* Ye Olde 2013 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[Sciz]

Originally Posted by ATippett56

With regard to Troy Polamula, let me know the next time the New England Patriots have 16th overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Troy Polamalu NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

5'-10", 213 pounds

As for Ed Reed, Devin McCourty is now the starting free safety for the New England Patriots.

What does the pick have to do with anything? You clearly don't think Polamalu is tall enough to play SS for the Pats.

[ATippett56]

Originally Posted by Sciz

What does the pick have to do with anything? You clearly don't think Polamalu is tall enough to play SS for the Pats.

If you are going to bother with an inch difference in height, then it's obvious you have nothing better to do than nitpick.

[ATippett56]

ATippett56 Post Senior Bowl Practice 2013 Mock Draft Special

Note: Subject to change in future weeks (due to NFLDraftScout revised rankings)

Trade New England Patriots first round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins for a second round draft pick and a third round draft pick (originally from the Chicago Bears).

WalterFootball.com: 2013 NFL Draft Order

2nd Round - Desmond Trufant, CB - Washington or Jordan Poyer, CB - Oregon State
2nd Round - Markus Wheaton, WR - Oregon State or Quinton Patton, WR - Louisiana Tech
3rd Round - Phillip Thomas, FS - Fresno State or D.J. Swearinger, FS - South Carolina
3rd Round - Brennan Williams, OT - North Carolina
7th Round - Josh Johnson, CB - Purdue
7th Round - Kyle Juszczyk, FB/TE - Harvard

Comments:

Desmond Trufant, Jordan Poyer, Phillip Thomas, D.J. Swearinger were defensive team captains for their respective collegiate football programs.

Sign unrestricted free agent Corey Williams, veteran defensive tackle from the Detriot Lions, to a one year veteran minimum contract with a $25,000 roster bonus and a $25,000 workout bonus. With the aforementioned unrestricted free agent signing, the New England Patriots defensive tackles under contract during next season's training camp are denoted below:

Vince Wilfork
Kyle Love
Brandon Deaderick
Myron Pryor
Armond Armstead
Corey Williams (veteran insurance in case of injury)
Marcus Forston (signed to a reserve/futures contract)

2013 UDFAs (training camp fodder/potential 53 man roster sleepers)

Jordan Rodgers, QB - Vanderbilt
D.J. Harper, RB - Boise State
Zac Stacy, RB - Vanderbilt
Michal Rivera, TE - Tennessee
Ryan Griffin, TE - Connecticut
Keenan Davis, WR - Iowa
Emery Blake, WR - Auburn
Chad Bumphis, WR - Mississippi State
Matt Stankiewitch, OC/OG - Penn State
Chris Barker, OG - Nevada
Tanner Hawkinson, OT - Kansas
Aldrick Fordham, DE - South Carolina
Kapron Lewis-Moore, DT - Notre Dame (PUP/IR Candidate)
A.J. Francis, DT - Maryland
Quinton Dial, DT - Alabama
Jake Knott, OLB - Iowa State
Nigel Malone, CB - Kansas State
Devin Smith, CB - Wisconsin
Melvin White, CB - La.-Lafayette
Trey Wilson, CB - Vanderbilt
Rashard Hall, FS - Clemson
Brandon Bishop, FS - North Carolina State
Rontez Miles, FS - California (PA)

Note: All 2013 UDFAs currently ranked lower than 254 by NFLDraftScout except for Chris Barker and Rashard Hall.

[EwanSellars]

id rather have cyprien over a FS like thomas or swearinger but otherwise i love all the choices nice to see Patton and Jusczyk

[ATippett56]

Originally Posted by EwanSellars

id rather have cyprien over a FS like thomas or swearinger but otherwise i love all the choices nice to see Patton and Jusczyk

Was Cyprien a team captain?

[mayoclinic]

Time for a bump. Based on NFL DraftScout's 1/25 rankings, with some picks adjusted up for anticipated movement. No pick taken more than 5 picks later than currently listed.

*** Trade: Pats trade #29 (640 points) to Miami for #42 and 82 (670 points)

42. Matt Elam, S, Florida. 5'10" 202#. Currently NFL DraftScout #42.



Beast! Elam would provide the physical presence that the Pats badly need in their secondary. He is a tough, physical, instinctive safety who makes plays all over the field, somewhat reminiscent of a Troy Polamalu. The Pats' secondary needs a dose of toughness.

