2014 nfl draft

[boscel33]

Didn't see a thread so I started one.  Saw a report today that Houston may be interested in Mallett for their second.  This would allow them to draft Clowney and Mallett.  It's an interesting concept, trade for a guy who has been studying TB12 and was around with Bill Obrien. 

Everyone is saying pats go TE in the first.  I don't think so, I look for them to trade out again and pick up another two and three, giving them three 2's and two 3's.  I then look OL with their first pick.  They have to shore it up, too much pressure on TB12.  I think they'll draft a TE, maybe with one of the twos.

[Jailan34]

I hate the whole trading down philosophy, especially since it hasn't been anymore successful than just picking in the first. I mean, so many picks and so few top tier players is why the defense suffers so much when Talib is out.

The defense has enough role players, they need some studs on both sides of the ball.

[Cman]

Its really hard to say what the Pats will do in the draft this year, without having seen what happens in FA.

I think they do select a TE, though. That's one of the team's biggest needs that is unlikely to be addressed via FA.

Will they trade down? I don't know. They traded up for Chandler Jones a couple years ago, they traded down last year and the results from that trade (Collins, Ryan, Boyce -- Blount, arguably)  seem pretty good so far. But I don't think BB goes in thinking "I'll trade down". He goes in thinking he'll see how much value he can get with a draft pick, either by trading up with it, by using it, or by trading down with it.

[CelticG1]

They should go after tony gonzalez and see if hell play for one more year

[Cman]

They should go after tony gonzalez and see if hell play for one more year

Yeah, I had a similar thought. Isn't he under contract with Atlanta for another year, though? If he was cut by Atlanta then it would make a ton of sense.

[crownontherocks]

They should go after tony gonzalez and see if hell play for one more year

Not going to happen. Gonzo is gone from football. He said at the pro bowl he's at peace with retiring 


Would this be better?

According to an "individual" CSN New England's Tom Curran believes "without reservation," the Patriots were interested in acquiring Larry Fitzgerald last offseason.

Could happen this offseason or during the draft.  Also depends on the asking price too
And if the deal were to go down i am sure fitzy would redo his contract

[Cman]

They should go after tony gonzalez and see if hell play for one more year

Not going to happen. Gonzo is gone from football. He said at the pro bowl he's at peace with retiring 


Would this be better?

According to an "individual" CSN New England's Tom Curran believes "without reservation," the Patriots were interested in acquiring Larry Fitzgerald last offseason.

Could happen this offseason or during the draft.  Also depends on the asking price too
And if the deal were to go down i am sure fitzy would redo his contract

Arizona might do it, in order to give them more cap room (I think they are right up against the cap). The two big questions are whether Larry restructures and what the Cardinals want in return. There's no question it would take a first round pick from the Patriots, and on top of that Larry, even with a reworked contract, would eat into the available cap space that the Pats have to work with, meaning the Pats wouldn't be able to go after other FAs like Edelman or Eric Decker.

As an example of the tradeoff for the Patriots, it would be something like: first round draft pick (let's say Tight End) + Eric Decker (who they no longer have room to sign) or Larry Fitzgerald?

I'm not convinced I'd take the latter.

[boscel33]

if the pats go FA route on a WR, i'd like to see them make a play for boldin.