New England Patriots Forecast
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New England Patriots (10-6)
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(21) Deangelo Williams, RB. Memphis
(52) Ashton Youboty, CB. Ohio State
(75) Derek Hagan, WR. Arizona State
(86) Chris Gocong, OLB. California Polytechnic
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The Patriots are solidifying their place in history as the franchise that continues to win while making the rest of the league look stupid. Last year, the Patriots drafted Logan Mankins, offensive guard out of Fresno State, in the first round. Mankins carried an early third round grade, and since the Patriots feared they might miss him by their next pick at the end of round three, Mankins was their guy. He started all sixteen games, and played quite well. Like last year, the team has needs. It is assumed they will fill those needs by a variety of non-conventional picks. Offensively, the team needs wide receivers. With the loss of David Givens, Andre Davis, and Tim Dwight to free agency, there is nowhere for the team to turn. A running back to become the heir to Corey Dillon would make sense also. Defensively, the team needs to add a cornerback and a pass-rushing linebacker to fill in for the loss of Willie McGinest.
(21) Deangelo Williams, RB. Memphis
Corey Dillon is aging. He has proven that he is able to shoulder a full load as a feature back, but he has not proven that he can make it through a full season since becoming a Patriot. Deangelo Williams would be an amazing addition to the Patriots. He is simply an amazing running back. He is patient and instinctive as a runner. He has a quick burst to get through the hole, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. His size is unimpressive at 5'9"/207, but his production is tops among all backs in the draft class. Deangelo is also a natural born leader, which was clear and present during the entire week of practice at the senior bowl. At the end of the first day, having played only a few hours with teammates from all over the country he had never met before, Deangelo had already separated himself as a captain of the squad. He simply has a magnetic personality and an incredible work ethic.
(52) Ashton Youboty, CB. Ohio State
Last year, Duane Starks was brought in to replace Ty Law in the Patriots' secondary. Needless to say, Starks was a flop in relation to what was lost in Ty Law. Ashton Youboty is perfect for the Patriot scheme. At six-feet tall, he has the size to establish good leverage in his press at the line. A legitimate candidate to fall in the first round, Youboty would be a steal for the Patriots at this point in the second round. Following in the tradition of great Ohio State corners like Shawn Springs, Antoine Winfield, and Nate Clements, Youboty should have an excellent professional career if history holds true. Having had trouble getting beat deep, the Patriots zone-heavy defensive scheme should allow Youboty the safety help deep to feel comfortable.
(75) Derek Hagan, WR. Arizona State
Perhaps the most primary need area for the Patriots lies at receiver. At pick #21, the team has virtually no chance of landing either Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson - whom they love. Derek Hagan may weel be the next best thing. His 6'2"/208 size is an excellent compliment to his 4.42 speed. He is an excellent route runner tha can make plays after the catch. One of the most productive receivers in Arizona State University history, Hagan would present the Patriots with the NFL-ready receiver that is needed this year. Hagan's polished game plays perfectly into the Patriots hand. To boot, Hagan has the week-by-week mentality that the Patriots love.
(86) Chris Gocong, OLB. California Polytechnic
The Patriots have found diamonds in the rough many times to get where they are today as a franchise. Chris Gocong may well be that guy this year. Having lost Willie McGinest to free agency, the Patriots could add some new blood on the outside of the linebacking corp. Chris Gocong is an ideal candidate since he possesses all of the pass rushing moves in the book. He is currently very raw and undersized at 6'2"/263, but he is an excellent athlete that is explosive off the line. With a little help from the Patriot coaching staff, I am sure that Gocong can be giving opposing teams nightmares in a couple years.
(*) Richard Marshall, CB. Fresno State
It is no coincidence that Logan Mankins was chosen from the oodles of players with mid-round grades as the Patriots' first pick last year. Logan Mankins played at Fresno State under Pat Hill, Bill Belichick's old coaching buddy. Given a favorable report from Hill, Belichick would draft virtually anyone in the first round. Richard Marshall is that guy this year. Marshall holds an early second round grade; he will surely be gone by pick #52. He is leaving school one year early, but is still scheduled to graduate this spring. He has an average NFL frame at 5'11"/189 and has above average NFL speed at 4.40. Marshall is aggressive against the run and makes plays all over the field. He is a Patriot guy through and through. Nevertheless, Deangelo Williams will be a tough guy to pass up for Richard Marshall on draft day.
