^ Great post. There are tons of positions that really don't need any picks.
1a. Devin Taylor, OLB, South Carolina [6'7", 260]
He's not the most NFL-ready OLB prospect, but he's got the highest ceiling. You can't teach that length with that athleticism. You can "teach" bulk and technique.
1b. Traded for a late 2nd and 2012 1st (I WANT TYRANN MATHIEU!)
2a. TJ McDonald, FS, USC [6'3", 205]
A FS with good range who can cover and hit. His hitting is a bit of a problem right now, but not every safety prospect is as uncoachable as Meriweather. On the scale of USC safeties, he's a lot closer to Troy Polamalu than Taylor Mays.
2b. Kheeston Randall, DE, Texas [6'5", 295]
He's the closest to a 3-4 DE prospect that there is available at this point. Has length and room to add more bulk, but needs technique work.
2c. Kenny Tate, SS, Maryland [6'3", 220]
In 2010, it was the TEs. In 2010, it was the RBs. In 2012, it will be the safeties. Tate doesn't have the coverage skills to be a full-time safety right away, but his skill set will make him an asset in the big nickel. In his time at Maryland, he has lined up out wide as a CB, back deep as a safety, in the box as an LB, and in a three point stance as a DE. With receiving TEs becoming more popular, a quality 3rd safety will be as much of a necessity as the slot corner is right now.
3. Traded for 2 4ths
4a. Logan Harrell, DE, Fresno State [6'2", 275]
Harrell is a very impressive interior pass rusher, with 15 sacks in his last 20 games. With Ellis leaving in free agency most likely, he's a good fit at the 4-3 LE position and as a DT in subpackages.
4b. David Molk, C, Michigan [6'2", 288]
An undersized but athletic college center? Yep, that's a Belichick pick. This assumes Connolly is resigned as the starting center, but Wendell and Koppen are both gone.
4c. Jeff Demps, RB, Florida [5'7", 191]
I love Vereen as an every-down RB for the future, Ridley as a late-game closer, and Woodhead as a third down back who can line up as a slot receiver. However, one thing the Pats' RBs are missing is speed. Demps is going to run in the 4.2s and would likely be the fastest player in the NFL as a rookie. He doesn't have a ton of football skills, but he has enough speed to be used in a few certain plays (and kick returns) that take advantage of his speed while he learns the finer points of being an RB.
Yep, the first 5 picks on defense. Makes tons of sense.
