New England Patriots 2010 Draft Review

The Patriots massaged the draft board and filled needs while bringing in talented players. Devin McCourty is a multi-dimensional player who could start at corner and return kicks. Rob Gronkowski is a tight end who can strecth the seam and helps fill the void left by Ben Watson. Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes will have major roles in the defense as veterans have moved on from the inside linebacker and defensive end positions. Taylor Price and Aaron Hernandez were probably pleasant surprises at the positions where they were available, and the Patriots took advantage of the opportunity to draft the them. Mesko is an NFL level punter and could win the starting job. Zac Robinson could stick around as a third quarterback. The Patriots are going to get some good football players out of this draft. They brought in enough guys to make sure of that fact.


Round 1, Pick 27

Devin McCourty, CB/KR, Rutgers

Ht: 5’ 10 ¾” Wt: 196

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  McCourty is a perfect Patriots' player:  smart, versatile, and physical.  The Patriots struggled on defense last year, and I believe many of their draft picks will be defensive players in this draft.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Lean, athletic, quick-footed cornerback with legit speed, movement skills and explosion to match up at the next level. Ordinary ball skills limit his ceiling, but should be able to contribute readily as a core special-teams player and nickel defender. Low-risk selection with starter potential.

NFL projection: Top-40 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  McCourty is the type of cornerback that you have to be careful not to overlook because of the number of catches he allows, as he has the athleticism, competitiveness, ball skills, and special teams production to be a productive cornerback in the NFL.  While he measures in a basically 5’11, he looks and plays shorter than that.  One thing that is so impressive about McCourty is his ability and willingness to get hands on receiver in “Press” coverage, maintain contact to play physical with receiver throughout route and ball skills to break up passes when he anticipates the pass arriving.  He is a dangerous kickoff returner who gets to full speed very fast, hits the hole quickly and has the speed to take plays the distance.  He flies down the field as a “Gunner” on punt coverage unit and does a very good job of staying under control to either make the tackle in the open field or to slow up returner enough so teammates can make the tackle.  Overall, right now McCourty is a cornerback that is ideally suited to be a #3 cornerback and special teams star, but he has the physical talent to become a very good starter.  He is going to need to improve his backpedal in order to transition quicker so that he can close quicker on passes and must improve his ability breaking up passes he is in position to make a play on.  His elite special teams ability and top level athleticism will give him as much time as he needs as a special teams star and nickel back to try and develop into a starter.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  McCourty has been a major contributor on special teams, averaging 25.1 yards per kick off return, including a touchdown, in 2009 and blocking seven kicks in his career.  That special teams acumen, along with speed and ball skills, makes McCourty likely to be drafted earlier than some expect. 

Round 2, Pick 42

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona

Ht: 6’ 3 1/8” Wt: 268

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Gronkowski is the play making tight end that the Patriots have been lacking.  If he can come in and stay healthy, he has a chance to help open up the outside of the field for Randy Moss and Wes Welker.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Has never played a full season and durability concerns could hinder his draft status. However, if he proves he can stay healthy and focused, he has the physical tools to develop into a top-tier, all-around tight end.

NFL projection: Top-50 pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Blessed with great size, good athleticism and soft hands comma, “Gronk” is a true threat on short and intermediate routes and a better blocker than Gresham or most of the other tight ends in this class.  This all-around performer could sneak into the first round if he can work out for scouts and prove he’s fully recovered from back surgery that sidelined him all of last season. 

Round 2, Pick 53

Jermaine Cunningham, DE, Florida

Ht: 6’ 3 3/8” Wt: 266

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Patriots are in dire need of pass rushing help.  Cunningham could step in and be a situational pass rusher either from the outside linebacker position or play defensive end on third down. 

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Played on very talented defensive lines during his time in Gainesville and lacks outstanding traits. Could be tried as a rush linebacker in a “30” front, but might fit more comfortably playing over the tight end in a one-gap scheme.

NFL projection: Mid-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  It might not happen until the middle rounds, but Cunningham will get his chance to reverse the Florida trend of producing highly touted pass rushers, such as Derrick Harvey and Jarvis Moss, who have disappointed in the NFL. 

Round 2, Pick 60

Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida

Ht: 6’ 2 7/8” Wt: 249  

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Despite his slow timed speed, Spikes is an excellent, instinctive football player.  He fits perfectly in New England’s scheme as an inside linebacker and will be able to play immediately. 

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A better football player than athlete, Spikes is a physical, high-motor linebacker in the mold of Bryan Cox with an intense on- field presence and superb instincts. Lack of foot speed will limit him to playing between the tack- les and will bring the most value to a “30” front given great size and take-on strength.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Some of Spikes’ decline in production has to do with his teammates around him developing while teams did a better job scheming to stop Spikes.  While he’s athletic enough in coverage and as a blitzer that some scouts feel he’ll adjust nicely outside, Spikes’ value lies in his versatility and explosiveness.  He will need to answer questions about his straight-line speed to earn a first-round grade. 

