#1 Carolina Panthers – QB Blaine Gabbert
#2 Denver Broncos – CB Patrick Peterson
#3 Buffalo Bills – DT Marcell Dareus
#4 Cincinnati Bengals – QB Cam Newton
#5 Arizona Cardinals – OLB Von Miller
#6 Cleveland Browns – WR A.J. Green
#7 San Francisco 49ers – DE Robert Quinn
#8 Tennessee Titans – QB Jake Locker
#9 Dallas Cowboys – CB Prince Amukamara
#10 Washington Redskins – WR Julio Jones
#11 Houston Texans – DT Nick Fairley
no commentsOver the next couple of days, all four writers for the blog will be participating in our NFL Draft Pick'em. The rules are simple: make a selection for each of the 32 first-round 2011 NFL draft picks. Correct picks count as 1 point. Correct trades count as 2 points. The person with the most points win.
If you'd like to play along, feel free. Just post your picks in the comments for this article or any of the articles where our four writers will list their picks.
The winner will receive a prize to-be-determined.
How would you react if the Patriots selected a quarterback with the #28 pick?
Jason: I would probably react by throwing my laptop through the TV. OK, maybe I like my TV a bit too much to do that, but I would not be pleased. I worry about Locker's accuracy (his completion percentage in college was less than 54 percent). The Patriots made Tom Brady the highest-paid QB in the league last year, so paying another QB first-round money to hold a clipboard would be a waste of resources. Maybe my TV isn't so safe after all.
What is your favorite Drew Bledsoe Moment?
Stephen: To be honest, my memories of the Patriots mostly date back to only Tom Brady as I didn't start watching football until I was 9 or 10 right when Brady took over for Bledsoe.
Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College
Herzlich was considered to be among the nation's top LB prospects in 2008 before bone cancer derailed his 2009 season. Though he seemed to be a step slower in his return to the field in 2010, he still showed excellent instincts and could easily develop into a solid starter if he does not have any further health setbacks.
K.J. Wright, OLB, Mississippi
Wright has average athelticism, but he has a solid frame at 6'3" and 245 pounds. He would likely need to add some muscle to be a three-down player. He has four years of experience as a starter and contributed on special teams. He would be a bit of a project, but he could provide depth with at least a little upside.
Thomas Keiser, OLB, Stanford
Keiser is a bit unpolished and would likely need a year or two to reach the point where he wouldn't be a liability as a starter. However, he has the elite size and athleticism that the Patriots covet (6'5", 244). He also is adept at rushing the passer, racking up 19.5 sacks in 27 games as a starter (plus 11 as a reserve).
Ross Homan, OLB, Ohio State
While their arch-rival in Happy Valley is known as Linebacker U, Ohio State has produced a number of productive linebackers in the NFL as well. Homan is a good tackler and is excellent against the run. He has been the unsung hero of Ohio State's defense, and he could end up being an excellent value late in the draft.
Doug Hogue, OLB, Syracuse
Much like Keiser, Hogue would need to add a little bit of bulk. He shows excellent hustle and could be an important asset on special teams. He is still raw, but has enough upside for the Patriots to gamble late in the draft.
Over the past four weeks, the Bloguin NFL bloggers have been participating in a mock draft. Bloggers from each team have made their selection.
Picking for the Pats at #17 and #28, I made the following selections.
#17 - J.J. Watt, DE from Wisconsin
The Patriots' top priority this off-season should be to improve the pass rush. While the outside linebacker position is a greater need for the Pats than defensive end, J.J. Watt provides the type of three-down value that Bill Belichick looks for in a first round pick. Watt is arguably the best 5-technique DE in the draft and should be able to start next to Vince Wilfork in the 3-4. Getting back to the pass rush, Watt is no slouch in that department, recording 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks this past season.
#28 - Nate Solder, OT from Colorado
With veteran left tackle Matt Light entering both the twilight of his career and free-agency, the Patriots look to the future and select his replacement with their second 1st round pick. Nate Solder is big, athletic, and nasty, which fits the bill of exactly what was lacking from New England's O-line during their playoff loss to the Jets. His work ethic and attitude should mesh well with that of Logan Mankins, assuming the disgruntled guard returns to the team. Together, the two should set the tone for the front line and create a wall of toughness to protect Tom Brady.
You can take a look at the entire mock draft, by clicking the link here. Picks #29-32 will be made over the next four days.