60. Justin Rogers, WR, Tennessee. 6'4" 200#. Currently NFL DraftScout #55.



Stud Horse! Hunter is the kind of big, physical WR that the Pats have lacked for a long time. He would give the Pats' WR corps a very different look from what they have had over the past 3 years. They would still have the TEs and the move-based weapons (though with much more explosiveness), but also a legitimate outside receiving threat who can move the chains and work the sidelines, as well as an excellent red zone threat.

*** Trade: Pats trade #82 (180 points) to Atlanta for #92 and #123.

*** Trade: Pats trade #91 (135 points) to Tennessee for #104 and 135 (138 points)

92. Terron Armstead, OL, Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 6' 4 3/4" 306#. Currently NFL DraftScout #178.

(no photo)

Sleeper! Armstead was the standout prospect from the Shrine Game, and has held his own all week at the Senior Bowl. The only question is whether he projects better to guard than to tackle, in which case someone like Menelik Watson could also be an option with this pick.

104. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas. 5' 8 7/8" 179#. Currently NFL DraftScout #123.



Sleeper Greyhound! A world class sprinter and 2012 Olympian in the long jump, Goodwin has excelled at the Senior Bowl, showing much better receiving skills than he had been generally credited with, running good routes and catching everything thrown his way. Daniel Jeremiah writes that "NFL evaluators have been intoxicated by his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and ability to find another gear when the ball is in the air". Goodwin could replace Deion Branch as the #4 WR, but with a much greater range and big play capability. The combination of Goodwin and Jeff Demps would also be intriguing in terms of the amount of speed and breakaway capability they would present to opposing defenses.

*** Trade: Pats trade #123 and #219 (60 points) to Minnesota for #149 and 166 (60 points).

135. Garrett Gilkey, OG, Chadron St. 6' 5 7/8" 314#. Currently NFL DraftScout #217.



Sleeper Beast! The next Jahri Evans? Gilkey is an impressive physical specimen who has held his own during the Senior Bowl, including some big battles against big DTs like John Jenkins. Pat Kirwan writes:

[Gilkey] is one physical player that loves to battle in the trenches. Any team interested in a power guard that can move a defensive tackle will be interested in Gilkey. How this guy didn't play for a team like Nebraska or Wisconsin coming out of Chicago is a mystery to me.

Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

Jahri Evans was projected as a 7th round pick when the Saints took him in the 4th round out of Bloomsburg in 2006. He started all 16 games as a rookie, and never looked back. Could Gilkey be the same kind of impact interior linesman? He is extremely physical, and overpowers defensive linemen. The Pats could also be the first team in the NFL with 2 players from Chadron St.

149. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU. 5' 9" 179#. Currently NFL DraftScout #181.



Fallen Beast! If he lasts this long, this is where I would take a flier on a scrappy player like the Honey Bader. We could use some toughness in our secondary. I'm tired of being soft. We need a few thugs in our secondary. This is an about-face for me, but right now, I want some bad asses who will take some shots and send some messages.

Mathieu is undersized and doesn't have elite man coverage skills. But he is a heat seeking missile and ball hawk par extraordinaire who can be moved all around the secondary to create disruption. He's a big risk without a true position and multiple off field issues leading to his dismissal from LSU, but right now we need someone like him. He could excel in a nickel back/slot kind of role.

166. William Campbell, DT, Michigan. 6'5" 318#. Currently NFL DraftScout #202.



Sleeper Beast! Campbell has Michael Brokers/Akiem Hicks size and athleticism, with great strength, and enough quickness and explosiveness to play point guard in basketball games. He also played offensive line for a season for Michigan.

202. Kyle Juszczyk, FB/H-Back, Harvard. 6' 1 3/8", 248#. Currently NFL DraftScout #244.



Sleeper! Juszczyk would be the multi-dimensional fullback/H-back that the Pats need: someone who can open up holes inside for Stevan Ridley and help move the pile, but a receiving threat out of the backfield and in motion, perhaps even able to back up Aaron Hernandez as the move TE. Pat Kirwan writes:

[Juszczyk] is an ideal H-back/fullback candidate. He has been impressive as a lead blocker on the inside run game and has decleated a number of linebackers in the run drills. He is a fine receiver out of the backfield or as a wing has been excellent all week. He has soft hands, runs good routes and is physical after the catch.

Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

[manxman2601]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Time for a bump. Based on NFL DraftScout's 1/25 rankings, with some picks adjusted up for anticipated movement. No pick taken more than 5 picks later than currently listed.

