New England Patriots: 5 Most Popular 1st-Round Picks in 2012 NFL Mock Drafts

Mock drafts are wildly popular in March and April as the NFL draft approaches, but with so many mocks around the net, it can make your head spin.

Don't worry; I have you covered. I took a spin in my favorite office chair (pictured here), scoping out dozens of mock drafts to give you a roundup of the most popular picks to the New England Patriots. 

And judging by the early consensus, it looks like most pundits have forgotten how rarely (and by rarely, I mean never) the Patriots draft a pass-rusher in the first round.

Never mind that; let's get right to the most popular Patriots prospects.

Chandler Jones, DE Syracuse

Jones is a new name to the mock party. He has been projected between the first and fourth round, so it's tough to say exactly what has so many mock drafters projecting him to the Patriots.

He's a big-bodied defensive end with the frame Bill Belichick loves in his pass-rushers, but lacks the smooth hips and athleticism that would ultimately be required to play the Elephant role in a 3-4, which the Patriots have been trying to fill since the departure of Willie McGinest. 

Shea McClellin, DE Boise State

I was interested to find so many mock drafts projecting the Patriots to take McClellin with a first-round pick, as he's primarily been considered a second-rounder in the run up to the draft. However, that's never stopped Belichick from taking a prospect he really likes (see: McCourty, Devin and Mankins, Logan).

He's not an elite prospect in any way, but he's well-rounded and good at a lot of things, making him scheme-versatile. If McClellin is who draft pundits think he is, he'll be able to make a smooth transition to a 3-4 defense in that Elephant role.

Andre Branch, DE/OLB Clemson

Yet another pass-rusher makes the list. It's pretty clear that this is the consensus biggest position of need for the Patriots. The question is whether or not any of them are a true fit in the 3-4 and whether or not Belichick goes against his draft history to select one.

He was a highly-touted linebacker in high school, but ended up making the switch to defensive end in college. He's a raw athlete, but has the frame, and many say the potential to make the transition to outside linebacker in the NFL. But as we know with Belichick, it's never that easy.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama

The Nick Saban pipeline had to be tapped into at some point, right? Several mock experts are predicting what has happened every draft for the past five years: the Patriots taking a defensive back in the first or second round.

He has the ability to play both man and zone coverage, and at 6'2", he has the height to cover No. 1 receivers, but his short arms of just 30 5/8" could hinder him a bit. Stilll, he's the physical type of cornerback the Patriots love in their secondary, but with depth at the position in Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, Ras-I Dowling and Sterling Moore, it would be a wonder if the Patriots spent another high pick on a cornerback.

Nick Perry, DE/OLB USC

There are four Elephants in the room.

Nick Perry bulked up before the combine to prove he has the size to be a 4-3 defensive end, but he played outside linebacker in the 3-4 at USC. 

He's consistent in his motor and is a solid pass-rusher, but some question his gap and assignment integrity, as he often prioritizes rushing the passer over those two traits. 

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