2011 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots' First Four Rounds

Out of all of the teams in the National Football League, the New England Patriots are the most difficult to predict when it comes to mock drafts.

Head coach Bill Belichick likes to draft for value, not always for the biggest team-need. On top of that, Belichick loves to trade his picks to fall back, thinking he can get the player he's targeting two or three picks later.

From last year's draft—who was actually predicting the Pats to select cornerback Devin McCourty and two tight ends (Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski)? I sure didn't, and none of ESPN's and NFL Network's experts did either.

Here are my first four rounds of the 2011 NFL draft, projected for the New England Patriots.

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @  TonySantorsa 

Round 1 (Pick No. 17): J.J. Watt

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

The junior defensive end out of Wisconsin would be an ideal choice for Bill Belichick at No. 17 overall. 

Watt would bulk up New England's defensive line and pass rush tremendously. At Wisconsin, Watt played with great speed and technique while being able to get the quarterback on a consistent basis. 

Standing in at 6'6" and 292 pounds, Watt has a large, athletic frame that definitely has some room to add more muscle (he lacks power moves on the defensive front).

Along with Watt's sky-high talent, he's got a high motor and excellent work ethic and always plays to the whistle—the key intangibles in the "Patriot mold."

NFL Combine Results 2011

• 40-yard dash: 4.84
• bench press: 34
• vertical jump: 37.0
• broad jump: 10'
• three-cone drill: 6.88

Round 1 (Pick No. 28): Akeem Ayers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Linebacker Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

In New England's playoff loss against the New York Jets, the Patriots could not put pressure on quarterback Mark Sanchez. New England has a quality group of outside linebackers, but none of them present great pass-rush abilities. 

UCLA's Akeem Ayers looks to be one of Belichick's ideal players. Ayers plays the outside-linebacker position with great speed and intelligence.

Belichick will certainly value Ayers' ability to rush the quarterback, ability to stop the run and ability to drop back in coverage. 

NFL Combine Results 2011

• 40-yard dash: 4.80
• bench press: 18
• vertical jump: 31.0
• broad jump: 9'8"
• three-cone drill: 7.49

Round 2 (Pick No. 33): Gabe Carimi

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

New England could be in line to grab another Wisconsin Badger lineman, but this time, he's a left offensive tackle.

With the Patriots' uncertainty on their left side of the offensive line (Matt Light and Logan Mankins' futures are unclear), Belichick will likely address that concern earlier on in this year's draft. 

Carimi has a great motor and strength and plays with a mean streak. He does have ideal blocking skills, but his footwork is what puts him behind others.

Below-average footwork causes Carimi to be not as quick as others, but it can be improved.

Despite Carimi's footwork, he does have the size to excel in the NFL (6'7", 327 lbs.).

NFL Combine Results 2011

• 40-yard dash: 5.27
• bench press: 29
• vertical jump: 31.5
• broad jump: 9'1"

Round 2 (Pick No. 60): Ryan Williams

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 29: Running back Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech University Hokies carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Lane Stadium on October 29, 2009 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo

With running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, the Patriots don't necessarily need a running back. But, Ryan Williams' talent and potential are just too valuable to pass on. 

Williams, who's only a sophomore out of Virginia Tech, played most of his second year hurt. However, his redshirt freshman year, Williams burst onto the scene. 

In 2009, Williams ran for 1,655 yards while scoring an impressive amount of touchdowns: 21. 

Williams is an explosive back while also being punishing. His style of play—giving the hit rather than absorbing it—translates much better at the NFL level.

NFL Combine Results 2011

• 40-yard dash: 4.61
• bench press: 19
• vertical jump: 40.0
• broad jump: 10'3"
• three-cone drill: 6.96

Round 3 (Pick No. 74): Mark Herzlich

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Herzlich #94 and Thomas Claiborne #78 of the Boston College Eagles lead the team out on the field before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachuse

The enormous linebacker out of Boston College, Mark Herzlich, is not only a football player, but a cancer survivor. 

Despite sitting out his junior year due to cancer treatment, Herzlich has had a colorful career at BC. His freshman year, Herzlich was named to multiple Freshman All-American teams after a year of 42 tackles and five tackles for loss.

Now being healthy, Herzlich could help out New England at its outside-linebacker position. With his size—6'4" and 244 pounds—he could possibly play inside, and that versatility will be admired by Belichick.

NFL Combine Results 2011

• 40-yard dash: 4..91
• bench press: 29
• vertical jump: 32.5
• broad jump: 9'4"
• three-cone drill: 7.32

Round 3 (Pick No. 92): Davon House

Adding depth to any position is always a good idea in the NFL. Adding Davon House to an already decent cornerback group wouldn't be a bad choice by Belichick. 

New England found its stud No. 1 corner last season in Devin McCourty, but the Patriots' No. 2 cornerback is up in the air right now. Leigh Bodden spent last season hurt and Kyle Arrington is a quality corner, but isn't "the future."

House is an athletic player that was New Mexico State's lone bright spot during his four years as a starter. 

NFL Combine Results 2011

• 40-yard dash: 4.50
• bench press: 14
• vertical jump: 33.5
• broad jump: 9'1"
• three-cone drill: 6.65

Round 4 (Pick No. 124): Tandon Doss

The junior wide receiver out of Indiana did not participate in the combine due to groin surgery. However, he will hold his own NFL workout on April 6. 

Doss was extremely productive during his time at Indiana, scoring a total of 13 touchdowns in his three years of playing. He's proven himself to be a playmaker who will attack the ball.

Being 6'2", he's extremely hard to cover one-on-one, especially with his great speed. 

One of his few negatives is his strength (he needs to put on more muscle). I'm sure that Doss has been working out this whole offseason, and will show up to his workout with some gained muscle mass.