Sep 3, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of a football and a New England Patriots helmet during the second half of a game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
With the team rolling at 3-0 heading into this weekend’s match-up against the Dallas Cowboys, I am sure the 2016 NFL Draft is relatively far from the minds of New England Patriots’ fans. That being said, the draft is a bit of an obsession for me, and I feel like it is one of the most important events in the NFL year.
Based on its obvious importance, it is never too early to look ahead to draft, and that is exactly what we are going to do here.
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With the ridiculous Deflategate punishment handed down, the Patriots will not be selecting in the first round unless they trade up (yeah, right). Also, with the team seeming to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders, they are unlikely to select anywhere near the top of the second or later rounds. Even when the draft starts, the Patriots will have a long wait until their first pick.
However, once they get to make a selection, I fully expect the Patriots to have a lot of draft capital. Based on their losses in free agency this past off season, the Patriots are extremely likely to do well when it comes to compensatory picks. This added draft capital will certainly help make up for the loss of their first round selection. It’s not a fair trade-off, but it will soften the blow.
Bill Belichick loves to attack the middle rounds anyway, so when it comes to draft preparation for the Patriots this year, middle round prospects are what we are going to be primarily looking at.
In this post, I am going to pin-point players who I feel are good fits for the team primarily based on position and style of play. I am going to try to focus on players who are currently projected to go in the middle rounds of the draft.
However, it is important to keep in mind that draft projections will undoubtedly change as well move along. There is a lot of time between now and the draft in April, and values of prospects are undoubtedly going to be different.
Keep all of this in mind as you flip through five 2016 NFL Draft prospects who make sense for the Patriots.
NOTE: All draft projections come from CBSSports.com.
Next: A Potential Impact Corner
Nov 29, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Will Redmond (2) blocks a pass to Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Vince Sanders (10) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State, Sr.
5-foot-11, 185 pounds
Projected Round: 2-3
The Patriots clearly have issues at the cornerback position. The combination of Malcolm Bulter, Tarell Brown and Logan Ryan are getting the team by, but it is quite clearly the most obvious need on the roster. Long gone are the days of Darrelle Revis shutting down receivers on the outside in New England, and the Patriots need to add more young options to try to grow on their roster at the position.
Will Redmond is an interesting draft prospect who would seem to fit what the Patriots are looking for. While Redmond does lack some size, he shows obvious speed and athleticism on the field. He shows great technique in coverage, and always seems to be in the right place. High football IQ and great awareness skills.
Redmond can be overpowered by big and physical receivers, and is not exactly willing to step up and defend the run. However, his natural skill-set for the position is obvious, and he has shown a strong ability to play press man coverage.
The Patriots need to find players with shut-down upside at cornerback, and Redmond certainly fits that bill.
Next: Versatility and Pass Rush Ability
Dec 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Eric Striker (19) hits Clemson Tigers quarterback Cole Stoudt (18) as he releases the ball as the Tigers beat the Sooners 40-6 in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Striker, EDGE, Oklahoma, Sr.
6-foot-0, 223 pounds
Projected Round: 3-4
Eric Striker is currently projected as a mid-to-late round pick, but he is certainly a candidate to catch fire and quickly rise up draft boards. Striker is a natural athlete who does a fantastic job of using his speed and quickness to rush the passer from the outside.
Sometimes he is lined up with his hand in the ground, and sometimes he is in a two-point stance. Regardless, he always seems to be putting pressure on the quarterback. That is, except for when he drops into zone coverage, which he does very well for a guy who is mostly considered a defensive lineman.
Pass rusher isn’t necessarily a huge need for the Patriots, but in today’s NFL, you can never have too many. Striker has an obvious ability to get to the quarterback, and his versatility makes him an incredible fit in New England. Size and lack of power are a concern, but Striker seems like a Bill Belichick player, and there is nobody in the league who would have more success with him.
Next: A True Versatile Offensive Weapon
Sep 7, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) runs for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Braxton Miller, WR/RB, Ohio State, Sr.
6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Projected Round: 3-4
A two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Braxton Miller already had an incredibly college career in the bag. However, after the emergence of J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones at Ohio State, Miller decided a position change was best for him, moving from quarterback to wide receiver this season.
Miller was never going to be an NFL quarterback, and him choosing to showcase his skill-set at another position was a wise decision. With incredible pure speed and lighting quickness, Miller may be the single best athlete in college football, and he is showing off his skills in a big way this season.
The Buckeyes are using Miller in a lot of different ways. He has primarily lined up in the slot, but he has also shown the ability to be dangerous on the outside and in the backfield. Miller is a huge threat running the ball and as a receiver from anywhere on the field.
That kind of versatility on the offensive side of the ball can be deadly in the NFL. I can just envision Belichick and Josh McDaniels having a field day lining Miller up everywhere on the field. At times he could be a dangerous threat in the slot, running short routes a la Julian Edelman, or a legitimate rushing/receiving combo threat out of the backfield.
The possibilities are endless with Miller, and it would be incredibly exciting to see what he could do in New England.
Next: Strong Linebacker Depth Option
Oct 25, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) tackles South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mike Davis (28) during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Kris Frost, LB, Auburn, Sr.
6-foot-2, 240 pounds
Projected Round: 5
On the surface, the Patriots are loaded at the linebacker position. Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo make up arguably the best starting linebacker trio in the NFL. However, when looking deeper, it is clear the team lacks overall depth at the position. If an injury were to hit any of the starting three (most notably Collins or Hightower), the Patriots’ defense would be in trouble.
Because of this, they need to be looking at the linebacker position in this draft, and Kris Frost feels like a perfect fit.
Frost has struggled to find a permanent position home in college, flipping between the inside and outside with regularity. Some may consider him a tweener prospect, but I see this is a sign of position flexibility and overall versatility.
Frost is a quick and athletic player who has natural play-making skills. He is strong enough to set the edge on the outside, and make plays in the middle in the run game. His athleticism stands out in coverage, as he has the skills to defend many positions successfully.
Frost is a versatile athlete at a position of need. He feels like a player Belichick would target, and have some success with at the next level. Getting depth at LB is key for the Patriots, and Frost would certainly help their case.
Next: Offensive Line Help
Nov 29, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman (2) rushes past Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive lineman Le’Raven Clark (62) during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Le’Raven Clark, OL, Texas Tech, Sr.
6-foot-5, 316 pounds
Projected Round: 3-4
Throughout the early part of the season, the Patriots’ offensive line has been extremely successful. They are set up well at tackle with Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer, and the young interior offensive line has been better than anyone could have imagined.
That being said, you can never have too many talented blockers, and Le’Raven Clark is a prospect who I will have my eye on. Clark was a freshman All-American playing right guard in 2012, before making the position change to left tackle the next season. He has been a dominant force at left tackle the past two years, taking home First Team All-Big 12 honors in both seasons.
Clark is a talented player whose skills translate well to the next level. He is a strong pass blocker with great quickness, length and technique which helps him protect the quarterback. He has the talent to succeed, but Clark will have to get more consistent at the next level. He tends to let defenders get too close to him in the pass rush, sometimes not using his great length to its full advantage.
Clark does have some issues in run blocking, but he does flash some signs of success, especially when reaching out to the second-level. Make no mistake though, his run blocking is a problem. However, I believe it is correctable. Clark was not asked to run block much in college, as Texas Tech passed the ball with extreme regularity.
Clark is a bit of a project for an NFL coaching staff, but his talent as an offensive lineman is obvious. The Patriots could use some depth at the position, and Clark brings versatility and a whole lot of upside, perhaps even at left tackle.
Next: Five Patriots' Players to Watch