New England Patriots' 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

Thus far, the New England Patriots have done an admirable job of filling out their biggest needs in the middle and the bottom of their depth chart at a number of key positions. That being said, there's still plenty of work to be done, and the 2016 NFL draft offers an opportunity for the Patriots to finish their "to-do" list for the offseason.

The Patriots hold 11 picks in the draft: two second-round picks, two third-round picks, five sixth-round picks and two seventh-round picks. That's more than enough ammunition to address the remaining holes at wide receiver, cornerback, offensive tackle, running back, defensive tackle and linebacker.

With that in mind, don't expect the Patriots to stand pat. They are always moving up and down the board to accumulate more picks, but with an average of nine players picked per year under head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have some wiggle room to shop around if they want to move up for a player they covet.

However, there just aren't that many pressing needs. The wide receiver and running back positions are the only ones where there could be starting jobs up for grabs—and now, with the departure of Dominique Easley, you could argue that defensive tackle is added to the list. Other than that, the Patriots' other needs are mostly at backup positions.

That's the benefit of not losing too many big-name players this offseason—of course, with the exception of Easley, wide receiver Brandon LaFell, defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Jerod Mayo.

Given their needs and the players who look like the best fits for the team, here's a look at some players the Patriots could target in the draft, along with some thoughts on what a strong draft might look like.

Top-100 Big Board

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Without a first-round pick, putting together a Patriots big board gets tricky. Of course, it's a waste of time to bother listing players who will almost certainly be off the board by the time the Patriots go on the clock in Round 2, but what about the possibility that they could move up in the second round? Certainly, they're not going to automatically write off the 60 best players in the draft.

So, there's some wiggle room. That being said, in reviewing the candidates to be drafted by the Patriots, some realism should be applied. They won't be in the market for California quarterback Jared Goff or star Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (though, given their track record with Florida players such as Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Spikes and Easley, that may be for the best).

These are the top 100 players the Patriots should be targeting. They're ranked in order based on ability, scheme fit, position and off-field factors (health, criminal record, etc.).

Patriots Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
2	Tyler Boyd	WR	Pittsburgh
3	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
4	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (Fla.)
5	Jordan Jenkins	OLB	Georgia
6	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
7	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
8	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
9	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
10	Leonte Carroo	WR	Rutgers
11	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
12	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
13	Alex Collins	RB	Arkansas
14	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
15	Joshua Garnett	OG	Stanford
16	D.J. White	CB	Georgia Tech
17	Karl Joseph	SS	West Virginia
18	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio State
19	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
20	Harlan Miller	CB	Southeastern Louisiana
21	Vadal Alexander	OG	LSU
22	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
23	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
24	Joshua Perry	OLB	Ohio State
25	Hassan Ridgeway	DT	Texas
26	Sean Davis	DB	Maryland
27	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
28	Vonn Bell	SS	Ohio State
29	Willie Beavers	OT	Western Michigan
30	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
31	Landon Turner	OG	North Carolina
32	Jake McGee	TE	Florida
33	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
34	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
35	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona State
36	Juston Burris	CB	North Carolina State
37	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
38	Kenyan Drake	RB	Alabama
39	Maliek Collins	DT	Nebraska
40	Glenn Gronkowski	FB	Kansas State
41	Nelson Spruce	WR	Colorado
42	Willie Henry	DT	Michigan
43	Ricardo Louis	WR	Auburn
44	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
45	Malcolm Mitchell	WR	Georgia
46	Keenan Reynolds	RB	Navy
47	Justin Simmons	FS	Boston College
48	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
49	Charles Tapper	DE	Oklahoma
50	Matthew Ioannidis	DT	Temple
51	Rees Odhiambo	OG	Boise State
52	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn State
53	Joe Haeg	OT	North Dakota State
54	Devon Cajuste	WR	Stanford
55	Shawn Oakman	DE	Baylor
56	Theiren Cockran	DE	Minnesota
57	Joel Heath	DT	Michigan State
58	Connor McGovern	OG	Missouri
59	Roy Robertson-Harris	DE	Texas-El Paso
60	Aaron Burbridge	WR	Michigan State
61	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
62	Blake Martinez	ILB	Stanford
63	Jhurell Pressley	RB	New Mexico
64	Steve Longa	OLB	Rutgers
65	Jerald Hawkins	OT	LSU
66	Austin Hooper	TE	Stanford
67	Kyler Fackrell	OLB	Utah State
68	Jordan Payton	WR	UCLA
69	Keyarris Garrett	WR	Tulsa
70	Jonathan Williams	RB	Arkansas
71	Anthony Zettel	DT	Penn State
72	Travis Feeney	OLB	Washington
73	Devon Johnson	RB	Marshall
74	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
75	Darrell Greene	OG	San Diego State
76	Ufomba Kamalu	DE	Miami (Fla.)
77	Nick Vigil	LB	Utah State
78	KeiVarae Russell	CB	Notre Dame
79	Tyler Higbee	TE	Western Kentucky
80	Adam Gotsis	DT	Georgia Tech
81	Cole Toner	OT	Harvard
82	Sebastian Tretola	OG	Arkansas
83	Brandon Wilds	RB	South Carolina
84	Tavon Young	CB	Temple
85	Thomas Duarte	WR	UCLA
86	Will Redmond	CB	Mississippi State
87	Tyler Matakevich	OLB	Temple
88	DeAndre Houston-Carson	FS	William & Mary
89	Roger Lewis	WR	Bowling Green
90	D.J. Reader	DT	Clemson
91	Zack Sanchez	CB	Oklahoma
92	Dean Lowry	DE	Northwestern
93	Ben Braunecker	TE	Harvard
94	Kevin Peterson	CB	Oklahoma State
95	Chris Brown	WR	Notre Dame
96	De'Vante Harris	CB	Texas A&M
97	Lawrence Thomas	DE	Michigan
98	David Morgan	TE	Texas-San Antonio
99	Bronson Kaufusi	DE	Brigham Young
100	Joe Dahl	OG	Washington State

