Newest Sporting News 3-Round Mock (3/5)

[primetime]

Here's what Sporting News has in their latest mock draft on March 5th, the first after the combine.

1/7) Vernon Gholston, DE, OSU: (from San Francisco) The Patriots need an outside linebacker who rushes the passer and is a force against the run. After Gholston's workout at the Combine, the Patriots believe he can be that man.

(Other notables: Has Ryan Clady going 1st overall with Chris Long 2nd, Quentin Groves 13th)

2/62) Dan Connor, OLB, PSU: Age is an increasing factor at inside linebacker. Connor will help make the position younger and have a year of tutoring from Tedy Bruschi before becoming a starter.

3/69) Chris Johnson, RB, ECU: (from Oakland) Johnson would an explosive back to spell starter Laurence Maroney. He also would be groomed to replace Kevin Faulk, who turns 32 in June.

3/94) Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas: The Patriots should gamble on the fast Finley to see if he can maximize his talent and become a big-time receiving threat.

 

[Jimke]

Here's what Sporting News has in their latest mock draft on March 5th, the first after the combine.

1/7) Vernon Gholston, DE, OSU: (from San Francisco) The Patriots need an outside linebacker who rushes the passer and is a force against the run. After Gholston's workout at the Combine, the Patriots believe he can be that man.

(Other notables: Has Ryan Clady going 1st overall with Chris Long 2nd, Quentin Groves 13th)

2/62) Dan Connor, OLB, PSU: Age is an increasing factor at inside linebacker. Connor will help make the position younger and have a year of tutoring from Tedy Bruschi before becoming a starter.

3/69) Chris Johnson, RB, ECU: (from Oakland) Johnson would an explosive back to spell starter Laurence Maroney. He also would be groomed to replace Kevin Faulk, who turns 32 in June.

3/94) Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas: The Patriots should gamble on the fast Finley to see if he can maximize his talent and become a big-time receiving threat.

Where are the cornerbacks?

 

[Dago]

i like connor and obviously gholston but no CB in other round?

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Conner would be good value in the second round. Chris Johnson would be an abosulte steal in the third round. I would take a corner in the fourth round instead of a TE.

 

[Watson's IQ]

There is NO way Chris Johnson is around in the 3rd round. I would be shocked if he's even there when they pick at 62.

If Gholston is indeed the pick, and more and more it's looking that way, than I think pick #62 absolutely needs to be a CB, assuming a good one is still available.

 

[dhamz]

Ryan Clady #1 overall?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think BP will use the draft to continue to build his defense. I can't see Miami taking Clady at #1.

 

[mavfan2390]

I'd cry tears of joy, but we really don't need another tight end, we have two good recieving TE's, and we can probably pick up a cheap #3 TE in the 6th or 7th rounds, or in free agency.

 

[tombonneau]

I'd be happy with that assuming CB is addressed via FA and/or trade.

 

[DaBruinz]

Here's what Sporting News has in their latest mock draft on March 5th, the first after the combine.

1/7) Vernon Gholston, DE, OSU: (from San Francisco) The Patriots need an outside linebacker who rushes the passer and is a force against the run. After Gholston's workout at the Combine, the Patriots believe he can be that man.

(Other notables: Has Ryan Clady going 1st overall with Chris Long 2nd, Quentin Groves 13th)

2/62) Dan Connor, OLB, PSU: Age is an increasing factor at inside linebacker. Connor will help make the position younger and have a year of tutoring from Tedy Bruschi before becoming a starter.

3/69) Chris Johnson, RB, ECU: (from Oakland) Johnson would an explosive back to spell starter Laurence Maroney. He also would be groomed to replace Kevin Faulk, who turns 32 in June.

3/94) Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas: The Patriots should gamble on the fast Finley to see if he can maximize his talent and become a big-time receiving threat.

Gholston and Johnson would be nice additions. However, imho, Connor is a horrible fit for the Pats at ILB. Also, I don't see the Pats "gambling" on a TE like Finley when they have needs at CB that have to be addressed.

 

[patsfaninpa]

There is NO way Chris Johnson is around in the 3rd round. I would be shocked if he's even there when they pick at 62.

If Gholston is indeed the pick, and more and more it's looking that way, than I think pick #62 absolutely needs to be a CB, assuming a good one is still available.

I think if Gholston is the pick. We will trade up from 62 to get a cb. 62 and 94 to move up in the 45-50 range. Maybe a guy like; P.Lee,A.Cason,C.Godfrey could be had there. I would take another cb at 69. A guy like C.Jackson.

 

[ayjackson]

It's not completely unreasonable that Clady could go #1. Miami could build from the lines out. Clady might be the best LT in the draft since many seem to project Long to RT. Clady is a junior and should be compared, at least in some measure, to where Jake Long was a year ago. He is widely considered to be a top 10 talent as a junior, where would he be with another year of experience under his belt?

 

[patsfanofNC12]

Of course, I would love to grab Johnson. Other than him I like the Gholston pick, but hate the rest.