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2016 New England Patriots Draft Picks

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2016 New England Patriots Draft Picks

These are the official 2016 New England Patriots draft picks, as announced by the NFL today. I had been tracking them with each new trade that rolls in since there’s no easy way to officially get the draft order until the NFL releases it.

If you go by the draft value chart (which is admittedly just a rough guideline) the Patriots could package the 60th and 61st picks and get all the way to the top of the second round if they wanted to. However this draft seems to be like most drafts — not a lot of truly elite prospects — but this one has considerable depth, making the Pats four selections on day two carry a lot of power.

You can never make up for the loss of the first round pick, but with the number of selections that the Pats have, they should be able to mitigate the damage.

The big hole will come at the start of Day Three, when the Pats will have to wait almost 100 picks to make a selection. Expect #196, #204 and both of the seventh rounders to be trade bait for them to move up and make a pick somewhere in the fourth or fifth round.

The compensatory picks cannot be traded this year (that will change in 2017) so the 6th round is guaranteed to be busy with three selections within 13 slots. Hitting a sleeper pick in that group could very well make or break this draft. It’s too bad we don’t have pick #199.

As for Day One, PatsFans.com is organizing a Blackout Initiative for all Patriots fans. It’s a great idea but it will take all of us to make any kind of dent. Click on over and show some support for my favorite Pats messageboard on the web.

NFL Draft Needs: Patriots – Draft Analysis – Rotoworld.com

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NFL Draft Needs: Patriots – Rotoworld.com

1. Offensive Line

2. Running Back

3. Defensive Line

Source: NFL Draft Needs: Patriots – Draft Analysis – Rotoworld.com

You’re never going to get much complaining from me focusing on the offensive and defensive line. My extensive list of the Patriots needs can be found here, but the closer we get to the draft the less it’s about need and the more it’s about fit. So while this mock draft has the Pats going with an unpolished defensive end with their first pick, not something I’m really on board with, who can say it isn’t what they’ll do? That said, I don’t think Yannick Ngakoue is a great fit for the Pats.

However as for the rest of this mock draft, I have six of the nine picks on my big board, so there are quite a few good fits in this mock draft.

So many mock drafts are simply paint-by-numbers based on need, especially when they’re written by someone who doesn’t know the depth the team has. The Patriots rely on development as much as any team as we saw last year with the changing of the guard at cornerback. Those are always the kind of moves that make fans the most worried, handing the starter’s keys to the youngsters and hoping they can deliver. But that’s the only way to truly find out the potential of players like Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan.

I think it’s less important to look at immediate needs in the draft and more important to look at the long-term health of the franchise. That’s why I agree that tackle is the priority in this draft. It’s a critical position that isn’t easy to rebuild in free agency without overpaying, unlike cornerback where I think it’s a lot easier to plug someone in and get by with them.

2016 Top-50 New England Patriots Draft Big Board

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It’s year six of the PatsPropaganda Top-50 New England Patriots Draft Big Board. You can find previous year’s big boards here. As always, the goal is to get as many Patriots picks on this board as possible. Given that the Pats don’t have a first rounder this year it makes things a little more difficult, because I try to be realistic so you won’t find any of the usual top prospects here. Still, the Pats do have enough ammo to move up in the second round, all the way to the top if they choose to, so that gives us a bit of flexibility.

Here’s how I’ve done in the first five seasons of the big board and mock drafts:

New England Patriots Draft Big Board History

The goal is to get 50 percent on the big board, as I haven’t gotten close since 4-of-9 in 2011. Some disclaimers:

  • “mm” signifies how many matching measurables as compiled by Doug Kyed of NESN. These are the number of height/weight/testing results that matchup with what the Patriots like at each position.
  • The numbers are the scouting rankings from NFL.com, giving us a rough idea of how that site’s scouts project them.
  • Prospects who have met or worked out for the Pats are designated with (met) per Pats Pulpit’s great list.
  • The list is fluid and will be updated up until the draft. If there’s someone you feel is a perfect Patriots fit LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!

I make no claims to being a scout, but I know what the Patriots like and look for. This is all for fun trying to beat myself. If you love or hate a prospect let me know in the comments, this list will be fluid up until the draft. I’ll drop my single mock draft a week or so before the draft.

Let’s do it!

