Patriots Perfect Picks
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
With so much flexibility, Patriots fans need to be educated on players at nearly every position. Have no fear, we are here to educate you on three types of players.
"Perfect Picks", players that rank at or near the top of their position groups that would be the ideal fit for the Patriots (but will like be drafted much higher than the Pats pick). "Solid Starters", players who might not be at the top of their position groups but would be able to start and make an impact in 2014-15. Finally "Sleeper", players who will likely be Day 3 picks or undrafted that would fit well with the Patriots and has a chance to contribute.
Center:
Perfect Pick - Weston Richburg
Richburg is not the largest center prospect, but he is one of the best. All that fans need to know is that former Indianapolis Colts General Manager and current ESPN analyst Bill Polian compared Richburg to former Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, and the comparison fits
Richburg has a good amount of experience and uses his speed off the snap and agility to make blocks in both the run and pass game. Richburg would compete, and potentially win the starting center position if drafted by the Patriots.
Solid Starter - Travis Swanson
There was a time where many viewed Swanson as the top center in the draft class. His size (6-5, 312 pounds) alone distinguishes him from the rest of the class. He uses his size well, leveraging opposing tackles and driving well in run blocking.
Swanson would be able to compete for the starting center job if drafted, and could at least provide quality depth.
Sleeper - Tyler Larsen
Larsen does has the ideal size in terms of height and weight (6-4, 313 pounds) but has short arms, which hurts him. He has a high ceiling but would need some work on technique in pass blocking to make him a good NFL player.
Guard:
Perfect Pick - Xavier S'ua-Filo
S'ua-Filo is arguably the top guard in the draft class. He has good size and is extremely aggressive in the run game. S'ua-Filo is a durable and versatile player, starting at two positions over three years at UCLA.
S'ua-Filo is also very athletic and does a very good job pulling, trapping and getting out in front on screens, all traits that Patriots guards need.
Solid Starter - Charles Leno
Leno was a left tackle at Boise State who translate to the guard position in the NFL. Great size and extremely long arms, Leno has a good game in pass protection. Although he is not perfect, he is an able pass blocker and a good run blocker.
Leno would not be an exciting or "sexy" pick for the Patriots, but he could create great competition in the interior offensive line.
Sleeper - Chris Watt
If not for injuries, Watt's would be on everybody's radar. He is an experienced player with great technique. Watt also has some nastiness to his game, much like current Patriots starter Logan Mankins.
The injuries are a big concern for Watt, as they seemed to pile-up in the last year. But if Watt is healthy he has starting caliber skills.
Tackle:
Perfect Pick - Jake Matthews
It would take a near miracle for the Patriots to land Matthews. He is one of the top players in the entire draft class and is a complete left tackle. He has good size and great technique. Plays well in both the run and pass game, using his technique and a good understanding of leverage and angles to defeat defenders.
For the Patriots to land Matthews they would likely have to move into the top five. Although it is unlikely to happen, Matthews would make a strong unit even better,
Solid Starter - Justin Britt
Britt excelled at left and right tackle in the SEC, arguably the best conference in the country. Britt has great size and moves very well for a man of his size. Britt has good quickness off the line of scrimmage and uses his long arms and good leg drive to overpower defenders.
There are injury concerns with Britt as he missed parts of 2013 with a broken foot and then a torn ACL. If Britt is healthy he has starter potential on either side and could create good competition at tackle.
Sleeper - James Hurst
Another tackle with good size, Hurst shows a high football IQ when he blocks on the move or at the seconds level. Hurst does a good job getting to where he needs to be and sets a good base.
Although he would be a bit of a project to make NFL-ready, Hurst has NFL size and raw ability. Learning under Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer could help Hurst become a future tackle.
Quarterback:
Perfect Pick - Zach Mettenberger
In terms of draft needs quarterback is one of the lowest on the list. With Tom Brady still going strong, the Patriots have an opportunity to draft and develop a quarterback like Mettenberger. Mettenberger is coming off a late-season ACL tear, but showed great improvement during 2013.
Mettenberger has ideal size and a very strong arm. He developed quite well under Cam Cameron and would benefit from learning under Tom Brady for a few years.
Solid Starter - Keith Wenning
Wenning is another quarterback with great size and a good arm. He does a good job getting the ball out quickly and accurately but is far from a finished product. His experience and ability to read defenses are a huge plus. Learning under Brady could make Wenning another diamond in the rough.
Sleeper - Connor Shaw
Shaw is the only quarterback on the list that lacks ideal size. Despite his size, Shaw is extremely tough and takes care of the ball, throwing just one interception to 24 touchdowns in 2013.
