2011 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Todd McShay's New England Patriots Picks
With the 2011 NFL Draft rolling right up on us—just 22 days away—NFL fans are clamoring for anything to get their minds off the NFL lockout and Collective Bargaining Agreement talk.
Once the draft is over, though, the long haul of a news-less NFL offseason begins.
For now, let's focus on the mock drafts that are populating the Internet and seem to be multiplying like rabbits. Todd McShay posted his fifth mock draft today on ESPN.com, and made some very interesting picks for the Patriots—interesting, at least, from my perspective.
Let's just say I have a love-hate relationship with his first two picks. I love the first one, but I hate the second one.
With that, let's take a look under the proverbial hood.
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17. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 290 pounds
McShay, I could kiss you.
The high-motor, high-production Wisconsin product has perked my interest from the onset and is the second-rated player on my Patriots big board.
He has all the right physical tools to contribute in the Patriots' 3-4 defense. He's scheme-versatile, meaning he can contribute in both three- and four-man fronts. The Patriots run a good mix of both, having played 57 percent of their defensive snaps in some form of a sub package.
With 36 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in his collegiate career, Watt can obviously penetrate the line. He also has the strength to hold his ground when playing the five-technique in the base 3-4.
Overall, there are multitudinous ways in which Watt can contribute to the Patriots defense, and New England would be foolish to pass on him if he fell this far.
28. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Height: 5'9"
Weight: 215 pounds
We go from my draft boo to my draft "boo!"
I've gone on (at length) with my thoughts on Mark Ingram and the Patriots drafting a running back in the first round. The success of the undrafted duo of Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis makes first-round backs look like a waste.
Still, at 28th overall, it's pretty hard to argue against taking Ingram if he's available.
Ingram was very productive at Alabama, winning the Heisman in 2009 and rushing for 3,261 yards and 42 touchdowns in his collegiate career. He's a "football player" in the purest sense, with good character, no injury concerns and that all-important Belichick connection with head coach Nick Saban.
But the Patriots haven't met with Ingram once in the entire pre-draft process (to our knowledge), so it would seem that he's off the radar.
33. Clint Boling, G/C, Georgia
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Height: 6'5"
Weight: 308 pounds
The interior of New England's offensive line is quickly becoming an area of need. It will certainly be a need by the time 2012 rolls around, with Logan Mankins under a one-year franchise tag and Dan Koppen with one year remaining on his deal.
Boling would add a great deal of toughness and versatility to the interior of New England's offensive line, with both assets of great use as the Patriots try to figure out their starting five.
He may not be the most polished prospect on the line in this draft, but that's what offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is paid for. Boling has the right mentality to make an impact early. Plus, he played against top competition in the SEC while at Georgia.
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60. James Carpenter, G, Alabama
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Height: 6'4 5/8"
Weight: 324 pounds
This is the first of two prospects that I don't have listed on my Patriots big board. Thankfully, it comes after the 50th pick.
Taking two interior linemen with back-to-back picks may be a surprise to some, but not to me, and it shouldn't be to Patriot fans either. As mentioned earlier, the interior of the offensive line will certainly be an area of need by 2012, so getting two of them would be great insurance and could signal the end of the line for Mankins.
Carpenter isn't the strongest guy on the field, and he only flashed the temperament that Mankins brings on every down. Still, he has sound technique and knows how to win the battle for leverage. His awareness could use some polishing, but he'd be a fine student under Scarnecchia.
74. Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 260 pounds
Sheard's height and weight are like flashing beacons of light that beckon 3-4 defenses to look his way. That's good size to put up against an offensive tackle.
NFL.com says it best about Sheard: "powerful bull rusher that has a vast repertoire of counter moves and uses his long arms to bat down passes. Strong kid that delivers a powerful punch, sheds effectively and quickly locates the ball. High motor player that makes plays on the backside. Very productive."
That right there tells me he's worth at least a mid-round consideration.
As the 32nd-rated prospect on my Patriots big board, he would be an absolute steal at No. 74 in the third round.
92. Marcus Gilchrist, DB, Clemson
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Height: 5'10"
Weight: 195 pounds
The second of the prospects that aren't featured on my big board, I may have to make a spot for Gilchrist on the next big board. He's a heady football player, and ESPN's Scouts Inc. says of him: "Appears to be the quarterback of the secondary and is seen consistently communicating and making checks pre-snap. Possesses good instincts and overall football IQ. Is quick to diagnose the run."
The Patriots have lacked that kind of safety in their secondary for a long time, arguably ever since Rodney Harrison retired.
He takes good angles in run support and plays to the whistle on every down. Still, he's not as physical as, say, Brandon Meriweather, and wouldn't fill the "enforcer" role in the secondary. In pass coverage, his recovery speed is solid, and he covers the deep ball very well. The Patriots could really use a defensive back in the nickel that could eventually become a safety.
Conclusion
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Four of the six players here are on my Patriots big board, and the top three picks are all in my personal top 20.
More importantly, though, this draft seems to address the Patriots' biggest needs, both current (DE, OLB, RB) and future (G/C, DB). All the more reason to believe that this isn't how the Patriots' draft will shake up, but hey, we can all hope, can't we?
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