Now that all the jokes have been made about the Patriots drafting every Rutgers player available, we can properly analyze the team’s 2013 draft class.
Draft analysts had some harsh words for Bill Belichick over drafting Duron Harmon, who was considered a reach in the third round, but the Patriots also got some steals in the later rounds. Steve Beauharnais was expected to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick after being a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as the leader on Rutgers’ defense. An impressive showing at the combine shouldn’t have hurt him, but he still fell all the way to the seventh round, where New England couldn’t help themselves from scooping up a third Scarlet Knights defender.
Logan Ryan was a nice value pick in the third round, as well. Ryan showed some nice ball skills in the Big East and should be a starting-caliber player in a zone defense. No matter how well those two players do, though, the real success of the 2013 class will depend on the top picks, especially Aaron Dobson.
New England has shown an inability to draft wide receivers in the past (especially in the second round) and the Marshall wideout will have to reverse the curse of the speedy, but raw, Patriots pass catcher. Dobson has the size, speed, strength and smarts to make it in the complex New England offense, but taking on the massive playbook will be tough for a wide receiver with limited experience in different routes.
On this week’s Gunslingers Podcast, Luke Hughes and Doug Kyed dive into the 2013 draft class. They debate where Jamie Collins‘ best fit will be in 2013 and beyond, and they tackle some of the biggest winners and losers of the three-day festivities.
Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes for all the latest on the Patriots and the NFL.
Photo via Facebook/Steven Beauharnais
