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 Always one of the most active team’s in the draft, the Patriots have mastered the art of stockpiling 1st and 2nd round picks.
This year, they have 4 picks in the top 53 selections, and only a few needs that really need filling. They’ll be some talent at each of the slots, as this is one of the best draft classes in recent memory in my opinion.
With main needs at 3-4 Outside Linebacker, Tight End, Guard, and Receiver, they could take most or all of those needs, but watch out for a few wildcard luxury picks as well from the always creative Belichek lead Patriot draft assault.
Outside Linebackers
Brandon Graham, Michigan
Likely the guy they covet in the 1st round, Graham’s the only guy I see them sticking around in the 22rd spot to take. Graham plays with the best leverage I’ve seen in many years and is the power rusher and aggressive defender that the Patriots have been lacking since Willie McGinest.
Graham could go higher, as the Seahawks and 49ers in the middle of the 1st round could be very interested. But with his athletic ability and ability to dominate, the Patriots will likely jump all over him if he falls as low as they pick in round one.
Jerry Hughes, TCU
Maybe their back-up plan in the 1st round, Hughes is a more pro-ready 3-4 outside linebacker, but not explosive enough to be a star player like Graham can be. Hughes is an above average athlete who can drop back in coverage in spots and could start early on.
Because this class is so deep in the defensive line and at outside linebacker for 3-4 teams, Hughes could slip in the draft. Though it’s doubtful, he could fall to the middle of round, where the Patriots dominate the draft.
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
With Chris Baker and Ben Watson now on other teams, the Patriots have a huge need at tight end and may not have the luxury to get a playmaker at the position, but look for a more complete player. And that’s exactly what Gronkowski is, as he’s a sound pass catcher with good blocking skills and a big frame, and reminds me and fellow Optimum Scouting scout Mark Dulgarian of Todd Heap.
He has questions about his durability, however, which is why a talent like him won’t be a 1st rounder and is a bit of a risk. But, with a need like the Patriots have and the fact that their offense is so productive regardless of who’s playing tight end, they can afford the risk.
Aaron Hernandez, Florida
The main reason that this player makes sense for the Patriots is if they sign former Patriot and solid tight end Daniel Graham, as they are rumored to. Hernandez is more of a match-up guy in the mold of former starter David Thomas (currently on the Saints).
Hernandez can be a versatile player who can play in the slot, maybe come out of the backfield as a full back at times, and still can line up and block as a tight end. He won’t fill the role of a full time tight end, but he can definitely help this offense’s productivity.
Offensive Guard
Michael Johnson, Alabama
At one point considered the top guard prospect in the draft, Johnson is a technically sound guard with good run blocking skills and the versatility to maybe move to right tackle in the pros if a team needs him to.
With Stephen Neal and Nic Kaczur on the down-slopes of their career at right guard and tackle, Johnson can be a long-term replacement for one of the top, and can provide solid depth for the immediate future while they continue to get younger on the offensive line.
Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts
Similar to Johnson, Ducasse has the ability to slide outside at tackle. The main difference between the two is that Johnson could go in that early 2nd round while Ducasse could go in the late 2nd, early 3rd round period.
He’s a little over rated in my opinion as a prospect and he’ll need some fine-tuning in technique to be a starter, but he has the size to be a solid run blocker and quick enough feet to play right tackle, so the potential for versatility is there. Plus, he’s a very high character guy.
Wide Receiver
Andre Roberts, Citadel
The Patriots receiver corps is starting to lose some of its luster. Randy Moss is likely gone after the 2010-2011 season and they really don’t have anyone on the roster to fill his Hall of Fame shoes. Also, opposite Moss, Welker is coming off a serious injury, and both he and Julian Edelman are better suited for a slot role.
Andre Roberts, arguably the top smalls school receiver, runs outstanding and quick routes that Brady has been in need of over the past few years. He’s a consistent pass catcher with great deep speed, and can be a number 2 receiver to push Welker and/or Edelman in the slot once again.
Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas
While Roberts fits their needs now, the Patriots may need to start grooming Moss’s replacement in the future. Outside of Brandon Tate, the Patriots don’t have a starting receiver above 6’0, and Tate isn’t likely to be their future number 1.
While he doesn’t have great speed or nearly the athletic ability of Randy Moss, Briscoe was productive and can be the red zone threat and physical body on the outside that Brady needs. He’ll likely be there at the end of round 2, maybe even into round 3.
Wildcards
Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss
Because the Patriots only have, at most, three major needs, they have at least one “luxury” pick where they can take either the best player available or a guy too good to pass up on.
McCluster doesn’t have a true position at the NFL level, as he’s too small to be a starting receiver and not physical enough to be a consistent running back. However, he can be a “match-up nightmare” in the same mold as a Percy Harvin or a Reggie Bush, and can help a team in so many ways. With a genius like Belichek, the Patriots can definitely find a way to utilize McCluster effectively.
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Maybe the player all Patriots fans were waiting for, this pick could be the most intruging. Bill Belichek has already said that Tebow can become an NFL quarterback, and with Brian Hoyer the current developmental back-up (and in my opinion, a career backup/3rd stringer), they could use an upgrade if Brady does go down once again.
This is the perfect spot for Tebow, as he’ll have some of the brightest offensive minds coaching him, he’ll learn from a future Hall of Famer, he won’t be expected to play very much at all, and he’ll have a chance to adjust to the pro game over the course of at least a year, probably two or three.
If any team could use Tebow, and if Tebow could pick a team, it’d be the New England Patriots, and they could pull the trigger if he falls out of the 1st round or they trade back from their 22nd slot.
My Projected Picks
Here is where I mock the possible draft picks for the Patriots, with the second and third option in order after the parenthesis:
22rd Overall Pick – Brandon Graham (Jerry Hughes, Tim Tebow)
44th Overall Pick – Rob Gronkowski (Tim Tebow, Andre Roberts)
47th Overall Pick – Tim Tebow (Andre Roberts, Michael Johnson)
53rd Overall Pick – Andre Roberts (Michael Johnson, Dexter McCluster)
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