Round 2

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Round 2, Pick 60: Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers

It just wouldn't be a Patriots mock draft without a Rutgers product, now would it? The Patriots haven't drafted a Rutgers player in a few years, so it feels overdue. And wide receiver Leonte Carroo could be the one to end the streak.

He's not the most physically imposing wide receiver in the draft at 6'0" and 211 pounds, but that's never mattered much to the Patriots. To them, the things that matter most are getting open and catching the ball.

In that respect, CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang classify Carroo as a "detailed route-runner who understands how to fool defensive backs in his routes, using timing to bait and get the hips of defenders turned in his breaks."

Brugler and Rang compare Carroo to Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate for his "strong hands" and "ability to weave through a defense," but more than just his pass-catching ability, Carroo can also contribute on special teams. In Belichick's never-ending search for value, Carroo provides a lot of it.

Round 2, Pick 61: Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech

As mentioned in the intro slide, most of the Patriots' biggest needs are at the middle and bottom of the depth chart at a number of positions. Key word: most. If the Patriots have any glaring needs on their roster, those needs are at wide receiver and running back. Despite re-signing LeGarrette Blount, the Patriots could use another back to compete for first- and second-down opportunities.

Enter Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech's all-time leading rusher (802 attempts, 4,483 rushing yards, 72 rushing touchdowns) who is also among the top 20 receivers in school history (87 receptions, 969 yards, 15 receiving touchdowns). Beyond his statistical accomplishments, Dixon is also a willing and capable blocker in the backfield, a valuable skill to the Patriots—keeping Tom Brady protected is priority No. 1.

At 5'10" and 215 pounds, Dixon has a compact build that allows him to keep a low center of gravity when defenders are trying to bring him down. Dixon ran a respectable 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and he was a top performer in the three-cone drill with a 6.97-second finish. The only knock on him may be the heavy workload he carried through college and the subsequent tread off his tires.

But a blend of physical skills and abilities, along with high football intelligence, sounds pretty close to an ideal Patriots running back from this perspective. 

Round 3

Associated Press

Western Michigan OT Willie Beavers (above) could develop into a starter to eventually replace Sebastian Vollmer.

