New England Patriots Mock Draft: Best and Worst-Case Scenario for Every Round

Trying to guess at what Bill Belichick is going to do in the NFL Draft can be a lot like solving a Rubix Cube. You spend hours churning and turning away at the colorful box before some genius comes up to you, grabs it, solves it in 30 seconds and puts it down on the table in front of you.

The positions of greatest need are clear: mostly on the defensive side of the ball, with an interior offensive linemen and perhaps a wide receiver thrown in the mix somewhere.

But as we wrap up the 2012 NFL Draft coverage around the AFC East, a mock draft can be a fun exercise for keeping up with what the New England Patriots could/should do in a best and worst-case scenario.

First Round, Pick 27

Best-Case Scenario: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Patriots need linebackers they can count on for the future and Courtney Upshaw has shown the versatility in college to make an impact where ever he lines up in the pros. He has a nose for big plays. According to CFBStats.com, he combined for 32.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in the past two seasons.

With Mark Anderson gone, Andre Carter soon to be gone and the Patriots likely transitioning back to the 3-4 defense, it's time to find those long-term fits at the position. Upshaw would be a great place to start if he fell all the way to the Patriots at No. 27, though he's been projected several places in the first round.

Worst-Case Scenario: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

The Patriots need to find the eventual replacement for Brian Waters, who will likely retire after the 2012 season. It's not as pressing of a need as some other spots and it's another question of whether center or guard will be the need (Dan Connolly could presumably slide over to guard, though Dante Scarnecchia had some nice things to say about him recently).

A mauler on the inside of the offensive line is a good pick at the end of the first round. Kevin Zeitler could improve in pass protection, but he's a solid pick for the immediate depth he can provide in the event of an injury. In fact, he could compete with Robert Gallery for the starting job in Logan Mankins' stead.

First Round, Pick 31

Best-Case Scenario: Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State

Once trumpeted as a second- or third-round pick, there's talk of Shea McClellin potentially sneaking into the first round, as the Green Bay Packers have already shown significant interest, according to Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel.

Speaking of the Packers, McClellin got the outside linebacker's rite of passage from Greg Cosell of NFL Films, who said McClellin is, "...not as purely explosive as Clay Matthews, but I see some similarities as McClellin matures and develops."

After having grabbed Upshaw with the first pick, the Patriots have now doubled down at outside linebacker. If the two picks pan out, the Patriots will have their bookends for the next decade, and one of whom can learn under Andre Carter.

Worst-Case Scenario: Trade Down

"Worst case" is something of a misnomer here. In fact, this may not even be such a bad thing at all.

The Patriots could still get a good haul from a team looking to jump into the back end of the first round, as the New Orleans Saints were willing to do last year with the Patriots' No. 28 selection. In the end, New England came away with a late-second round choice and the No. 27 overall pick this year. 

Second Round, Pick 48

Best-Case Scenario: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

There's no question as to whether the Patriots value a cornerback enough to draft one near the top of the draft; they've taken one in the first or second round in five of the past six years. Some fans might be upset with this pick because of all the recent selections they've used at the position.

However, Brandon Boykin is more than any of those players, a versatile guy. He even won the Paul Hornung award for most versatile player in college. He can play all over the secondary, at safety, outside or slot cornerback, and he can return kicks.

The Patriots have lacked an impact kick returner for years and Boykin would be a valuable add in several ways.

Worst-Case Scenario: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Belichick is quite friendly and familiar with Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. In fact, the two were spotted in close proximity for a great duration of time during the coach's meetings.

Mohamed Sanu has been described as a violent wide receiver who can take the receptions over the middle and use his big frame to win one-on-one matchups. The Patriots need to get younger at receiver and should start finding some long-term answers, but this represents a worst-case scenario where the top defensive talent is mostly spoken for.

Second Round, Pick 62

Best-Case Scenario: Brandon Taylor, S, LSU

The Patriots desperately need help at safety, but there just isn't a whole lot of top-end talent to be had in this draft. Why not go with a talented safety who contributed to a defense that went all the way to the National Championship?

More than anything, the Patriots need depth. Patrick Chung has been on and off the field with injuries, so finding a suitable backup behind him should be a point of interest for the Patriots in the draft.

Worst-Case Scenario: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma

While we're on the topic of safeties, it seems this year's class is littered with players whose skill set is reminiscent of one Patrick Chung. There could be some advantages to drafting a safety similar to Chung; insurance should he get injured again, having missed 11 games in the past two seasons, or possibly to allow Chung to do different things in the secondary, perhaps as the "cover" safety.

Markelle Martin is listed as a strong safety, but has many skills pertinent to the free safety spot. He is dissimilar enough from Chung to make him worth the pick and the two could actually be a flexible duo on the back end, allowing more game plan flexibility and versatility—Belichick's favorite ingredient in the recipe for a roster.

Third Round, Pick 93

Best-Case Scenario: Marvin Jones, WR, California

With three acquisitions already this offseason, the cupboards have been front loaded with talent at the wide receiver position. The problem, however, is that the position is loaded with 30-somethings and one-year deals, so receiver will be a need sooner rather than later.

Enter Marvin Jones, a big bodied receiver who can run the whole route tree and has experience in a pro-style offense like the one the Patriots run. He would have time to learn all the ins and outs before being thrust into a bigger role.

Worst-Case Scenario: Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati

In Derek Wolfe, the Patriots could finally get that high-motor disruptive force they've been looking for. Wolfe could play end in a 3-4 scheme as a five-technique. He's surprisingly effective with his hands and feet for a man of his size, at 6'5" and 300 pounds.

However, Wolfe isn't incredibly versatile and would be mostly resigned to the end spot in a 3-4 or the run-stuffing defensive tackle role in a 4-3.

Fourth Round, Pick 126

Best-Case Scenario: Lucas Nix, G, Pittsburgh

The only thing the Patriots need more than all kinds of help on defense is interior offensive linemen for the days when Dan Koppen and Brian Waters eventually retire.

Lucas Nix has played multiple spots on the offensive line, contributing at both tackle and guard for the Panthers. He could use some work on his technique, but he has the mentality and style to play inside in the NFL. Putting him through the ringer at the Scarnecchia School of O-Linemen should help him reach his fullest potential.

Worst-Case Scenario: Kyle Wilber, DE/OLB, Wake Forest

Pass-rushers: You can't live without 'em, but the Patriots would prefer it if you could. Last year, with all the hype in the world surrounding the possibilities at defensive end/outside linebacker and on the defensive line, the Patriots didn't take a single guy until the sixth round.

Much like Markell Carter was last year out of Arkansas State, Kyle Wilber would be a project at the position. At 6'4" and 250 pounds, he's a little small for an outside linebacker in the 3-4, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up. But if it's with the Patriots, there may not be early returns on this pick, except as a situational pass-rusher.

Pick info provided by NEPatriotsDraft.com.

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