By Chad GarnerFan Fanatic Sports Staff
So what will the New England Patriots do in the NFL Draft?
Under coach Bill Belichick, no one has really been able to predict what the Pats are going to do in the draft, so why would this year be any different?
Just when you think you've got Belichick and the Pats figured out, they hit you with surprise first-round picks like: Richard Seymour (2001), Ty Warren (2003), Vince Wilfork (2004), Logan Mankins (2005), Laurence Maroney (2006) and Jerod Mayo (2008). See, just about every draft "expert" can't even say they had these guys in their mock draft going to the Pats.
The bottom line is expect the unexpected from the Patriots.
And you can't really argue with the final product. Belichick's been pretty darn good here in New England hasn't he? Those Vince Lombardi trophies look pretty nice in Foxboro!
So this year, the Patriots appear to have a glaring need at outside linebacker with the trade of Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs. It'd be nice to get a linebacker than can cover and rush the passer because those guys are hot commodities for any team. And we all know they're hard to find.
CLAY MATTHEWS IS THE PICK
With the Patriots sitting on the 23rd pick in the first round, I really believe they have a good shot at landing USC linebacker Clay Matthews (6-3, 240, 4.62 40-yard dash). Matthews seemed to improve every year under Pete Carroll, and his stock has soared ever since he dazzled at the NFL Scouting Combine. Matthews, a former walk-on, was only a one-year starter, so there are concerns he's a one-year wonder, but his athletic ability speaks for itself. He can rush the passer and excels in pass coverage. The added bonus with Matthews is that he's a stud special teams players -- so he can contribute right away. He's smart, which the Pats obviously love, too.
MOVE UP AND GET USC'S CUSHING
The other possibility I would love to see the Pats pursue is USC linebacker -- yes, USC is a linebacker factor now -- Brian Cushing.
I don't think Cushing will be available at No. 23, however, so I could see the Pats packaging one of their three second-round picks to move up to the top-12 to 15 if that's who the covet. Besides Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry, who should be gone in the top-3, Cushing is the next best LB. Cushing (6-3, 243, 4.68 40) is a force with the ability to smack you in the mouth, hold up at the point of contact and get to the QB, or drop into coverage. Again, he's a all-around LB like Matthews, but I think he's tougher and a lot more physical.
OTHER SECOND-ROUND LINEBACKERS TO TARGET
If the Pats pass on a LB in Round 1, they could still address the need early in the second -- they have pick No. 34, 47, 58 in the second round. Remember the names Larry English (Northern Illinois), Connor Barwin (Cincinnati) and Clint Sintim (Virginia) for potential second-round selections at linebacker.
HOW MANY PICKS WILL THE PATS TRADE?
Expect the Pats to trade some of those picks (they have 11 total, including pick No. 89, 97 in the third round) however. Belichick loves to wheel and deal, whether it's moving up or down, or out of a round to get a better pick the following year.
Don't expect the Pats to use all 11 picks, they don't have enough rosters spots open anyway, plus why not package picks to make sure you get the guy(s) you think really can help your team now and in the future? They've proven that recipe works.
I'd love to see the Patriots target a linebacker, but if they don't where should they go with the No. 23 pick?
CORNERING THE MARKET
I know the Pats got younger at cornerback with draft picks Terrence Wheatley (2nd round) and Jonathan Wilhite (4th round), and the free agent signings of Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs, but there's obviously room for some competition.
In steps Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins (6-0, 204, 4.51 40). He's the most experienced corner in the draft, with good instincts and he plays physical. He lacks the elite speed to stay with the top WRs in the NFL, so many think he could be a great safety. Jenkins also played safety at Ohio State, so he's versatile -- exactly what Belichick loves.
SLIP AND SLIDE
The defensive end class is no doubt the deepest, so someone could slip through the cracks -- Brian Orakpo (Texas) -- He won't slip to No. 23, though -- Everette Brown (Florida State), Tyson Jackson (LSU) or Aaron Maybin (Penn State) could be on their radar at No. 23 or a trade up.
Who knows what the Pats are thinking?
I WANT CUSHING IN FIRST ROUND!!!
For the record: If I were the Pats and could trade up, my guy is Cushing, no question about it. He's going to make some team very happy for years to come.
With so many picks at its disposal, New England can maneuver around the draft board, targeting its guy, either a need pick or a best available guy.