Round 3, Pick 91: Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan

The Patriots have several irons in the fire at offensive tackle as we speak, but so far, they're having trouble catching heat. Backup Marcus Cannon has not shown the ability to develop into a starter or effectively step in off the bench when called upon. Cameron Fleming has been primarily a swing/jumbo tackle in heavy sets.

Western Michigan's Willie Beavers already has three years of starting experience, albeit against lower-level competition in the Mid-American Conference. But according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Beavers is "an eventual NFL starter who is likely to be targeted by teams who covet tackles who can excel in space." That just so happens to be one of the job descriptions for any offensive lineman with the Patriots.

At 6'4" and 324 pounds, he isn't quite as tall as the Patriots have preferred their tackles to be (Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer are both 6'8"). He'll also need to play a more patient game, as he sometimes finds himself out of position from lunging and overextending. That being said, if anyone can coach a little fundamental patience into him, it's Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia. 

With Vollmer getting older, it may be time to start looking at future starters at tackle. Beavers looks like a fit. 

Round 3, Pick 96: Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State

Pipeline alert. In this mock draft, Belichick has yet to tap into any of his many friendships with college coaches. With a new, glaring need at defensive tackle, now seems like a good time for Belichick to pick up the phone and get a good evaluation from Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer about defensive tackle Adolphus Washington.  

There's a good chance Belichick already likes what he's seen on tape. Don't be fooled by his 6'3", 301-pound frame; Washington has "excellent movement skills for a man his size," according to Brugler. He also has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and is known for his penetration skills. 

The Patriots typically covet defensive linemen who can plug gaps in the line of scrimmage, and that will be particularly true if they go back to the 3-4 as their base defense. That being said, while Washington is known for his ability to disrupt in the backfield, he also has the skills to translate into other techniques. 

Round 6

David J. Phillip/Associated Press/Associated Press

Kenyan Drake (above) was Alabama's No. 2 running back behind Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry.

Round 6, Pick 196: Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama

The other Alabama running back, Kenyan Drake is flying under the radar, which is exactly where the Patriots should want him to stay. 

At 6'1" and 210 pounds, Drake is a big back who fits the between-the-tackles prototype the Patriots need more of in their backfield. CBS Sports' Jamie Newberg says Drake needs to "run with some more strength and power" for a back of his size. However, Blount attributes his improved pad level to Belichick's coaching, per Doug Kyed of NESN.com, so there's a chance Drake could improve as a "hammer" just yet.

He's a talented player worthy of a selection earlier than the sixth round, but there are some red flags. Namely, he battled injuries during his college career. He only carried the ball 233 times in four years, picking up 1,495 yards and 18 touchdowns, so there's still a lot of tread left on his tires. 

If he checks out medically, Drake would be another solid addition to the competition for carries. 

Round 6, Pick 204: Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri

The Patriots just spent two fourth-round picks at the guard position last year, adding Tre' Jackson and Shaq Mason. Both men had flashes of brilliance last year, but there's no guarantee that either will develop into the consistent starting-caliber player the Patriots need at the position—although their chances of doing so improved when Scarnecchia rejoined the coaching staff.

Is that a chance the Patriots want to take? Why make a gamble out of it when they can add more depth to the position by adding Missouri guard Connor McGovern to the depth chart?

McGovern played tackle and guard in college, and although some scouts are projecting him as a tackle, others see him as a better fit at on the inside due to the power element of his game, along with some underrated moves for a man of his size. 

"He has some holes in his game right now, but I think they are all correctable," a Southwest-area scout told Zierlein. "I'm looking at him as a tackle because I would like to use his power and athleticism to help spring our running game outside."

Round 6, Pick 208: Sean Davis, DB, Maryland

The Patriots' problems at cornerback were far overstated last year, as Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan proved adequate starters on defense (neither allowed more than 60 percent completions, according to Pro Football Focus). Right now, though, the third cornerback spot is being manned primarily by safeties, namely Patrick Chung.

If the Patriots want a little more diversity in their secondary, Sean Davis might be a good name to target. The Maryland defensive back earns that positional distinction through his ability to line up at either cornerback or safety.