His history of shoulder injuries are a red flag as is his unrest in the pocket. Yet with his ability to lead and tack care of the ball, Shaw has the intangibles that one generally sees in a Patriots player.
Running Back:
Perfect Pick - Carlos Hyde
Hyde is a workhorse, plain and simple. Hyde is a big, aggressive runner with better than expected speed and agility. He also has the Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer connection working in his favor.
Solid Starter - Charles Sims
Sims is an underrated running back that would be a very good complement to the current Patriots' running game. Sims lacks ideal size but finds running lanes and hits them quickly. He is also a very good receiver out of the backfield. Sims also has good speed and agility, allowing him to find space and get himself into the open field.
Sleeper - Marion Grice
Grice was a productive back in 2013 with Arizona State, thanks in large part to his agility and explosive playmaking ability. Grice is yet another good receiver out of the backfield and does a very good job securing the ball, fumbling only once in the past two seasons.
Grice does need to build up his frame to allow him to run between the tackles but has good developmental traits.
Tight End:
Perfect Pick - Jace Amaro
Amaro is more like an over-sized wide receiver than he is a tight end, but would fit perfectly into the Patriots offense. Pairing Amaro with Rob Gronkowski would lead to extreme matchup problems for opposing teams.
Amaro has good speed and runs good routes. He is also not afraid to attack the middle of the field, something Patriots tight ends have to do.
Solid Starter - Arthur Lynch
Lynch has Massachusetts ties and has flown under the radar due to injuries. When Lynch is healthy he is a dangerous receiver and a willing blocker. He would pair well with Rob Gronkowski, excelling in intermediate and short routes.
Sleeper - Rob Blanchflower
Blanchflower is another Massachusetts player and could provide "Gronk Insurance". Blanchflower has ideal NFL size and does a very good job blocking. Despite being slowed or sidelined for most of 2013 with injuries, Blanchflower still ended his career at UMass as the all-time leading receiver for tight ends, showing he can be extremely productive.
Blanchflower will likely never be the same player as Rob Gronkowski but could be a good insurance policy.
Wide Receiver:
Perfect Pick - Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham will likely go in the top 10 to 15 picks but would be a great complement for Tom Brady. He does not have great size but uses his body well and has great athletic ability which allows him to play bigger than he is listed.
Beckham Jr. is extremely dangerous in the open field, possessing the ability to make any play a scoring play, something the Patriots could use.
Solid Starter - Josh Huff
Due to the offense he played in, Huff gets overlooked by many people. His ability to produce in a run-first offense should make his ability shine even more though. Huff runs great routes and plays with a great desire. He is another who is dangerous in the open field and runs with determination, always fighting for the extra yards.
Sleeper - Jeff Janis
Many have not heard of this Division II standout, but Janis has all the physical tools a NFL receiver needs. Janis has ideal size, great speed and great jumping ability, making him a red zone threat that Tom Brady could use.
It is yet to be seen if Janis can translate Division II play into NFL success but he is worth a look.
Defensive Tackle:
Perfect Pick - Dominique Easley
Easley has the skills and ability to be a top 10 pick but injuries derailed his collegiate career. Easley is explosive, quick and provides a great pass rush on the interior. He would be the perfect complement next to Vince Wilfork and would force other defensive linemen to elevate their game or lose playing time to Easley.
Solid Starter - Daniel McCullers
McCullers is a gigantic man. His huge frame and great strength make him a very good option to pair with Vince Wilfork or Tommy Kelly. McCullers has the ability to take on and defeat double teams and even triple teams, helping his fellow defensive linemen and linebackers to get solo blocks.
Sleeper - Shamar Stephen
Stephen played his college football at UConn and although his numbers do not pop off the page, he shows good traits on film. Stephen does a good job absorbing double teams but also provides a decent pass rush in the middle. He is a perfect candidate to learn the position under veterans such as Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly.
Defensive End:
Perfect Pick - Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney has all the tools to be a special player in the NFL. Not just good, not just great, special. He is big, fast, agile and aggressive. Although some have questioned his effort, Clowney has shown that he has the ability and tools to dominate.
The Patriots would likely have to move up to the top overall pick to get Clowney (which won't happen) but the thought of Clowney in a Bill Belichick defense is too exciting to not talk about.
Solid Starter - Scott Crichton
Crichton is starting to get the credit he deserves late in the pre-draft process. Crichton is a powerful, aggressive player who has a great motor. He has a good set of pass rush moves but also plays the run well.