*** Trade: Pats trade #29 (640 points) to Miami for #42 and 82 (670 points)

42. Matt Elam, S, Florida. 5'10" 202#. Currently NFL DraftScout #42.



Beast! Elam would provide the physical presence that the Pats badly need in their secondary. He is a tough, physical, instinctive safety who makes plays all over the field, somewhat reminiscent of a Troy Polamalu. The Pats' secondary needs a dose of toughness.

60. Justin Rogers, WR, Tennessee. 6'4" 200#. Currently NFL DraftScout #55.



Stud Horse! Hunter is the kind of big, physical WR that the Pats have lacked for a long time. He would give the Pats' WR corps a very different look from what they have had over the past 3 years. They would still have the TEs and the move-based weapons (though with much more explosiveness), but also a legitimate outside receiving threat who can move the chains and work the sidelines, as well as an excellent red zone threat.

*** Trade: Pats trade #82 (180 points) to Atlanta for #92 and #123.

*** Trade: Pats trade #91 (135 points) to Tennessee for #104 and 135 (138 points)

92. Terron Armstead, OL, Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 6' 4 3/4" 306#. Currently NFL DraftScout #178.

(no photo)

Sleeper! Armstead was the standout prospect from the Shrine Game, and has held his own all week at the Senior Bowl. The only question is whether he projects better to guard than to tackle, in which case someone like Menelik Watson could also be an option with this pick.

104. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas. 5' 8 7/8" 179#. Currently NFL DraftScout #123.



Sleeper Greyhound! A world class sprinter and 2012 Olympian in the long jump, Goodwin has excelled at the Senior Bowl, showing much better receiving skills than he had been generally credited with, running good routes and catching everything thrown his way. Daniel Jeremiah writes that "NFL evaluators have been intoxicated by his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and ability to find another gear when the ball is in the air". Goodwin could replace Deion Branch as the #4 WR, but with a much greater range and big play capability. The combination of Goodwin and Jeff Demps would also be intriguing in terms of the amount of speed and breakaway capability they would present to opposing defenses.

*** Trade: Pats trade #123 and #219 (60 points) to Minnesota for #149 and 166 (60 points).

135. Garrett Gilkey, OG, Chadron St. 6' 5 7/8" 314#. Currently NFL DraftScout #217.



Sleeper Beast! The next Jahri Evans? Gilkey is an impressive physical specimen who has held his own during the Senior Bowl, including some big battles against big DTs like John Jenkins. Pat Kirwan writes:



Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

Jahri Evans was projected as a 7th round pick when the Saints took him in the 4th round out of Bloomsburg in 2006. He started all 16 games as a rookie, and never looked back. Could Gilkey be the same kind of impact interior linesman? He is extremely physical, and overpowers defensive linemen. The Pats could also be the first team in the NFL with 2 players from Chadron St.

149. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU. 5' 9" 179#. Currently NFL DraftScout #181.



Fallen Beast! If he lasts this long, this is where I would take a flier on a scrappy player like the Honey Bader. We could use some toughness in our secondary. I'm tired of being soft. We need a few thugs in our secondary. This is an about-face for me, but right now, I want some bad asses who will take some shots and send some messages.

Mathieu is undersized and doesn't have elite man coverage skills. But he is a heat seeking missile and ball hawk par extraordinaire who can be moved all around the secondary to create disruption. He's a big risk without a true position and multiple off field issues leading to his dismissal from LSU, but right now we need someone like him. He could excel in a nickel back/slot kind of role.

166. William Campbell, DT, Michigan. 6'5" 318#. Currently NFL DraftScout #202.



Sleeper Beast! Campbell has Michael Brokers/Akiem Hicks size and athleticism, with great strength, and enough quickness and explosiveness to play point guard in basketball games. He also played offensive line for a season for Michigan.

202. Kyle Juszczyk, FB/H-Back, Harvard. 6' 1 3/8", 248#. Currently NFL DraftScout #244.



Sleeper! Juszczyk would be the multi-dimensional fullback/H-back that the Pats need: someone who can open up holes inside for Stevan Ridley and help move the pile, but a receiving threat out of the backfield and in motion, perhaps even able to back up Aaron Hernandez as the move TE. Pat Kirwan writes:



Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

Well you've got one mega-binky (Armstead) and two minor binkies (Juszczyk and Gilkey so a big thumbs up. I would adore that draft providing you swapped Hunter for either Patton or Wheaton. I understand the interest in Hunter but there's a reason he's a fast 6'4" WR available in the 2nd round, and that turns me off. I could live with him because his upside is of the charts but I just think Wheaton or Patton are better bankers to succeed. But it's a really nice mock.

