NFL Draft Preview

With the NFL draft fast approaching team scouts, coaches and general managers are taking one final look at the more than two hundred players that will be drafted over the course of next weekend. The New England Patriots hold two first and second round selections and are looking to improve the team that last year went to the Super Bowl.  I’ll be taking a look at the a few of the players that could very well hear their named called by New England.


Safety's:

The Patriots defense was historically bad last season finishing 31^st out of 32 teams in passing yards allowed. With the free agent additions of Brandon Lloyd and former Colt Anthony Gonzalez it seems as though the Patriots are set on offense and might use their multiple early picks to sure up the defense.  One position that could be upgraded is safety. Patrick Chung is the team’s only natural safety, Sergio Brown and Josh Barrett were both cornerbacks in college and have only played safety since playing in the NFL. Experts predict that this year’s safety class is extremely shallow with a large drop off in talent coming after the top two rated players (Mark Barron, Harrison Smith).

Lets take a look at both players:

Player: Mark Barron

School: Alabama

Position: Safety

Listed height/weight: 6-foot-1, 213 pounds

Scouts Inc. rank: 1st

Draft projection:  Mid- First round

Where could he go: Barron is widely viewed as the top-rated safety in the draft. It’s hard to imagine he will be available when the pats pick at 27, so this is a situation where if he slides within striking range the Patriots may trade-up. Although he is known for trading down and accumulating draft picks, Bill Belichick has actually traded up more then he has moved back. In 2002 he traded up to grab tight end Daniel Graham and in 2003 he did the same to grab D-line man Ty warren. So if the hooded one feels Barron is the next coming of Troy Polamalu he might be inclined to pull the trigger on a trade.

Key stat: At Alabama he won two National Championships and totaled 12 career interceptions, showing he’s more than just a run-support safety.

Highlights: Here is Barron in three games in 2010.

Combine stat: Although he didn’t go to the combine he did work out at Alabama’s pro day. His 4.5 40-yard dash was tied for the best at his position and his Arms measured 33 5/8 inches, which are long for a player at his position.

What does Scouts Inc. think?: "The 6-foot-1 and 213-pound Barron is widely considered the best safety prospect in his class and in this case the hype is deserved. Two aspects of his game stand out on film. The first is his instincts and the second is the way he defends the run. He quickly diagnoses plays and gets into position whether he’s defending the run or in coverage. It’s also worth noting that the awareness and route-recognition skills he shows in zone coverage amplify his range because he rarely has to recover from false steps. In terms of run support, he’s a powerful and reliable tackler that’s big enough to hold his own at linebacker depth and takes sound angles to the ball when he lines up deep. Barron isn’t the kind of safety teams should feel comfortable asking to match up with quicker slot receivers. He’s just not fluid or explosive enough but he’s athletic and fast (ran a 4.57 in the 40 at his Pro Day) enough to stay with most tight ends. Add in his ability to make plays in coverage and Barron doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses as a prospect in terms of his film. In fact, the biggest concern is his durability. He underwent sports hernia surgery in January, an injury limited him during the 2011 Auburn game and he tore a pectoral muscle in the 2010 game."

Player: Harrison Smith

School: Notre Dame

Position: Safety

Listed height/weight:6-foot-1 7/8, 213 pounds

Scouts Inc. rank: 2nd

Draft projection: Late first or second round

Where he could go: ESPN says “Smith, has ideal NFL size, has played a lot of football at a high level and can do a number of things from the position (including some linebacker-type assignments).” At Notre Dame, Smith was a team captain. He hasn’t had any major injuries over his career and projects as a prospect who should start quickly along with being one of the safer picks in the draft. He’s currently projected as a late first round pick. If the Patriots decide not to trade up for Mark Barron, Harrison Smith should be there at pick at 27. However, with Green Bay, Baltimore and San Francisco picking in between the Patriots two first round selections he may be gone before the 31^st pick.

Highlights: Here is one of Smith's highlight reels from youtube. 

