Leave it to a Pats fan to make some picks on our real needs.
This seems like a nice draft for us. A lot of fans seem to like Tate but I would rather have a RB.
Given BB's history I expect a trade back on one of our 2nd rounder for the next year.
from NEpatriotsdraft.com
27 Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
Just like Logan Mankins, this pick couldn't get less sexy. That said, Iupati
is an athletic big man that will instantly shore up the porous interior of the Patriot offensive line.
47. New England (TEN) .
Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
Athletic DE that translates to an OLB for the Patriots.
Should finally bring the Patriots some consistent pass-rush.
48. New England (JAX) 6'3 - 260 lbs.
Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan 6'2 - 263 lbs
Oh, you want more pass rush? Brandon Graham will give you pass rush skills
that compliment a solid run-game and a non-stop motor
59. New England Patriots
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Tate would finally provide the true #3 Wideout that Tom Brady has been looking for since Jabar Gaffney left for Denver.
from FF Toolbox
Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
He may only be a junior during the 2009 campaign, but Jeremy Beal has been a dominating pass rusher for two years with the Sooners of Oklahoma. If he opts to leave for the NFL a year early, he will likely be nearly as dominate of a force in the NFL. Even as a redshirt freshman in 2007, Beal earned a couple of starts and finished the campaign with one sack and 5.0 tackles-for-loss.
In 2008 Beal stepped into a starting role and never looked back. He started all 14 games that season and ended up with an impressive 8.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles-for-loss. He even added 61 tackles and four pass break-ups. Everybody wanted to see if Beal could do it again in 2009 as an upperclassman and he did not disappoint. Through the regular season, Beal led the team with 11.0 sacks and 18.0 tackles-for-loss. Once again he proved that he is more than just a pass rusher and totaled 65 tackles.
Beal has already shown that he can consistently get to the quarterback, and his production in 2009 has proven to scouts that he was not a one year wonder. If he opts to go to the NFL he may not be a first round selection, but with a good showing at the NFL Combine and in personal workouts he could be a second or third rounder very easily.
Brandon Graham is currently the best pass rusher in the Big Ten, and one of the top four or five pass rushers in all of college football. In 40 career games, he has accumulated 40 tackles for loss and 22 sacks. Graham's biggest question mark (as far as his draft status is concerned), is what position he'll end up playing in the NFL. At 6'2 and 263 pounds he is somewhat of a "tweener". He is slightly undersized for a 4-3 defensive end and there are questions about whether or not he will be able to effectively drop into coverage if he plays as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Regardless of what position scouts see him at, he is a consensus late first round or early second round prospect. His best fit may be as a defensive end for a team that runs a version of the cover 2 defense. He isn't the biggest end, but he plays the run extremely well for his size. He does a great job of turning ball carriers back inside and right into his linebackers. Couple that with his quick first step and wide array of pass rushing maneuvers,and he is similar in a lot of ways to Robert Mathis of the Indianapolis Colts. His draft stock should continue to rise every week as he continues to make big plays for the Wolverine defense.
