New England Patriots Draft Picks: Results, Analysis and Grades
After a rough free-agency period, the New England Patriots' 2015 title defense could boil down to the success of their 11 draft picks this weekend. New England made its most draft picks since 2010, potentially allowing them to rebuild a roster that got pillaged after their Super Bowl victory.
This tracker is your one-stop shop for the Patriots' draft. Check out all my snap reactions and letter grades for every New England pick shortly after they were made, as well as links to my longer articles breaking down each individual selection.
Round 1, Pick 32: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
1 of 11Quite frankly, it's a little difficult to envision why Malcom Brown fell this far. Mocked in the late teens or early 20s throughout the entire predraft process, the Pats likely got one of the best value picks of the entire first round. In fact, the Boston Globe's Shalise Manza Young reported that the Patriots had actually traded out of the 32nd pick, though perhaps that deal was contingent on Brown not being available.
Regardless, the ex-Longhorn should slot in at Vince Wilfork's old spot as a 1-tech inside shade in 4-3 fronts and a 0-tech nose tackle on three-man fronts. One of the more versatile interior linemen in this class, Brown demonstrates excellent awareness and the ability to consistently generate positive leverage to push the pocket, something that should keep him on the field on passing downs even without elite pass-rushing moves or production.
This pick should also have a positive ripple effect on second-year defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who is expected to play next to Brown. Every 3-technique needs a block absorber next to him to deflect attention from guards and center, and Easley's attempt to break through in his sophomore campaign should be greatly ameliorated by having a capable pro-ready player next to him.
Ultimately, Brown is another piece on what is rapidly becoming one of the better young front sevens in the league. Between Brown, Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins and perhaps Easley, the Pats have the makings of an explosive, well-rounded and cost-controlled ability to control the trenches. As the defense tries to compensate for the offseason losses in the secondary, Brown represents a huge step forward in forging a new identity.
Grade: A
*Check out my deeper dive into Brown's skill set and fit.
Round 2, Pick 64: Jordan Richards, S, Stanford
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There was a ton of value at wide receiver, running back and defensive tackle here, but the Patriots went outside the box and took Stanford safety Jordan Richards. The Pats have surprised draftniks in the past by taking safeties Tavon Wilson and Duron Harmon much earlier than many expected, and Richards appears to be the next in line.
The 5'10", 211-pounder was a team captain at Stanford, so he's certainly a program fit. On the ESPN broadcast, Mel Kiper Jr. compared Richards to Ryan Clark. A traditional in-the-box safety, Richards plays with plus instincts and a physical edge in run support. Moreover, he was a wide receiver in high school and displays good ball skills with nine career interceptions.
I would expect Richards to take over Patrick Chung's role and potentially push Wilson and/or Nate Ebner off the roster. Wilson and Ebner bring core-four special teams value, but neither has been particularly effective when given extended defensive snaps. Even though Chung is under contract through 2017, this has the smell of a future-minded pick with the possibility of Richards getting heavier snaps in 2016 and beyond.
New England's two biggest needs at cornerback and guard remain unaddressed, but the value wasn't really there at this spot. However, I am a little puzzled that the Patriots didn't take a faller like Jaelen Strong or Tevin Coleman. Richards is a good soldier who will fill a specific niche, but given his significant coverage liabilities, this pick seems curious at best.
Grade: C-
*Check out my deeper dive into Richards' skill set and fit.
Round 3, Pick 97: Geneo Grissom, DE, Oklahoma
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With three picks between Nos. 96-101, the Patriots were highly unlikely to cash in on the entire bundle. After trading the 96th overall pick and a seventh-rounder (No. 219) to the Cleveland Browns for their Round 4 (111), Round 5 (147) and Round 6 (202) picks, New England surprised for the second straight selection by choosing Oklahoma's Geneo Grissom.
Although there were several intriguing interior offensive line prospects available here, the Pats went defense for the third consecutive pick. The 6'3", 262-pound Grissom is similarly proportioned to strong-side defensive end Rob Ninkovich (6'2", 260 lbs) and possesses a similar profile. Like Ninkovich, Grissom lacks an explosive first step and the agile hips to bend the edge but holds up strong at the point of attack and possesses positional versatility.