Key stat: He’s played a lot of injury free football. At Notre Dame he totaled 50 games played, with 41 starts. While this may be seen as a detraction when drafting a lineman due to stress on the knees, at Safety the more games you play the more formations you see and the more prepared you are to react.

Workout stat: Lead all safety’s in the three cone drill with a time of 6.63.

What Scouts Inc. thinks: “Smith is a three-year starter who rarely gets caught out of position but he’s more than just a fundamentally sound football player. His 4.57 40-time at the Combine is slightly above average and he accounts for more ground in coverage than prospects with the same kind of speed. He does so because of his ability to diagnose routes better than most, and his long arms (32.5-inches) amplify his range. Although he’s not quite agile or explosive enough to stay with a lot of NFL slot receivers in man coverage, he’s capable of staying with tight ends. In terms of his potential to develop into a playmaker, his failure to intercept a pass in three of his four seasons at Notre Dame is admittedly somewhat concerning. On the other hand, he’s shown that he’s capable by intercepting seven passes in 2010 and he has the tools, in addition to his long arms, to get even better in this area. Smith has big hands (10.2-inches) and he can elevate, recording a 34-inch vertical in Indianapolis. Finally, he’s an excellent run defender who takes sound pursuit angles, tackles well and shown than he can hold his own when moved into the box, as he started nine games at linebacker in 2009.”

A recent ESPN mock draft suggested that the Pats might package both of their first round picks (27 and 31) to move up to select big play safety Mark Barron. While ESPN’s Todd Mcshay predicts the patriots will take Harrison Smith with the 31^st pick.

Pass Rush:
One of the major issues the 2011 Patriots faced was getting after the opposing team's quarterback. The addition of free agents Mark Anderson and Andre Carter helped the team immensely, however Anderson has now left in free agency and Carter isn't expected back at the start of the season due to a torn quad. If the Patriots don't sure up the secondary they may look to help improve a less then average pass rush. Lets take a look at three big men who could find themselves playing in Foxborough next fall. 

Player: Kendall Reyes 


School: Connecticut 


Position: Defensive line 


Listed height/weight: 6-foot-4, 299 pounds 


Scouts Inc. rank: 5th 


Draft projection: Late first round/second round 


Where he could go: The Patriots still haven’t filled the right defensive end void created when Richard Seymour was traded in 2009. Reyes could potentially fit that spot. Drafting and developing big, athletic defensive linemen has worked well for most teams.  He is one of the cleaner prospects in the draft when combining on-field and off-field evaluations. He has been projected to go as early as the last first round and as late as the third. 

Highlights: Here's a highlight reel of Reyes


Key stat: He was at UConn for five years as he redshirted his freshman season, making him one of the more polished defensive linemen in this year’s class.  


Workout stat: Ran a 4.95 in the 40-yard dash, an excellent time for someone his size. 


What scouts inc. thinks: At 6-foot-4 and 299 pounds, Reyes is the prototypical 5-technique in a base three-man front. In addition to his frame he has the arm length (33.3-inches) and upper-body strength (benched 225 pounds 36 times) to lock out and control blockers making him an effective two-gap run defender at end. While he doesn’t have the closing speed teams covet in edge rushers, he uses his quick first step to get under offensive tackles and he has the lower body strength to drive them back to the quarterback once he establishes position. Reyes can also kick inside to defensive tackle. He is carrying a little too much weight right now and he’s never going to be a massive space eater on the inside. However, his quickness can give interior offensive linemen problems and he’s tough enough to hold up at 3-technique even if he sheds some pounds. Finally, there’s a lot to like about his intangibles considering that he is a two-time captain and three-year starter whose production improved with each year."

