Mike Dussault

Here are the scouting reports on the Patriots picks from National Football Post:

Nate Solder

A physical specimen for the position who possesses a rare combination of size, length and overall athleticism. You can tell he’s a former tight end by the way he lines up in a three-point stance at times, as he exhibits good flexibility and can keep his base down. Has improved on his kick-slide this year, but will get overextended quickly and open up his hips vs. speed off the edge. Does a much better job staying clean and compact with his footwork when he knows he has help on the outside in the form of a chip. However, when left on an island, hes more athlete than technician and despite his good lateral quickness, he can be exposed to the “up and under.” Possesses good range off the edge despite the fact at times he is forced to open up his hips. However, I would like to see him do a better job keeping his hands up and set on his kick-slide and be ready to punch at any time. Too often gets his hands down around his waist and struggles to anchor and fight off undersized defensive ends who want to get under him when flattening out around the edge. However, can sit into his stance vs. the bull rush, does a nice job working his arms/hands for inside leverage, slides his feet well through contact and can stick to blocks through the play.

Now, he is a gifted athlete in space and showcased better pop and power as a run blocker than given credit. Has the ability to sit into his stance, gain leverage into contact, extend his arms and finish with a strong lower body push. Can consistently drive defenders off the ball as an in-line guy one-on-one, but at times will get overextended and fall off blocks after initial contact. Looks natural on the move as well and has the ability to get into blocks quickly and create a bit of a surge at the point of attack. Breaks down well in space, exhibits some short-area quickness and can routinely seal his target.

Impression: A guy who will likely be over drafted based on upside — and rightfully so, as he has the skill set to be as good as he wants to be in the NFL. However, has a lot of cleaning up to be entrusted as a left tackle early in his NFL career and I could see him being better suited to play on the right side because of his ability to win in the run game. Reminds me some of former second-round pick Sebastian Vollmer.

Ras-I Dowling

A tall, well-built defensive back with a broad upper body and long arms for the position. Showcases good ball skills and body control when asked to make a play on the throw down the field. Locates the football quickly and showcases the timing and coordination to consistently go up and get his hands on the football. Displays good instincts in zone-coverage, reads the quarterback’s eyes well, gets early jumps on the pass and does a nice job putting himself around the action. Is a sound, wrap-up tackler who isn’t afraid to attack downhill at the line of scrimmage. Generates a good thrust through his hips and creates a pop on contact. Also does a nice job fending off blocks on the outside. Uses his length well to play off opposing wideouts and make his way toward the football.

However, isn’t real flexible when asked to sit into his stance, doubles over at the waist and allows his pad level to get too high when asked to turn and run. More of a strider who needs a couple steps to get going to begin with, but his lack of fluidity and balance when asked to turn and run really limits his initial burst down the field. Isn’t real clean with his footwork at this stage as well. Has a tendency to open up his hips prematurely in man coverage, struggles to consistently stay compact and balanced in his lower half and it really takes him a while to regain his footing when asked to redirect. Consistently is overextend with his footwork and too easily allows wideouts to separate down the field on him. Now, he is physical and tracks the football well, but he won’t see the consistent amount of underthrown passes vertically in the NFL that he sees in college.

Impression: A physically strapping corner with good size and ball skills, and he knows how to tackle in the run game. However, I wouldn’t trust the guy at this stage in man-to-man coverage at the next level. Looks more like a cover-two type corner only to me or a potential free safety prospect. Not as high on him as most.

Shane Vereen

Possesses good overall height, is a bit narrow through the shoulders and upper body, but possesses average girth through the lower half. Displays a good first step when asked to press the line of scrimmage and quickly is able to decipher information, get up to speed quickly and accelerate toward daylight. Is a patient runner who allows blockers to set in front of him and knows how to pick his way through tight creases. Does a nice job keeping his pad level down through the line of scrimmage, running with some leverage and possesses really fluid hips and good lateral quickness. Consistently is able to make defenders miss in a phone booth, isn’t forced to gear down, can make his cuts at full speed, maintain balance and accelerate quickly. Showcases natural cutback ability as well, exhibits good vision inside, recognizes the cutback lane quickly and is a sharp enough and sudden enough runner to consistently hit it. Exhibits a second gear to his game once he gets into the second level. Lacks elite straight-line speed, but plays fast, accelerates extremely well in the open field and will be able to outpace some angles in the NFL. Lacks ideal overall power to his game, struggles to consistently break tackles inside once a defender can get a hold of him, runs low but lacks the natural strength to routinely push the piles.

However, has a good feel in short-yard situations, is sudden/instinct at the line, displays great quickness to find a hole and slither his way through a crease. Isn’t the most natural of blockers in blitz pick-up, keeps his head up and locates who he wants to hit, but gets a bit upright and isn’t real patient. Gets caught lunging into defenders, loses his balance and needs development in that area. But, is a natural receiver out of the backfield, has a good feel in the screen game, plucks the football well away from his frame and squares his body quickly. Is also a threat out of the backfield, is a natural route runner you can split out in the slot, looks comfortable getting down the field and has the ability to create mismatches in the pass game in the NFL.

Impression: Is a shifty, sudden back with good vision and patience inside. Can create on his own, set up blocks inside and accelerates really quickly toward daylight. Lacks the kind of girth to carry the load at the next level, but can be a very good rotation back who can also add a dimension in the pass game as well.

Stevan Ridley

A thicker, well-put-together back with a strong-looking lower half and good overall bulk for the position. Possesses a good first step when asked to press the line of scrimmage, runs with good forward lean inside and keeps his pad level down through contact. Is more of a downhill back who is at his best pressing the line quickly and getting into the second level. Runs hard and has some natural strength in his lower half when asked to push the pile and break tackles inside. However, exhibits only average lateral ability inside. Displays very average one-cut ability when asked to set up blocks or make a man miss. But, consistently allows his pad level to rise, exposes some of his frame and loses his balance quickly. Isn’t the kind of fluid/shifty back who can make a man miss and quickly collect himself and get back up to speed quickly. He’s consistently forced to gear down when trying to change directions and isn’t a guy who is real gifted in tight/open quarters. Will get caught dancing at times trying to decipher information and needs a hole in front of him to be successful.

Displays slightly above-average patience when asked to set up blocks inside. However, doesn’t have a great feel in tight quarters and isn’t a guy who can consistently make defenders miss and create on his own. Needs the play to be blocked off correctly in order for him to be effective and because of that looks more like a reserve only. Has an average first step and can get up to speed quickly initially. However, has one gear to his game and isn’t going to outpace many NFL defenders at the second level.

Wasn’t asked to play on obvious passing situations. Isn’t a real natural receiver out of the backfield and didn’t seem real comfortable in blitz pick up either.

Impression: A very average downhill back who runs hard and low and has some natural power to his game. However, he isn’t a guy who can consistently create on his own and lacks great feel inside picking his way through tight quarters. A reserve guy only.