NFL Draft 2011: Analysis of the New England Patriots' Private Workouts, Part 2
With the 2011 NFL Draft peering its head around the corner, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have been scouting prospects at a wild pace. It may be hard to keep up with all of the news, but don't worry, it's all laid out right here for you.
Of course, there's no way of telling which of these prospects the Patriots are genuinely interested in and which ones they're "scouting" just to throw the other teams off when trying to guess what the Patriots will do.
Fans and analysts, however, must assume that the Patriots are genuinely interested in each prospect, and address every prospect as such. So here's my layout of the most recent private workouts the Patriots have held.
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Adam Weber—QB, Minnesota
1 of 17
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 223 pounds
This makes three late-round quarterback prospects that the Patriots have scouted.
With 50 consecutive starts, he ranks first all-time in the Big Ten. Not only did he show up, though, he produced as well. His 10,917 yards passing rank third all-time in the Big Ten.
He has the athleticism. The big question, as always, is whether he has the football IQ to grasp the Patriots' complicated offensive system. If he does, his potential makes him more than worth a late-round flier.
Where the Patriots could get him: Day 3 or undrafted free agency
Jordan Todman—RB, UConn
2 of 17
Height: 5'8 7/8"
Weight: 203 pounds
Todman is much quicker than he is strong, but will certainly make for nightmares in the backfield when he gets into space. He's hard to bring down in the open field, with slippery ankle-breaking type quickness.
He'll be a nightmare for opposing defenses on screen plays. That is, if he can improve in the passing game. In fact, ESPN's Scouts, Inc. comments on the fact that he actually came off the field on passing downs. Belichick won't be too high on the lack of versatility this kid has shown not only in catching the ball, but also in pass protection.
Still, his quickness on hand-offs would serve as a good complement to BenJarvus Green-Ellis' power style of running. He loves to break it outside, and although he doesn't have elite top-end speed, he could do some damage up the sidelines.
There are better prospects available to the Patriots in terms of their fit in the offense.
Where the Patriots could get him: 3/74
Da'Rel Scott—RB, Maryland
3 of 17
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 211 pounds
Did I already mention that the Patriots love quick running backs? Scott brings plenty of that in his game.
He will need to improve with patience and vision, though, as he often outruns his blockers. He does better work on the outside than between the tackles, but he keeps his legs going after contact regardless.
Still, he's a very finesse guy. He doesn't run well between the tackles and isn't a great blocker on passing downs. What he does give you, however, is great lateral quickness and above-average skills as a receiver out of the backfield.
A bit of a project, Scott would be a worthwhile pick for the right price.
Where the Patriots could get him: Day 3
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Derrick Locke—RB, Kentucky
4 of 17
Height: 5'8 1/2"
Weight: 188 pounds
A small frame didn't stop Locke from making an impact for the Wildcats. He may not be the fastest back in the draft class, but his quickness is just a notch below elite. The Patriots love that in their backs.
Not only can Locke contribute in the running game, he's also a capable kick returner. He earned All-SEC honors in that category.
He can also contribute in every facet of the passing game. On screens, he's a huge threat in open space. Although his size isn't ideal in protection, he has solid awareness to pick up the blitz.
Where the Patriots could get him: 3/92
Randall Cobb—WR, Kentucky
5 of 17
Height: 5'10 1/4"
Weight: 191 pounds
No, Randall Cobb isn't the physical presence that most teams would want out of their No. 1 receiver. That's Chris Matthews, another Kentucky WR recently worked out by the Patriots.
Cobb is a speed demon, though, and plays much faster in pads than he runs without them. ESPN's Scouts, Inc. says of Cobb, "Bottom line: he can turn a short catch into a big play from anywhere on the field."
He secures the ball away from his body, and explodes up the field for extra yards. He's also a physical receiver, even at his size, and doesn't shy away from contact. In fact, he often beats the contact and gets more yards.
Patriots fans all across New England have clamored for a field stretcher, and though Cobb may not bring that, he can certainly add a new dimension to the offense as an explosive threat.
Where the Patriots could get him: 2/60
Edmund Gates—WR, ACU
6 of 17
Height: 5'11 3/4"
Weight: 192 pounds
The Patriots could be interested in Gates' capabilities in the open field. He is known as a player who is best with the ball in his hands. His quickness and explosion both play into that ability, and he could be a huge asset in the screen game.
He has great top-end speed, but his route-running isn't what it should be, especially at his age (24, going on 25 in June). Despite that, he shows good discipline in catching the ball away from his body and securing the ball in traffic.