New England Patriots Draft Big Board

  1. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma, 5.77 5102 194 (mm5) – maybe the most Patriots-ready wide receiver in the draft. Polished route running, stop-on-dime ability and a willing blocker in the run game. Size is a bit of an issue, but great burst with both long speed and quickness. Might sneak into the first round.
  2. Austin Johnson, DT, Penn St., 5.98 (met) – Good size and athleticism, Johnson would fit well on the interior of the Pats’ defensive line. More of an effort pass rusher, Johnson still has the goods to mix single- and double-gapping.
  3. Jason Spriggs, Indiana, 5.51 (mm 10) 6050: Like Nate Solder, Spriggs is a former tight end and after four years at left tackle at Indiana, that’s probably where he’s headed in the pros. If he can adjust to the power of the NFL game he could possibly make the switch to right tackle and that’s where the need truly lies.
  4. Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn, 5.84, 6’060 313 – Cancer survivor who plays with toughness and handles himself like a pro already, Coleman is already 25 years old having spent extended time off the field while he was sick. Pats didn’t shy away from this kind of thing with Marcus Cannon (cancer) and Sebastian Vollmer (older prospect), Coleman could be the developmental right tackle they need for 2017, but by then he’s already closing in on 30.
  5. Joe Haeg, T, North Dakota St. (met) – Good size (6’6″, 304, 33 3/4 inch arms) and athletic performance. Played both sides but coming from a small school will need a year to develop. Sounds like NE would be a good spot for him. He seems like he’ll be right in the Pats sweet spot in the second round, but could go in the third so they’ll have a decision to make.
  6. Willie Beavers, T, Western Michigan, 5.48 (mm 4) 6040 324, Three-year starter who’s athletic enough to play the left side in the pros. Good burst off the snap, and has the ability to get into space to block screens that the Patriots love. Beavers is just what I’m looking for with the Pats in this draft and he should be available to them if they feel the same.
  7. Jordan Jenkins, LB, Georgia, 5.91 (met) – Jenkins played both at linebacker and as a pass rusher in the four-man front, a similar role to Dont’a Hightower coming out. He’s got those tweener traits that make some wonder how he fits, but he was a captain and is athletic and strong. He’d fit right in with the Patriots linebacking corps. Not a huge position of need, but a great fit, and one who’d need to play special teams out of the gate.
  8. Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech, 6.05 (met) (mm 4) 6050 312 – Clark might be better suited at left tackle and that doesn’t fill the need I want. There are concerns about his college offense not translating to the pros, but he has the athleticism that would be an interesting evolution at the right tackle spot. I think that’s where the game is going.
  9. Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas: The Patriots certainly saw plenty of Ridgeway as they scouted 2015 first rounder Malcom Brown. Some think he’ll be even better than Brown. Good size with unique movement skills, Ridgeway would be an excellent fit next to Brown once again.
  10. Alex Collins, RB, ARK 5.7 (met) – North-South runner who can also catch, Collins developed into a team leader at Arkansas while putting up big numbers.  Biggest concern is 16 career fumbles, a big no no in New England and something that could drop him off this board. Still, he’s just what the Pats need as an early down back to soften up the defense. Stylistically he’s my favorite Patriots fit at RB and a realistic option.
  11. Kenneth Dixon – LA Tech, 5.69, 5’10”, 210 (mm8) – Determined runner, good speed and hands, but up and down in pass protection. Fights for every yard. Reminds me a bit of Ridley. Seems like this is the guy always atop the running back board who is available when the Pats pick.
  12. Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers, 5.34 5’117 211 – Yup, a Rutgers guy, but Carroo fits beyond that. Polished route runner with attention to detail and a good combination of speed and quickness. Knows how to set up defenders. Assault charge is a question mark, but on the field Carroo seems to have what it takes to succeed as a WR in NE. Good ability on deep balls, something that could help the Pats’ offense.
  13. Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh, 5.9 6014 197 – Lined up all over the place for Pitt, including as a returner. Great hands, but isn’t going to be the deep threat some want, but would be bring some size to the Edelman position. Worries about his durability. Smooth runner, not sure if he has the quickness in and out of his routes for the full Pats route tree.
