PatsPropaganda

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2013 draft

Patriots and AFC East 2013 NFL mock draft roundup – Going Deep – Boston.com

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Patriots and AFC East 2013 NFL mock draft roundup – Going Deep – Boston.com

Good solid work from Frenz rounding up a bunch of AFC East mocks. The Pats selections:

Good cross section that represents the various points of view from Patriots fans from around the internet. Even if the players aren’t right I’d say this is likely the only three positions they could take in the first, though everyone can probably agree that a trade down makes sense this year. Even more so because of the talent at all three positions.

Mock Drafting: Picking for the 2012 schemes or 2013 potential evolutions?

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I am really agonizing over this final mock draft, as you can probably tell from my double posts today sharing my thoughts on putting it together. 

Ultimately here’s what it comes down to: Do I pick the guys for how the 2012 Patriots ran things? Or do I pick the guys for how I think the 2013 Patriots should evolve?

The easiest example of this is on the defensive line where I’ve written ad nauseum about the need for pass rush in the base defense. While I have stats to back that argument up, it’s impossible to know if they want to stick with the “double-nose” base.

If they want to stick with that there are plenty of options like Jesse Willams or Johnathan Hankins at the top of the draft. But if I stay true to how I think they should evolve I would take someone like Sylvester Wiliams or Kawann Short.

Same thing goes for receivers. Ideally a tall outside threat seems like the missing piece, so someone like Justin Hunter would make sense. But maybe the Pats like their offense built around possession receivers just fine, so that would put those 6’0" or under into play as well.

Wish there were some perfect guys who are a combination of both but I don’t see anyone clear cut. 

Why not a WR in the first and a WR in the second?

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Making the final push here on the last mock draft, and given what the Pats really truly need I’m wondering right now why couldn’t they go with two wide receivers with their first two picks? Not sure I’m ready to pull the trigger on that just yet for the mock, but right now I think it really makes sense.

Why? Well let’s be realistic about the Pats other needs. Outside of receiver, every other starter returns on both sides of the ball. You can make plenty of arguments for other needs, especially in the long-term interest of the team, but none compare to level of need at receiver.

Defensive End? Sure. Ninkovich is in the last year of his deal. Though it still seems plausible that John Abraham or even Dwight Freeney could be added. No one knows what to expect out of Jermaine Cunningham or Justin Francis. Same goes for Armond Armstead, even if many are projecting him as a defensive tackle. Still, I don’t see defensive end as a critical need, even for camp competition. Give me a designated pass rushing veteran and they’re pretty much set there for 2013 in my view.

What about cornerback? All the starters return and though no one is counting on Ras-I Dowling for anything, it’s not a critical situation there either.

If there’s one thing that seems clear to me, it’s that the Patriots must get an impact wide receiver in the draft. They need it for 2013, and they need it for the long term. 

So why not mitigate risk and take two receivers with the first two picks? There are a number of talented ones that will go in the top two rounds of the draft. Receivers of all shapes and sizes. Taking two ensures one of them should get it. And who knows, maybe both will and the Pats will be set on offense for the foreseeable future.

Everyone knows how hard the Pats offense is on receivers, and everyone knows the history of misses on them both in the draft and free agency. I won’t argue that wide receiver is the most vital position on the field, it’s far from it, and I think no matter who is on the outside, the Pats should be okay this year.

But if they truly want to build another explosive offense they still need to add pieces at the position because there is not enough talent there at the moment.

I’m narrowing down my favorite receivers now, and by next Thursday will make a decision on what the best fits are, but right now I can see a lot of reasons why a double-dip right at the top makes sense.

Some draft catch-up…

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Looking forward to being the Patriots draft correspondent for Bleacher Report next week. I’ll have live analysis, grades and updated mock drafts every night. Frenz and I will bang out a podcast or two as well. It’s the highlight of the offseason and things will be fast and furious here at the Ministry of PatsPropaganda.

Here’s some of my recent draft work to get you caught up on anything you might’ve missed.

2013 PatsPropaganda Patriots-Only Top-50 Draft Board

Who Do Patriots Fans Want in the First Round of the 2013 NFL Draft?

8 Late-Round Prospects Who Would Be a Perfect Match for Patriots

The Biggest Questions for Patriots Heading into the 2013 NFL Draft

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Draft Day Creeping Near | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft

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2013 NFL Mock Draft: Draft Day Creeping Near | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft

We’ll try to get as many Pats-centric mocks from those we trust up over the next 10 days. Now that the real need board is set, it’s time to zero in on the prospects.

Here’s the first from James Christensen at NEPatriotsDraft.com..

29. New England Patriots Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee Adding Hunter to Amendola, Jones and Edelman is just what the Patriots need after losing Emmanuel Sanders back to the Steelers. At 6’4″ and running a 4.44 forty, Hunter is the deep threat that the Patriots need, but he is quite raw. I’d like this pick a lot better if the Patriots traded down into the low 30′s – think Philadelphia – and landed a 4th or 5th round pick as well. There are a host of defensive backs available here as well, but I truly think the Patriots might be set at the position as Alfonzo Dennard is good to go. Defensive and offensive line are also in play here.

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Whether it’s in the first, second or third round, I think it’s clear that the Patriots need to come out of the 2013 draft with a receiver. That, to me, is the most compelling storyline for the club this year because of the limited picks at the position in Bill Belichick’s tenure (nine in 13 years), and also the team’s struggles to consistently draft and develop prospects at the position

Quick-hit thoughts on Pats and around NFL – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

This is becoming a pretty clear consensus amongst just about everyone who covers the Pats in any capacity. Brady better have some patience with whoever they take.

Also a good mention later in this link about the Pats looking at coverage linebackers as well. Count me in for that one too, though I haven’t ruled Dane Fletcher out.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/whether-its-in-the-first-second-or-third-round/