The New England Patriots are in a great spot to rebuild their roster after losing valuable assets in free agency.
The Patriots only have so many roster spots to fill, and they have nine picks in the 2015 NFL draft. They’re in a great spot to trade up in the first round if they think a top-ranked player might not fall to No. 32 overall because they have three picks between No. 96 and No. 101 overall.
The Patriots could pair their No. 32 overall pick with No. 96 or No. 101 (No. 97 is a compensatory selection, which can’t be traded) to move up a few slots.
Cornerback and defensive tackle are the Patriots’ biggest needs, but they could shock the work by trading up for another different position.
Check out this week’s mailbag to find out the Patriots’ surprise need in the 2015 NFL draft:
@DougKyedNESN If the Patriots draft an “up field” type of defensive lineman early, would that suggest a shift in defensive philosophy?
–@BasalygaAlex
It’s definitely possible. Dominique Easley wasn’t a very traditional pick by the Patriots in last year’s draft, because he’s also an “up field” type of defensive tackle. The Patriots didn’t really use him to his biggest strengths last year, though, electing to move him across the defensive line and forcing him to read and react rather than doing what he does best, which is using his quick first step and sudden burst to disrupt the play and get into the backfield.
The Patriots have shown interest in Clemson defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who is similar to Easley because he’s more of a disruptor than a two-gap clogger. Jarrett is bigger than Easley, so he has the potential to stuff the run, but his biggest strengths also are his first step and ability to blow up a play in the backfield.
A combination of Jarrett and Easley would be dangerous and disruptive on passing downs, but we might still see the Patriots try to stick to their two-gapping ways on early downs by using Sealver Siliga and Alan Branch.
If the Patriots use a first-round draft pick on a defensive tackle, then their front four will be in great shape. Siliga is a very underrated player who can clog the run and make plays in the backfield. Branch was also an underrated contributor last season in his brief time with the Patriots. Easley has tons of potential once he gets fully healthy, and Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard should make a dangerous pass-rushing corps.
@DougKyedNESN start one, trade one, cut one: Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Jeff Howe
–@thejonbruce
I’ll start Sanchez, trade Howe and cut Tebow.
@DougKyedNESN what are thechances that the Patriots go after Byron Jones?
–@Imanstah
I would think they would be pretty good. He looks and plays like a typical Patriots player.
I’m sure they love his size and athleticism, and he’s known to have great character. He was recruited by and played one season under Randy Edsall at UConn, and Belichick has a tendency to bring in players coached by the hard-nosed college head coach.
The issue might be whether Jones is still available when the Patriots are picking. Given Jones’ size, speed, agility, explosion and impressive film, there’s really no reason why he should drop out of the first round. He ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at his pro day to add to his otherworldly combine measureables: A 44.5-inch vertical leap, 3.94-second short shuttle, 6.78-second 3-cone and world-record 12-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
The Patriots could pair a couple picks to trade up for Jones if they believe he could be a No. 1 corner.
@DougKyedNESN who would be a better librarian: you or @KevinRDuffy?
–@nick_underhill
This is a weird question, Nick. I’ll say Kevin. I don’t want to be a librarian.
@DougKyedNESN how long will Seth Rollins hang on to the WWE Title?
–@SebastianSeneca
I hope it’s for a long, long time. The obvious choice to take it away is Brock Lesnar, but I don’t think he necessarily needs the title. The WWE needs to keep it on Rollins and continue to build him up as a super heel. Then they either need to build Daniel Bryan or Dolph Ziggler back up to main-event status, or develop a babyface that fans can actually get behind — I still believe in Roman Reigns, but fans need to stop being so stubborn about him. He put on a great match at WrestleMania and didn’t take the belt. There’s no reason to keep booing him.
I don’t think there’s any reason to take the belt off Rollins before next year, though. I think SummerSlam would be too early to strip him of the title, and there won’t be a big enough moment before next year’s Royal Rumble for him to lose.
