Patriots Take WIlfork & Watson, Trade for Corey Dillon (4/24/04)

The 2004 NFL Draft kicked off with a mirror of the 1983 Draft when 1st overall pick Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning refused to play for the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers traded his rights to the New York Giants for North Carolina State quarterback Phillip Rivers. If Manning becomes a stud for the Giants and Rivers flames out in San Diego, this really would be a mirror of the Baltimore Colts/Denver Broncos dynamic. Remember last year when the Patriots traded their other first round pick to Baltimore for the Ravens' first round pick this year? That pick turned out to be 21st overall and the Patriots used it to take massive Miami University noseguard Vince Wilfork. Pundits were stunned Wilfork dropped this low as he was part of the defensive line rotation for the 2001 National Champion Hurricanes and the 2002 runner ups. This past season he was the starting noseguard for the Canes that won the Orange Bowl against Florida State after going 11-2 on the season. In three years as part of the defense, the Hurricanes went 35-3 with Wilfork in the middle of it. A lot of his teammates went before him such as safety Sean Taylor (5th overall to Washington) tight end Kellen Winslow Jr (6th overall to Cleveland), linebackers Jonathan Vilma (12th overall to the New York Jets) and DJ Williams (17th overall to Denver) and offensive tackle Vernon Carey (19th overall by Miami). This might be a real steal because the Patriots signed huge noseguard Keith Traylor to replace Ted Washington but Wilfork could replace the 34 year old Traylor if he's good enough. Keep your eye on this pick, it might be generational.

                                                          21st overall - Vince Wilfork

With their own first round pick, the Patriots might have scored big time again when they selected Georgia tight end Benjamin Watson. Watson originally was recruited to Duke but transferred to Georgia after the 1999 season. In three years for the Bulldogs he had 65 receptions for 852 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was projected to go in the second round as the third ranked tight end in draft. The Patriots relied on Daniel Graham and Christian Fauria but they needed a future stud if and when Fauria leaves. If Graham is more of a blocker, Watson is definitely the "go get the ball" with his speed and hands. Hopefully this pick works out.

                                                          32nd overall - Benjamin Watson

Remember the second round pick they got from the Miami Dolphins? Well they didn't have it anymore thanks to trading it to the Cincinnati Bengals for all-pro running back Corey Dillon last week. With the 56th overall pick in the draft, the Bengals took safety Madieu Williams from Maryland University. If he goes on to suck, let the record show THAT's who the Bengals traded Corey Dillon for.

                                                 56th overall - ......Corey Dillon??

With their own second round pick, the Patriots selected LSU defensive end Marquise Hill 63rd overall. Hill was an anchor on the defensive line for Belichick's good buddy Nick Saban's LSU Tigers that went 13-1 and captured the national championship with their Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Belichick always takes the words of his ex-coaches much like Red Auerbach used to get tips from ex-players of his. Saban must have ranted and raved about Hill's ability. If he's as good as advertised, as they say the rich get richer. The departures of Bobby Hamilton, Ted Washington and Anthony Pleasant meant the Patriots had to reload on the defensive line.....they just did.

                                                    63rd overall - Marquise Hill

With their third round pick, the Patriots selected Florida University safety Guss Scott. He was second team All-SEC in 2002 and 2003 and led the SEC with forced fumbles last year. The Patriots could definitely use safety depth behind Eugene Wilson and Rodney Harrison and having a guy like Scott knock the ball out of opposing players' hands would be nice. How did he drop so low? Florida didn't have a great season under Ron Zook going just 8-5 with the Gators last year. Still, one guy can't play every position so hopefully Guss finds success in New England that he didn't in Florida.

                                                95th overall - Guss Scott

In the span of a week the best team in football theoretically got even better. Getting Corey Dillon in a trade then drafting two studs in Watson and Wilfork was exactly what they needed to do. Replacing Bobby Hamilton and Antwan Harris with Marquise Hill and Guss Scott might have also contributed to a Superbowl run next season. Tomorrow's picks are mostly for depth but the Patriots just might have drafted starters for the next ten years. Time will tell.