Round 3, Pick 90

Taylor Price, WR, Ohio

Ht: 6’ 0 3/8” Wt: 204

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Price is a prospect with great time speed that does not always transfer to his game play.  He was rumored to be on the rise after an impressive off season.  The Patriots could groom him to be a replacement for Randy Moss as the outside receiver in their offense but Price has a lot of improvements to make before getting to that point.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Slender, tight-hipped, muscled-up vertical receiver whose production was hampered by poor quarterback play, but Price showed well at the Senior Bowl and has elite speed to attract interest.

NFL projection: Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Price’s speed will get him on the national radar during pre-draft workouts, and added to his performance at the Senor Bowl may convince teams to select him in the second round – a similar path former Western Michigan WR Greg Jennings (Packers) took to the NFL.  

113.)  New England Patriots
Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 245

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  I'm suspicious of the reasons that Hernandez has fallen this far as he was rated to go a round or two higher.  An excellent all-around player, he needs to get stronger and develop his game in certain areas but the Pats, once again, got excellent value out of a fourth-round draft pick. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Not big or strong enough to compete as an inline blocker, Hernandez’s appeal is as a matchup nightmare and he could be moved to H-back.  Blessed with good quickness as a route-runner, surprising strength and balance after the catch and sticky, reliable hands.  He could make an immediate impact.   

150.)  New England Patriots
Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan
Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 235

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  I don't know what I can say about a punter other than if he is drafted in the fifth round, he's probably pretty good.  His left-footed spin provides a different perspective for returners which makes fielding his punts more of a challenge.  He's also big for a punter and might be able to tackle someone in the NFL.  That's why you don't mess with "The Zoltan".  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   Big, thick, long-levered lefty with all the tools to be a very effective NFL punter for a long time. Athletic ability, likable personality and experience kicking in inclement weather adds to appeal.

NFL projection: Late draftable pick.

205.)  New England Patriots
Ted Larsen, OL, North Carolina State
Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 304

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  A raw athletic prospect, Larsen needs to learn a position so he can be an effective pro.  Has the skills to become an impact player in the NFL just needs time and excellent coaching which he will get in New England.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Recruited as a defensive tackle, Larsen switched to center at coach Tom O’Brien’s request during 2008 spring drills.  He is still rough around the edges, but Larsen’s strength, tenacity, and above-average mobility make him an intriguing developmental prospect.  

208.)  New England Patriots 
Thomas Welch, OL, Vanderbilt
Ht: 6' 6" Wt: 307

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Patriots continue to stock up on athletic players with big upside.  Welch is a developmental prospect and will need the patience and coaching that the team can offer.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   Converted tight end who is still very raw and learning the position and has not yet learned to carry all the weight he has put on in a short time. Has a chance to earn a spot as a backup swing tackle in a zone-slide protection scheme and has some upside to continue developing with physical maturity.

NFL projection: Free agent.

247.)  New England Patriots

Brandon Deaderick, DE, Alabama

Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 314

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Patriots are looking to replace the loss of Richard Seymour and could be looking to fill the void by committee.  Deaderick is another example of a 4-3 defensive tackle with a possible future as a 3-4 defensive end.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   Did the dirty work on a talented defense, showing the type of size, functional strength and versatility to attract interest from teams running 4-3 or 3-4 alignments. Likely will command the most interest from a “30” front as a five-technique and fits best inside on the nose for a “40” front.

NFL projection: Mid-round pick.

248.)  New England Patriots

Kade Weston, DT, Georgia

Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 317

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Obviously Deaderick will have competition in rookie camp:  Weston is the same type of conversion player who's worth a late round flier.  Weston never played up to his potential at Georgia.  But the Patriots will give him a look and see if defensive end suits him better.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   A teaser who did not distinguish himself until the latter portion of his senior season, but has an NFL body, shows flashes and has a chance to be a better pro than college player if the light comes on. Has size to line up at nose tackle in a one-gap scheme and the length and base strength desired in a “30” front. Development could be aided by the presence of a strong veteran who could take him under his wing.

NFL projection: Late draftable pick.

250.)  New England Patriots

Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State

Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 214

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Robinson is a prospect with upside and has some starting potential, much like another New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady.  He will need time to develop and perhaps could make New England's practice squad.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Robinson showed a stronger arm at the Senior Bowl than scouts had given him credit for.  He doesn’t have the elite accuracy downfield to warrant a selection in the top 50, but boasts enough to go along with reasonable arm strength and good mobility to warrant consideration in the middle rounds. 

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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