2011 NFL Draft: Top Five Players the New England Patriots Should Target
Trading up and trading down—it's what Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots do.
However, the Patriots usually trade back in picks so they can stockpile on latter round picks and grab a few future year's picks as well. But, this might be the year that Belichick and company make a significant trade moving forward.
The Patriots were the best team in the regular season last year, posting a 14-2 record, but fell just short to the New York Jets in the divisional round of the playoffs.
News flash fans, quarterback Tom Brady's days are counted, and the window for a Super Bowl run is closing right before our eyes.
Belichick might feel that he needs to be very proactive and aggressive in this year's draft—especially due to the "backwards" offseason with the draft coming before free agency.
If New England does plan on trading up in the first round, here are five players that I'd recommend the Patriots to be targeting in the 2011 NFL draft.
This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
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Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220 lbs.
The New England Patriots lacked one thing on offense last year, and it became clear against the Jets: a physical, play-making receiver.
New England needs to add a physical receiver, as their top two wide receivers, Deion Branch and Wes Welker, are small, crafty, and great route running receivers—not overpowering.
Julio Jones out of Alabama is a very well-rounded receiver that can force his way open against press coverage and is a play-maker.
Player Evaluation
Julio Jones is arguably the most physically gifted wide receiver in the 2011 draft class. He possesses a lot of strength and power which mixes very well with his height and speed.
Jones is always making plays, as he's got one of the better hands out of the wide receiver prospects. Jones possesses great ball skills, as he's made multiple one-handed receptions that have been remarkable.
At the NFL combine, Jones recorded a quality 4.34 forty-yard dash time, and uses that speed to his advantage. Some scouts feel that Jones doesn't have "elite" speed, but by watching his game film, he has "game speed."
Unlike many stereotypical "diva" wide receivers, Jones is always willing to go across the middle. Jones is a winner, and will continue his competitive attitude at the next level.
Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU
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Height: 6'0"
Weight: 219 lbs.
This trade speculation is certainly a stretch.
LSU's Patrick Peterson is the highest rated cornerback in the 2011 NFL draft class, and is ranked on many draft boards as the top available prospect. The only way New England can touch Peterson is if they move inside the top seven draft picks—unless something very unusual happens.
Peterson would fit in very nicely with Patriots' stud cornerback Devin McCourty and would make a cause to be the league's best secondary.
Player Evaluation
Peterson was a very productive player during his three seasons at LSU. He leaves college with seven career interceptions 135 tackles.
With his very "freakishly" athletic and powerful body frame, Peterson moves very well for a rather large defensive back. Peterson clocked in at a respectable 4.34 forty yard dash time at the scouting combine.
Peterson notable players with a swagger and is a very confident athlete—and he should be. He excels at press man-to-man coverage as he accepts it as a challenge. Peterson has a very good naturally instinct at reading wide receivers' movements.
Lastly, Peterson is one of the best play-making safeties since Baltimore Ravens' Ed Reed. Peterson has a great leaping ability, better than most wide receivers, and can read the quarterback's eyes very well.
Von Miller, Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M
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Height: 6'2"
Weight: 237 lbs.
Ever since the days of Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel, and Richard Seymour, the New England Patriots' pass rush has literally been ineffective and just transparent—very little production.
Texas A&M's Von Miller is rated as the best outside linebacker in the draft, and would be a great asset in New England's 3-4 defense as a pass rushing outside linebacker. However, if Miller is available at third overall to the Buffalo Bills, he will be long gone—the Patriots would have to do a drastic trade in order to snag Miller.
Player Evaluation
Miller possesses a very valuable trait that just can't be taught: natural instincts. He does an outstanding job at reading offenses and diagnosing players fairly quickly.
He is one of the more explosive outside linebackers in the draft as he has a very powerful upper half of his body. Miller will have to add some strength to his lower half in order to become an elite linebacker in the NFL.
Miller is at his best when he's in the spotlight. On third-downs, Miller excels—he is a tremendous and lethal pass rusher when the opposing team is passing for a first down on third-down.
Lastly, Miller is a fundamentally sound tackling and attacks ball carriers very violently and punishes them whenever he gets the chance.
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Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
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Height: 6'0"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Nebraska's Prince Amukamara is the second best cornerback in the 2011 draft class, right behind LSU's Patrick Peterson.
According to many scouts and experts, including myself, Amukamara resembles New York Jets' shut-down cornerback Darrelle Revis.
If the Patriots can move up a few spots and snag Amukamara, they'd have a nice counter attack against the division rival Jets' Revis.
Player Evaluation
Amukamara is a very focused player—he is always well aware of every situation and never loses receivers when they're route running.
Amukamara is at his best when he's in zone coverage because he is very alert and can make plays on passes better than anyone I've seen in the 2011 draft class.
In order to be an elite shut-down cornerback at the next level, Amukamara will have to "loosen his hips." Amukamara is above average at man-to-man coverage, but has trouble moving laterally and will have to work on that to become a true number one corner for a NFL franchise.
One of Amukamara's more notable strengths is his great support against the run. Amukamara is always coming up fast once he recognizes the run and makes sure he gets himself involved when the ball carrier is in his range.
Robert Quinn, Defensive End / Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 265 lbs.
This would be an ideal scenario in my book: the New England Patriots trade up for UNC's Robert Quinn, and now they have an elite pass rusher and a very fundamentally sound outside linebacker.
Quinn is one of a kind athlete and would be a perfect addition to the Patriots' very young defense.
If Bill Belichick has the same understanding as I do on Quinn's abilities, don't be too surprised if he pulls a few trades to move up and snag Quinn.
Player Evaluation
The interesting thing about Quinn is that he played defensive end in UNC's 4-3 defense and his first step isn't anything special. Sure, he's very explosive off of the ball, but he can be faster—which is scary when you consider his production in 2009.
Quinn isn't just a great pass rusher, he's an outstanding run stopper. He's very good against the run, and does well against all blocking schemes. Quinn is always in the backfield disrupting players whether if it's a pass or a run.
At 265 lbs., Quinn is a tremendous athlete for his size. If drafted by New England, he could convert to an outside linebacker and occasionally drop down on the defensive line in sub-package defenses.
As I've watched numerous amounts of game film on Quinn, I have yet to see him take a play off. Quinn is always going 100 percent and is always fulfilling his assignment on each defensive play.
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