New England Patriots: Mock Draft from a Patriots’ perspective 1-16

The Kansas City Chiefs will not draft a Quarterback with their first overall pick in the 2013 Draft.

There, that cat is out of the bag, and this move could help the woeful featherheads become contenders in the AFC West this upcoming season…Andy Reid is the new Sheriff in town, and he brings a different outlook to Kansas City.

For one, he’s not going to draft a Quarterback when he can get his own 2nd day selection from last season, Nick Foles, by making a phone call and giving up a 4th or a 5th rounder, which leaves Reid with just an offensive line to be concerned with…and I say “just’ because the draft is deep with tackles and couple of first day guards that could very likely slip to the second day.

The second possibility is that Reid pursues Alex Smith, the jilted ex-49ers starting quarterback who is likely to be released by the club if they can not find a potential suitor before the trade deadline.  For certain, the 49ers will not do business with division rival and quarterback desperate Arizona, which leaves Jacksonville, Buffalo and Kansas City as potential trade partners, but his 8.5 million dollar salary is likely to be too much for any of those teams to absorb.

There is always a trade possibility, but suitors for the top spot in the draft are slim before the combine, but let’s go with poetic irony and say that the only team that the Chiefs could make a deal with is their cross state brethren, St. Louis…but let’s not get into that until we see what the combine brings.

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M (6’6″-310)

It is apparent that the Chiefs are going to need a new left tackle since incumbent Branden Albert has medical issues…Impressive more for his poise and maturity than technique, which is excellent.  Doesn’t get flustered and plays with patience, keeping his wits about him and doing what is needed to keep the defender away from the quarterback.  Can handle speed or bull rushers with equal success, laterally quick and Prototypically sized and mobile and blocks effectively in the power game and at the second level.

Jan 4, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M (6’4″-250)

Accomplished pass rusher with a variety of moves, impressive speed and closing burst in the pass rush, solid at setting the edge in the run game but could use more muscle mass – instinctive in pass coverage and tackles with a purpose – projects into a 3 down , multiple tool pass rusher that can drop into coverage with agility and awareness regardless of scheme.

3. Oakland Raiders – Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State (6’4″-255)

Outstanding strength, is a difference maker for a team that tries to reestablish the pocket in the opponent’s backfield.  Can play it whichever way you want, he can finesse you with speed and bend or bull rush you with an inside out move.  Perhaps the most instinctual pass rushers in the draft.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia (6’3″-220)

Philadelphia gets a gift when Alex Smith signs with Kansas City in that Geno Smith falls to them. Questions abound about his mental toughness, but there is little doubt that the athletic Smith is a has everything it takes to run Chip Kelley’s read option.  He has a strong arm and can make all of the throws, now he needs legitimate NFL coaching and he should blossom with experience.

5. Detroit Lions – Barkeveous Mingo, DE, Louisiana State (6’4″-240)

As noted by several scouts, looks more the part of a small forward in Basketball, but is an exceptional pass rushing talent with plenty of room to grow.  Is explosive off of the snap, has exceptional closing speed and aware enough to know when he can’t get to the quarterback and get his hands up.  May be asked to attempt the outside linebacker position, but is expected to be a great pass rusher regardless of title.

6. Cleveland Browns – Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia (6’2″-240)

Rare athlete with prototypical talent and a non-stop motor, explosive and coordinated, incredibly strong and violent hands to both shed blockers and rip balls from quarterbacks and running backs – one of those guys that you just have to watch play to appreciate.  Words really do not do him justice.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan (6’7″-305)

Has the nasty streak to rival his athletic prowess, mirrors defenders and breaks down to take their angles away, strong in the running game and very smooth in pass protection and could handle both left or right tackle spots in the NFL.  Many are projecting that the Cardinals will go with a quarterback here, but new head coach Bruce Arians has publicly stated that he is going to work with what he has in Kevin Kolb and Brian Hoyer.  Having Fisher to protect their blindside will help them relax a bit.

Patriots outlook: Would be a keen replacement for Sebastian Vollmer if lost in free agency, but doubtful he would fall that far.

8. Buffalo Bills – Keenan Allen, WR, California (6’3″-210)

Natural big play receiver who lacks elite speed but has many different gears and incredible body control.  Attacks the ball in the air.  Is as precise a route runner as has come out of college recently and is equally effective outside and in the slot.  Creates separation and can switch to an extra gear when he gets in the open field.  Another team that experts feel needs a quarterback, but what they really need are more receiving weapons for Fitzgerald.