1. What is the primary need New England needs to address in this draft?
Last night, despite the current lockout situation in the NFL, the Patriots’ schedule was announced. New England’s fans are hungry to start the NFL up again especially after the way the season ended last year, a 28-21 loss in the AFC Divisional Playoffs to the archrival New York Jets. But, assuming we start the season on time, here are some tidbits about New England’s schedule as well as the top 5 games I am looking forward to this season:
First, here is the full schedule, found on NFL.com (all times are eastern)
Week 1 – Monday September 12th – Patriots at Dolphins – 7:00 ESPN
Weel 2 – Sunday September 18th – Chargers at Patriots – 4:15 CBS
Week 3 – Sunday September 25th – Patriots at Bills – 1:00 CBS
Week 4 – Sunday October 2nd – Patriots at Raiders – 4:15 CBS
Week 5 – Sunday October 9th – Jets at Patriots – 4:15 CBS
Week 6 – Sunday October 16th – Cowboys at Patriots – 4:15 FOX
Week 7 – Bye Week
Week 8 – Sunday October 30th – Patriots at Steelers – 4:15 CBS
Week 9 – Sunday November 6th – Giants at Patriots – 4:15 FOX
Week 10 – Sunday November 13th – Patriots at Jets – 8:20 NBC
Week 11 – Monday November 21st – Chiefs at Patriots – 8:30 ESPN
Week 12 – Sunday November 27th – Patriots at Eagles – 4:15 CBS
Week 13 – Sunday December 4th – Colts at Patriots – 8:20 NBC
Week 14 – Sunday December 11th – Patriots at Redskins – 1:00 CBS
Week 15 – Sunday December 18th – Patriots at Broncos – 4:15 CBS
Week 16 – Sunday December 24th – Dolphins at Patriots – 1:00 CBS
Week 17 – Sunday January 1st – Bills at Patriots – 1:00 CBS
Here are my top 5 games to look forward to, starting at number five:
Being a Patriots fan has been one of the most enjoyable and exciting parts of my life. When I look back at the past seventeen years, there's really one man to thank for this experience: Drew Bledsoe. As a young sports fan in North Jersey, I never liked to follow the crowd. Instead of going with the local teams, I chose my allegiences randomly. I'm a Timberwolves fan because I thought a hat of theirs was cool when I was nine years old. I'm an Orioles fan because I got caught up in Cal Ripken Jr.'s Iron Man streak. (As you can see, I've suffered an immense amount of needless pain from these decisions.) I became a Patriots fan because I liked Drew Bledsoe. Why Bledsoe? I have no idea. It probably had something to do with him being young, having a cool name, and being somebody that none of my other friends liked. But nevertheless, I liked Drew Bledsoe and so I like the Patriots. After swinging and whiffing badly on the first two teams, I finally managed to hit one out of the park with Drew and the Pats.
Within a few years of hopping on the Patriots' wagon, the team went from the league's cellar dwellers, to Super Bowl XXXI. You have no idea how big of a moment that was for me. My sister was much better at picking teams than I was, and I had just endured a four year stretch where her Cowboys had won three Super Bowls. None of my teams had ever sniffed a championship. Even though, I knew the Patriots' chances of beating the Packers were slim at best, I was just happy to have my team playing in the big game. Things were looking up and the Bledsoe/Parcells union appeared to be on track to creating a potential dynasty in New England.
For the weeks leading up to the 2011 Draft, we will be examine the Patriots’ biggest positions of need and compare the top prospects available. Today we will look at running backs.
For years, the Patriots have employed a running back-by-committee approach.
However, with the probable retirement of Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk recovering from ACL surgery and Sammy Morris all but gone, the once deep stable of backs needs an upgrade.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and Danny Woodhead was a versatile third-down option, but this group could use a more talented option as the main runner.
While this year’s draft class isn’t top heavy, there are three prospects who are worthy of an early-round pick: Mark Ingram, Mikel LeShoure and Ryan Williams.
Let’s take a look at these three and how they could fit in the Patriots’ offense.
Entering the season, everyone expected Mark Ingram to be a first-round lock.
But after a knee injury hampered him out of the gate, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner’s stock is slipping.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide star lacks elite timed speed, running a 4.62 at the combine at 5-foot-9, 215 pounds.
However, he rushed for 1,658 yards as a sophomore and has quick feet and good power.
He isn’t the ideal third-down option, but he did catch 60 passes during his three-year career.
If his knee checks out medically, he should be gone in the later part of round one. no comments
