2nd/3rd round preview
 |
| It wouldn't be a sexy pick, but center Weston Richburg would instantly help to improve Tom Brady's protection. |
Interior offensive line
Much of the fanbase spent last season grumbling about Tom Brady's lack of weapons, but Tom Brady getting sacked 40 time certainly didn't help things on offense. Much of that pressure can from the inside, with Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell and Logan Mankins all having subpar seasons. The Patriots currently retain all three of those 2013 starters, but an grabbing an upgrade here would certainly help Brady.
The Patriots will likely see some good value if they decide to look here, as most of the top interior line prospects remain on the board entering tonight. There's a good chance the Pats will have one of the top two centers (Weston Richburg and Marcus Martin) available at 62; either one of those guys would anchor the offensive line and bring stability to what's started to become a weak spot on the team. If they pass on the top two guys, Arkansas' Travis Swanson could be a very nice fall back option in round three. Ryan Wendell's recent contract isn't too onerous to keep him from sticking around as an experienced backup, with the versatility to play guard if needed.
Speaking of guard, the Patriots could look to fortify that spot as well. Connolly is 32, injury prone, due a $4 million cap hit, and has seen his play decline over the past two seasons. Mankins will be back and hopefully better, but there's a good chance his massive contract and (slightly) declining play has the team facing a tough decision next offseason: is 33 year old Logan Mankins worth $11 million in an offseason when you have to pay Darrelle Revis and Devin McCourty?
If the Patriots stay put at 62, they'll likely have the chance to add a guard like Stanford's David Yankey or LSU's Trai Turner, both who would project as good starters from day one. They'll likely have to get aggressive and trade up if they want Xavier Su'a Filo or Joel Bitonio, both of whom have drawn Logan Mankins comparisons.
Tight End
 |
| Seferian-Jenkins would pay immediate dividends in the red zone |
It's a tough class to forecast, but you'd think that Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Jace Amaro will be off the board by the time the Patriots pick at 62. I'd be in favor of trading up for ASJ, who projects as the best fit for the Patriots specific need: a tight end who can play in-line when Gronk is unavailable, but complement Gronk when both are on the field. I'm less sold on Amaro, who was essentially a big slot receiver playing in Texas Tech's spread offense. He's a tight end in name only in my mind, and the Patriots already have Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola to play the slot.
The Patriots probably can stay where they are and land Notre Dame's Troy Niklas, who is an excellent blocking tight end who projects as a good but not dynamic receiver. If they pass on Niklas, they'll probably be resigned to hoping CJ Fiedorowicz is there in the third round, as there's a sizable talent drop-off after him.
Running back
The Patriots have all three of their top running backs entering contract years this season, and could use another productive back in their rotation after losing LeGarrette Blount to the Steelers in free agency. As expected, there wasn't a single running back taken in last night's first round, and there will be plenty of talented backs going off the board in day 2 as a result.
If the Patriots want to add a big back, they could look for one of Carlos Hyde or Jeremy Hill in the second round. They could also look for Terrance West in the third round, or maybe even BC's Andre Williams if they fear he won't make it to their next pick. On the other hand, the Patriots could also look for a capable back in the passing game, with Tre Mason and Bishop Sankey possible targets in the second round and Devonta Freeman being a third round option. West Virginia's Charles Sims could be a fallback option in the fourth round.
Linebacker
With little depth behind presumed starters Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins, the Pats could certainly stand to bolster their depth here, preferably with the ability to cover in the nickel.
If the Patriots look to address this need on Day 2, they could target Alabama's Adrian Hubbard, a prospect who has flashed impressive potential in coverage, rushing the passer and against the run. Other options for that nickel role could be Florida State's Telvin Smith, UConn's Yamin Smallwood or LSU's Lamin Barrow, although there's a chance the later two will fall into Day 3.
However, if the Patriots want to add another run stuffing inside linebacker, they could look at Chris Borland (who's drawn Zach Thomas comparisons) or Shane Skov, both who could be available in the third round. However, I'd argue that the need for more coverage players is far higher than the need for a two down thumper, given the presence of Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower on the roster.
Quarterback
 |
| How much do the Patriots really like Savage? |
In the second round, Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo will likely be long gone by the 62nd pick, and there's a chance Zach Mettenberger will be gone too. If they wait for the third round, Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron could be options, although that's a little high for McCarron in my opinion.
Pittsburgh's Tom Savage remains a huge wild card, and one whom the Patriots are rumored to be enamored with; do the Patriots like him enough to take him at 62 over other, more-pressing needs? It's unlikely that he'll be around by the 93rd pick.
One more scenario to keep an eye on is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After taking Texas A&M WR Mike Evans with the seventh pick over his quarterback, Johnny Manziel, the Bucs put their vocal backing behind Mike Glennon, calling him their "quarterback of the future". However, there was an awful lot of smoke surrounding Glennon's potential trade in the past few days, and I still wouldn't rule out the Bucs taking a quarterback on Day 2, rendering Glennon expendable. Glennon will almost certainly stay in Tampa if they don't take a quarterback tonight, but if they do he could emerge as a candidate to fill the Patriots need for a back up QB.
Safety
As currently constructed, the Patriots would be entering the season with 2013 third round pick Duron Harmon as their starting safety next to Devin McCourty. How you think of Harmon likely determines how much you want the team to invest in a safety this draft.
The surprising selection of Deone Bucannon by the Cardinals at 27 took away a prospect many hoped they would be able to land in the second round. With Jimmie Ward also off the board, the Pats are likely out of luck as far as landing an elite prospect at the position.
However, they could add a good player in the third round. Terrance Brooks and Shane Vereen's little brother Brock could be solid coverage options in the third round, and LSU's Craig Loston could be a candidate to fill the "big hitting, intimidating safety" many Pats fans have been pining for since the days of Rodney Harrison.
