My2Cents
Practice Squad Player
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2007
- Messages
- 209
- Reaction score
- 1
1st round –WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
… I know, it won't be popular. Critics of the Pats will view this pick as a ridiculous
“reach” and yet another example of Bill Belichick’s obsession with former Rutgers
players. I see it differently. A year ago, everybody, particularly Mel Kiper, had
Coleman ranked as a top-30 prospect. Due to his amazing size (6’-6”), 4.5 speed,
muscular frame and his ability to dominate smaller CB’s, he was considered a
matchup nightmare. Fighting injuries and QB problems, he fell off the
radar, just the way Rob Gronkowski once did. Expect Coleman
to be drafted ahead of more hyped WR’s, possibly even FSU’s Kelvin Benjamin.
2nd round – RB Andre Williams, Boston College
...Both Shane Vereen and Steven Ridley are in the final year of their rookie contracts.
Extending just one of them will be a challenge because of their salary cap limitations.
Williams is not the highest rated RB available, but he’s one of the cleanest (no red flags).
Williams runs like he is mad at the ground, and has the best stiff-arm in college football.
3rd round – DT Jay Bromley, Syracuse
… The Patriots severe lack of pass-rush has put tremendous stress on their secondary.
It’s rare that an interior defensive lineman puts up 10 sacks in a year. But that’s exactly
what Bromley did in 2013, despite being the focus of other teams blocking. For Bill Belichick,
it’s a nice trade off to gain something in pass defense what you may lose in rush defense.
4th round – DE Cassius Marsh, UCLA
…Great athleticism and versatility may get Marsh drafted earlier. But he’ll prove valuable
filling-in at several positions. Marsh is similar to a Mike Vrabel. You can line him up at 4-3
DE. He can play OLB. Put him in a 3-man rotation with Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich.
Like Vrabel, he can play some TE in a pinch. He needs to work on controlling his intensity.
4th round –C/OG Corey Linsley, Ohio State
…Linsley played some Guard and Tackle before settling in as the anchor at Center for the
Ohio State OL. He is slightly bigger than Dan Koppen, who was drafted in round 5. He also
threw up 225lbs 36 times at the Combine, displaying his above average strength. This pick
puts Ryan Wendall’s future in serious jeopardy, despite his recent 2 yr. contract extension.
6th round –QB Jeff Mathews, Cornell
… While fans and the media seem to be pushing the panic button on finding Tom Brady’s
replacement, here’s a newsflash: Tom Brady isn’t going anywhere. He’ll play beyond 40.
Unless traded, back-up Ryan Mallett is under contract for another year. Mathews has
drawn some comparisons to Mallett. The Patriots merely need a capable backup here.
6th round – LT Matt Patchen, Boston College
…Patchen, to me, looks like a poor man’s Mankins. He’s physical, smart and hard-working.
He’s a 5-star recruit and Florida University transfer with an injury plagued career. As a
defensive lineman for the Gators, he was a gunshot victim (left shoulder) in 2008. I’d
expect Patchen to push lesser linemen off of the roster, like “swingman” Dan Connolly.
7th round - TE Rob Blanchflower, UMass
…While most of the concern at TE has been finding a “move TE” to replace Aaaron Hernandez,
the bigger problem was simply not having Rob Gronkowski available when most needed. Like
Gronk, Blanchflower missed significant time (sports hernia). But when healthy, he’s a real
difference-maker. Unable to test before March 25, he flies under the radar as a late value pick.
His private workout is scheduled for April 23rd, which should create some pre-draft buzz.
… I know, it won't be popular. Critics of the Pats will view this pick as a ridiculous
“reach” and yet another example of Bill Belichick’s obsession with former Rutgers
players. I see it differently. A year ago, everybody, particularly Mel Kiper, had
Coleman ranked as a top-30 prospect. Due to his amazing size (6’-6”), 4.5 speed,
muscular frame and his ability to dominate smaller CB’s, he was considered a
matchup nightmare. Fighting injuries and QB problems, he fell off the
radar, just the way Rob Gronkowski once did. Expect Coleman
to be drafted ahead of more hyped WR’s, possibly even FSU’s Kelvin Benjamin.
2nd round – RB Andre Williams, Boston College
...Both Shane Vereen and Steven Ridley are in the final year of their rookie contracts.
Extending just one of them will be a challenge because of their salary cap limitations.
Williams is not the highest rated RB available, but he’s one of the cleanest (no red flags).
Williams runs like he is mad at the ground, and has the best stiff-arm in college football.
3rd round – DT Jay Bromley, Syracuse
… The Patriots severe lack of pass-rush has put tremendous stress on their secondary.
It’s rare that an interior defensive lineman puts up 10 sacks in a year. But that’s exactly
what Bromley did in 2013, despite being the focus of other teams blocking. For Bill Belichick,
it’s a nice trade off to gain something in pass defense what you may lose in rush defense.
4th round – DE Cassius Marsh, UCLA
…Great athleticism and versatility may get Marsh drafted earlier. But he’ll prove valuable
filling-in at several positions. Marsh is similar to a Mike Vrabel. You can line him up at 4-3
DE. He can play OLB. Put him in a 3-man rotation with Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich.
Like Vrabel, he can play some TE in a pinch. He needs to work on controlling his intensity.
4th round –C/OG Corey Linsley, Ohio State
…Linsley played some Guard and Tackle before settling in as the anchor at Center for the
Ohio State OL. He is slightly bigger than Dan Koppen, who was drafted in round 5. He also
threw up 225lbs 36 times at the Combine, displaying his above average strength. This pick
puts Ryan Wendall’s future in serious jeopardy, despite his recent 2 yr. contract extension.
6th round –QB Jeff Mathews, Cornell
… While fans and the media seem to be pushing the panic button on finding Tom Brady’s
replacement, here’s a newsflash: Tom Brady isn’t going anywhere. He’ll play beyond 40.
Unless traded, back-up Ryan Mallett is under contract for another year. Mathews has
drawn some comparisons to Mallett. The Patriots merely need a capable backup here.
6th round – LT Matt Patchen, Boston College
…Patchen, to me, looks like a poor man’s Mankins. He’s physical, smart and hard-working.
He’s a 5-star recruit and Florida University transfer with an injury plagued career. As a
defensive lineman for the Gators, he was a gunshot victim (left shoulder) in 2008. I’d
expect Patchen to push lesser linemen off of the roster, like “swingman” Dan Connolly.
7th round - TE Rob Blanchflower, UMass
…While most of the concern at TE has been finding a “move TE” to replace Aaaron Hernandez,
the bigger problem was simply not having Rob Gronkowski available when most needed. Like
Gronk, Blanchflower missed significant time (sports hernia). But when healthy, he’s a real
difference-maker. Unable to test before March 25, he flies under the radar as a late value pick.
His private workout is scheduled for April 23rd, which should create some pre-draft buzz.
