move lower than that. Their ability to move down, IMO, also depends on how much hype the QBs get going into the draft. That is the only position I could see generating sufficient hype for a team to want to move up. Teams are willing to move up to leapfrog other teams in the hopes of getting their desired sexy player, but the Pats will have a tough time moving down unless there is a specific hot-shot offensive prospect on the line.That is why I see them staying where they are and selecting a LT or DL. I could also see them drafting a CB even if they pay Samuel. In fact, I could see them franchising Samuel while still drafting a CB. After all, you need two CBs. Either way, I expect them to address the defensive backfield at an early point in this draft, even if it is just a first day safety.

 

[Marc Levin]

P.S. - I think the Dolphins will steal any trade down prospects from the Pats - I could easily see them trading out of the McFadden/QB derby to gather more picks and they will be in a better spot to do that since they will have the #1 or #2 spot.

 

[David Yudkin]

I know it's getting more and more difficult to do that, but unless the Pats are in love with someone they will consider trading out of that pick.

I could see them trying to move down to the 8-10 range, but I don't think they will receive enough value back to move lower than that. Their ability to move down, IMO, also depends on how much hype the QBs get going into the draft. That is the only position I could see generating sufficient hype for a team to want to move up. Teams are willing to move up to leapfrog other teams in the hopes of getting their desired sexy player, but the Pats will have a tough time moving down unless there is a specific hot-shot offensive prospect on the line.That is why I see them staying where they are and selecting a LT or DL. I could also see them drafting a CB even if they pay Samuel. In fact, I could see them franchising Samuel while still drafting a CB. After all, you need two CBs. Either way, I expect them to address the defensive backfield at an early point in this draft, even if it is just a first day safety.

The Pats can't franchise Samuel again. They had a deal that if he played a certain % of defensive downs and the team won at least 12 games that they could not franchise him. As far as I know, Samuel has played more than that percentage to date by a fair margain.

 

[Marc Levin]

Thanks for the info, Dave. I did nt know that.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Of note, the only remaining playing from most recent draft is Meriweather. All their other picks are already gone.

Not quite true. They still have Oscar Lua, but he's on injured reserve.But it is amazing that, given their history, they've basically gotten nothing out of this year's draft class other than a situational/reserve role out of Meriweather (16 tackles).