Patch Presents: Patriots NFL Draft Preview

With the NFL Draft set to kick off this evening, Medfield Patch editor, and diehard Patriots' fan, Jeremie Smith discussed the upcoming NFL Draft and state of the Patriots with fellow Patch editors and Pats fans, Jeffrey Pickette of Stoughton Patch and Mike Gleason of Wrentham Patch

The editors were asked to consider a number of issues for this year's draft. Their responses follow.

What do you think is the most interesting aspect of this year’s draft? 

Mike Gleason: I think the lack of a slam-dunk quarterback is very interesting this year. All of this year’s prospects have fairly serious red flags. Auburn’s Cam Newton is one of the most suspect number-one guys in years — some think he was the product of a very friendly, one-read system in college, and his mechanics aren’t ideal for the pro game.

Jeffrey Pickette: For me, it’s the lack of free agency before the draft. Usually teams have been able to plug some holes and add some new players prior to the draft.  Does this mean more teams draft for need this year?

Jeremie Smith: Similar to what Jeff is referring to, I think the lockout has cast a dark cloud over the draft for many fans and it has put teams in a unique and unfamiliar situation of not knowing entirely what the make-up of their team will be for the upcoming season due to the lack of free agency and other transactions. To answer Jeff's question, I do believe more teams will draft on need rather than depth and it may have a negative impact on unrestricted free agents, whenever that period begins. 

What are the Patriots’ draft needs?

MG: Last year was extremely successful, and the team has a good cache of young talent. Still, the team had several very glaring needs. The Pats need pass rushers who don’t just pinball off opposing quarterbacks. They need a wide receiver who can open things up downfield (Deion Branch’s late-season resurgence was wonderful, but they can’t count on a full season of production from him). They need to refresh their offensive line, which is stealthily aging.

Some will say the team needs a running back, but I wouldn’t draft one early. Even successful running backs have a short shelf-life, and the multi-headed hydra that was the Patriots running game last year was good enough to finish ninth in the league. I’d love to see BenJarvus Green-Ellis get a shot to carry the load.

JP: I second what you say, Mike.  A pass rusher, whether it be a defensive lineman or a linebacker, is a must. A good pass rush disguises weaknesses in the secondary. This draft is supposed to be very deep at defensive line, and looking back at Belichick’s draft history, perhaps his best first round picks have been defensive lineman (Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork).

The offensive line needs to be addressed, as Matt Light and Logan Mankins could depart this offseason. From there I’d take a look at wide receiver, running back and the secondary, not necessarily in that order.  I don’t think the team should spend a high pick on a running back (Laurence Maroney anyone?), but if Mark Ingram is there, perhaps Belichick and company will be tempted. The offense could always use more explosiveness. Leigh Bodden should return from injury to form a solid 1-2 pair with Devin McCourty at corner, but I’m not sold on Brandon Meriweather at safety - too hit or miss. And does Darius Butler improve? What about Jonathan Wilhite? I’d like to see the team draft a solid corner to push those two for slot corner.

JS: We are all in agreement here regarding the Patriots' needs. There is simply no bigger need on this roster than a legitimate pass rusher that can SACK the quarterback. I believe you find this in the draft at defensive end, such as Muhammad Wilkerson (if available) out of Temple, who fits the hybrid model of defensive end/outside linebacker that Bill Belichick targets. Another option could be Cameron Jordan out of California or defensive lineman Cameron Heyward out of Ohio State. Bottom line in the first round, the Pats need to address the pass rush and with two picks in the round, are well equipped to do so. 

As for the rest of the Patriots' needs, offensive line ranks second to the pass rush. Like Jeff said, the left side of the line could be gone once the season begins and Matt Light isn't getting any younger protecting Tom Brady's blindside. In the later rounds, I would like to see the team address the wide receiver, running back and secondary positions. Like Mike said, the Pats need a wideout that can stretch the field and open up Wes Welker and Deion Branch and keep defenses honest. I have been calling for a more balanced offensive attack since Corey Dillon became ineffective at running back and ultimately retired. A bruising back to carry the load and eat clock only makes Brady better and that style of offense helped deliver three Super titles to Foxborough. If Mark Ingram is on the board, I would not be upset if the Pats grabbed him – but I still prefer the pass rush to be addressed early as it is the most glaring need. 

Who might fill those needs?

JP: I’m a sucker for taking offensive positions in the draft.  If I were the Pats general manager, I would have taken Dez Bryant last year over McCourty and David Terrell back in 2001 over Seymour.  Now you see why I’m a Patch editor and just a Patriots fan. 

