OK, first I want to say is this is just a fantasy mock draft, just for fun and it’s not supposed to be realistic. I’m just trying to fit all the guys I like in there, so don’t bother telling me it’s unrealistic, I already know.
With this particular draft I actually like the talent in the 2nd/3rd round just as much as the first. There are only a handful of guys that I think will go in the 1st round that are clearly superior to the alternatives a bit later (Ansah). So I would look to move down and get as many extra picks in the 2nd/3rd/4th rounds as I can.
Re-Sign
CB- Aqib Talib
WR- Wes Welker
WR- Julian Edelman
RB- Danny Woodhead
CB- Kyle Arrington
Free Agent Signing
DT- Glenn Dorsey
Tag and Trade OT- Sebastian Vollmer to SD for 2(45) + 4(107)
I don’t think we can keep all three of our big free agents and I think Vollmer is the easiest for us to replace. I also think he will command the most in a tag and trade situation with so many teams looking for OT help and the supply of quality guys limited. I think in order to pull this off we would need to agree to a contract with Welker, but not make it official until after the Vollmer trade to fit it under the cap.
Draft
*Trade QB- Ryan Mallett to Cle for 1(6)*
*Trade 1(6) to Stl for 1(16) + 1(22)*
Stl trades up ahead of Arizona for LT Eric Fisher- Central Michigan
*Trade 1(16) + 2014 3rd to Arizona for 2(38) + 2014 1st *
I expect Arizona to go QB at 7 with the top 2 LT’s off the board. Then desperately need OT help though so move back up to grab Lane Johnson from Oklahoma. They basically swap a 2nd for a 1st now, while swapping their 1st for a 3rd next year.
*Trade 1(22) + 3 (91) to Cin for 2(32) +2(53) + 4(115)*
Cinci has extra picks so they are aggressive to move up and grab a guy they like at 22
1 (29)- QB- Matt Barkely- USC
Don’t bother, I already know you don’t like this pick. Would you hate it if this was AJ McCarron or Teddy Bridgewater? Because that is how I feel about Barkley. I believe he is the one and now could be the time to look at football beyond Tom Brady.
2 (37)- OL- Barrett Jones- Alabama
This was a toss-up between Jones, Fluker and possibly Cooper. In the end I looked past athleticism and upside and went back to the tape. I think Barrett Jones is the best Offensive Lineman in College football and his intelligence, instincts and versatility put him over Coopers athleticism or Fluker’s potential dominance. I think Jones could start at C or RG from day 1 and I think he could also challenge Marcus Cannon for the starting RT spot as well.
*Trade 2(38) to SF for 2(62) +3(74) + 5(150)*
Like Cinci earlier, SF has extra picks and is aggressive to move up
2 (45)- WR- Justin Hunter- Tennessee
I think this guy is the perfect fit as the big, athletic, playmaking WR on the outside. His playing style is a mixture of AJ Green and Randy Moss, but he still needs some developing before he is at that level. Although he certainly has the athleticism and potential to do so. He has more upside than any WR since Calvin Johnson. Even if it’s not Hunter, this is a great spot for a WR. There are a lot of guys that could be available here that I would be happy taking.
2 (53)- WR- Da’Rick Rogers- Tennessee Tech
This is the physical WR I would like to pair with Hunter. I love the way Rogers plays the game and before the 2012 season I had him as my top rated WR. Obviously he has character concerns that need to check out, but if he does I think he is a great fit. Like #45, I think there are a lot of good options here as well if Rogers isn’t the pick.
*Trade 2(59) to TB for 3(74) + 4(109)*
2 (62)- S- TJ McDonald- USC
One of the things that I have learnt over this process is to trust your own evaluation and not let others change your mind if you feel strongly about a player. All along I have loved TJ McDonald and thought he was the best fit at SS for this team. He is big, strong, athletic and instinctive. He would add a physicality and attitude to our defense which we have lacked since Rodney. He is good matching up against TEs in man coverage, but could struggle against smaller slot WR. But he is able to play the deep CF role and allow McCourty to move down onto those smaller, quicker guys. Add in his experience, pedigree and the leadership and I think he is a great pick.