And yet, much like Jordan Richards, the Patriots probably reached a bit for the ex-Sooner. NFL.com projected Grissom as a Round 5 or 6 prospect, while NFL Draft Scout pegged him as a sixth-rounder. Grissom isn't a weak-side edge-rusher like Michael Buchanan or Zach Moore, but he figures to compete with both for snaps behind the top trio of Ninkovich, Chandler Jones and Jabaal Sheard.
The Pats have always adhered to their own draft board in the face of public opinion, and they've now added two consecutive picks at areas not considered major needs. Interestingly, Brown, Richards and Grissom are all front seven players (considering that Richards is best in the box), illustrating New England's desire to beef up the trenches to compensate for the losses in the secondary. Many observers might question the Grissom addition, but adding him simply continues a clear draft plan Belichick and Co. have enacted.
Grade: C-
*Check out my deeper dive into Grissom's skill set and fit.
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Round 4, Pick 101: Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas
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The Patriots made it four-for-four on the defensive front, adding one of the top fallers from the first two days of the draft. One of the more underrated pass-rushers in the SEC, Trey Flowers compiled 17 sacks and 42 tackles for loss in three years as a starter at Arkansas. Though the need may not necessarily be there anymore, this should be one of the better values today.
Flowers is another versatile edge-defender, though he'll likely need to stay on the perimeter because of his size (6'2", 266 lbs). That isn't necessarily a problem, though, as he is one of the more explosive edge-rushers in this draft class, as evidenced by his 36.5" vertical jump and 121" broad jump, both of which were among the best for defensive linemen at the scouting combine, per NFL.com.
The ex-Razorback probably fell a bit because of his lack of scheme versatility, as he probably needs to stay in a 4-3 front. So one would expect Flowers to serve as a sub-package specialist when the Pats allow their defensive linemen to one-gap and penetrate upfield. He'll also need to develop a wider array of pass-rushing countermoves to defeat NFL-caliber tackles, though that's not necessarily an unusual need for collegiate edge-defenders.
After selecting Flowers and Grissom with their past two picks, it's safe to say that Michael Buchanan and Jake Bequette probably aren't long for the roster. Grissom also probably makes more sense at linebacker now, given the significantly more pressing depth needs there. For now, Flowers will likely compete with Zach Moore for the fourth edge-defender spot behind Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard, though his future upside is much greater.
Grade: B
*Check out my deeper dive into Flowers' skill set and fit.
Round 4, Pick 111: Tre' Jackson, G, Florida State
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Here's the pick Patriots fans wanted to see. I've covered Tre Jackson fairly extensively in the predraft process, but on my final big board, I dropped him lower due to concerns over his apparent knee issues as first reported by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. Jackson has physical concerns that make this a boom-or-bust pick, but for the second consecutive pick on Saturday, the Pats have a highly talented prospect with significant upside.
The 6'4", 330-pound prospect is as strong a mauler as any guard in this draft. On game tape I watched, Jackson almost never lost at the point of attack, routinely jolting defenders back at the point of attack. Jackson's balance also aids him in pass protection; for someone of his size, he is surprisingly mobile in adjusting against quicker 3-techniques who attempt to beat him with finesse moves.
Jackson's concerns are more physical. Besides the aforementioned knee issues, Jackson is a player whose 2014 tape declined from 2013 due to weight gains. He should probably carry a little less weight at the NFL level, for watching Jackson try to down or pull block in space is often painful. It's quite possible his knee issues stemmed from poor conditioning, so he'll need to fix that to have any type of career at all.
Still, this selection is perfectly in line with offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo's preference for larger more powerful guards than what the Patriots currently employ. Jackson's health issues are a legitimate red flag, but with as much talent as any guard in this draft class, there's also a chance he could start from Day 1 next to college teammate Bryan Stork.
Grade: B+
*Check out my deeper dive into Jackson's skill set and fit.
