New England Patriots Mock Draft 2.0 – Pats Address Needs Add Depth
 PJ Williams would be a huge upgrade for the Patriots secondary if he's still available in the first round. (USA TODAY Images) |
Will the Patriots reverse their curse with Cornerbacks?
Now that the Annual League Meeting is in full swing, the Patriots were awarded two compensatory picks in the 2015 NFL Draft. They get the # 97 pick at the end of the third round and # 253 in the seventh. They’ll make good use of both in this mock draft.
There is a fascinating tool to use for doing a mock draft made possible by the guys over at Fanspeak.com that we touted last year and is even more fun to use in 2015.
In their “On the Clock” simulator, you are the GM for any NFL team. You can choose how many rounds you’d like to draft for (1-7), and pick one of nine different big boards to choose from.
All of the big boards differ and the site has a random selection process that picks for the other 31 teams based upon the best player available and team needs that are constantly updated until it is your time to pick.
For this opening mock draft, I used the big board of Optimum Scouting
Here is our Patriots Mock Draft 2.0:
Round 1, Pick #32 – P.J Williams, CB Florida State:
Williams has an impressive combination of size (6’0,190), speed and physicality that makes him an ideal outside corner prospect. Very aggressive in coverage and will jump routes to make plays. He’s also very good in run support with 74 tackles including 6.5 for a loss in 2014.
Williams is very smooth in his backpedal and is versatile enough to play man coverage or zone. His technique can use some polishing and at times his aggressive nature can get the better of him. Watching tape of him, one is reminded of Jason McCourty a bit, he’s a nice pickup for the defense and is one of the most NFL ready corners in the draft.
Round 2, Pick #64 – A.J. Cann, OG South Carolina:
The Patriots need an upgrade in the interior offensive line, Dan Connolly is a free agent and will be 33 in September. Ryan Wendell played well after moving over from center but the Patriots can use an upgrade in both youth and physicality inside.
Cann has good size (6’4, 311) for the position, is reliable, coachable and was a team captain while being a four-year starter for the Gamecocks. Cann is a mauler, an absolute road grader in the run game and consistently drives opponents backwards in the running game.
Cann isn’t perfect in pass protection and his hand placement needs work. He tends to be slow off the snap in the passing game. But these are issues that are easily corrected with good coaching and he’ll flourish here under the tutelage of Dave De Guglielmo.
Round 3, Pick #96 – David Johnson, RB Northern Iowa:
With the loss of Shane Vereen in free agency to the Giants and Stevan Ridley a free agent, the Patriots could use another running back and specifically one who can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Johnson is a big back at 6’0, 225 who can be a three-down player with good production in the running game but especially in the passing game. A soft-handed receiver, he caught 141 passes in college and has good body control and vision. He’ll find space to create plays.
Johnson doesn’t have great speed and won’t make people miss but can run the ball between the tackles and be effective in the passing game. Good size to be solid in pass protection. He’s a perfect running back by committee member.
*Round 3, Pick #97 – Gabe Wright, DT Auburn: **Compensatory Pick
Wright isn’t a big bodied run stuffer in the Wilfork/Siliga/Branch mold but rather a slightly undersized (6’3,300) penetrator. Wright plays the three-technique and could be a nice addition to the sub-packages as a pass rusher.
Wright has excellent initial step and can shoot gaps and disrupt things quickly. Is agile and moves well for a big man. His motor against the run could use a jumpstart as he’s a tad more inconsistent there.
He and Dominique Easley inside on passing downs would give the Patriots a nice upgrade to the interior pass rush. With Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard outside, the Patriots now have multiple guys who can get after the passer.
Round 4, Pick #101 – Jermiah Poutasi, OT Utah
Poutasi has the size (6’6, 322), to be a tackle but has been used as a guard in Utah so he can line up anywhere. He is excellent in the running game, another big bodied mauler who moves well for a big man.
He started at left tackle but struggles against speed rushers and was moved to the right side as well as at guard. With Sebastian Vollmer having another off-season surgery, the Patriots may try both Poutasi and Cameron Fleming out there or as a swing tackle. But if they decide to slide him in to right guard would be a great addition to the running game.
Round 4, Pick #131 – Steven Nelson, CB Oregon State:
A little bit of a steal for Nelson to still be on the board at this point, he was too tough to pass up. Nelson is another aggressive corner who has a broad build (5’10,200), and uses his aggression and physicality to jam receivers at the point of attack. Has the extra gear to close when the ball is in the air.
Nelson lacks the size most NFL teams are looking for and like many aggressive corners can tend to be grabby. He’ll need to work on his technique at the next level.
Let the competition begin…Nelson has great confidence and won’t back down from anyone. This tenacity will get him so quick looks in training camp as the Patriots look to find their two corners in 2015.
Round 6, Pick #177– Ben Heeny, ILB Kansas:
Heeny doesn’t have the great size the Patriots like with their linebackers at 6’1, 226, but has outstanding instincts and goes all out, playing much bigger than his size. He’s smart, rarely makes mistakes and has an endless motor. Good in man coverage and is a good blitzer up the A-gap.
With a maxed out build, he won’t be able to pack on much more weight. And at the next level, given his violent nature will his body be able to hold up? Heeny may be a consideration for the Patriots as a sub-package coverage LB and blitzer.
Round 7, Pick #219 – Norkeithus Otis, OLB UNC:
Otis is a bit of a tweener and is undersized in what the Patriots like in OLBs at 6’1 but has long arms, which allows him to appear bigger on the field and is a nice blitzer off the edge. Played in 30 games for the Tar Heels, in 2013 he notched 49 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, nine QB hurries, two forced fumbles, three passes defensed and an interception. He was limited in 2014 with a hamstring injury.
He has a nice burst at the line of scrimmage and is agile with nice hand placement to get pressure on the QB. Is still a work in progress in coverage and is a bit raw there. May be suspect in setting the edge in the running game, given his lack of size.
*Round 7, Pick #253 – Adam Shead, G Oklahoma:** Compensatory Pick
Shead was a 40 game starter for the Sooners and is a mauler in the run game. Has tremendous power and can be effective teeing off using his big body (6’4, 340).
Shead needs to trim down a bit and has heavy feet which could limit him in pass blocking and while a good blocker, can over-extend and reach at the second level.
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