Twas the day before the draft and all through NFL nation, not a draft board was moving, not even Mel Kiper Jr’s. Okay, maybe that’s not entirely accurate, surely teams are definitely finalizing their boards at this moment and we’re doing the same.
It’s been our most extensive year of draft research, one that has been aided by great film on YouTube, great discussion with my fellow Pats draftniks on Twitter and on the podcast with Erik Frenz, and extensive research on all the major draft sites.
So with all this research does it mean we’re ready to nail the Patriots draft before it even happens? Not even close. But it’s certainly fun to think that maybe, just maybe, a significant percentage of the soon-to-be-selected-by-the-Pats prospects are currently on our big board below.
I am well prepared to have the Pats select a high round pick that I barely even considered, or someone that I wrote off completely. As BB says, it is what it is, and I look forward to retroactively analyzing what the Pats saw that I didn’t.
So without further ado, here it is, our final Patriots-only big board….
Patspropaganda.com 2011 New England Patriots Mock Big Board
- Marcel Dareus (DL, 6-03, 319, Alabama): would cause havoc, maybe not the perfect size for DE, but strong enough to play any DL spot. NFL.com: Possesses the athleticism and explosiveness to be consistently disruptive against the run and pass. Hands that don’t stop, sheds blockers quickly, and frequently uses the swim move to get to the quarterback. Also has great power to push the pocket and stand his ground adequately when run at.
- AJ Green (WR, 6-04, 211, Georgia): smooth, gifted WR, who would add a large outside target currently missing from Pats WR corps. NFL.com: Has the ideal length, refined route-running skills, hands, and big-play ability to become one of the league’s top players at the position. Displays tremendous acceleration and fluidity for a taller player.
- Cameron Jordan (DL, 6-04, 287, Cal): has experience in 34, interior pass rush presence. Not ideal Pats DE, but versatility would make him useful. NFL.com: Really a good fit for any team that stresses gap integrity. Has good strength at the point of attack, plays with sound positioning, locates the ball carrier, gets off blocks and uses his good quickness and agility against the run. Not a big-time pass rushing talent by any means, but still has some good power moves.
- JJ Watt (DE, 6-05, 290, Wisconsin), big, athletic five technique with outstanding work ethic. Arguably the cleanest Pats prospect in draft. NFL.com: A hard-working, intelligent, relentless player. Uses his hands extremely well to get off blocks both rushing the passer and against the run. Doesn’t possesses great initial quickness but closes hard and fast on the quarterback and has enough straight-lined speed to pursue from the backside.
- Julio Jones (WR, 6-03, 220, Alabama): physical, intimidating presence at WR, game changer. NFL.com: Vertical threat due to his height, strength, leaping ability, and speed. Generates big plays after the catch on screens and crossing patterns because of his physicality as a runner. Flashes outstanding hands and ball skills.
- Robert Quinn (OLB, 6-04, 265, UNC): not as athletic as some thought, but could transition to OLB, bring some athleticism/pass rush. NFL.com: He has an excellent first step and the burst to consistently get around the edge. He is a relentless pass rusher that will only improve once he develops an array of counter moves. He lacks the bulk to hold stout against the running game and can get overwhelmed by bigger blockers.
- Gabe Carimi (LT/RT, 6-07, 314, Wisconsin): will need to get stronger but projects to either tackle spot, nasty playing temperament.NFL.com: His non-stop motor, coupled with his ideal size, make him a terror in the running game and he has enough athleticism to hold his own in pass protection.
- Danny Watkins (G/C, 6-03, 310, Baylor): overaged, but could step in and play at either guard position. Nasty playing temperament. NFL.com: He plays with terrific balance and has the foot quickness to hold in pass protection. Despite his limited football experience, he engages very well with his hands and maintains a strong position.
- Anthony Costonzo (LT/RT, 6-07, 311, Boston College): need to improve strength versus power, but could develop and start on either side. NFL.com: Would be a good fit in a zone-blocking scheme or on a club that loves the screen game. Will probably never be a favorable matchup when facing bigger, more powerful NFL defensive lineman.
- Mark Ingram (RB, 5-09, 215, Alabama): great instincts and quickness for the game, would fit in well with current stable. Late first round steal. NFL.com: Ingram projects as an every-down back who can make an impact on the ground and in the passing game. One of the most polished running back prospects in recent memory. Has rare natural running sense in terms of vision and patience.
- Aaron Williams (DB, 6-01, 204, Texas): big, physical corner would instantly add presence at nickel corner. NFL.com: Has experience lining up over the slot and maintains proper position to take away the easy crossing routes. When the ball is in the air, he has a great closing burst and the superb hands to make plays even on errant throws. He is aggressive in run support.