Round 4, Pick 131: Shaq Mason, G/C, Georgia Tech
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The Patriots continued to shop at the meat market with their third fourth-round pick of the draft, selecting a second consecutive interior offensive lineman in Georgia Tech's Shaq Mason. Unlike Jackson, who profiles as an immediate starter, Mason is a developmental prospect who will need time to adjust from the Yellow Jackets' anachronistic triple-option offense.
And yet, Mason possesses the versatility to play all three interior line spots and probably arrives as polished a run-blocker as any rookie in this class. Though undersized at 6'1" and 300 pounds, Mason plays with excellent lower-body strength and consistently rocks opponents with a strong punch. He also has the mobility to block in space, which he frequently did at Georgia Tech.
But as one would expect, Mason has virtually no experience in pass blocking and unsurprisingly demonstrated poor technique there. Consequently, the Patriots will essentially need to teach Mason to pass protect, an unusual position to start with for a rookie. Mason figures to go through a redshirt year in 2015, though his athleticism and collegiate experience (40 starts) suggests that he might be a quick learner.
This pick is a bit of a divergence from the type of offensive linemen the Patriots have opted for in terms of size, but Mason plays bigger than his listed measurables. Depending on his development, Mason could eventually take over for Ryan Wendell at right guard or at least serve as Bryan Stork's backup in the long run.
Grade: B-
*Check out my deeper dive into Mason's skill set and fit.
Round 5, Pick 166: Joe Cardona, LS, Navy
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The Pats are as unpredictable a drafting team as any in the league, but sometimes, the fits just make too much sense. Bill Belichick is a Navy man at heart given his father Steve's 33 years at Annapolis, and with long snapper Joe Cardona available at a position of need, this was a pick many saw coming.
After holding the 147th pick following a Day 2 trade with the Cleveland Browns, the Patriots flipped the pick to the Green Bay Packers and moved down 19 spots in exchange for an extra seventh-rounder (No. 247). If Cardona was the Patriots' next target, then the move down certainly made sense, as Cardona was certainly not going to go off the board in that 19-pick stretch.
Truthfully, the Patriots might've been able to snag Cardona with the latter of those picks. I projected Cardona to New England in each of the updated mock drafts, but not until the seventh round. With mandatory military service potentially delaying the start of Cardona's career, there's a chance he might not even be able to contribute for years.
If the Pats can acquire a waiver, then Cardona's military service might be delayed. The need at long snapper is there given Danny Aiken's porous 2014 performance, so if Cardona is around this fall, expect him to become one of the core special teamers.
Grade: B
*Check out my deeper dive into Cardona's skill set and fit.
Round 6, Pick 178: Matthew Wells, OLB, Mississippi State
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With the pick they acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of the Jonathan Casillas trade, the Pats went back to the well on the defensive front seven, taking Mississippi State outside linebacker Matthew Wells. Wells is someone who was off the radar, with undrafted grades from most sites, but probably entered the picture after his impressive pro day.
Indeed, Wells' 4.44 40-yard dash was a blazing mark for the 6'2", 222-pound prospect. Given his size, Wells profiles more as a big safety than a true edge-setting linebacker, much like the role Tank Williams played years ago. Though he had the size to play the front in the SEC, one would assume that his draft stock fell as he entered the draft without a viable position.
Nevertheless, that didn't stop Wells from being a highly productive player at Oxford. Wells played all 52 possible games of his collegiate career and set career highs as a senior with four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Those aren't necessarily eye-popping numbers for a full-time starter, but they do indicate how he was able to convert his speed into disruptive results.
Ultimately, Wells is probably more of a special teams target, as his rare combination of safety size and receiver-like speed should make him an asset in coverage and blocking. It's not entirely clear what kind of defensive role he might play, but in Wells and Joe Cardona, Belichick appears to have strengthened the third phase of New England's roster.
Grade: B
*Check out my deeper dive into Wells' skill set and fit.
