Just trying a different route. I'm abandoning my preferences and thinking about prospects from the perspective that they are ones that, for one reason or another, BB would likely draft.
Round One 1
Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Why BB might draft him
1. Is versatile. Not only is he a slot receiver, he returns punts and kicks and is now seeing time at RB. Edelman, Welker and Woodhead are all FA's. Austin has the skillset to replace a lot of the snaps for all three.
2. His suddenness and speed is a great BB fit. BB likes his athletes and Austin certainly qualifies. His ability to stop on a dime and get back up to full speed should see him excel at the COD drills at the combine - a particular BB favourite.
3. As NEpartriotsdraft points out, Austin's route tree is not all that different to Welker's. It's still 50-50 whether Welker will be resigned and Austin probably has the best chance of succeeding in that role.
Tavon Austin: Potential Wes Welker Replacement for the Patriots? | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2013 NFL Draft
Note: I'm really warming up to this as a first round pick. He's an outstanding playmaker and is a really nice fit. Not afraid to block either as he showed in the Oklahoma game.
Round Two
Trade Back into middle round three picking up a middle fourth rounder
Why BB Might Do this
1. Duh!!
Round 3A
Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers
Why BB Might Draft Him
1. Rutgers. He's still a Schiano guy and BB still likes his Rutgers prospects.
2. BB likes to take defensive backs fairly high. Even if we sign Talib long-term, Dowling really can't be relied upon too much. With McCourty excelling at safety, Ryan will push Dennard for the other starting position.
Round 3B
Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State
Why BB Might Draft Him
1. Penn State. How far would a Bill O'Brien recommendation go? Would there be one?
2. Plus intangibles. Excellent motor, very good range, quick off the snap. He lacks the ideal size to be an every down player but he will make plays. Was PSU's leading tackler last year and is right up there again this year.
Shame it's not the ideal #47. But if you squint, does look a little like Ansah.
Round 4
Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
Why BB Might Draft Him
1. We double dip almost every draft now. As things stand, the WR position is very uncertain and so WR is a logical position to predict a double dip for.
2. There has been some unverifiable suggestion that the Pats have shown interest in Wheaton.
3. Plus plus intangibles and plus speed puts him firmly in the BB mould. Ideal Branch replacement.
Round 7A
Zach Boren, FB/LB, Ohio State
Why BB Might Draft Him
I think Brother Merrill is right on this. If you were going to put money on one pick by BB, this might well be it. Consider.
1. It's a pretty good bet we'll take someone from Meyer's Ohio State. Particularly when they've just gone unbeaten.
2. I'm not going to look up the correct spelling but you all know who I mean. He's our only FB and is out of contract. Drafting a FB makes a lot of sense.
3. Particularly one who's shown the ability to play both sides of the ball.
Round 7B
Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE/DT, Notre Dame
The poor relation on that Notre Dame D/Line but..
Why BB Might Draft Him
1. Big school senior on a successful program
2. Has really good length and ideal size for the 5-tech position and gives the option to switch back to a 3-4 at some stage in the next few years if required.
3. Because in the late 7th round he represents excellent value. He's better than that.
Couldn't find ideal O/Line help. That will have to come in 2014 and I deliberately avoided Carradine to be a little different. Not a perfect mock for me, but not too bad actually. Could live with it easily.