2011 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-Round New England Patriots Mock Draft
Any form of mock draft is difficult when it involves the New England Patriots, and the 2011 NFL draft is proving to be no different. A full seven-round mock draft, then, figures to be an exercise in futility.
Belichick is a master of the boards, trading up and down to acquire the best value possible. He's also a master of the deviant arts, keeping his adversaries in check by never showing his hand.
Scouting may have us thinking we're looking at potential Patriots, but really, it could all just be a smokescreen. Still, this is a just-for-fun exercise, and though I hope I'm right with at least some of these picks, I won't be shocked at all if they're all wrong.
So here it is, my seven-round mock draft from a Patriots perspective.
Follow Erik Frenz on Twitter @e_frenz.
Round 1: 17th (17th): J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 290 pounds
What's not to love about J.J. Watt? He would make an instant impact on defense, and could contribute on all three downs. His stats speak for themselves, having tallied 36 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks last year.
He's scheme-versatile, meaning he could play both in the base 3-4 and in the sub package (essentially a four-man front), which the Patriots were in 57 percent of the time in 2010.
He has a very high motor, and plays with an infectious passion for the game.
In short, the multitudinous levels on which Watt can contribute to the defense makes him a prime fit at No. 17. The New England Patriots would be foolish to pass on Watt if he falls to them.
Round 1: 28th (28th): Gabe Carimi, OT/G, Wisconsin
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Height: 6'7"
Weight: 327 pounds
The New England Patriots love drafting for versatility. They figure the more things a guy can do, the more ways he can contribute to the team. Carimi certainly offers a good measure of that, as he can flex to just about any of the positions on the offensive line.
The one thing he brings to the offensive line that can't be overlooked is the piss and vinegar. He plays with attitude, which is always welcome in the trench. The Patriots might lose their enforcer, Logan Mankins, to free agency in the near future, so replenishing that attitude is of key importance.
He's raw as a pass blocker, but solid in run blocking. He will need to work on his technique against smaller, more agile pass rushers off the edge. Improving that technique is exactly what offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is there for.
Round 2: First (33rd): Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
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Height: 6'3"
Weight: 263 pounds
I maintain that this pick will likely be traded. If not, though, Reed presents some of the best bang-for-the-buck value at this spot.
The Patriots are definitely in the market for a pass-rush specialist. There are questions about whether Brooks Reed would be a three-down starter in the Patriots' base defense. Although the fact that he isn't would usually be considered a huge setback, the Patriots were only in their base 3-4 40 percent of defensive downs. That, as opposed to spending 57 percent in the sub package, which is essentially a four-man front.
The big questions are whether he can set the edge consistently in the NFL and whether he can eventually make the transition and become a three-down outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. Because as always, that's what Belichick is looking for.
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Round 2: 28th (60th): Shane Vereen, RB, California
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Versatility continues to be the name of the game in this draft with the Patriots taking Vereen in the second round.
The Patriots look for quickness and acceleration in their backs. Vereen doesn't have elite quickness or speed, but he is a competitive player who has been durable and has great vision for his age.
If the Patriots are going to draft a skill position player this early, though, it had better be someone they think can contribute in a variety of ways. He's not only an experienced pass catcher, but also has solid awareness in blitz protection. He has the potential to eventually become a key contributor on third downs.
The biggest knock on him, obviously, is his size. The small running back will take a pounding in the NFL and could stand to bulk up a little bit so his body can absorb the bigger hits he'll be taking. Still, the difficulty in defending a guy like Vereen makes him a valuable asset to most NFL offenses.
Round 3: 10th (74th): Marcus Gilchrist, FS, Clemson
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Height: 5'10"
Weight: 195 pounds
The New England Patriots may soon be in the market for a new safety in their defensive secondary. Gilchrist is a highly underrated prospect, and is given what looks like a Belichickian vote of confidence by ESPN's Scouts Inc. "Versatile DB. Coaches speak highly of his football intelligence and work ethic."
