New England Patriots Add Defensive Depth in Latest 2017 Mock Draft
Round 5, 163rd Pick: CB Shaquill Griffin, Central Florida
In Round 5, I have the New England Patriots flip-flopping their picks from my last mock draft. I believe New England will look to add a corner in UCF’s Shaquill Griffin as Alabama’s DE/DT Dalvin Tomlinson should still be available 20 picks later.
Griffin is quick, with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine and he is extremely aggressive in both his run and pass coverage. He’d have the chance to battle in training camp for the third cornerback role with Cyrus Jones and Eric Rowe.
Some believe Griffin could be off the board in the Fourth Round, but let’s hope he falls.
Previous Mock Draft: DE/DT Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
Round 5, 183rd Pick: DE/DT Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
At 6’3″, 310lbs Dalvin Tomlinson is an enormous defensive lineman who has overcome ACL tears on both legs and the death of both parents.
At Alabama, coach Nick Saban used Tomlinson as a defensive tackle and on the edge. As a senior, he had 62 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, and three sacks.
Dalvin Tomlinson has room to grow and can improve his game while learning from Lawrence Guy, Kony Ealy, Trey Flowers and Alan Branch.