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Patriots-only Big Board majorly UPDATED!

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The Patriots-only big board has been evolving on an almost daily basis, and today we cross-referenced and added a lot of commentary via NFL.com. The point of this was two fold; first to get an even better sense of the prospects we had already on the board, and second to provide additional description to help illustrate why we have the players where we have them.

You can always access the big board at the perma-link over on the right column. Here’s the latest top ten…

  1. Marcel Dareus (DL, 6-03, 319, Alabama): would cause havoc, maybe not the perfect size for DE, but strong enough to play any DL spot. Possesses the athleticism and explosiveness to be consistently disruptive against the run and pass. Hands that don’t stop, sheds blockers quickly, and frequently uses the swim move to get to the quarterback. Also has great power to push the pocket and stand his ground adequately when run at.
  2. AJ Green (WR, 6-04, 211, Georgia): smooth, gifted WR, who would add a large outside target currently missing from Pats WR corps. Has the ideal length, refined route-running skills, hands, and big-play ability to become one of the league’s top players at the position. Displays tremendous acceleration and fluidity for a taller player.
  3. JJ Watt (DE, 6-05, 290, Wisconsin), big, athletic five technique with outstanding work ethic. Arguably the cleanest Pats prospect in draft. A hard-working, intelligent, relentless player. Uses his hands extremely well to get off blocks both rushing the passer and against the run. Doesn’t possesses great initial quickness but closes hard and fast on the quarterback and has enough straight-lined speed to pursue from the backside.
  4. Cameron Jordan (DL, 6-04, 287, Cal): has experience in 34, interior pass rush presence. Not ideal Pats DE, but versatility would make him useful. Really a good fit for any team that stresses gap integrity. Has good strength at the point of attack, plays with sound positioning, locates the ball carrier, gets off blocks and uses his good quickness and agility against the run. Not a big-time pass rushing talent by any means, but still has some good power moves.
  5. Robert Quinn (OLB, 6-04, 265, UNC): not as athletic as some thought, but could transition to OLB, bring some athleticism/pass rush. He has an excellent first step and the burst to consistently get around the edge. He is a relentless pass rusher that will only improve once he develops an array of counter moves. He lacks the bulk to hold stout against the running game and can get overwhelmed by bigger blockers.
  6. Julio Jones (WR, 6-03, 220, Alabama): physical, intimidating presence at WR, game changer. Vertical threat due to his height, strength, leaping ability, and speed. Generates big plays after the catch on screens and crossing patterns because of his physicality as a runner. Flashes outstanding hands and ball skills
  7. Muhammad Wilkerson (DL, 6-04, 315, Temple): has the size/anchor strength for DE, also has some interior pass rush ability. Ideal size, excellent shedding ability and the athleticism to pursue from the backside and rush the passer. Jolts offensive lineman at the point of attack, can beat the double team, finds the football and makes plays against the run.
  8. Gabe Carimi (LT/RT, 6-07, 314, Wisconsin): will need to get stronger but projects to either tackle spot, nasty playing temperament. His non-stop motor, coupled with his ideal size, make him a terror in the running game and he has enough athleticism to hold his own in pass protection.
  9. Mark Ingram (RB, 5-09, 215, Alabama):  great instincts and quickness for the game, would fit in well with current stable. Late first round steal. Ingram projects as an every-down back who can make an impact on the ground and in the passing game. One of the most polished running back prospects in recent memory. Has rare natural running sense in terms of vision and patience.
  10. Clint Boling (G/C, 6-05, 308, Georgia): versatile, interior lineman, who plays hard and has experience against top competition. Worker. A savvy, maximum-effort guy who could find a home with a franchise that values technique and mobility up front above pure strength. Has great awareness and understands the finer points of line play.

Click here for the remaining 60 Patriots-only prospects with detailed descriptions.

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We’re excited to be joined by NEPatriotsDraft.com’s head cheese James Christensen this weekend on the PatsPropaganda & Frenz podcast, 1pm Sunday. Mark your calendar. We’ll post the media player early Sunday morning, or you can catch us on Itunes immediately following the show. Should be one of the best Patriots draft discussions you’ve ever heard!

https://www.patspropaganda.com/were-excited-to-be-joined-by/

What impact will Bodden & Warren’s return to Patriots have?

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When the New England Patriots training camp opened in July of 2010 both Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden were penciled in to make major impacts on a defense that was just beginning a major rebuild.

Both were lost for the season shortly thereafter, and things looked pretty bleak in terms of replacing either of them. Warren was the only truly experienced defensive end in the Patriots system, and Bodden was the team’s best cornerback having just signed a new contract with the Pats worth $22 million over 4 years, with $10 million guaranteed.

Most teams that lose their best cornerback and their best defensive end would be majorly screwed, especially when they’re forced to go with the most inexperienced secondary in the NFL. But of course the Pats just do what they do and kept on winning.

So now on paper it would seem like the Patriots would receive a major boost by getting these two players back, but strangely there’s a sense of pessimism surrounding both.

Just today ProFootballTalk, the bastion of credible journalism, had this to say about Warren:

There has been some speculation that Ty Warren could be on the roster bubble as well if he doesn’t have a strong training camp.

Warren just turned 30 this month, and while he was battling injuries in 2008 and 2009 as well, I think it’s a stretch to think he’s over the hill as a player. A year away from the pounding of the NFL could be just what Warren needs to return to the force he was when he was healthy.

There’s no question that the pressure is on Warren to prove he deserved the five year extension he signed in 2007 with $18 million guaranteed, but given the Patriots depth along the defensive line I’d consider it an extreme long shot for him to be cut.

It’s even harder to project him being cut when you consider there’s no sense of what the salary cap will be once a new CBA is hammered out. Regardless the Patriots are loaded with cap friendly draftees, so I don’t see his $3.1 million cap hit to be a major issue.

As for Bodden it’s not like the guy is coming off major knee surgery or anything. And just today he said:

“The rehab is great, my arm feels great,” Bodden told hosts Bob Papa and Ross Tucker. “I was thinking to myself the other day, ‘Man, I’m ready for some action. I’m ready to play.‘”

So on that front I don’t see how we don’t immediately pencil in Bodden as starting RCB across from McCourty. Of course Kyle Arrington emerged as a viable option and should not be written off if Bodden has lost anything.

Both players will be rusty but color me still extremely optimistic that their return will have major impacts both on and off the field.