  14. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah – Do-it-all back with good size (5’11”, 220), doesn’t have a great burst of speed and had six fumbles last season, but can make a cut and go. Also good on short yardage. Tough and determined. Team captain.
  15. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame – With huge knee injury issues Smith is likely out for 2016, but he’d be a surefire first rounder if he was healthy. Given BB’s love for linebackers and the patience they’ve shown in the past, I have to think the Pats could easily take a flyer on Smith.
  16. Joshua Perry – MLB, Ohio St., 5.31 (mm7) – Noted leader, who’s physical at the point of attack, Perry is a good MLB fit. Good instincts and physical, but not a destroyer like Spikes. He seems to see the plays develop and knows where to go.
  17. Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 5.4 6’013 201 (mm7) – Former quarterback is raw in his route running, but has the smarts to adapt with practice. Unquestioned athleticism with good size. Biggest question is durability and how well he’ll handle an NFL pounding. Tough to read, seems to be thinking on every snap and that tells me with the Pats offense he’d need at least a year to grasp the offense.
  18. Jonathan Williams, RB, ARK 5.65 – Stock has dropped after a foot injury this past season. Still, good size at 5′ 11″, 225 pounds, will just have to work at lowering his pad level. Another early down pounder, a role the Pats need in their rotation.
  19. Harlan Miller, CB, SE Louisiana, 5.78 – Fiery competitor who’s not afraid to tackle, Miller played both press and off-man coverage, usually following the top receiving threat.  Plays with a chip on his shoulder and fits what the Pats like in the corners and their scheme.
  20.  DJ White,  CB, GTech, 5.56 (met)- One of my favorite CB options this year, White is undersized but has played all kinds of coverage and is a captain with instincts. About the same size as Logan Ryan, some thing that’s undersized but he has the aggressive play to overcome that.
  21. Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama (met) – Classic undersized but fearless corner who plays special teams that the Pats love, coming out of one of the best programs in the country. Four punt returns for TD as a senior. Has been consistently improving.
  22. Carl Nassib, Penn St. 5.61 – One year wonder but all the measurables and work ethic. Nassib is seems like an ideal DE fit for the Patriots, but I worry that he’s one of those try-hard guys who can’t win with effort alone in the NFL. Still, his rise at Penn State after being told by Bill O’Brien that he’d never make it has Patriots written all over it.
  23. Blake Martinez – MLB, Stanford, 5.32 (mm5) – A Captain and highly aggressive linebacker who would fit nicely into the middle of the Pats defense as a mid-round selection. In a potential two-down role, Martinez’s lack of speed in coverage could be mitigated.
  24. Matthew Ioannidis, DT, Temple, 5.57, (mm7) – Country strong two-gapper, Ioannidis isn’t going to be a flashy player, but is equipped to do the dirty work inside. Non-stop effort, he played both inside and outside and is coachable.
  25. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame, 5.55 – Two-year captain who is super athletic with quick hands, he’s in the Easley interior rusher mold. Problem is he is just six feet tall with short arms and has durability concerns. Still, a great teammate and has pass rush skill.
  26. Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan: Small school receiver but even the scouting reports think he’s the prototypical Patriots slot receiver type. Definitely undersized but there seems to be little doubt he’ll be able to get open in the NFL.
  27. Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois, 5.57 – Versatility to play inside or outside on the defensive line with good size (6’5″, 297) and long arms (33 5/8 in.). Has the athleticism to do multiple things in the Patriots front. Seems very much in the Chandler Jones mold, so he could make sense as part of a replacement plan.
  28. DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary, 5.56 – Moved from corner to free safety. Was a team captain and a special teams demon. Question is level of competition, but could be groomed as a Duron Harmon replacement as he enters his last year.