[Sciz]

Alright, here's my first real mock of the season. Biggest change from my really broad mock a while ago is changing the first pick to not be a big DE, thanks to the addition of Armstead.

Resign: Edelman, Fletcher (RFA), White, Arrington
Sign: Cassel, Brian Hartline, and someone along the lines of Talib, Keenan Lewis, Sean Smith, etc.
Hartline put up 1083 yards for the Dolphins last season and would bring size (6'2") and speed (4.49) to the Pats' receiving group. He is reportedly seeking a contract in the $5-6M range, which seems reasonable to me for an 26 year old, 1k yard, outside receiver. The biggest concern is his lack of TDs (1), but it's worth pointing out that only Fasano (5 TDs) had more than 2 and that the Dolphins' QBs only threw 13 TDs total. Hartline would easily have more TDs in NE.

Trade Mallett for the Browns' 3rd and 4th, plus picks in 2014 if you don't think that's enough.

29. Trade down with the Eagles for their 2nd (35) and their 4th

35: Larry Warford, G, Kentucky
Surprise! While there's fantastic depth at other positions, the offensive line is a little more top-heavy. With Cannon taking over at right tackle, it's the perfect time for a little bit of a change, with the right side of the line suddenly becoming about 20 pounds heavier at each spot. Connolly and Wendell battle it out at center, with I presume Wendell winning and Connolly backing up all three interior spots and being used more liberally as a fullback.

59: Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
While the ends got more coverage at LSU, Logan is the one that I'm most interested in. He's a quicker DT than what the Pats are used to having, so he should be able to improve the interior pass rush, eventually turning into a long-term 3-tech 3-down lineman.

68 (From Cleveland for Mallett): David Amerson, S, North Carolina State
I don't think Amerson is a corner, at least for what the Pats want to do, but he's got an intriguing skill set to play next to McCourty. He's a bigger DB who should be able to handle TEs better than a guy like McCourty or Gregory (not that the latter is saying much), and he has outstanding recognition and ball skills, making him an intriguing robber at the SS position. Not sure how well he'd be as a cover 2 safety, but that's minor to me as long as he can man up on TEs and play the robber. While a big name free agent or a high pick would go a long way toward fixing the SS spot, I'm going to go with the "crap against a wall" strategy and hope that Amerson, Wilson, or even Dowling or Ebner sticks, or we're stuck with Gregory for another year.

91: Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas
I know he's rising this week, so this is a moderate increase of his current value that may still not be enough. With Lloyd and Hartline giving the Pats their first real pair of outside receivers since 2007, someone needs to play the slot. Oh, and I should probably mention that Goodwin is fast. Like, "win the combine 40" fast.

Eagles' 4th (~100): Trade down about half a round, picking up a fifth.

Browns' 4th: Nickell Robey, CB, USC
Yes, he's 5'8". That said, he's an explosive athlete with a much higher ceiling in the slot than Arrington. As long as the Pats can keep him there, then he's the kind of player who can handle Welker (wherever he ends up) and the similar players.

Random pick in the middle of the fourth (from earlier trade down): Cornelius Washington, DE, Georgia
I really think this guy is going to be better in the NFL than he was in college. He's got the size, he's got the speed, and he can play football. He's not an instant starter and is maybe never a starter, but he's got the potential to be a special specialist.

Random pick in the middle of the fifth (from earlier trade down): Michael Williams, TE, Alabama
"Hello, Michael. Bill Belichick. We're drafting you. Go gain 30 pounds. No, you're not playing tackle, at least not right away. You have two jobs. You need to be the best blocking TE in the NFL without it even being close, and you need to be able to run five yards, turn around, and catch the ball. Now go eat some goddamn snacks."

Tampa Bay's 7th: Luke Marquardt, OT, Azuza Pacific
He's big, he's talented, and he plays at a school that nobody's heard of. With Vollmer leaving, the Pats don't really have a true backup left tackle. It's Marquardt's job to turn into that. And it doesn't hurt that his position coach at Azuza Pacific is Matt Slater's HOF dad Jackie.

