This is my second mock with a some small changes from a few weeks ago, but my overall philosophy stays the same. I don’t see a whole lot of major needs for the Pats going forward, with most of the problems not personnel deficiencies, but rather youth and inexperience. This leaves the Pats with a huge amount of flexibility to be aggressive and target impact players, especially in the early rounds.
A few weeks ago I posted the idea of trading Meriweather, moving McCourty to FS and drafting Patrick Peterson (more as a hypothetical idea if anything). But the more I think about it and the more I watch Meriweather’s play, the more I would absolutely make this move. Everything I have seen or heard about McCourty leads me to believe he could be an elite FS and leader of the secondary. It would also allow the Pats to draft a shutdown corner like Peterson or Prince Amukamara who have the size to match up with the bigger WR’s in the AFC East. The following is more of a dream scenario where all of these guys fall into place.
I currently project the Oakland pick to be around 3rd, which would allow the Pats to move down 2-3 sports and still have Peterson or Amukamara fall to them. The value of moving from 3 to 5 is worth roughly a high second round pick, and with a rookie wage scale in place and teams fighting over guys AJ Green, Robert Quinn and possibly Jake Locker, there should be good interest to move up to the Pats spot.
Trade FS Brandon Meriwether for a 2nd (Dallas?)
Franchise and trade OG Logan Mankins for a 2nd and 5th (Chicago?)
Trade 1st (3) for 1st (5) and 2(5)
Trade 3 2nd’s for a 1st (8-10 range)
Trade the Pats 1st (32) and a 2nd to move up into the 10-12 range
(The value of these trades are based on the assumption that the Pats will pick 32 and Mankins and Meriwether are traded for mid 2nd round picks (15-20 range).
1a (5) - CB- Patrick Peterson- LSU/ CB- Prince Amukamara- Nebraska
Big time shutdown corner prospects that can potentially be left on an island with a wideout. Adding a Patrick Peterson type corner could unlock an enormous amount of blitzing possibilities with the confidence that the opposing #1 WR is covered. Also allows the Pats to trade Meriweather and move McCourty to FS
1b (8-10)- DE/OLB- Da’Quan Bowers- Clemson
Da’Quan Bowers has been ‘my guy’ since before the season started. He is an unbelievable talent and probably the best fit for a two gap OLB convert. He is great against the run, and already plays with sound two-gap principles; he can rush the passer, drop into coverage and has experience on his feet or with his hand on the ground. He also has the versatility to play 3-4 OLB, 3-4 DE on passing plays an inside of 4-man fronts. Forget Robert Quinn, Da’Quan Bowers is THE BEST DE/OLB in this draft. Instead of looking for the DeMarcus Ware Prototype, 10 years from now people will be looking for the Da’Quan Bowers Prototype. (OK I may be getting a little excited but I really believe this kid will be special).
1c (10-12)- RB- Mark Ingram- Bama
I believe he really is the perfect compliment for the Pats offence. He might not be elite at anything, but he is great at everything. I think he can be the most well rounded back in the NFL. Adding this extra dimension to the offence could lead to limitless possibilities. If the Pats can consistently run for first downs, this offence could be unstoppable.
2 (Car) - WR- Julio Jones- Bama
You can tell from my previous mock I love Julio Jones as a fit for the Pats. He is a big physical target that can add to so many dimensions of the offence. He is currently slipping down draft boards because of some inconsistency issues and the overall strength of WR’s in this class. If he is there in the early 2nd with Carolina’s pick I would jump all over him.
3a (Min) - Best OT available- Nate Solder- Col/ Joe Barksdale- LSU/ Lee Zeimba- Auburn
There are a number of possibilities here with OT. While there is no elite talent at the top of the first, there seems to be decent depth for both RT and LT in the mid rounds. Some of the interesting guys are Nate Solder, who has amazing potential but is slipping because he is yet to put it together. Another guy I really like is Joe Barksdale, who I think is really undervalued and underappreciated. It really comes down to who the Pats put the highest grade on that is available at this point.
3b- OC- Rodney Hudson- Florida State
Hudson is hugely talented and should go much higher, but teams will really see his size as an issue. At 285 pounds he is too small to play in the NFL, and teams worry that adding weight may affect his athleticism and mobility, which could drop him to the 3rd or 4th round. If he is there at the end of the 3rd I wouldn’t hesitate to take him. He is the most talented interior lineman in this draft and I don’t think his lack of size would be a huge issue in the Pats system.
4. RB- John Clay- Wisconsin
A big short yardage back that can also play some fullback. He is a really talented player who would be a great compliment to a running back core of Ingram, BJGE and Woody.
5a – DE- Cedrick Thornton- Southern Arkansas
This guy is a big time small school sleeper. He dominates lower competition for Southern Arkansas but also takes his opportunities against tougher competition. He is the prototype 3-4 DE at 6’4, 295 pounds and is hugely talented. He is currently a 5-6th rounder but will likely rise into the 3-4th round range as we get closer to the draft. I would be surprised if he came off the board at the end of round 2. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.
5b – OG- James Carpenter- Bama
A starter at LT for a big time program in the SEC, so you know he is playing at a high level. He will move inside to guard in the NFL where I think he would be a very good fit for the pats. He isn’t a mauler, but he is a very intelligent blocker, and makes very good use of angles and technique to open up running lanes. Adequate size and good athleticism, which allows him to be very successful at getting to the second level. He seems like he would be a great fit for the Pats offence, and given some time with Dante he could be a very good contributor.
6. NT- Kendrick Ellis- Hampton
One area I would like to see the Pats add a player is nose tackle, by adding another legit 340 pound monster, to allow VW#75 an occasional breather, and also play in packages where Wilfork shifts to DE. This seems to be quite successful against very good running teams; however, with a legit 340 pound NT next to Wilfork instead of Mike Wright, this package could be even more effective. Kendrick Ellis is a very talented player, but he is also a major red flag in terms of character. He has already been dismissed for South Carolina, and been suspended at Hampton. His stock will drastically fall coming into the draft and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he went undrafted. However, in the 6th round I would take the risk and ideally give him a year on the Practice Squad.
7. OLB- Ugo Chinasa- Okla State
The prototype OLB, he is 6’5, 255 pounds and very athletic. He seems like he is finally starting to put it together on the field so he may go higher than this on draft day. But he is still very raw and would require some coaching. He likely wouldn’t make the team initially but would make a good practice squad candidate.
UDFA- QB- Greg McElroy- Bama
Game manager QB that is a two year starter in the SEC. He won’t be Brady’s successor but would be a good candidate as a back up and a guy to push Hoyer. Likely another practice squad candidate and QB depth, that would be a good fit for the Pats dink and dunk offence.
UDFA- QB- Mitch Mustain- USC
A really interesting QB that the Pats could see as the next Matt Cassel. He has some talent but has never gotten the opportunity at USC. As an UDFA I would definitely take a shot at him and let him and McElroy battle it out for a spot on the practice squad.
