NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Rd 1 (27) – Whitney Mercilus – DE/OLB – Illinois At this point in the offseason, the Patriots are without Mark Anderson and Andre Carter, who were responsible for 20 of the team’s 32 sacks. Last year, Mercilus showed a knack for getting to the QB and led the NCAA in sacks. With New England still deciding between running a 3-4 and a 4-3, the Illinois star should be able to help the Patriots get to the QB. If Mercilus lives up to his potential, Bill Belichick could be getting the top pass rusher in this year’s draft.
Rd 1 (31) – Devon Still – DE/DT – Penn State As mentioned in the other Patriots’ pick, versatility is a major plus when it comes to the front seven for New England. Devon Still can play inside in a 4-3 or as a DE in the 3-4. Last year, the Patriots brought in aging veterans Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis to try to fix their troubles in the trenches. It is time for New England to bring in some younger players to fill the gaps up front, not more 30 year olds like Jonathan Fanene. Devon Still will fill in holes and help the Patriots’ pass rush early on his career.
Rd 2 (48) – Trumaine Johnson – CB/S – Montana Everyone who watched the Patriots last year knows that they need help defending against the pass. New England desperately needs a ball hawk they can pair with Patrick Chung on their back line. Although Johnson played CB at Montana, he projects much better as a safety in the NFL. With 14 picks at Montana with QBs trying to avoid him, Johnson should look forward to playing centerfield in the NFL and becoming a playmaker.
Rd 2 (62) – Zach Brown – OLB – North Carolina Falling this far in the draft, Brown looks to be one of the bigger steals in the draft. Brown is an athletic freak who could blossom in the NFL under Bill Belichick. Like many Tar Heels, the linebacker is a pretty raw product, but New England should find a way to use him in their system. His athleticism will not go to waste.
Rd 3 (93) – Casey Hayward – CB – Vanderbilt Hayward is an underrated prospect coming out of Vanderbilt. Although he is just 5’11, Hayward has the ability to play much bigger than that, as he exhibited against SC’s Alshon Jeffrey. It will take more than one player to fix New England’s 31st ranked pass defense. With both Johnson and Hayward, teams will have a much harder time passing against the Pats.
Rd 4 (126) – Tommy Streeter – WR – Miami Finally the Patriots make a selection on the offensive ball. Despite currently having double digit receivers on their roster, Streeter’s potential is too much to pass up. Streeter has the speed/height combination that you cannot teach. In addition to Brandon Lloyd, Streeter will help New England stretch the field like they couldn’t last year. Like Brown, if he plays to his potential he will be scary.