Pats' 7th: MarQueis Gray, QB/WR/TE/BBQ, Minnesota
He split time between QB and WR in college. He's probably a TE in the NFL. He's big (6'4", 245), and he's dangerous with the ball in his hands. In an ideal world, he can play the Hernandez role for the 4 games a year that Hernandez will inevitably miss.


Rough depth chart:
QB: Brady, Cassel
RB: Ridley, Vereen, Bolden, Demps
WR: Lloyd, Hartline, Goodwin, Edelman, Slater
TE: Gronkowski, Hernandez, Ballard, Williams, Gray
OT: Solder, Cannon, Zusevics, Marquardt
IL: Mankins, Wendell, Warford, Connolly, McDonald

DE: Jones, Ninkovich, Armstead, Cunningham, Francis, Bequette, Washington (somebody's gonna have to go here)
DT: Wilfork, Logan, Love, Deaderick, Pryor
LB: Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher, White, Tarpinian
CB: Lewis/Talib/?, Dennard, Robey, Dowling, Arrington
S: McCourty, Amerson, Wilson, Ebner

ST: Gostkowski, Mesko, Aiken


Alright, a few more overlying points. First of all, this was done with letting Welker, Vollmer, and possibly Talib go, and only signing Hartline and possibly a CB. I haven't run the numbers, but they can fit everybody under the cap.

The offense undergoes a shift from a slot focus to being more traditional with a receiver on each side of the field and two TEs. That's not to say they can't get creative, though. In addition to the two WRs, two TEs, and Ridley, they have:
Vereen's untapped versatility
The pure speed of Demps and Goodwin
The "former QB" skills of Edelman and Gray
More "end around" candidates than ever
The "we're running and you can't stop us" package with Solder, Mankins, Wendell, Warford, Cannon, Williams, and Gronk with Connolly at FB

And with Goodwin and Edelman taking over slot duties, I think the Pats would have to make a conscious effort into changing how the slot WR is used in order to not get their new slot WRs killed. They're not using "I get up again" Welker anymore. It'd be doable, especially with the things that Goodwin could do that Welker can't.

The strategy on defense was more or less to add talent to the pass rush and the coverage. I'm perfectly okay with the LB group, as I think having a SS that can actually cover will help a ton. It's not crazy to think that Wilfork could be the only starter over 27, pending who is signed at CB. (Armstead over Ninko at LE in base.)


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I just put way too much time into that. Good night!

[manxman2601]

@Sciz


That's a really nice mock, original with a lot of new names.

1. I'm a little worried about the receivers. Theres a lot of downhill speed and catchers there but I don't really see someone with that short area lateral quickness of Welker. I suppose Hernandez can provide those shorter outlets for Brady but I think Hartline (who's a great FA possibility BTW) and Goodwin are downhill guys. I'm worried that takes Brady out of his comfort zone.

2. Really like the Amerson pick. I'm not quite bold enough to mock him myself, some glaring errors this year, but I've thought for a while he'd be a good safety option. BB will love the fact that he's got the ball skills to get INT's.

3. I like what you did with the Warford pick in terms of value. Personally I'm starting to lean towards Fluker for the RG position but Warford has really good skills and is a fine pick.

4. I really can't get into DT's in this draft or previously. Logan's as good as any but... (I think I just have a blindspot when it comes to DT's).

5. Marquise Goodwin - He's fast yes. I'm a little concerned that a) he didn't see the filed that often for Texas (26 catches for the year). Did the Texas coaches have a blindspot, or is he one of those receivers that joins the long list of Patriot receivers that have the athleticism but don't know how to play the position? With Hartline and Edelman, it's worth the risk but I wouldn't be relying on him to produce.

It's a very fine mock that I think is made by the Hartline pickup and very minor quibbles aside, I'd be very happy on draft day with that. I would like at least one binky becoming a Patriot in April though.

[KontradictioN]

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Time for a bump. Based on NFL DraftScout's 1/25 rankings, with some picks adjusted up for anticipated movement. No pick taken more than 5 picks later than currently listed.

*** Trade: Pats trade #29 (640 points) to Miami for #42 and 82 (670 points)

42. Matt Elam, S, Florida. 5'10" 202#. Currently NFL DraftScout #42.



Beast! Elam would provide the physical presence that the Pats badly need in their secondary. He is a tough, physical, instinctive safety who makes plays all over the field, somewhat reminiscent of a Troy Polamalu. The Pats' secondary needs a dose of toughness.

