What will the Patriots address through the draft and free agency?

[patsfan]

Well since I have no idea what the front office is thinking because I am not there, I will speculate. I'm not talking specific names (Feel free to add them because I'm not up to par on the draft class), but ideas.

Through free agency: LB, WR, CB
Through the draft: DL, OL, RB, LB

I think the biggest need is for some defensive linemen. I would like to see a DT and DE taken in the first two rounds. I think they need another lineman, maybe take a stud OT if there is one and move Light over to RT if they have to. I think they can snag a running back who may drop for injury reasons and see if he sticks. They could also use some beefing up at the LB position. Often times a solid LB can be found at the end of the first day.

They should certainly pick up a veteran LB who has some speed. The Patriots can't contain the run and the opposition running backs seem to be able to break it outside at will. A big LB who can take on a lineman couldn't hurt either (though I admit I'm not sure how well a big MLB would fit into a two gap scheme because I'm not up to par on it either). I think picking up a vetern WR who can make a play would be nice. With all the attention on Brown this season, an extra guy who can take up some of that attention would be nice. I would love to see a wideout big enough to run fade routes all day long. I think another solid CB would be helpful too if they do not take Smith back another season.

I think Antoine Smith will be back at HB next year. I'm not sure about his contract but I'm pretty sure he'll hit the salary cap hard. I think they like Anthony Womac and he should be ready for the 2003 season. If they draft another RB later on they should be able to have some good internal competition which should lead to a better performance out of the position next year.

[Hawg73]

I think they need a DT in the worst way. I think that Belichick knows it too and will do everything possible to land his man, but nobody knows how they evaluate a particular guy and whether the value is there (draft cliche alert) when their turn comes around. One guy getting some big notice now is DeWayne Robertson a declared Jr. - a lot can happen between now and the draft but he might be within reach. They say he is a real hard worker and is huge and has a quick first step which most of the great ones have. We'll see.

I'm not sold on the o-line as it is. I've heard rumors that he is not pleased with Matt Light and I don't know how he could be pleased with Kenyatta Jones. I could be wrong but he just can't seem to harness his strength and is a little slow.

There are 4 top O-lineman that should be available when we pick. OG Eric Steinbach is turning heads at the senior bowl and some think he can play tackle. Jordan Gross and Kwame Harris are the consensus top two OTs coming out and they should go somewhere in the middle of the 1st. Another guy that might go higher than predicted is Center Jeff Fain from Notre Dame. Centers usually don't go that high, but the coach has to be getting tired of musical chairs at center and I don't think Woody is ever going to get the hang of shotgun snapping. Wouldn't surprise me, the guy is going to be good and BB has picked a center in the 1st before.

I think CB and LB would be our next most glaring needs, but if he wants to find a big WR or a pass rushing DE I wouldnt have a problem with that.

Good post, I'm sure there will be many draft posts yet to come and I'm getting into the draft this year like I haven't in a while.

[Hemi_1]

SO is this year much different?