Filling Patriots Gaps Through the 2010 Draft
Teddy Bruschi isn’t walking through that door, Richard Seymour isn’t walking through that door, Junior Seau isn’t……… ok, I’ll hold off on that last one. But my point remains the same, this isn’t the veteran defense we’ve grown accustomed to in Foxboro during the championship years. Although the Patriots are not in the state of disrepair that the Celtics were when Rick Pitino gave his infamous, “Larry Bird isn’t walking through that door” tirade, the questions surrounding this team are plentiful heading into the draft.
Brandon Graham
The Patriots number one need heading into the 2010 draft, having failed to make any kind of impact free agent signings, is a pass rushing defensive end/outside linebacker. There should be a number of instant impact pass rushers available to the Pats in the first round at pick 22, assuming they stay put. Brandon Graham, out of Tom Brady’s alma mater Michigan, seems to be the best fit at this spot. At 6’1” / 268 pounds, Graham makes up for his lack of size with a great burst, an unstoppable motor, and an uncanny knack for being able to get leverage from his 6’1″ frame and get under larger blockers. This past season for Michigan, Graham posted a career-best 64 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He was also elected team captain and was a finalist for many end of the year awards. A high character, high motor, pass rusher sounds like just what the doctor ordered. If Graham is off the board when the Patriots pick at 22, they should look at either Sergio Kindle of Texas or Jerry Hughes out of TCU. Either one of those two would fill Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Belichick’s pass rushing hole quite nicely. There have been a few other names being tossed around as potential picks at this position such as Rolando McClain of Alabama, who I see going earlier in the draft; Derrick Morgan of Georgia Tech, who I question can play outside linebacker in the Pat’s system; or Carlos Dunlop, who has character issues that cannot be ignored.
The Patriots, as has been their habit in the last few years, are loaded with picks in the second round, possessing the 44th pick (from Jacksonville), the 47th (from Tennessee), and the 53rd overall. Although the jury’s still out on last year’s four second round picks (Pat Chung, Ron Brace, Darius Butler, and Sebastian Vollmer) there is potential there. Vollmer filled in for, and eventually replaced, the injured Matt Light at the all important left tackle position. Chung was solid on special teams and back-up safety, Butler got some run as a second corner opposite Leigh Bodden, and Brace has been taken under big Vince Wilfork’s massive wing and could produce if called upon at defensive tackle.
With their three picks this year, again assuming they don’t move any of them (which is kind of like assuming there won’t be any rush hour traffic on 93), Belichick should look to bolster a questionable linebacker unit and look for a number two wide receiver to take some pressure off of the aging Randy Moss and “Wes Welker Light”, Julian Edelman. Potential fits at these spots include…
Demaryius Thomas – WR (Georgia Tech)
Thomas is a 6’3”, 224 pound monster who has been timed at 4.52 in the 40-yard dash. He uses his body to attack the ball at its highest point, and is as tough a wide receiver as they come. He may fall into the Patriots lap in the second after breaking his foot a week before the Scouting Combine.
Arrelious Benn – WR (Illinois)
Benn checks in at a solid 6’1”, 219 pounds. Despite an injury plagued 2009, Benn was elected captain and was All Big Ten honorable mention. Benn does not have big-time top end speed to separate from NFL corners but will still be able to create space with his powerful upper body. He has excellent hands and is great after the catch. We may end up with our own Anquan Boldin after all if Benn is available.
Ricky Sapp – OLB (Clemson)
Sapp is a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker who is rangy and explosive. Made the switch to linebacker in 2009, despite coming off of a torn ACL, and excelled. He is a raw football player and needs to get stronger but his pure athletic ability and explosive first step make him an intriguing prospect for Belichick to develop.
Eric Norwood – OLB (South Carolina)
Reminds me of a young, dare I say it, Teddy Bruschi. Norwood is a high-effort defender and a vocal leader off the field. A bit stiff in pass coverage but reacts more off instinct than many believe and finds the ball very well. He has a good burst off the line and his thick build allows him to avoid getting pushed off of the line.
The Patriots lack a third or fifth round pick (thank you Derrick Burgess and Alex Smith) but still have a number of picks in the later rounds. One fourth (119 overall), two sixth, and five seventh round picks still sit burning a hole in coach Belichick’s pocket as potential trade bait or the potential to draft depth. The Patriots do still need to look to add depth or create competition on an aging offensive line. Another late-round need is at tight end where the only player at that position on the roster is free agent signee Alge Crumpler, who is more of a glorified tackle at this point in his career.
You will notice that in all of those needs I did not include an athletic hybrid tight end who has never played the position and who would rather play quarterback, even though his mechanics at times make Rohan Davey look like Dan Marino. If you haven’t guessed by now I am referring to the lightening rod that is Tim Tebow. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against Tim Tebow personally and I can even be persuaded to believe that he is the greatest college football player ever; I just can’t see this guy playing the role of NFL quarterback. I understand that he has been tinkering with his release so that his passes are not as telegraphed against NFL caliber defensive backs, and I also understand that his leadership and character are off the charts, but I am sorry that does not make him a second round quarterback, which is likely where the Patriots would have to pick him up. If Tebow the quarterback was available in the fourth round, I would have no problem rolling the dice and seeing what Bill Belichick could do with him for a few years. I would even be fine with drafting Tebow the tight end with the 53rd pick (I’m not unreasonable), however that is not how this thing is going to play out. Some poor team, I’m looking at you Jacksonville, is going to scoop Tim Tebow up much to early with the hope that he bolsters ticket sales and team interest in their area and the Patriots are far too smart to get suckered into that game. In fact, I would have to believe that poker faced Bill Belichick is playing this game from the other side. It is widely known that Bill Belichick is good friends with Florida coach Urban Meyer and is a big Tim Tebow (the person) fan. With all of the press of late regarding Belichick visiting Florida for personal workouts and Tebow coming to town for dinner, I have to believe that Bill is just stirring the pot to up Tebow’s draft stock. This is the same coach who makes a mockery of weekly injury reports by famously never tipping his hand. I can’t imagine he is going to start now.
With all of these predictions, I could be 100 percent right or (more likely) 100 percent wrong, that is the beauty of a Patriots Draft Day. So sit back on April 22 and enjoy the speculation and wild trade talk. Watch the Patriots replenish their ranks with fresh young talent and stock up on future picks. Just remember that there are only two guarantees in an NFL draft, Al Davis will draft a physical freak that will never pan out and Bill Belichick will do something that makes you say, “who?!”.
One Response to “Filling Patriots Gaps Through the 2010 Draft”
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Great article. Agree too about Tebow – with all the holes NE has, it makes no sense to take a QB, any QB, in the 2nd round. Anytime after round 2, I have to assume Tebow will be off the board. Belichick is likely talking up Tebow for many reasons, but mostly so some team falls in love and makes NE a nice offer for one of their 2nd round picks.