  29. Sean Davis, S, Maryland, 5.4 – Big frame and a hard hitter who’s played all over the secondary. There are some man coverage concerns but could be groomed for a role that works around his weaknesses. Third-best 3-cone time at combine.
  30. Justin Simmons, BC, 5.36 (mm 7) – tall SS with cornerback experience. 2nd best three cone, future coach, played both FS and SS, lanky but physical, interesting Pats SS projection, has size for taller slot/TE coverage.
  31. Devon Cajuste, WR, Stanford, 5.43, 6030 216 – Former TE who moved to WR had the best 3-cone, but might lack the pull-away speed that might make him more of an H-back in the NFL. Interesting mismatch player who was underused in Stanford’s offense.
  32. Joe Dahl, G, WSU, 5.4 (mm 8) – Left tackle who will move to guard has great work habits and the football smarts. Well-balanced player who might not be the mauler the Pats often like, but would do well in their pass protection game.
  33. Connor McGovern, G, Missouri, 5.37, (met) (mm 10) – Weight room warrior but it translates to the field and doesn’t hinder his athleticism. Can play tackle in a pinch as well. Checks every box the Pats like for the position, but need and value probably won’t match up.
  34. Dan Vitale, FB/H-back, Northwestern, 4.85* (met) (mm8) – Like projects to an H-back, Vitale has surprisingly nice routes for his size and good toughness. Highly coachable leader, Nick Caserio took time to speak with him privately at Northwestern’s pro day. Checks a lot of boxes and could compete for a third-TE/H-back role in NE’s offense.
  35. Jake McGee, TE, Florida, 5.3, (mm 1) – Former QB with great hands, McGee’s one season in Florida ended early with a broken tib/fib.  Total team guy with the smarts to potentially pick up Pats’ system.
  36. Aaron Burbridge, WR, MSU, 5.49 6000 206: Emerged as starting X last season, committed to working at his craft and makes the tough catches. Possession target with good size.
  37. Keenan Reynolds, RB, Navy, 4.96: Making the transition to RB from QB, and has fumble issues, but I just have to put a star Navy player on here because you know he’s on BB’s radar. D-1 record for touchdowns and set FBS rushing record.
  38. Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas St. (met) (mm6): He’s a Gronk so he’s on here. Committed to blocking and has the desired temperament, but got limited touches in college so that’s a bit of an unknown. But he checks some boxes and the Pats have already had two Gronks, a third has to be a consideration.
  39. Juston Burris, CB, NC St., 5.42 – Doesn’t have great play speed but is physical, reliable, and experienced. Also a willing run defender, a necessity to play in New England.
  40. Devon Johnson, RB, Marshall, 5.31 – Played a bunch of different positions, Johnson runs like a “bull in a china shop”. At almost 240 pounds he seems to be in the LeGarrette Blount mold. Injury history needs investigating.
  41. Brandon Wilds, RB, South Carolina, 4.94 – Tall running back who runs hard, but lacks creativity. A number of small injuries held him back at times in college. Has great hands. Intriguing low round guy.
  42. Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado, 5.38 6011 206 – Average speed and quickness but a reliable route runner with soft hands and the ability to make tough catches in traffic.
  43. Tyler Matakevich – LB, Temple, 6’/233, Productive but undersized. Instinctive and physical despite his limitations. Leader with great work ethic.
  44. Steve Longa – LB, Rutgers, 5.27. Productive but not overly athletic. Played all three LB positions.
  45. Dean Lowery, DE Northwestern, 5.2 -Max effort edge player who lacks an explosive quick twitch. Can set the edge but might not have enough to get after the passer.
  46. Lawrence Thomas, DL, Michigan St. 5.17 (met) – Athletic, try hard guy, but hasn’t put it all together yet. Played linebacker, defensive tackle and defensive end.
  47. Theiren Cockran, DE, Minnesota, 4.65 (met) – Long defensive end who has rushed the passer both standing up and down. Coaches son, leader, but gets pushed around.
  48. Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss, 4.99 – Hair on fire.
  49. Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard 5.23, (mm7) – Top performer in all combine drills, Braunecker is a tough blocker who runs quality routes. Coming out of Harvard a bit of a concern with the NFL jump but seems to have all the skills needed.
  50. Joel Heath, DL, Michigan St., 5.11, (met) (mm10) – Devout leader with good size (6060, 291), Heath checks all the boxes. Classic grinder who was overshadowed in college. Pats love to give these kind of guys a look, especially when they have Heath’s character.

 

Re-Assessing Patriots Draft Needs

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Patriots Draft Needs - make things easier for Brady and Gronk.With the biggest splashes of free agency (likely) over, it’s a good time for us to be re-assessing the Patriots draft needs. As always, the Pats fill pretty much every major hole on their roster in free agency, even if it’s just with a temporary space holder, so that they won’t have to reach in the draft for a position.

While there remains some concern about the running back position, where I’m not sold on Donald Brown making it out of training camp, the biggest holes at middle linebacker (Shea McClellin) and wide receiver (Chris Hogan) have at least been solidified for camp. Doesn’t mean those positions won’t be targeted in the draft, but there’s a level of comfort now. Martellus Bennett put the Pats over the top as far as their need for a second tight end was concerned, and Jonathan Cooper makes the competition at guard look like one of the hottest camp battles we’ll see.

Patriots Draft Needs: Late-March Edition

Here’s where I think the Pats have the biggest needs for the draft, and a reminder that the draft is about the long term, not the immediate.

  1. Tackle – This isn’t an overreaction to the AFC Championship game, but both Marcus Cannon and Sebastian Vollmer‘s contracts are up after this season. Vollmer is closing in on the end of his career so this could be it for him. Really, I think as long as Nate Solder stays healthy the Pats would be fine along the offensive line this year as is. But what we need for the future is to groom the next right tackle, preferably someone with a little more athleticism so that they can also back up the left tackle spot and do it better than Cannon did last year. This is a critical need.
  2. Wide Receiver – Hogan fits what the Pats do pretty well and I’m excited to see how he assimilates. If he can be Brandon LaFell circa 2014 the Pats will be fine this year. But what could truly take this offense to another level is the addition of a rookie wide receiver who can take some of the heat off of Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman. I know everyone wants that tall, speedy deep threat, but I just don’t think that’s a realistic option with how this offense functions now. Give me another shifty, quick guy who knows how to get open and make plays with the ball in his hands and the Pats will have better insurance at the “Z” spot than they had last year. Of course it’s not crazy to think a rookie who has a great camp could unseat Amendola at final cuts.
  3. Running back – This is to be part of a rotation so it’s not like they’ll need to trade up into the mid-second round to get someone who can make an impact. They need an early down pounder who doesn’t lose yardage or cough up the ball. Honestly I’d take a Benjarvus Green-Ellis though you’d like to find another Stevan Ridley. Either way, that’s the element that’s missing from the backfield group right now, and that’s true even if LeGarrette Blount returns.
  4. Defensive Tackle – Is this a huge need? No. But this draft class is packed with good Patriots fits so that makes it a position to watch. And really, you always need guys for the trenches. With the kind of high-end value that is in this draft, the Pats could very well take a defensive tackle for the third year in a row with their first pick and it wouldn’t surprise me.
  5. Safety – The Pats lost Tavon Wilson so of course they need to reach on another second-round safety that everyone had going in the sixth round. But seriously folks, with Patrick Chung‘s injury history I’m interested to see how Jordan Richards looks in the preseason. He could be thrust into an important role. And with the ever-evolving defense there’s always a need for big, tough guys who can run.
  6. Linebacker – This is Bill Belichick, he will never pass up a linebacker and though I like McClellin, both Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower are free agents next year. We all assume both with be re-signed, but I wouldn’t mind a little insurance. And a run-stopping thumper in the middle could fit in nicely.

Of course every other position is certainly a possibility no matter how stacked the Pats look. And I’m sure they’ll add somebody one way or another at every other spot on the roster, but those above are the areas that are truly vital to maintaining dominance for the near future.

Patriots Free Agency Analysis: Value Strikes Again

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No one values value more than Bill Belichick and that’s just what has been on display once again in Patriots free agency this year. In years past, I took a look at just how Belichick maximizes value, turning single draft picks into multiple players and future draft picks.

The 28th overall pick in the 2007 draft was turned into Randy Moss, Jerod Mayo, Shawn Crable, Ryan Mallet and then this year’s 7th rounder from Houston that they got for Mallet. That’s right, nine years later the value of that one pick is still paying dividends.

The 23rd overall pick in 2009 was turned into Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Darius Butler and Brandon Tate. Gronk and Edelman are the core of the Patriots offensive weaponry, while Butler and Tate have gone on to have solid pro careers even though not in New England.

This is what Belichick understands, that the draft is a crapshoot and even when you get good players they often get injured. The only way to consistently build a good football team that can overcome the under-performance and injuries that plague all professional football teams is to have quality depth and always work to strengthen that depth.

This philosophy was on display once again yesterday when the Patriots effectively flipped Chandler Jones for a 2nd round pick, and a once-promising guard in Jonathan Cooper, while also adding defensive end Chris Long at less than half what Jones was scheduled to make. Jones was a talented player who would’ve made an impact for the Patriots in 2016, but the long-term health and overall depth of the franchise is once again what the Patriots gained by making these kind of trades and acquisitions.

Long has had two years of injuries, but had never missed a game prior to 2014. It’s very possible that Long will rejuvenate his career if he can stay healthy in New England, and could easily be a more impactful pass rusher than Jones would’ve been. At the very least, Long will likely get his first taste of the playoffs and by that time he should be playing with his hair on fire. That’s the kind of play that helps you win championships.

As for Cooper, the Patriots loved him coming out of college but never had a shot at him as he went 7th overall in 2013. This is what makes the Patriots even more impressive, they rarely get a chance at the best talent in the draft. Instead they have to wait until they either fall out of favor or have their careers derailed by injuries. That’s when they pounce. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 12.50.50 PMThere’s no denying Cooper has talent and if he can find a way to rekindle that, the Patriots will have improved a vital part of their offensive line. If anyone can get to Cooper, it’s Dante Scarnecchia.

But perhaps most important is the second round pick. The Patriots now have both the 60th and 61st picks in the draft, and by the draft value chart that’s enough to package and get them all the way into the top of the second round, if not the late first round. That kind of flexibility is invaluable and opens up a number of doors that were closed to them without it.

Once again, it’s all about value, and with 11 draft picks the Patriots have the ammo to do as they please during draft day, maximizing each and every pick not only for this year but for the years to come.

 

 

Patriots 2016 Draft Fits Emerging

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Dont'a Hightower Patriots 2012 Draft Pick

Dont’a Hightower, one of the Patriots best draft picks.

In recent years I’ve been kind of burned out on the draft. It’s just so much speculation about an endless number of players, of which 10 might actually be taken by your team, and of those maybe two to five actually make an impact. Yes, there’s not much else to do during the offseason than looking for Patriots draft fits, but talking draft on twitter can be a full contact sport so I tend to keep my draft research and thoughts mostly to myself and really I think it serves me well to come to my own conclusions before I start comparing what I think to everyone else.

It’s even harder to really lock in on the draft before free agency even starts. What are needs right now might not be in a few weeks, or other areas where we think the Pats are set could suddenly become glaring needs with an unexpected release.

But this year I feel really good about the jump I’ve gotten on this year’s crop of prospects and already have a number of players who, regardless of need, are excellent fits for the Patriots.

The big issue I see with this year’s draft class is the depth of the defensive tackles and defensive ends. Neither are major areas of needs for the Patriots, but both are vital positions that you can really never have too much talent or depth at. If we’re still looking at the Patriots not drafting until the end of the second round, their potential pick will be extremely influenced by just how many of the DT and DEs are off the board.

And really, there’s so much talent there that if there’s a delay in the run on those players, I don’t think we can rule out taking a DT for the third-straight year, despite the needs elsewhere.

Patriots Draft Fits

The position that I’ll be most eagerly watching are the tackles. After the combine last week a number of players stood out with their athleticism and that’s just what I think the Patriots need. If I had to custom build a tackle for the Pats first pick it would be an athletic right tackle who can also play on the left side.

Jason Spriggs from Indiana is one to watch and hopefully he falls. He hit on all 10 of the Pats desired measurables per Doug Kyed of NESN. Only thing about him is that he might be destined for left tackle, and those guys go faster than those for the right side even though the difference has been slowly eroding.

An under the radar tackle is Willie Beavers of Western Michigan, who played the left side in college but has the traits to play just about anywhere on the line. Only knock for him is that he doesn’t quite have the ideal size, measuring in at 6’4″, but still weighs 324.

Another player who has jumped out at me a bit is a local kid, Boston College’s Justin Simmons. Yes, he had the best three-cone time and we know what that means to the Patriots, but I also think he’s a fascinating fit on the defense to develop in the Patrick Chung role. He has balance to play both free and strong safety, and though he’s a bit lanky he’s still a willing tackler. He also hit seven-of-ten desired measurables.

What’s most intriguing to me is his size at 6’2″. Being able to deal with bigger tight ends and slot receivers is becoming a key trait for strong safeties in the Pats system. Chung did an excellent job last year, but still struggled at times because he’s just not big enough to deal with guys who are 6’5″ all the time. Someone like Simmons would be an interesting tool to develop alongside Jordan Richards as the Pats look to the future at the position.

Combine: Gil Brandt ‘This is a draft that’s a Patriot draft’ | Patriots.com

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“There’s not really many first rounders,” Brandt told Patriots.com Friday during the league’s annual Scouting Combine. “There’s a lot of guys that are in the category of 20 to 50. You don’t have 28 (true) first rounders, so the (teams) who do their homework are going to do pretty well, because all these (players) look the same.”

Source: Combine: Gil Brandt ‘This is a draft that’s a Patriot draft’ | New England Patriots

How often are there actually 32 players worthy of a first-round selection? I’d make the case that 2012 might be one of the only years when the Pats traded up and nabbed both Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower. Is it any coincidence that those two players (along with 2013 second-rounder Jamie Collins) were the big keys to taking the porous defense of 2010 & 2011 and making them into one of the better front sevens in the NFL?

Pats don’t often get much credit for the fact that they’ve pretty much always been drafting in the 20’s for the last 15 years. The only exceptions were Jerod Mayo and Nate Solder. Otherwise they’ve maintained their dominance without getting to pick where most of the dominant players are usually selected.

You’d still love to have that first round pick back, but I think they have enough ammo to move up a bit in the second round. Big question will be when the runs on offensive and defensive tackles start.