It is being reported by ESPN that Baltimore Ravens Free Agent Linebacker Adalius Thomas will sign a 6 year deal with the New England Patriots upon passing his physical this weekend.
This would be a huge signing for the Patriots, as they'll finally have a linebacker who is a sack artist as well. With his speed and versatility, it now allows the Patriots to address other needs in the draft, while still snagging a linebacker later in the draft.
The signing of Thomas doesn't change the Patriots needs in the draft as drastically as one might think, as the aging Tedy Bruschi just recently said he would return in 2007, and Mike Vrabel turns 32 this year. The Patriots have solid offensive and defensive lines, both some of the youngest lines in the league. They need a little help at the Running Back position after granting the requested release to Corey Dillon, but it is doubtful they would pick a RB in the first round. Instead, they've brought in Sammy Morris to have a look at him and may address their rushing needs through free agency. They also resigned Fullback Heath Evans, which could also point to them not going after backs in the 1st round.
Although they could improve at Wide Receiver through the draft, unless they got a game breaker like Calvin Johnson, I doubt they would chance a 1st rounder on an unproven Wideout. Too many times young players coming into the league are extremely raw and don't pan out, and 80% of the time, these are Wide Receivers. They did a great job last year snagging Jabar Gaffney after he was cut by the Houston Texans, and they still have Reche Caldwell. NFL-bust Charles Rogers could be intriguing as a free agent, as the Patriots had him in for workouts last year. The injury and slow progress to Chad Jackson almost reinforces the idea that the Patriots may skip on a WR in the first round as well.
It seems more and more likely the Patriots will address some defensive needs in the first round, particularly at Cornerback, Safety, and Linebacker. The Patriots are one of those teams that go for high value and the best player at the position at that point in the draft so it will be interesting to see what players fall in the draft to them.
The Patriots have both the 24th and 28th picks in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, which happens April 29th and 30th. They are the only team to have 2 picks in the 1st round, giving them considerable leverage if they were interested in moving up.
Comments