Future Draft Strategy

With the announcement that rookie LB Tyrone McKenzie will miss the 2009 season with a torn ACL in the right knee, I have a suggestion for the Patriots front office:

Don’t draft linebackers on the second day!

I hate for New England to pass on some good talents, but they would be doing these kids a favor. Just take a quick look back:

2008 – In the third round, Shawn Crable is drafted out of Michigan. He’s inactive for two games before Shawn’s shin lands him on injured reserve.

 Three rounds later, Bo Ruud was selected in the sixth round out of Nebraska. He injured his ankle in training camp and was placed on injured reserve. He was released by the Pats in April.

2007 – They take a chance on Justin Rogers from Southern Methodist. He is cut, but is signed to the practice squad. He was signed off the practice squad and suffered through the circus called the Dallas Cowboys.

In the next round the Pats take Oscar Lua from USC. After an overrated performance in the preseason, he injured his knee and was placed on injured reserve. He was released early in ’08.

2006 – Jeremy Mincey came out of the University of Florida as a defensive end. A sixth-round pick, Mincey didn’t fit with the Pats and was cut. He was signed to San Francisco’s practice squad and later signed to Jacksonville’s active roster. In three seasons, Mincey has one sack.

2005 – UNLV isn’t known for football, but Ryan Claridge impressed the Patriots enough that they brought him to New England as a fifth round selection. Injury kept him from playing a down for the Pats and he was ultimately released.

2001 – For what it’s worth, T.J. Turner looked like he would become a good prospect for a seventh round pick out of Michigan State. But running afoul of the law led to his termination with the team.

Only Tully Banta-Cain (2003, 7^th round) ever played productively for the Pats. Four of the players suffered season-ending injuries while two continue to play for lesser teams in reserve roles.

For the sake of the kids’ careers, please New England, don’t draft second day linebackers! I don’t care how much of a steal he is. These young men deserve a chance at a NFL career. They are long shots to begin with.

If you’re wondering where will the team find developmental prospects, the answer is easy: rookie free agents. Gary Guyton and Eric Alexander come to mind as players that played their roles well last year. There are two more names to watch from last year (OLBs Angelo Craig, Vince Redd) to see if they become anything for the Pats as well.

Without McKenzie, there’s room for a new RFA if the Pats want to replace him. Thankfully the draft isn’t an option now. I don’t want to know who would be next to have his dream end before it starts.