Player: Shea McClellin 


School: Boise State 


Position: Outside linebacker/defensive end 


Listed height/weight: 6-foot-3, 260 pounds 


Scouts Inc. rank: 2nd 


Draft projection: Late first-Second round 


Where he could go: McClellin has shot up draft boards after having a great day at the combine. The Patriots have some questions at defensive end in the four-man front, and a need for more help at 3-4 outside linebacker. The loss of Mark Anderson in free agency, along with Andre Carter's slow recovery from a torn quad leave the Patriots exposed at pass rush. McClellin could help will sure up the front seven.  McClellin, who has admitted he models  himself after former Patriot Mike Vrabel, has a lot of good things going for him on and off the field (e.g. smart, versatile, high character, size, pass-rush skills). 


Highlights: Boise State's superman


Key stat: He averaged 8 and a half sacks each year over his final two seasons. 


Workout stat: His 19 reps on the bench press raised some questions about strength. 


Steve Muench of Scouts Inc.: "As versatile as LSU DL Michael Brockers is, McClellin is even more of a Swiss army knife and Boise State took advantage by using him in a number of different ways. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, he’s athletic enough to line up at outside or inside linebacker in a 3-4, strong side linebacker in a 4-3 or defensive end in a 4-3 at the NFL level. His greatest strength is rushing the passer. He’s at his best getting under offensive linemen and rocking them back on their heels but it’s not the only thing he does well. While he doesn’t show the ability to shave the edge like a Dwight Freeney, he still flashes the ability to turn the corner thanks to his explosive first step and he closes well when he gets a clear path to the quarterback. He also uses his active hands and quick feet to set up offensive linemen with a variety of moves. He needs to work on his ability to stack and shed as a run blocker but he’s tough, he’s strong for his size, and he’s got enough upper body strength to improve his ability to get off blocks. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding McClellin following a strong workout at the Combine and he’s entered the early second round conversation so it wouldn’t be too much of a reach for New England to take him late in the first."

Player: Michael Brockers


School: Louisiana State 


Position: Defensive tackle 


Listed height/weight: 6-foot-5, 322 pounds 


Scouts Inc. rank: 2nd 


Draft projection: First round 


Where he could go: As versatile a defensive tackle as there is in this draft. Brockers will unlikely to be available at No. 27, he could be someone the Patriots consider moving up to select should be slip within range. Brockers  has visited Patriot Place/Gillette Stadium last week, presumably for a pre-draft visit, which could be viewed as an indication that the Patriots still have a level of interest as the scouting process nears its end. Based on physical make-up and skill set, Brockers fits the Patriots as well as any other lineman in the draft. Brockers has been described as a potential Richard Seymour type of player. The Patriots haven’t decisively replaced Seymour since trading him in 2009. 

Highlights: Here's a draft profile 


Key stat: After redshirting in 2009, Brockers played two seasons at LSU and enters the draft after his sophomore season. Because of this, he is viewed as a raw prospect. 


Workout stat: Following a disappointing showing at the combine, Brockers improved at his Pro Day in late March, reportedly running a 5.15 in the 40-yard dash. 


What scouts inc. thinks: "There’s a great deal to like about Brockers’ scheme versatility. At 6-5 and 322 pounds, he’s big and strong enough to line up at defensive tackle in a four-man front or nose tackle in a base three-man front and he’s even agile enough to play defensive end in the 3-4. He has the long arms (35 inches), upper-body strength and instincts to excel in a two-gap scheme in addition to the quickness and active hands to shine in a one-gap scheme. That’s not to say he doesn’t have his weaknesses. He needs to do a better job of keeping his pads down and he can improve his ability to anchor by developing his lower body strength. Another concern is his lack of ideal experience. While he played at the highest level of collegiate football, he is a redshirt sophomore and one-year starter. The bottom line is that Brockers projects as a Day One starter and his versatility is going to make him an attractive option for several teams. So I think it’s unlikely he slips to pick 27 though Todd [McShay] and Mel [Kiper] both have him going to Denver at 25 so it’s not unthinkable. Should New England draft him they would be getting a player that fits their versatile scheme and has the potential to be an excellent complement to Vince Wilfork."