TealSox

With the 2012 NFL Draft less than a year away, McShay wastes little time in submitting his first 2012 Mock Draft. And what would a mock draft be without the Patriots drafting a pass rusher?

With the 28th pick of the first round, the New England Patriots select.... Andre Branch, LB Clemson.

McShay: ...

There is no doubt this horse is dead, but Mel Kiper gave it a swift kick when he gave the Patriots a "C+".

Now before we rally the town folk with torches lit, Kiper was kind enough to give the organization a "B-" in terms of obtaining value. Tipping the scale to the minus, were the selections of Vereen and Ridley, but if it weren't for Mallett and Cannon, I fear Kiper would had been less gracious.

But in regards to the "C+", Kiper joined...

The fact that the Belichick and the New England Patriots selected a linebacker in the later rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft should have come to nobody's surprise. The real question was who would join the long list of late round linebackers selected by the Patriots, a list that includes Tully Banta-Cain, Jeremy Mincey, Bo Ruud, Justin Rogers and Stryker Sulak. To the dismay of many Patriot fans, none of these players have sufficed.

So why does Belichick continue to punish us with such...

Arrivals: (8)

Joey Galloway (WR), Greg Lewis (WR), Chris Baker (TE), Fred Taylor (RB), Leigh Bodden (CB), Shawn Springs (CB), Nathan Hodel (LS), Tully Banta Cain (OLB/DE)

Departures: (8)

Matt Cassell (QB), Mike Vrabel (LB), Jabar Gaffney (WR), Heath Evan (RB), Lamont Jordan (RB), Lonnie Paxton (LS), Kelley Washington (WR), Larry Izzo (ST)

Free Agents: (9)

Junior Seau (LB), Rosey Colvin (LB), Rodney Harrison (SS), Deltha O'Neal...