Hi all, new to the board. First off, congrats on another title. I'm a fan of the Chiefs (sorry sap aren't I?), but anyhow, we had a mock draft over at our forum and I thought I'd share the results. I was the representative for the Pats. I won't get into scouting reports, I'm sure you guys have done enough of that on your own, but I'll share my simple notes on the picks during the process.
1.032: DT Eddie Goldman - Florida State
Bill Belichick preaches value in the draft and Eddie Goldman is exactly that at this juncture. With the departure of Vince Wilfork, the Pats are incredibly thin at nose tackle with only Sealver Siliga on the roster to man the spot. Siliga played quite well in a reserve role, but I'm guessing he's probably not Bill's first choice as the long-term answer. Goldman can stop the run dead, something Wilfork was paid quite handsomely to do for the Pats for a long time. With Easley coming back, this could make for a nice rotation.
2.064: RB Ameer Abdullah - Nebraska
The Patriots let Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley walk this offseason, leaving them with a half full cupboard in the backfield. They need a do-everything type of back that can especially create mismatches in the passing game. Abdullah has proven he can run inside or out and can be a nightmare to defend as a receiver. I know he has some prior fumbling issues, but his talent is too much to pass up. One of the shiftiest backs I've seen since Barry Sanders.
3.096: CB Josh Shaw - Southern California
After letting Revis Island and Browner walk this offseason, the Patriots have to retool, and they did little in bringing in quality talent to replace them in free agency. Shaw brings physicality and can be the man-cover type that Belichick has traditionally employed.
3.097: WR Tre McBride - William & Mary
As usual, the Patriots are searching for more weapons to put around Tom Brady. With Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman as the only legitimate receivers on the roster, the Pats have to do more and they really need to get a deep threat.
4.101: OT Ty Sambrailo - Colorado State
The Patriots are thin on the offensive line and lack a left guard, a spot Sambrailo can man in year one. With Nate Solder a free agent in 2016, the Patriots might be able to groom Sambrailo to slide over and take his spot. Sambrailo follows a line of solid technique types with good athleticism the Patriots seem to covet, but must improve his functional strength going forward.
4.131: WR Kenny Bell - Nebraska
Man, what a tough decision. I bet I looked at 20 guys for this selection. Most of the players I was hoping would fall didn't. After reviewing all of these players, I only found a couple that I'd call "value" picks at this stage and I finally settled on who I believe is the best value.
After drafting McBride, I really felt better about the Patriots receivers, but they really need some depth too. Bell is a guy who can come in and go deep for you, he can work underneath, he can run block, so I like that.
6.178: CB Darryl Roberts - Marshall
As I mentioned, the Pats lost a couple of corners in the offseason and have to retool at the position. They added some low-key free agents and took Josh Shaw in round 3. Now they look to establish more depth with a corner that is long and lanky but extremely physical, sticks like glue, and is a hell of a good tackler. He also happened to have 17 PBUs last season.
7.219: ILB Kevin Snyder - Rutgers
This guy would have been the 2nd or 3rd most athletic linebacker at the Combine overall, had he been invited. With a fairly impressive resume only dampened by a turf toe injury he played through as a Senior, I'm not really sure why he wasn't invited. What you get here is a guy that can take on blockers and he can cover well in space. He reads well, he's instinctive, and he fills downhill. He plays sideline-to-sideline, and my real world view would be that this guy should be a 4th rounder. He's fast and a reliable tackler, so he can play on special teams. However, he's also a very good long snapper, which just adds value. Plus, Bill just likes to take guys from Rutgers, so there's that.
7.253: DE Alec May - Georgetown
The Patriots added Jabaal Sheard as a backup pass rusher, but they need to find more help there towards the future. May led the FCS in sacks with 16 and was likely the best defensive player in FCS football overall. He is a pure disruptive force coming off the edge. He literally looked like a man amongst boys most of the time. While he'll need to add more functional strength for the pros, he has an elite first step and burst off the line that leaves tackles looking silly.
1.032: DT Eddie Goldman - Florida State
Bill Belichick preaches value in the draft and Eddie Goldman is exactly that at this juncture. With the departure of Vince Wilfork, the Pats are incredibly thin at nose tackle with only Sealver Siliga on the roster to man the spot. Siliga played quite well in a reserve role, but I'm guessing he's probably not Bill's first choice as the long-term answer. Goldman can stop the run dead, something Wilfork was paid quite handsomely to do for the Pats for a long time. With Easley coming back, this could make for a nice rotation.
2.064: RB Ameer Abdullah - Nebraska
The Patriots let Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley walk this offseason, leaving them with a half full cupboard in the backfield. They need a do-everything type of back that can especially create mismatches in the passing game. Abdullah has proven he can run inside or out and can be a nightmare to defend as a receiver. I know he has some prior fumbling issues, but his talent is too much to pass up. One of the shiftiest backs I've seen since Barry Sanders.
3.096: CB Josh Shaw - Southern California
After letting Revis Island and Browner walk this offseason, the Patriots have to retool, and they did little in bringing in quality talent to replace them in free agency. Shaw brings physicality and can be the man-cover type that Belichick has traditionally employed.
3.097: WR Tre McBride - William & Mary
As usual, the Patriots are searching for more weapons to put around Tom Brady. With Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman as the only legitimate receivers on the roster, the Pats have to do more and they really need to get a deep threat.
4.101: OT Ty Sambrailo - Colorado State
The Patriots are thin on the offensive line and lack a left guard, a spot Sambrailo can man in year one. With Nate Solder a free agent in 2016, the Patriots might be able to groom Sambrailo to slide over and take his spot. Sambrailo follows a line of solid technique types with good athleticism the Patriots seem to covet, but must improve his functional strength going forward.
4.131: WR Kenny Bell - Nebraska
Man, what a tough decision. I bet I looked at 20 guys for this selection. Most of the players I was hoping would fall didn't. After reviewing all of these players, I only found a couple that I'd call "value" picks at this stage and I finally settled on who I believe is the best value.
After drafting McBride, I really felt better about the Patriots receivers, but they really need some depth too. Bell is a guy who can come in and go deep for you, he can work underneath, he can run block, so I like that.
6.178: CB Darryl Roberts - Marshall
As I mentioned, the Pats lost a couple of corners in the offseason and have to retool at the position. They added some low-key free agents and took Josh Shaw in round 3. Now they look to establish more depth with a corner that is long and lanky but extremely physical, sticks like glue, and is a hell of a good tackler. He also happened to have 17 PBUs last season.
7.219: ILB Kevin Snyder - Rutgers
This guy would have been the 2nd or 3rd most athletic linebacker at the Combine overall, had he been invited. With a fairly impressive resume only dampened by a turf toe injury he played through as a Senior, I'm not really sure why he wasn't invited. What you get here is a guy that can take on blockers and he can cover well in space. He reads well, he's instinctive, and he fills downhill. He plays sideline-to-sideline, and my real world view would be that this guy should be a 4th rounder. He's fast and a reliable tackler, so he can play on special teams. However, he's also a very good long snapper, which just adds value. Plus, Bill just likes to take guys from Rutgers, so there's that.
7.253: DE Alec May - Georgetown
The Patriots added Jabaal Sheard as a backup pass rusher, but they need to find more help there towards the future. May led the FCS in sacks with 16 and was likely the best defensive player in FCS football overall. He is a pure disruptive force coming off the edge. He literally looked like a man amongst boys most of the time. While he'll need to add more functional strength for the pros, he has an elite first step and burst off the line that leaves tackles looking silly.