At 6'1" and 201 pounds, he would immediately be one of the biggest cornerbacks on the Patriots roster. He has the hard-hitting ability and lacks the pure man-to-man cover skills of a cornerback, but he has the zone-coverage ability to fit nicely in the slot.

He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a blazing 6.64-second three-cone drill at the NFL Scouting Combine. With that kind of athleticism, he'll do well no matter what he's asked to do—and he could even be a weapon on special teams. 

Round 6, Pick 214: Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard

As the tight end position becomes increasingly relevant (even by the Patriots' standards), the need for depth at the position becomes more and more important. The Patriots could benefit from adding a number of different tight ends to their roster, even one who might not be the versatile two-way threat that both Martellus Bennett and Rob Gronkowski present to a defense.

Harvard tight end Ben Braunecker is just 6'3" and 250 pounds, so he's not going to physically intimidate an NFL defensive lineman when blocking on the edge of the offensive line. However, he has the moves and football intelligence (save your Harvard jokes, I don't need them) to contribute in the passing game by finding soft spots in zone and running efficient and deceptive routes against man coverage.

That being said, he did show some promise as a blocker in the Ivy League, according to Newberg, so with the fundamental ability in place, perhaps he could be an efficient blocker with more time in the weight room. Braunecker may not be a traditional tight end, but the Patriots can still find value for him in their offense as a movable piece and matchup weapon.

Round 6, Pick 221: Travis Feeney, LB, Washington

As mentioned earlier, one trait the Patriots covet in their draft picks is positional versatility. One surefire way onto their draft board is to have played multiple positions at a high level in college.

Travis Feeney was once a safety—to give you an idea of his range in terms of speed—but his full range of athleticism was on full display at the combine. He ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical jump and 10'10" broad jump, all among the five best for a linebacker.

However, at 6'4" and 230 pounds, he’s wiry for a linebacker, particularly with the Patriots, who like their linebackers to be a bit bigger (closer to 260 pounds).

So, while he has some flexibility in where he can line up, he may need to add some strength to avoid being overpowered on a regular basis at the NFL level. However, his ability to contribute on special teams will give him a much better chance of sticking around in New England.

Round 7

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

Juston Burris (right) was a physical cornerback in his time at NC State.

Round 7, Pick 243: Juston Burris, CB, NC State

At this point in the draft, the main objective should be to create competition at a few key spots on the roster. One of those spots should be at cornerback, where the Patriots had some depth issues last season due to injuries.

NC State cornerback Juston Burris has the build of a prototypical boundary cornerback at 6'0" and 212 pounds. He's not the best athlete, but he ran a good-enough 4.53-second 40-yard dash with a 7.1-second three-cone drill. More importantly, though, his tape shows the potential for a talented cover cornerback.

According to Zierlein, Burris allowed just 34.1 percent completions into his coverage along with eight passes defensed—and he could have had four more with better timing. Like any late-round pick, Burris will have to earn his keep on special teams, but if he can do that, he has shown the potential to develop into a good depth chart piece at the cornerback position. 

Round 7, Pick 250: Chris Brown, WR, Notre Dame

Many times, teams will take a late-round flier on an athlete when their coaches believe they can mold that athlete into a talented football player. In the case of Chris Brown, however, the Notre Dame wide receiver's lack of athleticism may be the very thing that is holding him back from more recognition in the predraft process.

But when you read the "strengths" of his game in a scouting portfolio from Brugler, it reads like a checklist of what the Patriots like in their receivers:

"

Consistent in everything he does, including his routes, hands and blocking. And quarterbacks and coaches pay attention to that consistency, which will help build trust. Good catch-and-go athlete with quick feet. Continues to work to get open and help his quarterback. … 

There isn't much that separates him from others, but he makes the tough catches and pays attention to the details, including as a blocker and on special teams, which could keep him on a NFL roster.

"

The Patriots covet receivers who can block, particularly when they're in a two-tight end offense (as they should be in 2016). It's proven difficult for the Patriots to find receivers who can acclimate to the strict standards of their offense, but if what Brugler says is true, Brown could be a fit in New England.