Patriots Draft Prospects 2013

[goldfishwars]

I don't think it's too early yet and I can't find another thread about it - so I thought I'd kick off with a few prospects I like at positions of need. Feel free to add your own or discuss positions we should target etc.

Chance Warmack - G, Alabama

True senior from Alabama - has been a little underrated until last year when he was opening up lanes for Trent Richardson. He's a plug and play Guard, who is perhaps slightly short (6'3) for the modern game - but he's stout (320 pounds) and is a light mover on his feet with long arms that have made for pretty crushing blocks this year. probably a top 15 rated prospect at this point - but probably falls because if positional value.

Eric Reid* - FS, LSU

Obviously might not declare next year - but right now the 6'2 and 208 pount free-safety is an intriguing prospect following in a line of dynamic LSU secondary draft prospects. He's the kind of all-round, athletic, high-end coverage skills that you look for in a Safety prospect and heaven knows we're in need of some natural ability there right now.

Xavier Rhodes* - CB, Florida State

Again, might not declare next year - but having flirted with coming out this year, there's a chance he might skip his final year. He's a big corner at 6'2 and 215 and has had comparisons to Patrick Peterson. Whilst not yet the playmaker Peterson, he's a little more blue-collar - a rugged outside presence who is excellent in run support and beat up his man at the line of scrimmage.

Kawann Short - DT, Purdue

Another guy who flirted with coming out early last season. He's a two-year captain, high character guy - who has played all along the line (NT, DT and DE). He has a great first step and initial burst - whilst there are motor questions around the guy - he seems to be the type of prospect you can bring in and out initially, and just let him go after the QB.

Barrett Jones - C/G/T, Alabama

Another plug and play O-line guy from Alabama. His successful switch to Center this year has made him a more intriguing prospect after spending time at Guard and Left Tackle last season, where answered a lot of questions around his athleticism and was excellent. Whilst not having the raw power of Chance Warmack, he's a real technician and someone whose versatily would bring relief to an often banged-up unit in NE.

Aaron Dobson - WR, Marshall

One of my favourite Wide Receiver prospects and one performing under the shadow of more celebrated prospects in Justin Hunter, Robert Woods and co. Dobson is 6'2 and 205 pounds and has the best hands of any prospect in the draft. He's the kind of big-play athletic wide receiver we've long talked about drafting, knowing it'll probably never happen - still, not many are talking about this kid and could end up being an early round steal in a crowded big-man class.

Johnthan Banks - CB, Mississippi State

Another corner who'll match up against bigger receivers with his excellent size and length. Really aggressive as a run-defender, he's also quick and tough to beat deep. He's another larger corner, of which there are a few in next year's draft and at least one should make their way to the Pats on draft day.

Alex Okafor - DE, Texas

There's a whole bunch of intriguing DE prospects available in the draft next year and one or two should be available to us in the 1st or 2nd round. Okafor is one that jumps out with the natural size for a 4-3 DE. At 6'4 and 260 - he's not dissimilar to Chandler Jones and is a stout run-defender as well as being able to generate 17 QB pressures last year.

Kenny Vaccaro - SS, Texas

Has been used all over the place in Texas, playing tight coverage, as an in the box hitter and also showing up as an effective blitzer picking up a couple of sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. At 6'1 and 215, he has good size for the position and can deliver a hit without being reckless and he's good in coverage. Really like this kid if we're looking for a strong safety prospect.
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Thanks Duron Harmon!

[Richter]

I was all over Barrett Jones as a Pats draft target next year, but at this point, I want either a DT, DE or secondary player early. Regardless of how this season turns out, I want something like DT, S, CB, DE with the first four picks.

[TomRalph]

[goldfishwars]

[24isthelaw]

[Sciz]

My biggest worry on the OL for next year isn't even any of the interior spots. It's what they'll do at RT if Vollmer leaves.
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Shut up, NBT

[TomRalph]

[NextBigThing]

Justin Hunter
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The King Does As He Pleases

[mcmurtry86]

[NextBigThing]

Dobson can fly, but he his routes were pretty damn bad. IDK. I'd prefer just trading way up and drafting Hunter.
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The King Does As He Pleases

[mcmurtry86]

[NinjaZX6R]

I want Lester from Bama.

[homerjay24]

I think instead of going after Barrett Jones or Warmack early, they'll target James Ferentz in the middle rounds instead. He's a little undersized, but technique wise it's hard to think of a player other than the Alabama guys that would be able to pick up NE's system than the son of a former Belichick OL coach.

That would at least allow them to target defense again early and still be able to get a player who can impact the OL quickly.
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2012 Adopt-A-Patriot: Wes Welker
WES WELKER IS OBSOLETE IN THIS OFFENSE
Stats:
Rec: 100 (3rd in NFL)
Yds: 1,172 (9th in NFL)
TDs: 4
Stickin' it in Bill's face one game at a time.

[Sciz]

[mcmurtry86]