So, you understand why I’m intrigued by Ingram. Belichick’s good friend Nick Saban coached Ingram at Alabama, so BB figures to have the book on him.

On the defensive side, in addition to Cal Defensive End Cameron Jordan, Ohio State’s Cam Heyward is a versatile defensive lineman and I like Brooks Reed from Arizona a possible DE/LB. I figure the Pats will take at least one Alabama or Florida player, as Belichick has strong relationships with both coaches.

But here’s the thing about the Patriots and the draft—trying to predict what they are going to do or which player they will select is a crapshoot. We all just assume Belichick will try to trade 2011 picks for 2012 picks and beyond, but perhaps this is the year BB uses his ammo and trades up. BB works the draft process like no other.  He’s also bound to take someone we’ve never heard of that will turn out to be a stud (Mankins and McCourty come to mind).

MG: I’m incredibly high on Cameron Jordan. From what I’ve heard, he would project very well as an end in the Patriots scheme, and he’s lauded for versatility. Belichick loves versatility. Enough said.

It’s more likely that I win the lottery tomorrow than the Patriots use their second pick in the first round.

I’m also intrigued by Pitt’s Jonathan Baldwin, the consensus third wide receiver behind AJ Green and Julius Jones.  He’s drawn comparisons to San Diego’s Vincent Jackson, and has the jump-ball ability that the Pats lost when Randy Moss left.

JS: As I mentioned above, I would really like to see a defensive end/outside linebacker with strong pass rush skills and to be honest, I don't care who it is. In Bill We Trust. Every year I get involved in these mock drafts and target certain college players wanting them to become Patriots and (almost) every year Belichick pulls a 180, grabs a player few have heard of and hits a home run. I would not be shocked if Belichick trades both picks in round one to move up or trades down from 17 to acquire even more picks later, the possibilities are endless on a BB draft board - all I want to see the Pats do is grab a big-time pass rusher. 

Did it mean anything that the Pats interviewed quarterback prospects Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett?

JP: No, I don’t believe the Patriots will be taking a quarterback in the early rounds. The Patriots have too many other pressing needs. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a QB is taken with one of the Patriots first three draft slots (17,28,33). If there is a run on QBs or a team wants to trade back into the first round or to the top of the second round to land a signal caller, the Patriots’ phone should be ringing in their draft war room. And we know how much Bill Belichick likes to trade picks and stockpile for future drafts.

That being said, grooming an heir for Tom Brady is a must down the road.  Steve Young and Aaron Rodgers helped lesson the impact when Joe Montana and Brett Favre left their teams. This wasn’t the case for the Broncos when John Elway retired or for the Dolphins when Dan Marino retired. You can argue those franchises still aren’t the same.

MG: Probably not. Although it may soon be time to start thinking about Brady’s successor, Locker’s price tag will likely be too high — especially given the lack of a slam-dunk QB prospect this draft.

It’s a shame, too, because Locker could easily fit the bill as a long-term backup/eventual successor to Brady. He has all the physical attributes an NFL quarterback needs, but his accuracy is near-comical at times. Three or four years behind an established veteran would do him good — I think he’s a near-certain bust if he has to start right away.

JS: I didn't look much into the Pats interviewing quarterbacks. As mentioned earlier in this Q&A, the quarterback prospects this year are anything but top notch, meaning any could fall to later rounds in the draft. I think BB and staff were just doing their due diligence and looking into every scenario at merely every position. You will hear people saying the team has to draft a quarterback for the future but the team didn't do that when Drew Bledsoe was in town ... Brady was a fortunate and unique situation that doesn't come around too often. Brady was as good as he's been last season and showed me two things: He still loves to play the game and he still has a lot left in the tank. Expect the Pats to draft a quarterback in the final day of the draft and run him through training camp. If they like what they see, he'll stick around and learn from one of the best in the game, but I don't see them burning a high pick on a position that is not an immediate need, especially with the lack of free agency this off-season. 

NFL Draft Viewing Party at CBS Sports Scene in Foxborough

Head to the heart of Patriots Nation to watch the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and see what the Pats do with their two first round picks. Here's what the CBS Scene offers on draft day: 135 high-definition screens just steps outside the gates of Gillette Stadium. Visit The Hall presented by Raytheon before you head over and present your ticket stub for 10 percent off your food purchase. From 6 to 9 p.m. enjoy buy one, get one free appetizer specials, and $2.99 Budweiser drafts.

The NFL Draft will air on ESPN and the NFL Network at 8 p.m. Thursday.