My2Cents
Practice Squad Player
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2007
- Messages
- 209
- Reaction score
- 1
1st round –DE/OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
…With depth at both LB and DE a real concern, the obvious selection is a hybrid that
can be both. The Patriots offseason focus has been pass defense. With Free Agency
upgrades to the secondary, the front seven needs attention in the draft. Attaochu is
a nice chess piece that can be moved around to attack and create pressure on QB’s.
2nd round –WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
… A year ago, everybody, particularly Mel Kiper had Coleman ranked as a top-30 prospect.
Due to his amazing size (6’-6”), 4.4 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.
3rd 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.
4th 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 –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.
…With depth at both LB and DE a real concern, the obvious selection is a hybrid that
can be both. The Patriots offseason focus has been pass defense. With Free Agency
upgrades to the secondary, the front seven needs attention in the draft. Attaochu is
a nice chess piece that can be moved around to attack and create pressure on QB’s.
2nd round –WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
… A year ago, everybody, particularly Mel Kiper had Coleman ranked as a top-30 prospect.
Due to his amazing size (6’-6”), 4.4 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.
3rd 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.
4th 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 –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.
