New England Patriots – Mock Draft 4.0
Jones gets the nod as the Pats top pick
The Patriots have some holes to fill on both sides of the ball, with some surprises still on the board, Mock 4.0 will prove to be an interesting one. But the team filled their needs and then some.
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.
Here is our previous mock from last week - Mock Draft 3.0:
For this opening mock draft, I used the big board of Drafttek
Here is our Patriots Mock Draft 4.0:
Round 1, Pick #32 – Byron Jones, CB UConn:
Jones is shooting up draft boards after an outstanding NFL Combine display where he set a new world record in the broad jump at 147 inches and at his school’s Pro-Day where he blistered a 4.36 in the 40.
Jones has proto-typical size at 6’1, 200, and isn’t just a track star, he has an outstanding football IQ, character, work ethic and leadership. The only knock on Jones is the level of competition faced at UConn, but as a senior, he dominated allowing only a 26.4 passer rating in 2014.
He’s not the Revis –type shut down corner but he’ll be a starter on Day 1.
Round 2, Pick #64 – A.J. Cann, G South Carolina:
Surprised that Cann was still available in Round 2… but it makes this selection a no-brainer. Cann is a road grader in the running game and arguably one of the top 2-3 guards in the draft.
He’ll slide in seamlessly into the left guard position and start from Day 1 next to Bryan Stork on the offensive line. Cann gives the Pats that needed does of youth and physicality that they need inside.
Round 3, Pick #96 – Ronald Darby, CB Florida State:
Darby a tad shorter than ideal at 5’10 and a half but solidly built at 193, Darby has the chiseled look of a sprinter which is what he is.
Darby can play press man, off-man coverage as well and shows good patience and play recognition.
*Round 3, Pick #97 – Ben Heeney, ILB Kansas: **Compensatory Pick
A three-year starter at ILB, Heeney led Kansas in tackles the last three seasons and immediately upgrades the depth at linebacker where Jerod Mayo and Dont’a Hightower are recovering from injuries.
Lacking the size the Patriots covet with their LBs, (6’0, 230), Heeney makes up for it with an all-out style that is reminiscent of Zach Thomas. He has excellent instincts and is decent in coverage. But he’s undersized and not the greatest athlete. Still, he’s a quality depth addition to a unit sorely in need of it.
Round 4, Pick #101 – Xavier Williams, DT Northern Iowa:
Williams is a big, 6’2, 325 defensive tackle who has quick feet and a great motor. Played mainly one-technique but is versatile enough to play DT in a 4-3 or slide outside to a DE in a 3-4.
Hard worker and great teammate, Williams can use some time in the weight room to build up his strength at the next level. Eight blocked kicks on special teams.
Round 4, Pick #131 – Breshard Perriman, WR Central Florida:
Has the length, and speed that the NFL covets, another surprise that he was still around in Round 4 but another no-brainer with him still on the board.
Perriman blew people away at his Pro-Day with 4.24, 4.27 times in the 40. Can right by corners giving cushion and is big and physical enough to box out. He has big play potential every time he touches the ball.
Still needs to improve route running, tends to round off his cuts relying more on his speed and athleticism. But a steal for Round 4.
Round 6, Pick #177– Markus Golden, DE Missouri:
Another surprise to still see on the board in Round 6, Golden is an intriguing pass rusher that plays with a relentless motor. Has a quick counter move to the inside to defeat blockers and is very good at deflecting passes at the line of scrimmage.
Doesn’t have the length that teams covet in edge rushers and while not thought to have enough speed to beat tackles on the edge, he turned heads at his Pro-Day with a 4.67 time in the 40 which may change a few minds.
Round 7, Pick #219 – Jean Sifrin, TE UMass:
Sifrin is kind of an enigma at tight end as at age 27, he’s already older than Rob Gronkowski. But the 6’6, 250 is a naturally gifted receiver and made some incredible catches for UMass.
Plays like an oversized receiver with soft hands and catches the ball away from his body. Sifrin is not a great blocker and a raw prospect with only one year of major college football under his belt. May struggle to learn the Pats playbook, but worth a 7th round flier to give him a shot
*Round 7, Pick #253 – Kaleb Eulls, DT Mississippi State:
Eulls was a four year starter (52 straight games), and is a versatile guy that can be an interior DT in a 4-3 but is capable of sliding outside in a 3-4 as a DE. Good size at 6’3, 305 with long arms. Moves well for a big man. Excellent teammate with great character.
Isn’t exceptionally quick at the snap…tends to stand upright too much, limited as a pass rusher although had three sacks as a senior.
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