I personally am looking forward to Rollins turning face again so he can bring back some of his crazy moves, but it’s definitely “best for business” to keep him as a monster heel.
@DougKyedNESN If the 6 Brady-Belichick SB teams entered an elimination tourney, who’d win the whole thing? You’d also have to seed them
–@jvmenendez12
Interesting question.
Here are my seeds:
1. 2004
2. 2003
3. 2014
4. 2001
5. 2007
6. 2011
The 2004 and 2003 teams are extremely similar, but 2004 had Corey Dillon and Vince Wilfork added with Ty Law on injured reserve, while 2003 had Rosevelt Colvin, Mike Compton, Stephen Neal, David Patten and Damien Woody on IR with Antowain Smith at running back.
The 2014 team would destroy the 2011 team in the first round, while I could see the 2007 team upsetting 2001.
That would set up 2004 vs. 2007 and 2003 vs. 2014. The 2007 team could probably beat the 2004 team with no Law, while the 2003 team would likely be too much for 2014. The 2003 defense was phenomenal, and the offense certainly was high-powered enough.
The 2003 team beats 2007 in the Super Bowl, but it’s close.
@DougKyedNESN Do you think it’s more likely that the Patriots draft a WR or RB this year?
–@Ethanhamm
I think they draft both, but I guess I would say wide receiver. Wide receiver is a need for 2015 and beyond, while running back is more of a future need. The Patriots should be fine with LeGarrette Blount as their starter next season with Jonas Gray and Tyler Gaffney as reserves.
The Patriots really only have receivers Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola guaranteed to make next season’s roster, and Amendola is likely to be gone after the season because of the way his contract is constructed.
@DougKyedNESN What’s your ranking for the Patriots’ needs in this upcoming draft?
–@animedpet
Patriots fans probably aren’t going to like this, but I’ll go:
1. Defensive tackle
2. Guard
3. Cornerback
4. Linebacker
5. Wide receiver
6. Running back
The Patriots lost Vince Wilfork and haven’t replaced him yet. The Patriots lost Darrelle Revis, then signed Bradley Fletcher and Robert McClain. Fans might not be happy with the replacements, but at least they snagged some players, and Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan have upside as starters.
The Patriots also don’t have a starting left guard for now. Dan Connolly still is a free agent, and neither Cameron Fleming nor Josh Kline showed enough in 2014 to be even penciled in for that role. Fleming could take a giant leap forward in 2015 and take a starting slot, but we’ll have to see it to believe it.
The Patriots have two choices on filling their need at guard: draft a former tackle early and convert him to guard or draft a college guard later in the draft. I can’t see the Patriots taking a college interior lineman before the fourth round because they’ve never done it before.
Bryan Stork and Rich Ohrnberger are the highest drafted interior linemen, and they both were taken in the fourth round. All offensive linemen taken by Belichick in the first three rounds (Adrian Klemm, Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Nick Kaczur, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder) were college offensive tackles.
Of course, that strategy could change now with Dave DeGuglielmo replacing Dante Scarnecchia, but I’m skeptical that Bill Belichick would be willing to change what has worked for so long.
@DougKyedNESN What is a sleeper position the Patriots could target early in the draft?
–@SebastianSeneca
It would be slightly surprising to see the Patriots use a first-round pick on a linebacker or pass rusher, but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility. Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo are on the mend, and the Patriots have no depth behind them and Jamie Collins at linebacker.
A versatile player like Shaq Thompson or Bud Dupree (if available) could be appealing because neither player needs to be pigeonholed into one role. Thompson can play linebacker, safety, slot and even running back, while Dupree, who’s one of the best athletes in the draft, can play linebacker and pass rusher.
Belichick loves versatility, and the Patriots definitely need depth at linebacker. They might also need to plan for a future without Mayo. He’s due the second highest salary on the Patriots this season, and if he’s not willing to accept a pay cut, then he could be on his way out. Dupree and Thompson could be selected before No. 32 overall, and it’s possible that Belichick could trade up to get his ideal player.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