60. Justin Rogers, WR, Tennessee. 6'4" 200#. Currently NFL DraftScout #55.



Stud Horse! Hunter is the kind of big, physical WR that the Pats have lacked for a long time. He would give the Pats' WR corps a very different look from what they have had over the past 3 years. They would still have the TEs and the move-based weapons (though with much more explosiveness), but also a legitimate outside receiving threat who can move the chains and work the sidelines, as well as an excellent red zone threat.

*** Trade: Pats trade #82 (180 points) to Atlanta for #92 and #123.

*** Trade: Pats trade #91 (135 points) to Tennessee for #104 and 135 (138 points)

92. Terron Armstead, OL, Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 6' 4 3/4" 306#. Currently NFL DraftScout #178.

(no photo)

Sleeper! Armstead was the standout prospect from the Shrine Game, and has held his own all week at the Senior Bowl. The only question is whether he projects better to guard than to tackle, in which case someone like Menelik Watson could also be an option with this pick.

104. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas. 5' 8 7/8" 179#. Currently NFL DraftScout #123.



Sleeper Greyhound! A world class sprinter and 2012 Olympian in the long jump, Goodwin has excelled at the Senior Bowl, showing much better receiving skills than he had been generally credited with, running good routes and catching everything thrown his way. Daniel Jeremiah writes that "NFL evaluators have been intoxicated by his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and ability to find another gear when the ball is in the air". Goodwin could replace Deion Branch as the #4 WR, but with a much greater range and big play capability. The combination of Goodwin and Jeff Demps would also be intriguing in terms of the amount of speed and breakaway capability they would present to opposing defenses.

*** Trade: Pats trade #123 and #219 (60 points) to Minnesota for #149 and 166 (60 points).

135. Garrett Gilkey, OG, Chadron St. 6' 5 7/8" 314#. Currently NFL DraftScout #217.



Sleeper Beast! The next Jahri Evans? Gilkey is an impressive physical specimen who has held his own during the Senior Bowl, including some big battles against big DTs like John Jenkins. Pat Kirwan writes:



Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

Jahri Evans was projected as a 7th round pick when the Saints took him in the 4th round out of Bloomsburg in 2006. He started all 16 games as a rookie, and never looked back. Could Gilkey be the same kind of impact interior linesman? He is extremely physical, and overpowers defensive linemen. The Pats could also be the first team in the NFL with 2 players from Chadron St.

149. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU. 5' 9" 179#. Currently NFL DraftScout #181.



Fallen Beast! If he lasts this long, this is where I would take a flier on a scrappy player like the Honey Bader. We could use some toughness in our secondary. I'm tired of being soft. We need a few thugs in our secondary. This is an about-face for me, but right now, I want some bad asses who will take some shots and send some messages.

Mathieu is undersized and doesn't have elite man coverage skills. But he is a heat seeking missile and ball hawk par extraordinaire who can be moved all around the secondary to create disruption. He's a big risk without a true position and multiple off field issues leading to his dismissal from LSU, but right now we need someone like him. He could excel in a nickel back/slot kind of role.

166. William Campbell, DT, Michigan. 6'5" 318#. Currently NFL DraftScout #202.



Sleeper Beast! Campbell has Michael Brokers/Akiem Hicks size and athleticism, with great strength, and enough quickness and explosiveness to play point guard in basketball games. He also played offensive line for a season for Michigan.

202. Kyle Juszczyk, FB/H-Back, Harvard. 6' 1 3/8", 248#. Currently NFL DraftScout #244.



Sleeper! Juszczyk would be the multi-dimensional fullback/H-back that the Pats need: someone who can open up holes inside for Stevan Ridley and help move the pile, but a receiving threat out of the backfield and in motion, perhaps even able to back up Aaron Hernandez as the move TE. Pat Kirwan writes:



Four small-college players to watch from the Senior Bowl - CBSSports.com

I'm loving that one. Though, I don't think there is any way that Elam will fall out of the first round. But I think Hunter is the perfect fit for what the Patriots are lacking on offense. The only thing I disagree with is drafting WR's in back to back rounds, but otherwise a very solid mock.

EDIT: And if the Honey Badger is available later on in the draft (which I think he will be), I pray that Belichick grabs him. Re-sign Talib and draft Mathieu, and we're lining up with Talib and Dennard on the outside, with Mathieu in the slot. That's a tough secondary for anybody to thow on.