New England Patriots: Grading the 2010 Draft Class Through Week 14
With just three weeks remaining in the 2010 NFL season, we have almost a full year's worth of a look at the 2010 draft class.
Is it a little too early to dole out accurate grades for the 2010 NFL Draft? Maybe. Of course, we won't know the true grades of this draft until three or more years down the road. For all we know, any of the players who have had a successful rookie season could be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
But everyone commented before the draft that the Patriots had to hit on nearly all of their top four picks to remain a contender in the tight AFC East race. Let's take a look and see how they did.
First Round, Pick No. 27—Devin McCourty
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The three guys the Patriots were supposed to draft: Brandon Graham is now on IR with a torn ACL; Sergio Kindle hasn't played a snap; Dez Bryant is out with a broken ankle.
Six interceptions later, Devin McCourty is a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Even if Ndamukong Suh wins the award, it should do nothing to diminish the great success that has been McCourty's rookie year, which has gone so much better than anyone could have expected.
For all those "pundits" who thought the Patriots were getting a nickel corner and special teams player at best, it's time to eat those words. Mmmm, tasty?
Grade: A
Second Round, Pick No. 42—Rob Gronkowski
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Entering the NFL with question marks around the health of his back after surgery did nothing to slow down Gronkowski, who has recorded seven touchdowns this season. He has been the ultimate Bill Belichick tight end—good hands, skilled run blocking and great ability as a downfield receiver.
He's proven virtually uncoverable by linebackers and is a mismatch to nearly anyone he faces. His enormous wingspan and 6'6" frame have made him a favorite target of Tom Brady, especially in the red zone.
The early comparisons to Mark Bavaro should have been enough of an indication, but in case they weren't, his production has done the talking.
Grade: A
Second Round, Pick No. 53—Jermaine Cunningham
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Many pundits predicted the Patriots would take a pass rusher with their first-round pick, so when they took Jermaine Cunningham in the middle of the second round, many began to wonder if the Patriots had truly addressed the issue.
Although he's only logged one sack this season so far, Cunningham has come "this" close on several occasions. It was his pressure on Peyton Manning that forced an underthrow on the game-winning interception.
He has played solid in run defense, tallying 31 total tackles and a forced fumble. In just his rookie year, Cunningham has virtually locked up a starting role at outside linebacker for the foreseeable future.
Grade: A-
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Second Round, Pick No. 62—Brandon Spikes
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Spikes has played in every game except one, with eight starts to his name. He has been a stalwart in run defense for the Patriots, playing mostly on running downs and logging 61 tackles, ranking third on the team in that category to only Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty.
Originally docked for his slow 40-yard dash time, Bill Belichick picked him up for his nose for the big play, which he flashed in a great instinctual interception of Mark Sanchez in the red zone on Monday Night Football.
His absence really hurts the Patriots' linebacking corps, but he'll be back in time for the playoffs. Let's just hope he's learned from his pair of transgressions this season.
Grade: A-
Third Round, Pick No. 90—Taylor Price
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This is essentially a redshirt year for Price. With so many of New England's receiving options playing at a high level, Price hasn't been needed. Still, he'd better see the field soon, or else he could be another bust at receiver for the Patriots.
Grade: N/A
Fourth Round, Pick No. 113—Aaron Hernandez
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How Aaron Hernandez ever fell to the fourth round is beyond me (it probably had something to do with testing positive for marijuana), but I'm sure the Patriots aren't complaining. They ended up with what could be considered the steal of the draft.
Hernandez has become a pseudo Dallas Clark and has tallied 41 receptions for 532 yards and four touchdowns.
He hasn't been much of a run-blocking tight end, but the Patriots have utilized him quite well for his skill set. Putting him in the slot, or even on the line, has proven to cause some mismatches in the secondary when he's covered by safeties. He'll be a key cog in the Patriots offense for years to come.
Grade: A-
Fifth Round, Pick No. 150—Zoltan Mesko
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Mike Mayock regarded Mesko as possibly the best special teams player in the entire draft. While Matt Dodge and Tim Masthay have both started off stronger than Mesko, it's clear that the potential is present for him to grow into a consistent punter.
His directional kicking has improved, and he's shanking far fewer punts now than he was at first. He may not be the next Jeff Feagles, but he is planting opponents inside their own 20-yard line at an impressive 30.4-percent clip.
Grade: B
Sixth Round, Pick No. 205—Ted Larsen
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Ted Larsen didn't make the team after the Patriots roster was cut to 53 men following training camp. He has, however, found a home in Tampa Bay as a guard and has started for them since Week 6.
It seems, then, that the Patriots made a wise choice in the draft but didn't make a wise choice in cutting Larsen. Though it hasn't come back to hurt them yet, extra depth on the offensive line never hurt, especially when your quarterback's name is Tom Brady.
Grade: N/A
Seventh Round, Pick No. 208—Thomas Welch
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Much like Larsen, Thomas Welch was cut from the team following the final wave of roster cuts after training camp. He has since been signed to the practice squad for the Minnesota Vikings but hasn't started or made any noise as of yet.
Grade: N/A
Seventh Round, Pick No. 247—Brandon Deaderick
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Who thought that a compensatory selection could be starting for the Patriots? Well, if you had told me in the preseason that Ty Warren would be on injured reserve before ever playing a snap, I may have believed you. I wouldn't, however, believe he'd contribute in such a positive way.
Deaderick hasn't seen a whole lot of time on the field, but he's been mighty effective when he's been out there. He's only played in five games but logged 10 tackles and two sacks in that time. With Mike Wright and Myron Pryor continuing to miss time, it shouldn't be long before he's called upon yet again.
For a compensatory pick, the Patriots couldn't have asked for much more than Mount Cody's counterpart at Alabama has given them.
Grade: A
Seventh Round, Pick No. 248—Kade Weston
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After sustaining an injury in training camp, Weston was waived on August 23. He rejoined the team, albeit on injured reserve. In a year in which the Patriots' depth on the defensive front has been tested, it would have been nice to see Weston get some action.
It's yet to be seen whether he'll make any impact on the team, though we can always hold out hope for next season.
Grade: N/A
Seventh Round, Pick No. 250—Zac Robinson
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With Bill Belichick's keen ability to draft quarterbacks late, many thought Robinson could be his latest find as a diamond in the rough. Since being cut from the Patriots after training camp, though, Robinson has been bounced around from one team to another.
He joined the Seattle Seahawks as a member of the practice squad and was even activated for a game to serve as a backup to Charlie Whitehurst. He was released the very next day and joined the Detroit Lions just days later.
There's time yet for Robinson to make an impact in the NFL. He won't have a chance, though, if he keeps getting bounced around from one team to another.
Grade: N/A
Overall Grade
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Remember how I said earlier that the Patriots needed to hit with nearly all of their first four picks to remain contenders in the AFC East?
Well, with A's and A-minuses across the board for their first four picks, and another A selection in the fourth round, it's clear that the Patriots have set the table for a franchise that could remain a dynasty for a long time.
Yes, even after the departure of Tom Terrific.
And to think, we've only seen the tip of the iceberg with these players. Two, three, four years down the line, this draft class could be looked at as one of the best in Belichick's career, and that's saying quite a lot.
Overall grade: A-
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