ALWAYS NEED OFFENSIVE TACKLES
I'd also like to see the Pats add some depth on the offensive line, in particular tackle. How many years does Matt Light have left in him? Besides Light, Belichick's offensive tackle picks haven't really stuck -- Kenyetta Jones (2001), jury is still out on Nick Kaczur (2005), Ryan O'Callaghan (2006), Corey Hilliard (2007).
As far as tackles, there are elite guys that will be gone by the time No. 23 rolls around -- Jason Smith (Baylor), Eugene Monroe (Virginia), Michael Oher (Mississippi), Andre Smith (Alabama) -- but there's some great second-round value with Eben Britton (Arizona), William Beatty (UConn), Jamon Meredith (South Carolina) and Phil Loadholt (Oklahoma).
Of the group, Meredith may have the best upside since he's considered one of the smartest linemen in the nation, and he's also played both tackle and guard. Sounds like a Patriots guy, right?
LOOKING FOR TIGHT ENDS
I think the Pats could use another tight end, too. Benjamin Watson has never lived up to his first-round selection and David Thomas (third round, 2006) is more of a pass catcher with limited ability. The acquisition of free agent Chris Baker solidifies the position, but you never know if the Pats take a value pick in the second or third round?
Brandon Pettigrew (6-6, 263, 4.80 40), from Oklahoma State could be there at No. 23. He's the best prospect in the bunch, too. He's got good hands, it tough to tackle and he's a legit blocker. Basically, he's the total package you're looking for. But I don't see the Pats taking him in the first round, TE isn't a major need, linebacker is. I think we'd more realistically see a second- or third-round TE pick like Jared Cook (6-5, 246, 4.49 40) -- he'd look good in a Pats uniform -- who is a playmaker that can run, catch and block. Give Tom Brady another target and look out. James Casey (Rice), Chase Coffman (Missouri), Shawn Nelson (Southern Mississippi) and Travis Beckum (Wisconsin).
For a sleeper, Cornelius Ingram (Florida) could be a steal. He didn't play at all last season (torn ACL), but he's athletic and can beat a defense with speed and solid routes. His hands are outstanding. Be pumped if the Pats get Ingram in the third or fourth round.
LET'S RUN THE WILDCAT WITH PAT WHITE
With the Wildcat being the sexy new formation on offense, which is designed to get the ball into the hands of another playmaker out of a running formation instead of the QB taking the snap -- RB Ronnie Brown was great at it with Miami last year -- the more and more I hear about Pat White (West Virginia) to the Pats, the more and more I like it, plus he could serve as the No. 3 QB.
White is just an athlete. Yes, he would rather play QB, but he's more of a hybrid player and a perfect fit into a Wildcat package. The lefty can throw and run, and good luck trying to defend him when he gets out on the edge. Will he pass or run? Imagine another weapon for Belichick to design plays for. White ran the 40 in 4.55 -- yes, that's better than a lot of running backs in this year's draft.
GREENE A TOUGH RUNNER
Speaking of running back, that group with the Pats (Maroney, Taylor, Morris, Faulk, Green-Ellis) could use a shot of youth. While the overall class isn't very strong, there is some depth and value to be had. Iowa tailback Shonn Greene didn't test well -- 4.65 40 -- but he knows how to run and find the end zone. He's tough and built low to the ground (5-11, 227). He doesn't have great hands, but something has to be said for a kid that rushed for over 100 yards in all 13 games last season. Sometimes you throw the stopwatch away and just plug in the tape. He knows how to run and punishes would-be tacklers. Also watch out for Cedric Peerman (Virginia), Javon Ringer (Michigan State) and Kory Sheets (Purdue).
I know the Pats are solid on the defensive line with Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren and Jarvis Green, but you can never have enough good to great D-linemen.
BRACE TO NEW ENGLAND IN 2ND ROUND?
It not only would be a great story, but it would benefit the Pats in the long run to draft Boston College defensive tackle Ron Brace. Every teams' goal is to stop the run first and foremost, and Brace is one of the best run-stuffing machines in the draft --his teammate B.J. Raji is nasty, too -- and a guy that occupies multiple defenders which frees up linebackers to make plays. Perhaps there's a reason why the Pats brought in Brace for a physical?
Brace is a monster at 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, and a handful for any offensive lineman or linemen. He is a disruptive force that blows up plays and he is surprisingly quick for a big man chasing down plays near the sideline. He might still need to work on rushing the passer, but you know what you get with Brace -- a space-eater that is hard to move and a guy that has a motor that doesn't have an off switch.
There's so many options for the Patriots on Saturday and Sunday, but with a proven track record it's hard not to trust what Belichick and the Patriots will do.
In Belichick We Trust.
