Some guys that may or may not be on the big board by draft day…
WEEI: New picks for Patriots in new mock
WEEI: New picks for Patriots in new mock
17. New England [from OAK (8-8)] Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri The decision between Smith and J.J. Watt would be a very tough one, and though Watt might have a more successful NFL career, the Patriots might not get a crack at a top pass-rusher if they wait until 28th pick rolls around to address it. The concern for a guy like Smith is the one-year wonder tag, and he’ll need to convince 3-4 teams like the Patriots that he’s capable of playing outside linebacker at the next level.
28. New England (14-2) Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State The Patriots took a tight end coming off back surgery last year, so this would be a boring class if it didn’t include a defensive lineman coming off Tommy John surgery, no? Heyward doesn’t have the same potential as Watt, but he has the NFL bloodlines, carries himself in a very professional manner and would be a fixture on the defensive line with Vince Wilfork and a healthy Ty Warren.
If these were the two picks in the first round I’d be very happy. I go back and forth on Heyward. Some say his motor runs hot and cold, but a lot of the game tape I’ve seen of him makes me think he’s the closest thing to a true Patriots 34 defensive end in this draft.
As for Smith it just comes down to how great his FBI (football intelligence) is. He has the physical size, but everything else is a mystery to all of us.
So if the Patriots deemed Smith and Heyward worthy of the first round selections I’d be excited because they’d be adding two players at areas of real need on the defense. This would also provide potential new pass rush solutions from both the OLB and DL spots.
Technically this isn’t Patriots-related but come on, it’s the off-season and we can all use a laugh on a lock-out Monday.
(Source: http://www.funnyordie.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/technically-this-isnt-patriots-related-but-come/
In taking a look back at Belichick’s draft-day trades, 25 have been trades down the board and/or those that give the team a selection in a future draft, and 15 draft-day trades have been a move up.
Mike Reiss
https://www.patspropaganda.com/in-taking-a-look-back-at-belichicks-draft-day/
Frenz: Breaking down prospects who have been privately worked out by the Patriots
Frenz: Breaking down prospects who have been privately worked out by the Patriots
Impressive job done here by Frenz, interesting stuff about some prospects I knew, and a bunch I didn’t. A private workout of course signifies at least marginal interest in the player, but whether or not they can pick up concepts quickly, demonstrate they are/will be fully healthy, and have all the game film to back it up, we can never know for sure.
They wanted a closer look, but that doesn’t mean they’re fully vested in the player yet.
A little video flashback on this Sunday, here’s Fitzy’s trip to Indianapolis in 2007. You’ve gotta have big balls to walk into that place with a Brady-Moss shirt. Of course the best part of the video is knowing how disappointingly it ended for the Colts fans.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/a-little-video-flashback-on-this-sunday-heres/
This could be the perfect year for Belichick to move up to grab a difference maker, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him do that. But his history says he is more likely to package picks to trade down, and move at least one pick for a selection in a higher round in 2012. Given the flexibility he has—he could do all three.
The great advantage the Patriots have over most organizations in the draft game is they are not looking at the draft as a way to stop bleeding. They are looking at the draft as a way to make the muscle bigger. Theirs is a long-term program, and the way they keep multiplying picks is a self perpetuating process.
National Football Post (MUST READ ALERT)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/this-could-be-the-perfect-year-for-belichick-to/