Round 6, Pick 202: A.J. Derby, TE, Arkansas
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With the sixth-rounder they picked up from Cleveland last night, the Patriots made an intriguing selection in Arkansas tight end A.J. Derby. The second Razorbacks selection of the day, Derby only has a year of experience at the position, but his 6'5", 255-pound frame fits in with the big-bodied tight end prototype the Patriots have targeted.
Derby actually started his career at Iowa as a linebacker before transferring to Arkansas and switching to quarterback his junior season, throwing 36 passes in 2013. After making the conversion to tight end last year, Derby racked up 22 catches for 303 yards and three scores, demonstrating upside at an entirely new position.
Unlike many raw athletic types, Derby shows off natural hands, a plus asset that makes him a potential receiving "F" tight end threat. As his 56-yard score against Alabama illustrated, Derby is extremely dangerous in space and has the speed to challenge linebackers at the second level.
Of course, Derby is also extremely raw and feels like a practice-squad kind of stash as he learns the position. As one would expect, he's wholly undeveloped as a blocker and route-runner, despite size that would suggest an in-line "Y" tight end type. Moreover, Derby suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the end of Arkansas' season.
With Rob Gronkowski, Tim Wright and Scott Chandler as the top three, Derby won't be asked to play in 2014. Still, given the importance of "12" personnel to New England's offense, he's not a bad developmental target for Brady to work with down the line.
Grade: B
*Check out my deeper dive into Derby's skill set and fit here.
Round 7, Pick 247: Darryl Roberts, CB, Marshall
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With the pick the Patriots got from Green Bay earlier today, New England addressed arguably its biggest defensive need headed into the draft. I had Roberts as a sixth-round projection in my Saturday morning mock, and the Pats came through in snagging one of the most underrated cornerbacks in this draft class.
Though undersized at just 6'0" and 182 pounds, few corners in this class have short-area agility. Roberts was not invited to the scouting combine, but his 6.66 three-cone drill time would have been second-best among all cornerbacks at Indianapolis. With long arms to help press receivers, Roberts proved extremely difficult for wide receivers to wriggle away from.
To be sure, Roberts is still raw, as he struggled with patience and often opened his hips too early or grabbed receivers unnecessarily. These defects often led to big plays downfield and will likely prevent him from immediately taking the field. At the same time, though, they are correctable issues, and Roberts could overcome them with coaching.
With his length, physicality and ability to contribute on special teams, Roberts possesses considerably more upside than the average seventh-rounder. There's a lot of quantity at cornerback on the New England roster, but watch for the rookie from Marshall as someone who could become an excellent Day 3 steal.
Grade: A-
*Check out my deeper dive into Roberts' skill set and fit.
Round 7, Pick 253: Xzavier Dickson, DE, Alabama
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With their final pick in the draft, the Patriots went with one of the most phonetically difficult prospects in Alabama's Xzavier Dickson. The Belichick-Nick Saban connection has generated a fairly steady pipeline from Tuscaloosa to Foxborough, and Dickson is the latest Crimson Tide lottery ticket the Pats have taken.
Todd McShay suggested on the ESPN broadcast that the 6'3", 260-pound prospect could be a scheme-versatile player capable of playing multiple techniques along the defensive line. The collegiate outside linebacker doesn't possess the fluidity to stay in a two-point stance in the pros, but with an adequate bull rush and active hands, Dickson should translate well to a full-time D-line role.
Dickson will need time to develop much more functional strength, however, as SEC tight ends routinely collapsed the edge when blocking him. That's disappointing, considering his size and 33 1/2" arm length, which should enable him to stack offensive linemen. If Dickson is going to be a two-gapping 5-tech in three-man fronts (something his body size would imply), he absolutely needs to play with better leverage against the run.
The Pats fittingly ended the draft with their fifth front-seven selection, marking the seventh player they've taken who will play in the trenches. With 11 picks, their most selections since 2010, New England came into this draft with a clear agenda to reshuffle the bottom of the roster with youth. Dickson is a long shot to make the final 53-man roster, but perhaps he flashes enough to stick around the roster in the fall.
Grade: C+
*Check out my deeper dive into Dickson's skill set and fit.
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