He's versatile, in that he can play multiple spots in the secondary. From free safety to cover corner to slot corner, Gilchrist can find ways to contribute. That type of value will make him a steal for the Patriots.
One thing he doesn't bring to the secondary is that headhunting mentality of someone like Brandon Meriweather. He is very sound in his technique, though, so those tired of seeing Meriweather try to "blow people up" will find Gilchrist to be a palatable change of pace.
Round 3: 28th (92nd): Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 310 pounds
Jenkins is a vastly underrated prospect. He was a team captain, and the Patriots drafted at least five of those in 2010. He's also very versatile, and can play on the nose or the end in a 3-4, while kicking inside in sub packages.
Some knock his pass-rush game, but as a five-technique, he doesn't need to exhibit immense skill as a pass rusher to have an impact. As long as he's collapsing the pocket and drawing double-teams, he'll contribute just fine.
In run defense, Jenkins can provide a lot of support in much the same way, simply by clogging the lanes with his effective bull rush. Of course, his ability to shed blockers and to make one-armed plays will also come in handy (no pun intended).
In all, Jenkins may not be the ideal 3-4 defensive lineman, but he can contribute to the "team defense" that Belichick always preaches.
Round 4: 28th (125th): Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon
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Height: 6'0 7/8"
Weight: 231 pounds
Not a fit. Those are the first three words that come to mind when I see Casey Matthews' measurements. But when I see these rankings from Pats Propaganda's Mike Dussault, I think, "We could really use a guy with Matthews' athleticism in there on third downs."
Not only does he have the ability to cover tight ends frequently (say goodbye to being burned by Dustin Keller every time we play the Jets), but he is also a relentless pass rusher. Being that the Patriots were in a sub package 57 percent of the time, they may find more than a few ways to make use of a guy like Matthews.
He clearly has the football intellect, being that he has such a strong bloodline in his favor. He is a hard worker who is passionate about football, and passionate about improving. And he was a team captain. Did I already mention how important that is?
Round 5: 28th (159th): Chris Hairston, OT, Clemson
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Height: 6'6"
Weight: 326 pounds
Hairston's physical style of play might suit him better for the interior of the offensive line. Perfect, because that happens to be where the Patriots need the most help.
He will need to see a good deal of improvement on technique in both pass protection and in run blocking, but he has the physical tools to succeed at the next level. He's only average in both areas, but that's what Dante Scarnecchia is for.
Most importantly, he has the killer instinct that's necessary at the NFL level. If he can add sound technique to the attitude he brings to the game, he'll be a great pick for the Patriots. He'd be a prime prospect for Scarnecchia to mold, and a solid value at this spot.
Round 6: 28th (193rd): Chris Matthews, WR, Kentucky
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Height: 6'5"
Weight: 219 pounds
The Patriots held a private workout with Chris Matthews already, so there's reason to believe their interest has been piqued. He isn't an elite burner, but he has that big, long frame that is becoming a coveted possession for most NFL offenses.
He doesn't consistently beat press coverage, but with some work, he could improve in this area. What he can do, though, is win a jump ball. The Patriots don't necessarily need a receiver who can "stretch the field," they just need a guy who can win a one-on-one matchup. With Brady to throw the ball in a place where only Matthews can get it, the two could be an excellent combination.
Oh, and allow Deion Branch and Wes Welker to teach you something about separation, Mr. Matthews.
Conclusion
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Belichick beat us over the head with the idea of "value" as how many downs a player can contribute. Most of these guys present that kind of value through their versatility. Only the later picks are exceptions, and all can contribute in areas in which the Patriots were clearly lacking last year.
The only thing I'm not comfortable with in this mock draft is that none of these prospects come from any of the "big-time" collegiate programs. Clemson is up there, as is Wisconsin and the Big Ten, but there are no prospects out of the SEC in here.
Look for some of that to change in my next mock draft, coming next week.
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