[CrazyLou]

I say James Laurinaitis, LB from Ohio State. Patriots need more youth at the linebacker position badly.



Since the 49ers won a couple more games than projected, New England no longer has to make a decision to trade what could've been a #2 pick, so who do you guys see them taking?

[mv09]

Agreed

[imgv94]

Yes seems like the right pick.. Imagine if they got another WR though? To make that offense even more sick?

[CrazyLou]

Yeah it would. Donte Stallworth will likely not be a Patriot next year, they should resign Moss, they're going to take a big hit in losing Asante Samuel at CB unless they sign him to a huge long term deal. He's not taking hometown discount.

[imgv94]

Moss gets double teamed leaving Welker somewhat open on every play. If they had another big time playmaking WR they would be the funnest team to watch ever.

[harsh506]

LB seems right, but dont count out vernon ghoulsten who i think would help out even more opposite Seymour. It would be like an Osi/Strayhan combo. He has the work ethic that Belichek likes, but so does Laurenitis. But i definatly see them takin atleast 2more LB's and also a CB.

They have Oaklands pick in the 3rd so watch out for some talented players in the 3rd round

[imgv94]

Terell Thomas is under the radar a bit but he's going to be very good. If he's still around in the second round they should get em?

[outdrawed]

I went to PSU so I obviously hope there's some way Dan Connor ends up on the team.

[CrazyLou]

Originally Posted by imgv94

Terell Thomas is under the radar a bit but he's going to be very good. If he's still around in the second round they should get em?

That's a possibility, depends on if they keep Samuel or not. Another corner to consider would be Antoine Cason from Arizona. I personally think they should go ahead and pay Asante Samuel his money, he's big time.

[mofome]

Maualuga is the guy they should take.

[CrazyLou]

Originally Posted by mofome

Maualuga is the guy they should take.

He looked great today. I heard he'd return to USC for his senior year though.

[imgv94]

Pats should draft Fred Davis in the second or third RD. He's another stud from USC.

Athletic TE with good hands.

[mofome]

Originally Posted by crazyl

He looked great today. I heard he'd return to USC for his senior year though.

i would put the chances of him returning under 10%.

[el matador]

Maybe they should go for a QB like Booty, or Breenen, as a back up to Brady and then trade for the top ten QB in the draft. They will be more dominating...the Lb position does seem right though.

[CrazyLou]

I think they're content with Cassel and Gutierrez, but you never know. Whatever they deem to be an area of weakness I'm sure they'll address. Beyond the LB, I'd say their next biggest concern is a CB if Asante Samuel doesn't get the big payday.

Even Tom Brady took a significant cut to stay a Patriot, Peyton Manning and even Mike Vick had much more lucrative contracts. Brady could've easily got another $20M, but he said he felt it could be better allocated for the needs of the team. That's selfless, but he's still rich.

Will Asante have that same attitude? Probably not.

[Wheell]

I am almost willing to guarantee the pick gets traded. Top 10 picks are overvalued due to the fact they are slotted to make too much money relative to their production. Bellichick will trade the pick to get more draft picks in the cheaper rounds.

[B1GER1C828]

anyway u look at it..pats will be getting some younger defense(linebacker for sure...) i dnt see any other huge concerns except age at lb

[TexansFan]

I also think that they might trade the pick for additional ones.

[the_orangekat]

Originally Posted by crazyl

I say James Laurinaitis, LB from Ohio State. Patriots need more youth at the linebacker position badly.



Since the 49ers won a couple more games than projected, New England no longer has to make a decision to trade what could've been a #2 pick, so who do you guys see them taking?

I say you are right, almost a "no-brainer" assuming no one else grabs him.

[CrazyLou]

Originally Posted by TexansFan

I also think that they might trade the pick for additional ones.

They would've definitely traded the #2 pick, that's for sure. Even with the whole McFadden factor, they've already committed somewhat to Maroney and he's more talented than people give him credit for.

