New England Patriots Need To Steer Clear of Akeem Ayers, Jon Baldwin, Others

We're looking at some players whose names have appeared on many mock drafts, but with whom we have some issues. New England needs pass rushers, offensive linemen, a running back, and a wide receiver. Most of these choices listed have some merit, but for whatever reason (size, athleticism, pedigree), they don’t fit Foxboro's requirements. 

Note: This first appeared on www.patriotsdaily.com.

Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 06: Andre Callender #32 of the Boston College Eagles is congratulated by teammates Anthony Castonzo #74 and Ty Hall #78 after Callender scored touchdown in the second quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons on October 6, 20

Mike Pouncey or Derek Sherrod or Gabe Carimi. As much as we enjoy watching BC football—although “enjoy” is stretching it of late—we’re not looking to bring tackle Anthony Castonzo to Gillette. After his workouts he doesn't inspire confidence that he can start right away as an NFL tackle.

Jake Locker, Washington QB

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies scrambles against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

We’ve seen Jake Locker mock-selected by prospective Pats fans in the first or early second round. Except for trade scenarios, we don’t want to see any QBs picked until at least round five. I mean, come on.

Aldon Smith, Missouri OLB

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

Aldon Smith has good size (6-4, 263), but not-all-that-great strength (20 bench reps of 225) or quickness (4.5 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle). Declaring early for the draft after his sophomore year, he’s also greener than Kermit. No thank you, Mizzou.

Dontay Moch, Nevada OLB

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Dontay Moch of Nevada runs a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Dontay Moch has tremendous speed (4.4 40) and production (22 tackles for loss in 2010), but at 6'1" and 248 pounds, it’s hard to imagine him setting the edge in New England’s 3-4 defense.

Akeem Ayers, UCLA OLB

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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)

While we like the leverage of Akeem Ayers of UCLA (6'3", 254), he failed to impress at the combine. A slow 40 (4.81) and a weak bench (18 reps) take him off our list.

Daniel Thomas, Kansas State RB

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LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball as Olaitan Oguntodu #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

Daniel Thomas has left our draft boards due in part to a slow 40 (4.63), but mostly because of nagging injuries that have prevented him from displaying his quickness. While he remains on our radar, his current rank as a second-rounder looks too risky right now.

Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech RB

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Ryan Williams has been positioned as a first or early second-round pick. He has solid quickness (4.18 in the shuttle), but only so-so speed (4.63 40); he’s also a smaller guy at 5-9, 212 pounds. At times this year he looked impressive, but we wonder how well his game will translate from the ACC to the NFL.

Jon Baldwin, Pittsburgh WR

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Brobdingnagian ballplayer (6'4", 228 pounds) failed to impress scouts at the combine; running dull routes, showing little quickness, and missing too many catches. While Baldwin's athleticism intrigues, his lack of fundamentals frightens.

Tandon Doss, Indiana WR

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Tandon Doss #81 of the Indiana Hooisers celebrates on the field during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tandon Doss (6'2", 200) was unable to participate in the combine due to double groin surgery (good gracious: two groins?). He looks like a solid, versatile receiver; however, so does Julian Edelman. If Doss puts up the kind of 40 time that makes him a downfield option, that’s just fine. If not, New England needs to look beyond what they already have.

Greg Little, North Carolina WR

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BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 29: Running back Greg Little #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs with the ball against the Virginia Tech University Hokies during the game at Lane Stadium on October 29, 2009 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Halleran

Greg Little looks better on paper than a winning lottery ticket. At 6'2", 230 pounds, he runs a 4.5-second 40, has a 41-inch vertical, and sprints a 6.80-second 3-cone drill. But don’t the Pats already have a gifted, raw receiver out of UNC in Brandon Tate? As a third-rounder, there’s more than a little temptation here, but the team needs to stay away from another project and look for a pass-catcher who can contribute from day one.