Patriots Draft Plans: Going Up Or Heading Down?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
If you think you know what Bill Belichick might do when it comes to drafting players, come to the front of the class please?
Identifying needs this year for the New England Patriots might be obvious to everyone else, but only the head coach/general manager knows for certain what he'd like to do. However, seeing as how fans and media like to match wits with what Belichick is thinking, and because speculation is part of the overall enthusiasm behind the annual NFL Draft, here are five consensus choices that could be available for the Patriots to select at #29 in the first round.
And that may change, too...before the first round is in the history books. With only five selections in their possession throughout the three-day, seven round procession, don't be surprised to see New England trade out of the first round in order to gain a few extra picks later on. The 2013 draft isn't thought to be especially deep overall, and the Pats may simply feel there is better "value" later in the draft...which points to some movement. That's been their drafting trademark in recent years.
There is also quite a bit of draft chatter about several teams in the opening round looking to trade down, simply because they also view the draft as thin...and like New England, they may feel value exists in the later rounds. In this case, it could be cheaper for a team to actually move up, than it has been in recent years. We'll see if the Patriots covet a player enough to want to make this kind of a move.
WR - Justin Hunter, Tennessee
Wide receiver is one of the clear needs for the Patriots heading into the 2013 season. But guess what? Randy Moss isn't going to walk through that door, and Justin Hunter is no Randy Moss. He is pretty good, however...and could certainly be available if the Pats stick with #29. At 6-4, he's got size. Running a 4.44 40, he's got speed. He caught over a thousand yards worth of passes during his senior year in the SEC. He did tear an ACL two years ago, but looks to have recovered well enough for a shot at a solid pro career. The Patriots have had very little success in drafting and cultivating WR's however (Deion Branch?), so a receiver pick here could be viewed as a sleeper - or an upset.
CB - D. J. Hayden, Houston
Defensive back is definitely seen as a need in Foxboro, even with the re-signing of veteran cornerback Aqib Talib. But you can never have enough in the defensive backfield, and considering the Patriots' shortcomings the past couple of season on that side of the ball, this is a move that makes sense. But will he be around to pick? Hayden is one of the fast-risers in this year's draft, and has gone from off-the-radar to potential mid-first round pick. He's a great story, too...coming from a near-death experience this past year. But he's fine by all accounts now, and has 4.33 speed in the 40.
DE - Datone Jones, UCLA
Jones is a guy that ESPN's Todd McShay really likes...but do the Patriots feel the same way? He's 6-4, 283 pounds and had 19 tackles for a loss during his senior season. With the remaining need to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks, another defensive end or lineman is sure to be on the draft wish list. Jones is a guy that could fill a role similar to what Richard Seymour had during his time with the Patriots, playing on the inside or outside.
DT - Jesse Williams, Alabama
Along the lines of the Jones possibility, Williams makes sense for the Patriots - if they keep the pick at #29. The draft is considered fairly deep on the defensive line, and since the team has looked to find tackles that can collapse a quarterback pocket (to little or no success) of late, Williams' pedigree of having played for former Belichick assistant Nick Saban is intriguing. At 6-3, 323 pounds, he's got the size and strength to move offensive linemen, he's got some speed (4.9 40), and there will be an eventual need to find Vince Wilfork's replacement. Williams could fit here.
TRADE
The feeling is so strong that the Patriots will trade down in order to secure additional picks, that it felt right to include this possibility here. There are receivers, defensive backs and offensive linemen that the Patriots like, but feel as if they can be had with later round picks. Without a clear-cut favorite and need at #29, the 2013 draft is adding up to another "trading down" opportunity for New England. This is a real choice for the team, and a strong possibility.
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