BenJarvus Green-Ellis & 1,000 yards

Pats don’t need to waste a draft pick on a RB, even if he’s a stud.

Morris and Taylor are done next year.

Faulk may or may not be back (he’d split time with Woody if he did).

I’d be really surprised if there weren’t new legs in camp next year.

Granted they could be veteran FA’s like Morris or Taylor, or even UFA’s like Faulk and Woody.

A late round guy wouldn’t surprise me at all.

Because I think Brady might sit after the first 2 or 3 drives if they can score a couple TDs. If it’s Hoyer at QB they’re pretty likely to run it a lot more, which I think will be the key to Green-Ellis getting the last 90 or so yards he’ll probably need by then.

I’d like to take a RB in rounds 5-7
Or pick up another undrafted guy.

Hoodie’s done that every year, so I see it as extremely likely, if not inevitable.

I wrote this back pre-draft:

The second trend is the likelihood that the Pats will take at least one young RB, every year, irrespective of need. In 2004 they took UFA Chapman, in 2005 it was UFA Kyle Eckel, in 2006 they drafted Maroney and took UFA Patrick Cobbs too. In 2007 they drafted 6th rounder Justice Hairston with a compensatory pick. In 2008 they took BenJarvus “Law Firm” Green-Ellis as an Undrafted Free Agent. And last year, part-way through the season the Pats picked up ex-UFA Chris Taylor from free agency. Every year the Pats have picked up a low-round draftee or UFA, irrespective of whether they’ve taken a stud RB in free agency or the draft.

Sure enough, the Pats picked up that UFA running back (whose name now eludes me). He didn’t survive past training camp, but they kicked the tyres all the same.

now says *Mark Ingram

and what type of RB he is (which would dictate his number of snaps). If he’s a special teamer, good in pass-protection, can catch the ball, etc… he’ll be on the field more and thus you can justify using a higher pick on him.

He was a 3rd round pick. He hasn’t really gotten any opportunities so I’d like to see him get a chance next year.

I agree that DLine is a top need. I’d almost argue that OLine is a bigger need however.

we still need defensive help. I would like an edge rusher and another CB (assuming Butler continues to be a bust).

And if G. Warren was on a 1 year deal I hope we bring him back for 1 more. That might ease our DL concerns some. I still think it is a need, but we’re in agreement that OL is more of a need.

A pure FB would only get a dozen snaps per game, but a STer/FB/LB would likely save a roster spot by being so versatile. A LB with a FB’s blocking skills is great for playing lineman on the punt unit, on punt returns as a blocker, on kick returns as a blocker, and on kick coverage as a wedge-buster. Throw in a half-dozen FB snaps and him being LB depth, voila, that’s got some worth above and beyond most special teams LBs (think Pierre Woods, Larry Izzo, etc).

but late in the draft is probably when BB would start looking for one.

Some possible late round WRs/UDFAs:

David Gilreath, WR, Wisconsin better as a gunner than as a PR/KR, also a fairly good 3rd or 4th receiver. Kid can get open and make the catch. Likely an UDFA/6th/7th round pick
Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii I think he’s not going to go too highly, “being a product of Hawaii’s zany offensive system”, but he caught 106 passes this season and could make more receptions in the postseason. Likely 4th round or lower selection.
Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan Comes from the same offensive system that produced Greg Jennings. 94 receptions this past year (Western Michigan is NOT going to the postseason.) Probably a good depth pick and late round selection.
Terrance Turner, WR, Indiana comes from a pass-heavy offensive system, while he doesn’t have blazing speed, he has very good hands and is a solid possession and 3rd down receiver. Probably another post-5th round selection.
Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon Probably going to be the highest drafted of all of these players. Solid possession receiver with plenty of highlight reel catches in his career. A big game in the National Title game could propel him into the top 3 rounds, if he’s not there already.

nice job.