Patriots: How New Rookie Class Fit the Belichick Way

The New England Patriots have a new crop of rookies and they are about to learn a new way of life. The Patriot way.

As Deflategate continues to unfold and this strange Patriots offseason lingers on a little longer, one thing remains constant: Bill Belichick and Co. know how to pick rookies.

Although the New England Patriots did not have a first round selection in last week’s NFL draft, the team selected multiple players who should have the opportunity to make an impact immediately.

The Patriots spent much of the weekend adding to the offense. Particularly, the Patriots added speed and versatility. Belichick added two Arizona State Sun Devils, WR Devin Lucien and RB D.J. Foster. Lucien, a seventh-round pick, fits the mold of a Brandon Lafell-type receiver; Foster, signed as an undrafted free agent, can play either out of the backfield or as a receiver– his role would be similar to that of former Pats running back Danny Woodhead.

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Tom Brady’s (or whomever is playing Quarterback) new favorite weapon is going to be WR Malcolm Mitchell. Drafted in the fourth round out of the University of Georgia, Mitchell has extraordinary straight-line speed that can help ‘take the top off of a defenses.’ Essentially, Mitchell’s speed threat on deep passes forces the safeties to play further back, eventually opening up the middle (taking the top off) zones of the defense. Mitchell, who has had knee-injury issues in the past but ran a sub-4.45 40′ at the NFL Scouting Combine, arguably has the best hands in this Wide Receiver class.

The Patriots’ earliest offensive selection figures to help immediately on the offensive line. In the third round, New England selected OL Joe Thuney from North Carolina State University. Thuney, who started over 35 games with the Wolfpack, was compared favorably by Coach Belichick to former Pats’ OT Matt Light. Although Thuney is largely categorized as a guard or center on most NFL draft sites, do not be surprised if he plays tackle.

Finally, on offense, the Patriots selected QB Jacoby Brissett in the third round. Brissett, who attended the University of Florida before transferring to North Carolina State University, has a tremendously accurate arm and has been mentored by former Patriots head coach Bill Parcells for several years. Jacoby Brissett will (barring injury or an insanely impressive preseason) back up Jimmy Garoppolo during Brady’s absence.

Defensively, the Patriots added CB Cyrus Jones, former national champion from the University of Alabama. Jones, the Patriots first selection of the draft (though in the second round), compares similarly to current New England Patriots defensive back Malcolm Butler. Jones brings elite Special Teams play as a kick and punt returner, and should start as the Patriots nickel corner from day one.

After the success of last year’s first round draft pick, defensive tackle Malcom Brown, Belichick sought to add a player that can fill a similar role to Brown. The goal, Belichick stated in his press conference, was to help keep a rotation of fresh defensive linemen throughout the game. In the third round, the Patriots drafted DT Vincent Valentine, who looks to fill exactly that role. Valentine, a former Nebraska Cornhusker, is an absolute monster of a man; he could play a large role on a defensive line which is now devoid of Dominique Easley and Chandler Jones.

In the sixth round, the Patriots added linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill and Elandon Roberts. Grugier-Hill attended Eastern Illinois; he will play a hybrid outside-linebacker/strong safety role, similar to that which was popularized by Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals last season. Elandon Roberts, an inside linebacker from the University of Houston, burst onto the scene last season with over 140 tackles. Roberts has the highest ceiling of all of the Patriots 2016 defensive selections.

After the draft, the Patriots signed nine un-drafted free agents (including Foster) who will all compete in the team’s rookie minicamp this week.

Next: Celtics: KD, Free Agency, and the Draft

Interestingly, the Patriots did not draft or sign a pure running back over the weekend. However, some veteran free-agent running backs still remain– such as former Houston Texans RB Arian Foster. The Patriots have had a history of adding veteran RB’s to supplant the team’s depth.

Stay tuned to Chowder and Champions for updates on the Patriots offseason and summer workouts.