October 20, 2012; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) carries the ball against Stanford Cardinal cornerback Alex Carter (25) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots Outlook:  Perfect for the Patriots passing game.  Could envision him on one side, Lloyd on the other and Hernandez in the slot with Gronkowski down the seem and Vereen or Demps in the flat.  If he drops as far as the low 20’s we could see a value move, but an unlikely scenario.

9. New York Jets – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah (6’3″-320)

Fast and explosive burst off the snap. Possesses the rare lateral agility to slip through gaps and ruin plays before they even have a chance to begin. Strong anchor and powerful hands allow him to literally toss offensive linemen aside, despite size can also be considered as a five-technique defensive end.

10. Tennessee Titans – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama (6’1″-200)

A ballhawk, is excellent when the ball is in the air, turns head well and locates the ball, then has the ability to get body in position to make the play,  at his best in tight quarters attacking the receiver off the line and delivers heft in his tackles.

Patriots outlook: Again, it would take a miracle for him to drop to the end of the 1st round – and if he did, you’d have to be suspect.  Is an excellent corner that could play some safety in the system given his instincts and violent nature on the football field.

11. San Diego Chargers – Ezekial Ansah, OLB, Brigham Young (6’5″-275)

Another in the line of annual “JPP” clones, possesses rare skill, size and agility and closes to the quarterback with unrivaled quickness.  His hits have been described as “Shockwaves” and his initial burst to the quarterback isn’t the fastest but may be the most violent in the draft. If there is a knock on him it’s that he relies on speed and technique alone and needs to put on some muscle.

Patriots outlook: A cross section of Chandler Jones length and Dont’a Hightower’s burst, would be an outstanding bookend to Jones and would allow Hightower to play more stunts to the inside where he would benefit from his size and running start on the blitz.

12. Miami Dolphins, Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee (6’3″-205)

Still kind of a raw prospect but the upside is worth the selection for a Dolphins team that needs receivers.  Very physical down the field, and once the ball is in his hands is one of the smoothest playmakers in the class.  Very strong going up after the ball and is precise in route running but could use some work on disengaging and creating separation without pushing off.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State (6’1″-220)

The Buccaneers need a replacement for Aqib Talib and Rhodes could be a clone without the baggage.  Very aggressive – sometimes too aggressive – in man coverage, but not aggressive enough in run support.  Is powerfully built and attacks the ball in the air.  Knows when to look back for the ball and is considered a ball hawk.

Dec 1, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Xavier Rhodes (27) celebrates after intercepting the ball with defensive end Bjoern Werner (95) and defensive back Ronald Darby (13) and defensive tackle Anthony McCloud (92) and linebacker Christian Jones (7). The Seminoles defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 21-15 to win the ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots outlook: This guy is all over the board in mock drafts, but if he comes to New England at #29 they’d have to consider making him a Patriot…He’s as close to can’t miss as the Pats have seen in corners in the draft in quite a while.

14. Carolina Panthers – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri (6’3″-300)

Can reestablish the line of scrimmage with his superior push, or has the athleticism to drop back into coverage, his vision and instincts are his best traits as he regularly disrupts plays before they get a chance to get properly started.  Very athletic for his size.

Patriots outlook: Almost word for word what was being said about Vince Wilfork coming out of school and turned out to be the most dominant defensive tackle in the game.  This draft is so deep in defensive tackles that Richardson could drop to where the Patriots could snag him.

15. New Orleans Saints – Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon (6’6″-245)

Has the body and endurance of a basketball player and will need to add muscle mass but has a rare combination of size, skill and motor.  Violent hitter and has the athleticism to drop into coverage, even covering the slot at times.  A former tight end, has huge hands that he uses well to combat offensive linemen.  A bit of a hot head, but plays within himself most of the time.

16. St. Louis Rams – Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas (6’1″-220)

Prototypical Free Safety size with the pop of a strong safety, brings the wood in run support and has outstanding coverage skills, particularly in the slot where he has shown the strength to jam routes and take the reciever out of the play, and is more a nickleback in that sense, but given his run support makes him an excellent free safety prospect.

Patriots outlook: Has the versatility that is required of Belichick’s system, but brings in one package what Chung and Gregory can not combined:  Solid tackler who wraps up cleanly though sometimes is prone to going for the big hit when he should just wrap up. Has speed and instincts and pops people in the mouth.  Great fit if he falls to 29.

As we get further into the 1st round, the Patriots’ perspective will take hold more and more.  The question is whether the athlete that Bill Belichick wants is going to be there for him at 29, or is he going to trade down and go for volume….

…only Bill knows for sure, but we’ll make our pre-combine guess in part 2 of this mock draft.