Some of his drops, however, were inexcusable and fell under the category of lost concentration. That can't happen in the NFL, and it's even less acceptable with Tom Brady throwing the ball.
Still, there was plenty of interest in him at his Pro Day, indicating that he will likely go in the top 100.
Where the Patriots could get him: 3/92
Kenrick Ellis—DE, Hampton
7 of 17
Height: 6'4 7/8"
Weight: 346 pounds
Wow, what a mountain of man this guy is.
He plays like an ideal fit in the 3-4 system, and has the long arms that help him hold his ground against multiple blockers. As his weight would suggest, he has an incredibly effective bull rush and can collapse the pocket as an interior pass rusher with consistency. There are a number of pass rush moves at his disposal, too.
He's a developmental prospect in terms of his overall awareness. He is fooled too easily on misdirection plays, and doesn't have the ability to make up lost ground when that happens.
With his size, though, and the right tweaks to his overall technique, he could be a quick fit for the Patriots.
Where the Patriots could get him: 3/92
Adrian Clayborn—DE, Iowa
8 of 17
Height: 6'2 5/8"
Weight: 285 pounds
The question with Clayborn is whether or not he's a fit. He's not a prototype 3-4 end currently, and would probably need to add 10 pounds. That's the only real option, as he's not a good enough athlete in space to drop weight and play outside linebacker.
He has a boatload of versatility in that respect, though. His ability to kick inside on obvious passing downs and play end on occasion when the Patriots line up with four linemen could make him a valuable asset to the Patriots defense.
With 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2010, he's bound to make an impact no matter where he lines up.
Long story short, if the Patriots draft Clayborn, they know they're getting a physical, athletic beast on the defensive line.
Where the Patriots could get him: 1/17 or 28
Aldon Smith—DE, Missouri
9 of 17
Height: 6'4 1/4"
Weight: 263 pounds
Ah, the hybrid prospect. The New England Patriots have never drafted an outside linebacker in the first round. Until last year with Jermaine Cunningham, they had never drafted a hybrid prospect in the first two rounds.
If the Patriots are looking to improve their sub package pass rush, though, Aldon Smith would be a great prospect to add to the front seven of that defense. He was a monster in 2009, with 19 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, but was hampered by injuries in 2010. Still, he played through the pain and had a productive season.
He may not be a perfect prospect at 3-4 outside linebacker, but what he brings as a pass rusher would make him a valuable addition to the Patriots defense.
You can read more of my thoughts on Aldon Smith by clicking the link here.
Where the Patriots could get him: 1/17
Adrien Moten—LB, Maryland
10 of 17Height: 6'1 5/8"
Weight: 228 pounds
When the Patriots drafted several captains in last year's draft, many wondered if it was a new measuring stick. If so, consider Moten a fit. Not only that, but he plays with an edge that the Patriots linebacker corps could use.
In terms of a fit for the Patriots' 3-4 defense, Moten isn't it. He can play a variety of linebacker spots in the 4-3, and can rush the passer, logging 15.5 sacks in his five-year career. He's also showed the ability to cover tight ends.
He's just not the right size to line up anywhere in the base 3-4, but what he may lack in size, he makes up for in heart and determination. With high-intensity plays like this one (at :58), Belichick could certainly find a way to get some production out of him.
Where the Patriots could get him: Day 3 or undrafted free agency
Martez Wilson—LB, Illinois
11 of 17
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 250 pounds
The last time the Patriots drafted a linebacker this versatile was when they took Jerod Mayo with the 10th overall pick in 2008. Wilson doesn't project to be a player worth taking that high, but he could play just about any position in the Patriots linebacking corps. He has the explosion and athleticism to rush the passer, but also the size to play inside.
Belichick loves himself some versatile linebackers.
Ultimately, it won't just be his physical and athletic abilities, but also his mental ability to play all those positions in the Patriots defense. If he can display the requisite football IQ, he would definitely be a player worth taking.
He had a season-ending hernia and subsequent surgery back in 2008, and has also had some off-field issues including a stabbing outside of a bar (sound familiar, Patriots fans?)
Where the Patriots could get him: 2/33 or 60
Chykie Brown—CB, Texas
12 of 17
Height: 5'11 1/4"
Weight: 190 pounds
Brown's cover abilities aren't top-notch, but he can hold his own in jump ball situations. He has a tendency to draw pass interference flags, which didn't hurt him too much in college with the 15-yard maximum but could be a killer in the NFL.
