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2007 NFL
Draft Predictions2007 New
England Patriots NFL Draft Predictions
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2008 New England
Patriots NFL Season Predictions!
The Patriots remained a force in the AFC and would have likely won the Super
Bowl had they gotten past the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game.
They will be wanting to return to the glory days and dethrone Indianapolis in
2007. It also starts for the Patriots, just like every other team, with the 2007
NFL Draft.
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Last year, New England took running back Laurence Maroney
with its first-round pick, and he and veteran Corey Dillon teamed up nicely
to combine for 1,557 yards and 19 touchdowns. Dillon is retired this season,
paving the way for Maroney to become the Patriots' featured back for years
to come. The Patriots might want to look at drafting a back-up for Maroney
like Penn State's Tony Hunt to fill in Dillon's shoes around the goal line
and in short yardage situations.
The Patriots have the luxury of getting the 24th pick from Seattle and the
28th pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The Patriots desperately
need to get Tom Brady some weapons at the wideout position. Brady's talent
has made the Patriots' receivers look like far better players than they
really are. Isn't it scary to think what Brady could do with some
better-than-average weapons on the outside?
LSU's Dwayne Bowe and South Carolina's Sidney Rice should fall down to the
Patriots if they want to go with a receiver for their 24th and/or 28th pick.
Of the two, Rice may be the most intriguing. At 6-4, he is the type of
competitor who has the kind of killer instinct that coach Bill Belichek can
work with and mold into a deep threat.
With as good as Brady has been, the foundation of New England's success has
been its defense under Bill Belichik. That unit cracked in the second half
against Indianapolis, allowing the Colts to score 32 points, and one of the
primary reasons is age. The Patriots need a whirlwind of youth at the
linebacker position and in the secondary. Among the linebackers, Mike Vrabel
will be 32, Rosevelt Colvin 30, Tedy Bruschi at 34 and if he returns, Junior
Seau at age 38. The team needs to be looking towards the future at this
position, perhaps to be ready for their 2008 campaign.
Rodney Harrison is still an impact player when he is healthy at the strong
safety position. But he has battled injuries the past two seasons and is
clearly nearing the end of his career at age 34. The Patriots need a free
safety as well, as Artrell Hawkins is an average player that isn't ready to
be a starter. Belickik will be looking to add an instinctive player with
Harrison's ability, and Florida's Reggie Nelson or Michael Griffin of Texas
would fit the mold if they are still around.
The Patriots might be one of the only teams looking for a punter as one of
their draft selections. The Patriots ranked 29 th in net punting behind the
foot of Todd Sauerbrun and that is unacceptable under Belichick. New England
might spend a second-day pick on Baylor's Daniel Sepulveda or Maryland 's
Adam Podlesh. Wide Receiver and Safety are the Patriot's main concern for
the 2007 NFL Draft, so look for these voids to be filled on opening day.
Updated April 27th, 2007
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