Picking the first rounders as your favorite pick is too easy. Hell, they're first rounders. The question isn't which is the best player, the question is which is the best pick... we have to normalize for where they were picked.
My order:
1. Ebner - I have this crazy feeling that BB is going to go all "Matt Cassell" on us and turn this guy into a pro-bowl safety. And even if he doesn't, I love the idea of trying to. BB's comment "he's got a lot of football ahead of him" is what talent development is all about. The Pats can make a player out of Sterling Moore, and this guy's got a lot more raw material to work with. And, as a rookie, he'll earn his keep as a ST's ace while he learns to play the position.
2. Hightower - this guy is the new hope for a young defense that's still looking for it's heart and soul. Most important, I think Hightower is a natural leader, more vocal than Mayo, less volatile than Spikes.
3. Dennard - the perfect 7th round shot in the dark, compares well to Janoris Jenkins who went in the 2nd. I'd say this was a damn smart pick that could result in a pro-bowl talent. And if he sucks, cut him with no regrets. It's all upside. Great pick.
4. Bequette - I think this is the safest pick in the draft for us. He'll be a pro's pro, a team guy, a guy that can perform for us on Week One and will never disappoint. Not a high ceiling player, but will be part of the fabric and culture of the team.
5. Wilson - I was so confused by this pick, I spent hours watching film on him. After seeing the Michigan game, where they had Wilson playing in the slot, and then playing ILB, and then blitzing, and then gunner... I think I started to understand what BB drafted. I love the fact that the Pats have their own process, and aren't drafting off Mel Kiper's draft card... and Wilson is the proof. I am so rooting for this kid, to prove the mediots are idiots, the fans are ignorant and (yet again) I have no clue when it comes to reading BB's mind. I hope Wilson has a chip on his shoulder the size of the state of Texas, starts Week One and locks down FS for a decade. But I'm still skeptical.
6. Jones - not that I'm disappointed to see a young, disruptive pass rusher on the roster, but my enthusiasm is dampened by the fact that he has an injury history, seems a bit wide eyed for a rookie (is he mentally ready for the pros?) and the simple fact that we gave up a lot of draft value to land him. With just a little more effort, we could have had Melvin Ingram instead...
I'm pulling for Jones, but this pick has the most bust-potential in our draft class.
7. Ebert - I think this was a complete wasted pick. Even if he is the next Julian Edelman, or the next Wes Welker, we drafted a kid that has no chance, zero chance, zilcho, of making the roster. I can see all the rookies making the team except this kid... unless he somehow wins a job as our punt return guy. But how could that happen? He is pure Practice Squad, so deep on the depth chart as to be useless. If he's good in pre-season, he wont clear waivers. If he's bad, then wth? Honestly, I'd rather the Pats had drafted a sick kid, a juvenile leukemia patient for example, just to give him the thrill of being drafted by the Patriots. At least there's some upside in that.
