2011 NFL Mock Draft: Gabe Carimi, Cameron Heyward to New England Patriots Lines?

The New England Patriots have six picks in the first three rounds (Nos. 17, 28, 33, 60, 74 and 92 overall).

They also have one pick each in Rounds 4, 5 and 6 (numbers to be determined).

Looking back on Bill Belichick's tendencies over the past 11 years and checking on his love of big guys up front, we bring you the 2011 Patriots draft. 

Just After Pick No. 17: Gabe Carimi, Wisonsin OT

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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

Yep. Despite needing a dominant pass rusher more than a waterfall needs gravity, New England will trade down for an offensive lineman, and a great one—Carimi won the Outland Trophy this past season.

Pick No. 28: Cameron Heyward, Ohio State DE

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases after quarterback Matt McGloin #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Here’s a situation where the Pats look beyond Heyward’s elbow surgery earlier this year that prevented him from participating in the combine.

His body of work, his size (6'5'', 294) and his status (a captain at OSU) put him on the local radar and bring him to Gillette as a rookie starter. 

Pick No. 35 or So: Brooks Reed, Arizona OLB

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is sacked by Brooks Reed #42 of the Arizona Wildcats during the third quarter of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wild

The Pats will trade down again (because they can) and snatch up the best pass rusher available.

That looks like Reed, an outside linebacker who—unlike the Pats’ current crop—can get to quarterbacks before they have a chance to set up their proverbial picnic blankets.

Reed’s 6'3'', 263-pound frame and 30 reps on the bench press should hold up against the run as well, potentially making him an every-down player on defense.

Pick No. 60: Kenrick Ellis, Hampton DT

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 22: Brandon LaFell #1 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs past Kenrick Ellis #97 and Mike Newton #42 of the South Carolina Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium September 22, 2007 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris G

Not the flashy receiver or running back fans will want, but he's a big body who can take up space in the middle—or anywhere else along the line.

At 6'5'', 346 pounds, Hampton brings to mind a big body like Ted Washington of the 2003 Patriots. 

Pick No. 74: Ronald Johnson, USC WR

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 27: Wide receiver Ronald Johnson #83 of the USC Trojans carries ball against safety Zeke Motta #17 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by S

He doesn’t have great straightaway speed (4.46 in the 40) or size (5'11'', 199), but Johnson’s experience, big-school production and versatility (second team All-Pac-10 punt returner) get him drafted ahead of schedule here. 

Pick No. 92: Delone Carter, Syracuse RB

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Delone Carter #3 of the Syracuse Orange rushes against the Washington Huskies on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Due to his stature (5'9''), Carter may get compared to Lil’ Danny Woodhead.

Though slower in the 40, Carter actually showed quicker times in the 20-yard shuttle and the three-cone drill.

Plus, Carter outweighs Woodhead by 25 pounds.

We envision the ol’ coach hearkening back to the days of Joe Morris with this pick. 

Round 4: Cortez Allen, Citadel CB

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Carl Moore #16 of the Florida Gators catches a pass against Cortez Allen #13 of the Citadel Bulldogs during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty I

This solid athlete attended a military-style academy.

Allen made second team All-Southern Conference and led the Bulldogs with five pass breakups.

He has good size (6'1'', 197) and quickness (4.1 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle) and seems like the type of guy about whom the Pats scouts would have enough inside info on to warrant a selection.

Round 5: David Arkin, Missouri State OG

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Tight end Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Logan Mankins #70 and Stephen Neal #61 after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland,

The Pats have taken offensive linemen recently in this area of the draft.

This offseason has given them no reason to stop such a trend, as Stephen Neal has retired and Logan Mankins has made his contract dissatisfaction clear. Arkin earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors for every one of his four years at college.

That’ll work.

Round 6: T. J. Yates, North Carolina QB

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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: T.J. Yates #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drops back against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium on September 25, 2010 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The Pats pick up another dependable, productive QB from a solid system who will make a dependable, solid backup. (I mean, when you have Tom Brady, who wants to see anyone else under center?)

Yates (6'3'', 219) holds both the career and single-season passing records at UNC. When New England trades him for a second-rounder in a few years, we shall all nod with the understanding that this was part of the plan.