One other knock on Brown's game is that he relies too heavily on his instincts. That didn't hurt him much at Texas, where the front seven was consistently getting pressure, but in the Patriots secondary, he could get burned often.
The biggest weakness in his game is that he won't give you much in run support. According to ESPN's Scouts, Inc. he is too easily manhandled by bigger wide receivers, and doesn't get off blocks very easily at all. He'll also have to improve in containment, where he can often be thrown off his spot and lose ground.
Where the Patriots could get him: 4th or 5th round
Curtis Brown—CB, Texas
13 of 17
Height: 5'11 5/8"
Weight: 185 pounds
Of all the late-round cornerbacks the Patriots have scouted, Curtis Brown may be my favorite. He's a more fundamentally sound version of Chykie Brown. He doesn't play on instincts, he plays with confidence. He's a great read-and-react cornerback, with great quickness and closing burst to get to the ball on time.
His football IQ is evident just from the way he plays, but of course, Belichick will be the ultimate decider of that.
What he lacks in run support, he makes up for in cover abilities. He's stellar in both man and zone packages, and has the quickness and speed to cover receivers both inside and outside. That type of versatility could make him a valued addition to the Belichick defense, which asks its defensive backs to do multiple things and disguise their coverages well.
He will need to add some bulk to his frame in order to be of help in run support and to jam receivers at the line, but Brown has great fundamentals and would be worth a choice in the second round.
Where the Patriots could get him: 2/33 or 60
Desia Dunn—CB, Fresno State
14 of 17
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 194 pounds
Finding a scouting report on Desia Dunn wasn't easy, so I composed one of my own using a rather lengthy video I found of him on YouTube as well as various stats scavenged from around the net. Selected as a second-team All-WAC by the WAC coaches, Dunn found multiple ways to contribute. With 65 total tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble, he certainly has a nose for the ball.
Of course, the first thing we notice about Dunn from that video is that he never gives up on a play, and will chase it down to the bitter end. Then we get treated to his ability to block punts. Both of those traits are key in Belichick's prospects. He wants versatile football players who love the game as much as he does.
His Pro Day numbers also suggest he has the athleticism to play nickel cornerback in the NFL. He had 20 bench press reps of 225 pounds, and also posted a 4.51 in the 40 and 4.15 in the 20-yard shuttle.
He's a very well-rounded prospect, especially considering where the Patriots could get him.
Where the Patriots could get him: 4th or 5th round
Kevin Rutland—CB, Missouri
15 of 17
Height: 5'11 5/8"
Weight: 190 pounds
ESPN's Scouts, Inc. says that his field awareness is just average, which makes me skeptical of him as a Patriots pick. Football IQ is crucially important to Bill Belichick, so if Rutland doesn't have it, he likely won't be picked.
He doesn't offer much in terms of his physicality, and is lackluster in both run support and press coverage. Still, his speed and versatility in man and zone coverage could make him a late-round steal.
Where the Patriots could get him: Day 3 or undrafted free agency
Jaiquawn Jarrett—S, Temple
16 of 17
Height: 5'11 7/8"
Weight: 198 pounds
Jarrett is an intriguing prospect, considered the fourth-best safety prospect in a weak safety class. He has received solid reviews from draft analysts.
He has great speed even if he doesn't have the perfect size. Still, the Patriots need more versatile bodies at safety. He showed good range at the Senior Bowl, and the willingness to help in run support. He takes good angles, but his size will continue to be a factor at the line of scrimmage.
His versatility in coverage, though, could compensate for that. He does a solid job both as a deep safety and in coverage on slot receivers.
With a strong character and solid potential as a cover safety, Jarrett is a solid target for the Patriots as a mid-round pick.
Where the Patriots could get him: 4th round
Mistral Raymond—S, USF
17 of 17
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 191 pounds
He may only be a late-round prospect, but Raymond is gathering a lot of love from the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick was at USF's Pro Day, and the team also scheduled a private workout with Raymond for sometime within the next week.
As usually is the case with Belichick's draft prospects, it's Raymond's versatility that makes him a great asset with a late-round pick. He played both safety spots and nickel cornerback at times. It's his ability to contribute on special teams that may make him a gem worth picking up.
The Patriots' depth at safety is short, and even the top talent on the roster come with their question marks. Raymond may not be an every-down starter in the NFL, but his ability to contribute in a number of ways could earn him a spot on the roster.
Where the Patriots could get him: 5th or 6th round
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