New England Patriots – Mock Draft 7.0, Defense First

Steve Balestrieri

Apr 29, 2015 at 8:53am ET

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Michael Bennett from Ohio State headlines the Patriots selections in this final Mock Draft.(USA Today, Image)

Final Mock has lots of movement at the top and more attackers and penetrators on defense.

The prevailing theme in this mock was finding players who can attack on defense. There aren’t any big, two-gapping, monster-sized run stuffers here. All of the players on defense are the types who can attack, disrupt and penetrate.

The offensive players fill roles at WR and RB and should be great complimentary pieces for the Patriots offense. One pick at guard, fills a big area of need.

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 6.0:

For this final mock draft, I used the Composite of OTC Big Boards.

Here is our Patriots Mock Draft 7.0:

Round 1, Pick #32 – Michael Bennet, DT Ohio State:
Bennett is an undersized (6’2,293) interior pass rusher who can team with Dominique Easley on passing downs and disrupt the pocket. He has very good explosion off the ball and has a knack for playing his best at crunch time.

Bennett is versatile and can move around the defensive line but isn’t a two-gap run stuffer. Maybe a bit of a reach for the first round, but he can be a starter quickly as a three technique in the Patriots base.

Round 2, Pick #64 – P.J. Williams, CB Florida State:
Williams has the good size, (6’0 195), length and speed that teams are looking for in NFL cornerbacks. He can play man or zone and is an aggressive, He can step in immediately as a starter as we profiled him earlier.

Round 3, Pick #96 – Josue Matias, G Florida State:
Matias is a big (6’5,310), guard from the pipeline at FSU and was scouted by Dante Scarnecchia this spring along with his more well known counterpart Tre Jackson. Matias is very good at pass protection but is inconsistent in the run game.

He’s always well prepared and very durable, having played in 43 straight games for the Seminoles. He’s versatile, although playing left guard, he’s practiced at both tackle positions.

He and Cameron Fleming may be the two starting guards next season for the Patriots with Ryan Wendell and others backing them up.

*Round 3, Pick #97 – Marcus Hardison, DT  Arizona State: **Compensatory Pick
Hardison is a late bloomer with good size (6’3,311), and versatility. He can line up as a DT as an interior pass rusher or as 3-4 DE.

He’s just scratching the surface of his potential and had a standout final season with 53 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and six turnovers. Although still a bit raw, he has outstanding initial burst off the line and can be a valuable role player in the Patriots defense.

Round 4, Pick #101 – Kenny Bell, WR Nebraska:
Nebraska’s all-time leading receiver, Bell at 6’1,197 has decent size although a bit on the wiry size but with very good 4.37 speed and outstanding production. He can be another good complimentary piece of the Patriots offense with Tom Brady.

Bell is a mature, high football IQ player who gives 100 percent all the time. Bell has quick feet and can go deep or break off routes and attack soft spots in zone coverage. Can play special teams and was a key member of coverage units and kick returns with a 25.0 yard return average. Good blocker.

Round 4, Pick #131 – Jacorey Shepherd, CB Kansas:
A former wide receiver turned cornerback, Shepherd has good size at 5’11,199 for the position and plays with better speed than his timed 40 would indicate. His production is indicative of a former WR, once the ball is in the air, it belongs to him, with three picks and 19 passes defensed in 2014. Named to first team, All-Big 12 honors.

Still a work in progress but can play man or zone and is another special teams standout averaging over 21 yards per kickoff return. He’s not a big hitter, relying more on finesse to bring down ball carriers, but has some good potential.

Round 6, Pick #177– Zach Zenner, RB South Dakota State:
Zenner is a big (5’11,225), tough runner who can carry the ball between the tackles, gives good effort in pass protection and has reliable, sure hands out of the backfield in the passing game.

Zenner was a workhorse for the Jackrabbits in 2014 with 337 carries for 2019 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 28 receptions for 331 yards and 4 touchdowns in the passing game. Only fumbled once in 2014 and is a perfect candidate for the Patriots running back by committee.

Round 7, Pick #219 – Shaquille Riddick, OLB West Virginia:
Riddick has a long lean frame (6’5,245), with a good quickness and a very large wingspan. Has excellent speed (4.59) and is particularly good in pursuit. He’s physical and has a non-stop motor with good production in his final season, 27 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

He’s needs to bulk up and get stronger but he has upside as an edge rusher at the next level. His length allows him to get his hands up in the passing lanes. Riddick can be a DE or OLB at the next level.

*Round 7, Pick #253 – Ray Drew, DE Georgia: ** Compensatory Pick**
Another tweener with potential upside at either DE or OLB, Drew has good length at 6’4, 265 which allows him with his large wingspan to snag ball carriers, knock down passes in the lane and block kicks on special teams, with three blocks in 2014.

Drew is versatile, while at Georgia, the part-time starter lined up as a DE, OLB, and inside as an interior pass rusher at different times. He needs to bulk up a bit more and gain some strength at the next level but Dane Brugler in his draft guide states that Drew may end up being a better pro than college player.

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