2011 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Complete 7-Round Mock Draft

The New England Patriots are the most difficult team to create a mock draft for. Predicting Bill Belichick and company is not an easy thing to do, but I will attempt to.

The Patriots will complete multiple trades on draft day, as they've completed 42 ever since Belichick became head coach back in 2000, so doing a mock draft about New England is almost pointless.

The NFL draft is like a manipulation game by Belichick, as he trades up and down the draft board searching for the player with the most "value."

Assuming that New England will stay with its choices in the 2011 draft, which will not happen, here is how I believe the Patriots will draft—each selection that I predict will have the most value available.

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa. 

Round 1, 17th Overall: Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 287 lbs.

California's defensive end Cameron Jordan would be a perfect fit on New England's defensive line. 

As the Patriots play in the 3-4 alignment on defense, their projected defensive line would be Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork and Jordan. That could be devastating against other teams.

Jordan offers great abilities at the position, as he's a great pass rusher and quality run stopper—he's a well-rounded defensive end.

Belichick will likely look Jordan's way, as he already played in the 3-4 at Cal, and Jordan has also been said to be a leader with a great work ethic. Those attributes fit the "Patriot mold."

Round 1, 28th Overall: Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns drops a pass intended for Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Ima

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 205 lbs.

Aaron Williams, cornerback out of Texas, is projected to be a very versatile member of any team's secondary.

New England already has Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden and Kyle Arrington as the team's top cornerbacks, but Aaron Williams could challenge Bodden and Arrington for the other starting position opposite of McCourty.

Williams has great height and can run with most wide receivers. He is great at pressing receivers at the line of scrimmage and can recover very well.

Bill Belichick likes to stockpile in the secondary, and Williams, who is very versatile, would be a reasonable pick at 28th overall.

Round 2, 33rd Overall: Brooks Reed, Outside Linebacker, Arizona

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 260 lbs.

What the New England Patriots really need is a three-down outside linebacker—Arizona's Brooks Reed could possibly fill that need.

Reed is versatile enough to play defensive end and outside linebacker, but due to his size, he's a better fit at outside linebacker in New England's 3-4 alignment.

Not only is Reed a great pass rusher, but he's also a good run stopper and has a great nose for the ball. Reed is a playmaker and is a relentless player when he is being blocked.

Round 2, 60th Overall: Daniel Thomas, Running Back, Kansas State

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

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

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 230 lbs.

Former Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas has great size and speed for his position and would be a great asset to New England's pass-first offense.

Thomas would join BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, which would project to be a nice running back by committee group.

In just two seasons at Kansas State, Thomas ran for 2,850 yards and scored an incredible 30 touchdowns—seems very productive and will be a great fit as a Patriot.

Round 3, 74th Overall: Marcus Gilbert, Offensive Tackle, Florida

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert #76 of the Florida Gators takes a breather during a stoppage in play against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Florida defeate

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 230 lbs.

Drafting Marcus Gilbert will allow New England to move Sebastian Vollmer over to left tackle, and that will then allow the Patriots to cut ties with aging left tackle Matt Light.

Gilbert projects as a right tackle at the next level, and he's got great speed and height for the position.

With Gilbert playing at Florida, formerly coached by Urban Meyer, Belichick will definitely be attracted to selecting him—Belichick tends to draft players from coaches that he knows well.

Round 3, 92nd Overall: Austin Pettis, Wide Receiver, Boise State

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver #2 Austin Pettis of the Boise State Broncos tries to avoid cornerback #21 Rashad Carmichael of the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Imag

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 210 lbs.

Austin Pettis is a perfect fit in New England's offense—he is a tall, possession wide receiver.

Pettis is a great red zone target and is very tall, which is something that New England doesn't have at that position.

During his time at Boise State, Pettis was very productive. His last two seasons, he snagged 134 balls for 1,806 yards while scoring 24 touchdowns.

Round 4, 125th Overall: John Moffitt, Guard/Center, Wisconsin

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Offensive lineman John Moffitt #74 of the Wisconsin Badgers blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 320 lbs.

All you need to know about John Moffitt is that he is very versatile.

With Logan Mankins unhappy with his contract situation and possibly being traded this offseason, the Patriots will need a replacement at left guard, and Moffitt could be the guy.

Moffitt can play both guard and center, which is a plus in Belichick's eyes.

Round 5, 159th Overall: Richard Sherman, Cornerback/Safety, Stanford

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Richard Sherman #9 of the Stanford Cardinal scores a touchdown off his interception as he is chased by Drew McAllister #19 of the USC Trojans and teammate Clinton Snyder #20 celebrates during the second half at the Los Ang

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 195 lbs.

Stanford's Richard Sherman can play both safety and cornerback and could be a great addition to New England's young secondary.

Sherman is very physical for his position and could develop into a nice sub-package player.

Only weighing 195 lbs., Sherman will need to add weight as he moves forward into the NFL.

Round 6, 193rd Overall Pick: Brandon Bair, Defensive Tackle, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Defensive end Brandon Bair #88 of the Oregon Ducks looks over the offense as he stands at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter of the game against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Orego

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 276 lbs.

Oregon's Brandon Bair is one of the more athletic defensive linemen in the 2011 draft class.

If selected by New England, Bair will likely be a sub-package player due to his great burst off the snap of the ball—he'd be an ideal fit on a pass coverage package.

According to scouts, Bair fits the five-technique in the 3-4 defense, which is good news for the Patriots.