PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

Nolan Nawrocki from ProFootballWeekly, who is one of the best draftniks around, has a new analysis of underclassman draft prospects out:

ProFootballWeekly.com - McCoy, Bryant top underclassmen in NFL draft

Some very interesting things in his list:

1. He has Rolando McClain ranked #10 among underclassmen, which means that he's certainly not in Nawrocki's top 10 prospects given seniors such as Ndamukong Suh and Russell Okung. Nawrocki calls McClain "an excellent-sized, instinctive middle 'backer with outstanding football intelligence, McClain is tailor-made for the NFL game and will command heavy interest from teams employing "30" fronts."

2. He has Eric Berry ranked only #9 among underclassmen, much lower than I would have expected.

3. He has Jason Pierre-Paul ranked #4, the highest DE on his board, ahead of Derrick Morgan (#8). Pierre-Paul is raw. I'm surprised Nawrocki has him this high.

4. Guys not in the top 10 of underclassmen, who should therefore be within range of when the Pats pick, include:

- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - "A raw underachiever with a rare combination of size and athletic ability."
- Earl Thomas, S, Texas - "An undersized, playmaking ballhawk who is fluid enough to transition to cornerback."

Finally, nowhere on his list is UCA DT Brian Price, who I think will be a top 15 pick.

Interesting list.

Re: PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

Please repeat 3 times

The New England Patriots are NOT drafting a safety.

Re: PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

LMAO, Safety this year is what TE was for me a few years ago. I want a TE now as we have a need. Belichick has drafted a 1st round Safety (Meriweather), an almost 1st round Safety (Chung) and extended Sanders. I won't mention McGowan as he was a cheap FA. We cannot use a top 4 round pick on a Safety, Belichick has spent abundantly on the position, he needs to make it work.

Re: PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

Whoever said they were?

Re: PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

:) You listed a safety as being within range of the pats.

I have the same view of drafting safeties as you do of TE's.

Re: PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

He can transition to corner ;)

Im starting to like Tate and Thomas as possible picks for us with Thomas becoming a Corner depending on how he runs.

Re: PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

If Myron Rolle is available in Round 4, i'm picking him up. I don't care who is cut, but Rolle is intelligent and can be a beast in the NFL. He'd need some time to get back into it anyway.

Re: PFW: Top Underclassmen
 

Right on. Even though he isn't a great fit given our depth at safety, he would be a tough guy to pass up. I'd love to see him in a Patriots uniform.