patriots

POST DRAFT ANALYSIS: Of these 50 prospects I had Logan Ryan and Aaron Dobson. Also had Chris Jones though he wasn’t drafted by the Pats, but I’ll give myself a check for that one. Should’ve had Josh Boyce too but he was left off for some reason. More impressive is that of my three total mock drafts for B/R I nailed Dobson and Boyce in the first one, and Ryan in the second. Got nobody on the third, but I’ll take it. 3 out of 50 on the Big Board, 3 out of 15 on the mocks. Not bad.

For the past two years I’ve put together a Patriots-only big board, which is a collection of prospects that I think fit the Patriots. The goal is to nail as many Pats picks as possible on this board, so it’s less about the order of them, and more about who’s here and how they fit the Pats style. It’s heavily skewed toward what I see as the biggest needs, WR, CB, coverage LB, and then OL and S to a lesser level.

In 2011, I had four (Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen) out of their nine. Including picking both Solder and Dowling in our one and only Patriots mock draft. Let’s hope I can get back to that kind of performance this year.

In 2012, I had just two (Chandler Jones, Alfonzo Dennard) of the seven picks. Debated long and hard over D’onta Hightower but ultimately left him off because he was too similar to Spikes, and really I think the Pats paid a little bit for having him and Spikes both out there together this year.

So here it is, our favorite 50…

1. Shariff Floyd (DT, Florida): Could do it all, and make an immediate impact inside. Too bad he’ll be gone in the top-10.
2. Sheldon Richardson (DT, Missouri): The best get upfield defensive tackle in the draft who plays mean. Some character concerns, and unlikely to drop anyway, but he’d be fun in the PAts system.
3. Datone Jones (DT, UCLA): Versatile fit who could fill a number of spots along the defensive line, including interior pass rusher. Seems like a great value pick, a very popular target in Pats mocks.
4. DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson): Tough, explosive receiver that can do it all. As always, the question is does he have the FBI to play with Brady?
5. Jesse Williams (DT, Alabama): Huge mass of a man who’s still learning the game. Would be an ideal partner for Wilfork if the Pats continue to run the “double nose” defense. Haloti Ngata-type size.
6. Keenan Allen (WR, CAL): Prototypical size, can play inside or outside. Injury issues, but that could put him in the Pats range. Good compliment to the WRs the Pats have now.
7. Desmond Trufant (CB, Washington): Confident and competitive, lacks ideal size and physicality, but knows what to expect in the NFL and should make a good pro.
8. Robert Woods (WR, USC): Classic outside receiver with the size the Pats like. Another popular receiver option who could play outside.
9. Quinton Patton (WR, Louisiana Tech): Tough runner after catch, with size to play outside. Smooth. 
10. Johnathan Banks (CB, Mississippi State): Smooth athlete with ball skills and versatility. Potential to start on the outside immediately.
11. Johnathan Hankins (DL, Ohio State): Another versatile guy who could play in multiple spots, more hold ground type. Connection to Vrabel/Meyer cannot be discounted.
12. Logan Ryan (CB, Rutgers): Aggressive, solid all-around football player with good size. A popular fit given Belichick’s connections to Rutgers.
13. Jamar Taylor (CB, Boise State): Excels in downfield man coverage, and plays aggressive.
14. Sylvester Williams (DT, North Carolina): Quick and disruptive, but in a traditional 4-3 tackle mold. Selection would signal departure from double nose defense.
15. Blidi Wreh-Wilson (CB, UConn): Tall corner with all the intangibles.
16. D.J. Swearinger (S, South Carolina): Violent hitter, team leader who can play man-to-man in the slot.
17. Tank Carradine (DE, Florida State): An elite disruptor before getting injured, Carradine would need time, but could add a pass rush force in time.
18. Chris Harper (WR, Kansas State): Former quarterback, with a great build, and strength. 
19. David Amerson (CB, NC State): 13 interceptions in 2011, down year in 2012. Huge upside if he takes to coaching. Great second-round value.
20. Jordan Poyer (CB, Oregon State): Lacks size and measurables but simply makes plays. Special Teams experience.
21. Alex Okafor (DE, Texas):  Better fit at left defensive end than Ninkovich, could be a long-term replacement.
22. Margus Hunt (DE, SMU): Developmental, but again, a Ninkovich replacement for 2014. Great size, could be an intimidating bookend with Jones once he develops.
23. Cobi Hamilton (WR, Arkansas): Elite work ethic and experience in a similar system to the Patriots. Perhaps the safest receiver pick?
24. Aaron Dobson (WR, Marshall): Physical, and acrobatic with good size, would need some time to develop in an NFL offense.
25. Aaron Mellette (WR, Elon): Small school, but good size to play outside. Rumored Pats interest already.
26. Stedman Bailey (WR, West Virginia):  A little undersized but competitive and physical in his routes. Another potential safe pick.
27. Leon McFadden (CB, San Diego State): Undersized but experienced and competitive. Good fit for slot.
28. Jamar Taylor (CB, Boise State): One of the best press corners in the draft.
29. Brandon Williams (DT, Missouri Southern): Big, athletic and versatile. Might need time to develop. Good value pick with a lot of potential.
30. Jelani Jenkins (LB, Florida): Dime linebacker in the Patriots system, with potential at Will.
31. Zaviar Gooden (LB, Missouri): Blew up the combine, special teams potential, linebacker who can run. Projects to Will in the Patriots system.
32. Jordan Hill (DT, Penn State): Solid character with quickness off the ball. Projects as specialty interior rusher. Bill O’Brien connection should shed light on him.
33. Montori Hughes (DT, Tennesee-Martin): Large, powerful inside presence.
34. Sean Porter (LB, Texas A&M): Highly respected player who could play special teams and bring some third-down pass rush specialty, while potentially developing at Will. 
35. Brent Russell  (DT, Georgia Southern) One-gapper who could immediately compete in the inside.
36. John Simon (LB, Ohio State): Intense and competitive, would be a great fit in a matchup defense like the Pats.
37. A.J. Klein (LB, Iowa Sate): Strongside Linebacker has work ethic and versatility.
38. Josh Boyd (DT, Mississippi St.): Great motor and strength, could make impact inside.
39. Jamoris Slaughter (SS, Notre Dame): Tough, explosive and versatile, lined up all over the defense. Achilles injury.
40. Tony Jefferson (S, Oklahoma): Solid football player with a lot of experience, could develop into effective two-way safety.
41. Philip Thomas (S, Fresno State): Leader of the secondary, athletic and quick. Gruesome injury in 2011.
42. Emmett Cleary (RT, Boston College): Smart, tough and versatile.
43. Rick Wagner (L/RT, Wisconsin): Strong and tough with great size and length.
44. Brandon McGee (CB, Miami): Good quickness, could project inside to slot, or even outside.
45. Reid Fragel (RT, Ohio State): Former tight end who plays hard in multiple roles. Similar size and movement skills to Solder, could back-up both tackle spots.
46. Eric Herman (OG, Ohio): Huge and violent.
47. Josh Johnson (DB, Purdue): Three year starter, strong and tough enough to play special teams and compete for time in dime.
48. John Boyett (DB, Oregon): Plays and works hard, loves football. Special Teams while finding a role on defense.
49. Hugh Thornton (OG, Illinois): Versatile, overcame tough circumstances.
50. Chris Jones (DT, Bowling Green): Try-hard interior defensive lineman who’s extremely productive.