With them falling to pick #7 though, it's still possible they trade, but I also wouldn't be surprised at all to see them use it for themselves. They really need some youth in that LB position, they'll ultimately decide who the best LB available is and go from there. It could easily not be someone we're high on, they have great scouts.

[harsh506]

Originally Posted by crazyl

They would've definitely traded the #2 pick, that's for sure. Even with the whole McFadden factor, they've already committed somewhat to Maroney and he's more talented than people give him credit for.

With them falling to pick #7 though, it's still possible they trade, but I also wouldn't be surprised at all to see them use it for themselves. They really need some youth in that LB position, they'll ultimately decide who the best LB available is and go from there. It could easily not be someone we're high on, they have great scouts.

ya dont be shocked if u see a player from a D2 school coming up in the later rounds.

[walkingdude2]

Since they lost their original pick I don't think they will trade this one away.

After going 19-0 they will lose the least important first round choice. I wonder what they will do with the last pick? Will there be a little notation saying "lost due to spygate"?

[applepicks]

With their aging LB corps I'd say that the Little Road Warrior John Laurinaitis is the pick that the Pats make.

[CrazyLou]

Poor performance by Laurinaitis against LSU.

Patriots fans should just hope Maualuga declares, he'd be the MLB they're looking for.

[rickdee]

The pats havent taken a LB before round 5 since Belicheck has been there.. I see them trading this pick unless Mcfadden slips....They aren't going to have tons of money to pay a high draft pick after they sign Moss and Samuel....

[The Seer]

Originally Posted by applepicks

With their aging LB corps I'd say that the Little Road Warrior John Laurinaitis is the pick that the Pats make.

If he had trouble with the size and speed of the SEC, I don't think he will be a good choice for them. I think AJ HAwk was a much better player.

[harsh506]

I still stick with my Vernon Ghoulsten theory. Seymore and Ghoulsten with Wilfork in the middle..... Pure power

[Wrigley]

I also think James Laurinaitis

[Oscoda]

Laurinatis is staying in school. Ghoulston to replace Vrabel. I think he maybe thinking of retiring.

[Wrigley]

Now that Laurinatis is staying at OSU still think they need to draft defense unless they can trade down to get McFadden somehow

[eidolon]

I really don't think Bill will draft a LB first round.
My guess/thoughts is that they should definitely resign Asante(top 5 CB) and trade the 1st round pick for a good LB that will fit their team. That way you will save money by not drafting such a low pick in the draft, use that money on Asante, and you also aren't gambling on a LB if he will be good in the NFL or not. LB possibility: Porter?

[harsh506]

I think if they do trade it they will want atleast 2 picks this year and a first rounder next year.

If they can pick up maby a 2nd and a 3rd with a next years 1st rounder, i think they will do it. It will leave them with 2 2nd rounders and 3 3rd rounders, where they can still pick up quality players, without havin to dish out the money. This allows them to resine Samuel, as well as maby reach out for maby Terell Suggs in the future

[CrazyLou]

Originally Posted by harsh506

I think if they do trade it they will want atleast 2 picks this year and a first rounder next year.

If they can pick up maby a 2nd and a 3rd with a next years 1st rounder, i think they will do it. It will leave them with 2 2nd rounders and 3 3rd rounders, where they can still pick up quality players, without havin to dish out the money. This allows them to resine Samuel, as well as maby reach out for maby Terell Suggs in the future

I think this is an excellent post. Scott Pioli definitely has something up his sleeve, it may seem obvious to just take a very talented player in a 7 spot because it's not like they're exactly getting #2 money, but they have such tremendous scouts that they may already be locked onto a sure 2nd rounder. And if that's the case, they can extract more value out of trading their first rd pick.

[harsh506]

ive been lookin at some mock drafts, and it shows the pats near Steve Slaton in the 3rd round. If he is still there, I think they will take him. Slaton can fill in for Kevin Faulk, when Faulk decided to retire, and if need be, he has the skills to fill in for Marroney. I think he will be taken eirler, but if not watch out

[harsh506]

just wanted to bump this