Crichton could be a great complement to Chandler Jones and would provide a solid pass rush combination. He would also be a good featured pass rusher if paired with Rob Ninkovich.
Sleeper - Brent Urban
Urban does a lot of things good, but none really jump off the film. He provides good pass rush and solid run defense but could use some polish. Adding Urban could help the defensive end rotation while also allowing him to grow on the job.
Outside Linebacker:
Perfect Pick - Khalil Mack
Mack is yet another player at the top of the draft class that likely won't be around when the Patriots make their first selection. Mack is an all-around player who plays the run and pass well and is a very good pass rusher.
Mack's build and his ability to see the field and react make him an ideal Bill Belichick linebacker.
Solid Starter - Telvin Smith
There are varying opinions on Smith. Is he a linebacker? Should he move to safety? Where does he truly fit into a defense? These questions scream one thing in Foxboro, versatility. Smith does not have the biggest build for a linebacker but can play inside or out and is a strong tackler. He has a ton of athleticism, which is why some think he could move to safety in the NFL.
Smith can also get after the passer, making him a dangerous player at all levels.
Sleeper - Tyler Starr
Starr is an extremely raw prospect but he does a very good job in coverage. He is athletic enough to run with some inside receivers but strong enough to bump tight ends and then cover. He would not come in right away and start but he would be able to contribute on special teams until he developed into an every down linebacker.
Inside Linebacker:
Perfect Pick - C.J. Mosley
Mosley is arguably the most complete prospect in the entire draft class. He can play inside or outside, he covers well, he makes plays in the backfield and reads plays extremely well. Mosley is a field general who lets his play do the talking.
Mosley could still be around when the Patriots make their first selection, and if he is it could be a great opportunity for the Patriots to add a strong presence up the middle.
Solid Starter - Max Bullogh
Bullogh had off-field issues at the end of his career, dropping his stock. Bullogh is an aggressive, attacking linebacker who reads plays well. He is not afraid to get his nose dirty on short yardage plays either.
Bullogh does have the off-field red flags but is nearly a perfect value fit for Bill Belichick's defense.
Sleeper - Andrew Jackson
If the Patriots are looking to replace Brandon Spikes with another strong, physical "thumper" Jackson is their man. He is an aggressive, downhill player who has good speed and makes a lot of plays in the backfield.
Jackson also has special teams value, making him a very valuable piece in the Patriots' system.
Cornerback:
Perfect Pick - Kyle Fuller
Fuller is a complete cornerback. He obviously plays the pass well but also gives good support in the run game and is a solid tackler. Fuller has good size and plays the ball very well.
Although the Patriots are set at cornerback for 2014. They might be due for another reworking of the position in 2015 and Fuller would be a solid start
Solid Starter - Walt Aikens
Aikens was not invited to the 2014 Combine, which is part of the reason many do not know his name. However Aikens has the size and strength to be a starter in the NFL. He is a very good press-cover corner with a good jam at the line of scrimmage.
The major question is if Aikens can translate his collegiate success to the NFL after coming from Liberty.
Sleeper - Antone Exum
Exum is yet another big, strong cornerback who can play well in press coverage. Exum has great size and could even translate to safety, showing great position versatility.
Safety:
Perfect Pick - Hasean Clinton-Dix
Clinton-Dix is another Alabama product with tremendous upside. He is big, physical and plays both the run and the pass well. Like many Alabama defensive backs, there is a question on how high Clinton-Dix’s ceiling is but he would be the perfect fit in Bill Belichick’s defense.
Solid Starter - Deone Bucannon
Bucannon is a big, imposing safety who had a solid career in the Pac-12. He has good ball skills and is a hard hitter, making him an every down safety. Bucannon also sees the field very well and seems to be in the right spot on nearly every play.
Sleeper - Ty Zimmerman
Zimmerman is yet another big safety. He does not play the pass all that well but does a very good job filling in run coverage. Zimmerman is also a very smart player who reads the field well.
Zimmerman also has good value on special teams.
Reminders
The draft starts Thursday night with the first round kicking off at 8 p.m. Rounds 2 and 3 are Friday night (starting at 7 p.m.) and rounds 4-7 take place Saturday afternoon (starting at 12 p.m.).
Keep up with the draft and the Patriots all weekend by following and interacting on Twitter with GoLocal’s Jack Andrade (@RealJackAndrade) and Matt LaPan (@Matt_LaPan), both of whom will be at Gillette Stadium. Be a part of the conversation using the hashtag #GoLocalDraft
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