By now you're probably reaching the saturation point for draft coverage and good news, we've still got a whole month to go. As we saw a couple days ago with the conflicting reports regarding Tim Tebow wanting to say a pre-Wonderlic prayer and being shot down with a firm STFU, we're reaching the point where alot of misinformation is being released. I have little doubt the Tebow story was exaggerated by a team hoping to see him fall to them on draft day. Because no one wants a prayer-leading rookie who doesn't know when to shut up on their team, right?
So for the Pats I think at this point you're going to be in one of four camps with how you think they will attack the four picks in the first two rounds.
1. Common Sense: We can all pretty much agree that the Patriots defense the last couple years gets about as much pressure as a 90-year old man trying to squeeze out a leak wtihout his flomax. And yes there are quite a few quality outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid types in this years draft. So the conservative, common sense pick would be a Sergio Kindle, Carlos Dunlap, Brandon Graham, or Jerry Hughes. None are perfect for the Patriots OLB position, but all could potentially provide some pass rush that the Pats sorely need.
2. Fallen Weapon: With Wes Welker likely to miss a big chunk of the 2010 campaign, and David Patten the only WR addition so far, it's pretty clear the Patriots need to add playmakers on offense. With large question marks surrounding a number of prospects it's possible that top talents like Dez Bryant (character concerns) and Demaryius Thomas (injury) could fall into the Patriots lap at 22. Could they pass up an elite offensive prospect despite their pass rush concerns? With far greater draft depth at the DE/OLB positions it's a definite possibility.
3. Thinking Man's Pick: The impact on the field of trading Richard Seymour was nowhere more apparent than in the Patriots playoff loss to the Ravens. Baltimore attacked Jarvis Green, running right at him all day long, exploiting a hidden weakness of the 2009 Pats. Now Green is gone too, and if there's one secret that any educated Patriots fan knows, Belichick values big, mean defensive lineman over any other position. So it is probably a very solid bet of the Pats looking long and hard at Jared Odrick. Odrick is the only first round grade 3-4 defensive end. His build is similar to Seymour, and he plays with the nasty disposition the Hoodie is known to love. But is Odrick really as good as Seymour? Probably not. So the question remains is he worthy of the 22nd pick, or would the Patriots be better served on a playmaker?
4. The Shocker: If you're a Patriots fan you're shocked by something the team does every season. Usually multiple times. Anyone who said they saw the Seymour or Vrabel trades coming is probably a liar and/or a Jets fan. So what would be a shocker this year? How about Maurkice Pouncey, a center out of Florida. Sure we all know Koppen and Brady are BFFs, but Koppen ain't what he used to be. Pouncey shares that nasty attitude that Logan Mankins has, and is known for being able to handle wide load 3-4 nose tackles like he did with Mount Cody. The real question is what the Pats thought of Rich Ohrnberger this past season. If he looks like he'll be able to take over at center it might make the Pouncey pick a lot less likely. But there's no question Pouncey sounds like a prototypical Bill Belichick player.
With four picks in the first round it's likely that the Patriots will be able to navigate the draft board and fill multiple needs. This is made especially easier by the depth of this years draft.
