No matter how many times I re-do my mock draft, the answer is always the same. Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim falls to the Pats. I’ve just completed my third edition and for the third time Sintim is the logical 23rd pick overall.
Is that a bad thing? No. Sintim sounds like a fit. I feel more comfortable with that selection than USC’s Clay Matthews Jr.
I wouldn’t complain if the Patriots select Sintim if there isn’t a better choice by the time New England is on the clock. But the player I salivate for is Northern Illinois defensive end Larry English.
The problem is I feel English will be long gone to Washington at 13th overall. 10 slots ahead of New England!
One thing I do know is the Pats will go after a player if they want him bad enough. If English is irresistible, how does New England get in position to draft him? Since Scot Pioli wasn’t officially replaced, I’m gonna sneak into his former office and devise a plan to land the former Huskie.
With eleven picks in the draft, New England has the ammunition to make deals. So who should they call first?
Now let’s get things straight. N.E. won’t trade up too high. They aren’t interested in shelling out an exorbitant lump sum of cash to a kid who hasn’t played a down. They were willing to throw in LB Mike Vrabel with QB Matt Cassel just to save an additional four million dollars. Money is an object to the franchise, especially with the marquee Pats about to become free agents next year.
The ceiling begins outside of the top 10. Next in line is Buffalo, and they won’t help out a divisional rival. I wouldn’t bother picking up the phone and dialing their number.
After the Bills is Denver, with former Bill Belichick understudy Josh McDaniels co-running the show. There are a few factors to consider. One, has McDaniels’ trading privileges been taken away by owner Pat Bowlan after blowing the Cassel trade? If not, did the experience leave a bad taste in Cassel’s mouth, making him gun-shy about trades? Or is Josh taking it personal that Belichick didn’t deal with him even though McDaniels was late to the trade talks?
It’s worth a shot. I give McDaniels a ring on his cell phone. It’s still programmed into Pioli’s phone and Josh can sneak away to take my call.
I don’t sense any bitterness about the Cassel trade that didn’t happen, but McDaniels isn’t buying my argument of stockpiling picks to rebuild his defense. If only the Broncos didn’t go out and sign 73 percent of all the free agents available (ok, 16 free agents by my count) maybe they’d still have a hole or two to fill. If they targeted ILB Rey Maualuga as I projected, they wouldn’t get him at 18, Denver’s second first round pick, let alone 23. Ultimately Josh and the Broncos decline my offer. Damn!
But all hope is not lost. The last option is the Washington Redskins. Prying the 13th pick won’t be easy, especially since the Patriots and ‘Skins are both interested in pass rushers. Luring Washington away from their pick down to 23 will be costly, but the Pats have what it takes. And since Washington has only five selections, a lure comprised of the 23rd, 89th (third round) and 124th (fourth round) might get Washington to bite.
Even if it takes a package that includes a second round pick (the first and 58th overall), New England can pry away lucky 13th without giving up their whole draft a la New Orleans in 1999.
So the deal gets done, and the Pats draft English. Hooray! Fireworks go off and confetti falls from the ceiling. Don’t celebrate too much because the second round comes quick.
This shouldn’t involve wheeling and dealing. Some believe Belichick is high on UConn CB Darius Butler. Fine. They take him with the 34th pick.
Finally the 47th pick. I’ve looked at a few mocks that project at least two rounds and they all say Iowa RB Shonn Greene will be available. It wouldn’t take the whole five minutes to make the thick ball carrier the selection. OK,everybody can go home now.
So the first day haul would be OLB Larry English, CB Darius Butler, and RB Shonn Greene. That’s excellent potential with three guys that can contribute now and start in a year or two.
One can dream, right?