3. (73)-DE- Cornellius ‘Tank’ Carradine- Florida State
If he is here he is a steal. I love taking chances on guys that fall due to injury and Tank is no different. I think he would be a great addition to our DL rotation and could develop into a starter opposite Chandler Jones. As the Giants have shown, you can never have too much depth and talent on the D-Line.
3 (74)-OT- Terron Armstead- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
I’m normally very wary of taking these fast risers in the draft, but I am a huge fan of Armstead. You justdon’t find guys his size with that kind of athleticism. I think he is the perfect blank canvas to give to Dante to mold into the Patriots next All-Pro O-Lineman. I think he could play both OG and OT given some time to develop. He could also play as a 3rd OT or blocking TE in heavy offensive formations early on while he is developing.
4 (197)-CB- Nickel Robey- USC
Even though he is undersized as an outside CB, I think he would be a perfect nickel slot CB. Given his special teams ability I think he could also fill the role as the #5 CB and primary special teams player. Just a really good competitor who I think would be a great addition to the secondary.
4 (109)- LB- Ty Powell- Harding
Former Community College S turned DE who will transition to OLB in the NFL. I think he has the athleticism and potential to develop into a good coverage LBer. People were raving about his change of direction ability at the Senior Bowl and he should be a 4.55-4.65 40 guy. He is also a pretty good pass rusher and could also see some snaps there in a situational role. Add in his special teams ability and I think he could easily make the roster based on his versatility.
4 (115)- TE- Michael Williams- Alabama
This guy has been my ultimate Binkie for 2 years. He will step into the NFL and arguably be the best blocking TE from day 1. He is also a sneaky athlete who has a knack for coming up with important catches. This a more athletic, pass catching threat version of Alge Crumpler.
5 (150)- CB- Aaron Hester- UCLA
I think this guy is one of the more underrated prospects in the draft and a great fit as a physical man to man CB. He has great size and legth, good speed and is very active in run support. He is only average in zone coverage, but he is very good in man coverage his length allows him to press at the line.
7 (202)- K- Dustin Hopkins- Florida State
There has been some discussion about Gostkowski on the main board lately and whether or not he is worth his contract. I don’t think its ever a bad idea to add some young competition, and if Hopkins can earn the job in training camp, he could save the Pats over $2mil in cap space by cutting Gost and spreading the cap hit over 2 years.
7 (219)- LS- Carson Tinker
Normally I would be against drafting a LS at all, but Tinker is clearly the best guy available and I wouldn’t want to risk missing out on him. He should be an upgrade over Aiken.
Camp Roster
I have realized that it is a useless exercise trying to predict a 53 man roster at this stage, so what I am trying to do is create great depth and competition in camp to get a strong 53 and cover for injuries. I would much rather cut a 4th round pick because we have great depth than have a bunch of UDFA’s make the roster. I also believe that no position is too small to upgrade, so adding competition at K and LS are only positive.
QB- Brady, Barkley, Kafka
RB- Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, Bolden, Demps, Devlin (FB), Larsen (FB)
WR- Welker, Lloyd, Hunter, Rogers, Edelman, Slater, Ebert, Aiken, Holmes
TE- Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard, Williams, Fells, Herman
OT- Solder, Cannon, Armstead, Zusevics, Hix
OG/C- Mankins, Connolly, Jones, Wendell, McDonald
DT- Wilfork, Love, Deaderick, Dorsey, Armstead, Forston, Pryor, Robertson
DE- Jones, Ninko, Carradine, Bequette, Bernard, Francis, Cunningham, Vega
LB- Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher, Powell, Tarpanian, Rivera
CB- Talib, Dennard, Dowling, Arrington, Robey, Hester, Williams
S- McCourty, McDonald, Wilson, Gregory, Ebner
K- Gostkowski, Hopkins
P- Mesko
LS- Aiken, Tinker
That would leave the roster at about 75 before cap cuts which should still leave us with a decent amount of room for vet FA’s and UDFA’s. It also leaves us with a 1st round pick in 2014 from Arizona, who would likely have a rookie QB and LT.
:rocker:
