PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

NFP: Tracking Patriots Draft Trends

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NFP: Tracking Patriots Draft Trends

1. The Patriots have had eight or more draft picks in seven of the last ten drafts. To put that in perspective, as of the current moment only seven NFL teams have eight or more picks in this year’s draft.

 

2. From 2001-2007, New England drafted only one linebacker prior to the start of the sixth round (Ryan Claridge, UNLV, 5th round, 2005). However, over the past three years, the Patriots have selected five linebackers within the first three rounds, including first-round pick Jerod Mayo (Tennessee) in 2008.

3. Since drafting Laurence Maroney in the first round back in 2006, the Patriots have used only one selection on the running back position (Justise Hairston, Central Connecticut State, 6th round, 2007) over the last four years.

4. Despite drafting ten defensive tackles/nose tackles over the last ten years, only three of those players have been selected within the first 100 draft picks. Side Note: The Patriots have targeted the wide receiver position (5 players) more than anything else within the first 100 picks since 2001.

5. Since 2001, the Patriots have only drafted two offensive tackles (Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer) prior to the start of the third round.

WEEI: New picks for Patriots in new mock

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WEEI: New picks for Patriots in new mock

17. New England [from OAK (8-8)] Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri The decision between Smith and J.J. Watt would be a very tough one, and though Watt might have a more successful NFL career, the Patriots might not get a crack at a top pass-rusher if they wait until 28th pick rolls around to address it. The concern for a guy like Smith is the one-year wonder tag, and he’ll need to convince 3-4 teams like the Patriots that he’s capable of playing outside linebacker at the next level.

28. New England (14-2) Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State The Patriots took a tight end coming off back surgery last year, so this would be a boring class if it didn’t include a defensive lineman coming off Tommy John surgery, no? Heyward doesn’t have the same potential as Watt, but he has the NFL bloodlines, carries himself in a very professional manner and would be a fixture on the defensive line with Vince Wilfork and a healthy Ty Warren.

If these were the two picks in the first round I’d be very happy. I go back and forth on Heyward. Some say his motor runs hot and cold, but a lot of the game tape I’ve seen of him makes me think he’s the closest thing to a true Patriots 34 defensive end in this draft.

As for Smith it just comes down to how great his FBI (football intelligence) is. He has the physical size, but everything else is a mystery to all of us.

So if the Patriots deemed Smith and Heyward worthy of the first round selections I’d be excited because they’d be adding two players at areas of real need on the defense. This would also provide potential new pass rush solutions from both the OLB and DL spots.

Frenz: Breaking down prospects who have been privately worked out by the Patriots

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Frenz: Breaking down prospects who have been privately worked out by the Patriots

Impressive job done here by Frenz, interesting stuff about some prospects I knew, and a bunch I didn’t. A private workout of course signifies at least marginal interest in the player, but whether or not they can pick up concepts quickly, demonstrate they are/will be fully healthy, and have all the game film to back it up, we can never know for sure. 

They wanted a closer look, but that doesn’t mean they’re fully vested in the player yet.