- Nate Solder (OT, 6-08, 319, Colorado): Vollmer clone, athletic, will need time in Dante U. NFL.com: Very sound in pass protection, not as susceptible to the bull rush as you might think given his leaner build, just needs to continue to develop his game against complete pass rushers with a vast array of skills and moves.
- Ryan Kerrigan (OLB, 6-04, 267, Purdue): relentless motor, better athlete than he’s given credit for. Has the size to play OLB for Pats. NFL.com – Explodes off the line and plays with sound leverage to get under offensive tackles. Persistent pass rusher with great closing burst that has a knack for making strip sacks. Reads quickly and has a strong lower half which makes him stout against the run. Very productive.
- Mike Pouncey (G/C, 6-05, 303, Florida): projects to guard, struggled with shotgun snapping at time. Not as good as twin Maurkice. NFL.com: He has outstanding football IQ and the ability to become a pro-bowl starter at guard or center.
- Clint Boling (G/C, 6-05, 308, Georgia): versatile, interior lineman, who plays hard and has experience against top competition. Worker. NFL.com: A savvy, maximum-effort guy who could find a home with a franchise that values technique and mobility up front above pure strength. Has great awareness and understands the finer points of line play.
- Aldon Smith (OLB, 6-04, 263, Missouri): raw, but potential is there, would need time, wonder if he has the FBI to fit in New England. NFL.com: He’s a fluid, natural pass rusher who overcomes lack of excellent get-off with terrific hand usage, elite lateral-mobility, very good closing speed, and a strong desire to get to the quarterback.
- Jabaal Sheard (OLB, 6-04, 260, Pitt): quick to diagnose, variety of pass rush moves. Team leader despite one incident. NFL.com: Sheard is long and thickly built. Powerful bull rusher that has a vast repertoire of counter moves and uses his long arms to bat down passes. Strong kid that delivers a powerful punch, sheds effectively and quickly locates the ball. High motor player that makes plays on the backside. Very productive.
- Cameron Heyward (DL, 6-05, 294, Ohio State): looks the part, but possibly the most polarizing prospect in the draft. NFL.com: He is a powerful athlete at the point of attack that can eat up blocks in the running game and uses heavy active hands to shed quickly. He possesses a less than ideal burst, but is a relentless pass rusher that gets more sacks than he should.
- Derek Sherrod (G/T, 6-05, 321, Mississippi State): versatile, played tackle, but projects to guard. NFL.com: Nice blend of length and good feet, he can slide laterally with pass rushers and push them by the launch point but struggles to anchor against the bull rush.
- Brandon Harris (DB, 5-10, 191, Miami): smooth, will develop into starting cb. NFL.com: Strong kid with a tireless work ethic and he should be a mid-to-late first round pick. Harris is a true gamer that is at his best when the lights are on and he has the tools to become a starting cornerback at the next level. He excels in man coverage, as he is explosive with an elite closing burst and he has very fluid hips to maintain speed in transition.
- Muhammad Wilkerson (DL, 6-04, 315, Temple): has the size/anchor strength for DE, also has some interior pass rush ability. NFL.com: Ideal size, excellent shedding ability and the athleticism to pursue from the backside and rush the passer. Jolts offensive lineman at the point of attack, can beat the double team, finds the football and makes plays against the run.
- Ryan Williams (RB, 5-09, 212, Virginia Tech): violent natural runner, hampered by injuries in 2010. NFL.com: Has the vision, toughness, burst, and lateral-mobility necessary to move the chains and make some big plays. However, he must do a better job holding onto the football and improve his ability to consistently contribute on third downs.
- Brooks Reed (OLB, 6-03, 263, Arizona): fastest 10-yard split at combine, explosive, smart pass rusher, excellent spin move. Raw but has intangibles. NFL.com: Gets to the quarterback with a variety of moves and a relentless motor. Uses his hands really well to maintain gap integrity and disengage from blockers against the run. Lack of size, his all-out playing style, and minor injury history pose some questions about his durability.
- Rahim Moore (FS, 6-00, 202, UCLA): ballhawking free safety, could fill potential need after 2010. NFL.com: True difference maker at the safety position, and he projects to be an immediate starter at the next level. He is extremely rangy with the deep speed to hold up in cover-3, and he has a great closing burst when the ball is in the air.
- Rodney Hudson (C/G, 6-02, 299, Florida State): bit undersized for guard but versatile and could be eventual Koppen replacement. Well-rounded, polished skill set. NFL.com: Should be an immediate starter at guard or center and could make a few Pro Bowls down the line. He can handle power or speed pass rushers with his outstanding balance, flexibility and wide base.
For 50 more Patriots-only prospects click here.
