NFL Draft 2011: Analyzing Jeff Howe's New England Patriots Picks

It's not a breath of fresh air, but it's refreshing to hear the opinions of Patriots-minded folk around draft time.

In his most recent mock draft, NESN.com's Jeff Howe has the Patriots taking California defensive end Cameron Jordan with their 17th overall pick, following up with Villanova offensive linemen Benjamin Ijalana, and finishing off with Illinois running back Mikel LeShoure with the 33rd pick.

These first two picks would certainly make a lot of Patriots fans happy, as it would show the initiative to fix what are considered two of the "big three" needs on the team—the third being at outside linebacker.

Cameron Jordan is the 10th-ranked prospect on my Patriots big board, but has become somewhat of a polarizing figure in this draft class. There are those who believe he is a solid fit as a 3-4 defensive end, citing his experience in the three-man front in college.

There are others, though, who believe he's not the ideal Patriots defensive end. They feel that despite his experience, his size and skill set best suit him to play left end in a 4-3 front.

Most importantly, though, he's the type of competitor the Patriots to have on their team. He plays with a high motor for four quarters, and has great endurance for a 3-4 defensive end. He wouldn't have to come in and out all the time, as do most of the Patriots current line-up of "specialists" on the defensive line.

The value almost makes too much sense.

As for Benjamin Ijalana, the pick makes sense even though it's somewhat perplexing. Perhaps that contributes to why it makes sense, as we've known Belichick to make some obscure picks in the past.

He's better in pass protection than run blocking, but that would play right into the Patriots' scheme.

There's less to like about him than there is not to, though. He's played his entire collegiate career in the CAA, not exactly a conference known for its elite football programs.

He's a mauler when he's out there, but there are also significant questions about his endurance. Someone who has to come out of the game frequently due to fatigue doesn't seem like someone you target with a first round pick.

He ranks 32nd on my Patriots board, but even Jeff Howe thinks he could fall into the back end of the second round. Interestingly enough, Howe ignores a few prospects ranked higher on my board, namely Stefen Wisniewski and Gabe Carimi, two prospects who are universally considered in the top four or five at their position.

Adding Mikel LeShoure at No. 33 would be considered a luxury pick. When the stable already consists of Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, running back probably shouldn't be this high on the priority list

We all know, though, that value trumps need at every turn in the eyes of Belichick.

As the 27th-ranked prospect on my Pats board, landing LeShoure at 33 could be considered a value pick—that is, if anyone is foolish enough to assume that I'm on the same wavelength as Belichick.

Still, the 6' flat, 230-pound power back could be a real hammer in that offense. Green-Ellis already provides a small punch as a power back, but LeShoure is a straight-up bulldozer.

He's not a well-rounded prospect in terms of the passing game, but there is plenty of time to improve that—not to mention the fact that Tom Brady will be throwing the ball instead of Nathan Scheelhasse.