New England Patriots (10-6)
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(21) Deangelo Williams, RB. Memphis
(52) Ashton Youboty, CB. Ohio State
(75) Derek Hagan, WR. Arizona State
(86) Chris Gocong, OLB. California Polytechnic
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The Patriots are solidifying their place in history as the franchise that continues to win while making the rest of the league look stupid. Last year, the Patriots drafted Logan Mankins, offensive guard out of Fresno State, in the first round. Mankins carried an early third round grade, and since the Patriots feared they might miss him by their next pick at the end of round three, Mankins was their guy. He started all sixteen games, and played quite well. Like last year, the team has needs. It is assumed they will fill those needs by a variety of non-conventional picks. Offensively, the team needs wide receivers. With the loss of David Givens, Andre Davis, and Tim Dwight to free agency, there is nowhere for the team to turn. A running back to become the heir to Corey Dillon would make sense also. Defensively, the team needs to add a cornerback and a pass-rushing linebacker to fill in for the loss of Willie McGinest.
Deangelo Williams will make drafting anyone else tough
(21) Deangelo Williams, RB. Memphis
Corey Dillon is aging. He has proven that he is able to shoulder a full load as a feature back, but he has not proven that he can make it through a full season since becoming a Patriot. Deangelo Williams would be an amazing addition to the Patriots. He is simply an amazing running back. He is patient and instinctive as a runner. He has a quick burst to get through the hole, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. His size is unimpressive at 5'9"/207, but his production is tops among all backs in the draft class. Deangelo is also a natural born leader, which was clear and present during the entire week of practice at the senior bowl. At the end of the first day, having played only a few hours with teammates from all over the country he had never met before, Deangelo had already separated himself as a captain of the squad. He simply has a magnetic personality and an incredible work ethic.
Ashton Youboty fits the scheme and addresses a need
(52) Ashton Youboty, CB. Ohio State
Last year, Duane Starks was brought in to replace Ty Law in the Patriots' secondary. Needless to say, Starks was a flop in relation to what was lost in Ty Law. Ashton Youboty is perfect for the Patriot scheme. At six-feet tall, he has the size to establish good leverage in his press at the line. A legitimate candidate to fall in the first round, Youboty would be a steal for the Patriots at this point in the second round. Following in the tradition of great Ohio State corners like Shawn Springs, Antoine Winfield, and Nate Clements, Youboty should have an excellent professional career if history holds true. Having had trouble getting beat deep, the Patriots zone-heavy defensive scheme should allow Youboty the safety help deep to feel comfortable.
Having lost one former Notre Dame receiver, David
Givens, to free agency, Hagan gives the Pats another
(75) Derek Hagan, WR. Arizona State
Perhaps the most primary need area for the Patriots lies at receiver. At pick #21, the team has virtually no chance of landing either Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson - whom they love. Derek Hagan may weel be the next best thing. His 6'2"/208 size is an excellent compliment to his 4.42 speed. He is an excellent route runner tha can make plays after the catch. One of the most productive receivers in Arizona State University history, Hagan would present the Patriots with the NFL-ready receiver that is needed this year. Hagan's polished game plays perfectly into the Patriots hand. To boot, Hagan has the week-by-week mentality that the Patriots love.
(86) Chris Gocong, OLB. California Polytechnic
The Patriots have found diamonds in the rough many times to get where they are today as a franchise. Chris Gocong may well be that guy this year. Having lost Willie McGinest to free agency, the Patriots could add some new blood on the outside of the linebacking corp. Chris Gocong is an ideal candidate since he possesses all of the pass rushing moves in the book. He is currently very raw and undersized at 6'2"/263, but he is an excellent athlete that is explosive off the line. With a little help from the Patriot coaching staff, I am sure that Gocong can be giving opposing teams nightmares in a couple years.
Having drafted Logan Mankins from Fresno State
last year, the Pats may go with Richard Marshall
(*) Richard Marshall, CB. Fresno State
It is no coincidence that Logan Mankins was chosen from the oodles of players with mid-round grades as the Patriots' first pick last year. Logan Mankins played at Fresno State under Pat Hill, Bill Belichick's old coaching buddy. Given a favorable report from Hill, Belichick would draft virtually anyone in the first round. Richard Marshall is that guy this year. Marshall holds an early second round grade; he will surely be gone by pick #52. He is leaving school one year early, but is still scheduled to graduate this spring. He has an average NFL frame at 5'11"/189 and has above average NFL speed at 4.40. Marshall is aggressive against the run and makes plays all over the field. He is a Patriot guy through and through. Nevertheless, Deangelo Williams will be a tough guy to pass up for Richard Marshall on draft day.