Patriots Daily

Year: Senior Height: 6’6 Weight: 296 40 Time: 4.90 Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07) – Rank: 11th Mock Median: 11.0 (10 mocks) Lo: 6 Hi: 19 Most Frequent: 11 (49ers, 5 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 3/17/07)

Here’s what the profiles have to say about Carriker: he is called the top rated 3-4 DE, a big, strong, quick player that’s stout against the run, both at the point and in pursuit, and he can collapse the pocket inside and be a factor in the pass rush. One profile compared Carriker to Richard Seymour in terms of style and approach. The profiles also raved about his character and commitment to football. Very team-oriented, focused, and mature, with plenty of experience as a three year starter. Reliable in every way. You get the sense he’s a refined player already. The sole complaint against Carriker is that he is not explosive enough to be an edge rushing threat. The Pats scheduled a work out with him this week, along with teammates Jay Moore (DE) and Stewart Bradley (LB). Defensive end may not leap off the page as a primary draft need, but I could understand this pick, if Carriker fits as well into the Pats scheme as the profiles claim. The Pats have just Jarvis Green and Mike Wright behind Seymour and Warren, and Wright is sometimes called to fill in on the nose. It seems like Carriker would be able to help right away here. The profiles say he can even be effective inside. Obviously, a starting caliber player would have longer-term impacts as well, perhaps even on Seymour himself. The mocks say he’ll almost certainly be picked in the early teens, meaning the Pats would have to swing a fairly significant trade to get him.

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Year: Junior Height: 6’3 Weight: 234 40 Time: 4.66 College Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07) – Rank: 22nd Median Draft Position: 21.0 (9 mocks) Lo: 15 Hi: 38 Most Frequent Mock Selection: 15 (Steelers – 4 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 3/16/07)

Here’s how the profilers describe Timmons, who worked out for the Patriots in March. He’s said to be a superior athlete, with the range and speed to make plays sideline to sideline. A promising impact edge rusher. But Timmons has just one year of starting experience, and his position technique and recognition skills are described as undeveloped, particularly in the passing game. Needs to get bigger and stronger. Overpursues, collides more than tackles. Everyone raves about his tools and potential, though. Perhaps he’d fit with the Pats right away as a situational pass rusher and develop his game over the long-term while playing behind Thomas and Colvin. It would be hard to argue with youth and talent at any linebacker spot, though I still consider more immediate help in the middle as a greater priority. The mocks say Timmons will be chosen anywhere from mid-first round to mid-second, so if the workout went well this week, he could be in play at either of the first round picks, or if the Patriots decided to trade down.

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John Murphy of Yahoo Sports rates Timmons first among this year’s outside linebackers
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Year: Senior Height: 5’10 Weight: 195 40 Time: 4.47 College Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07)

Rank: 29th Median Draft Position: 28.0 (7 mocks)Lo: 22 Hi: 45 Most Frequent Mock Selection: N/A

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 4/15/07)

The most impressive thing about Meriweather, who the Patriots worked out in March, is his experience and versatility. He played all four secondary positions in as many seasons for Miami, including matching up at corner when the Hurricanes faced elite receivers. Is considered by all to have the instincts and range necessary to advance to the next level, most particularly in pass coverage. Doesn’t sound particularly big or strong. Meriweather will be dogged by character questions in the next several weeks, as NFL teams will no doubt take a look at his role in this season’s infamous brawl with Florida International (he was suspended), and whole “once pulled a gun and shot at someone who had just shot his roommate” thing doesn’t seem like it will help him any either. The average person doesn’t often find himself in those situations. But he was a captain at Miami and is considered a dedicated player. The Patriots don’t seem to have crossed him from their list, and he may be another candidate for the first round, where most mocks expect he’ll be taken.

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Yahoo Sports John Murphy rates Meriweather third among this year’s safeties
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Year: Junior Height: 6’00 Weight: 237 40 Time: 4.72 College Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07) Round: 1st Rank: 20 Median Draft Position: 20.0 (9 drafts)Lo: 14 Hi: 32 Most Frequent Mock Selection: 18 (Bengals – 2 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 4/15/07)

First of all, I am unable to explain the inscription on the picture above, so let’s not dwell on it. Dwell instead on Beason, the prolific Hurricane. He is said to have the athleticism, speed, strength and instincts to be a long-term NFL starter; a player with the range to make plays all over the field, and the power to take on and defeat blocks at the point of attack – a potential three-down player. Called short but not small, he played in a 4-3 at Miami but some scouts claim that he projects equally well into the middle of a 3-4 defense like the Patriots. He’s called an intense, committed kid that was a natural leader among his teammates. Just a junior, he had the productivity and intangibles that the Pats look for – he led the Hurricanes in tackles despite missing one game and most of another. Those nagging injuries (shoulder, knee) are part of Beason’s downside, along with concerns that due to his height, he may get swallowed up inside. I’m ignoring that for the time being, reminding myself that they would have been saying the same thing about Tedy Bruschi not too long ago. If we can believe the profiles, Beason combines athleticism and tools with a productive track record – compared often to former Hurricane Jonathan Vilma (I’ll take that), he could infuse the Pats inside linebacker group with much needed youth and energy, as well as the versatility to play outside too. The Pats seemingly agree – they’ve been linked to Beason at the Combine as well as a personal workout (with head coach Bill Belichick) in March. They later invited him for a pre-draft visit to Foxboro. Two mocks (including guru Rick Gosselin) see him going to the Pats at pick 24, but several others think he could be picked in the teens. Overall, the mocks say there’s a 40% chance he’ll be there for the Pats. Given the team’s needs, and Beason’s skill set, it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t be a good first-round value for New England.

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Yahoo Sports’ John Murphy rates Beason as the 2nd best OLB prospect.

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Year: Senior Height: 5’11 Weight: 202 40 Time: 4.45 College Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07) Round: 1st/2nd Rank: 32 Median Draft Position: 30.0 (9 drafts) Lo: 26 Hi: 62 Most Frequent Mock Selection: 26 (Eagles – 3 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 4/15/07)

Griffin is currently on the fringes of the first round, according to the mocks, most of whom place him in the 25-40 range on draft day. He comes off a productive career against top competition, at a school known for producing defensive backs. The profiles say Griffin has switched between free and strong safety at Texas, but all agree he best projects as a free safety at the next level. The profilers like his intangibles (ultra-competitive, tough, aggressive player) and laud his coverage tools (always takes right angle to ball, can close, good ball skills), and agree that he’s a determined run supporter. He’s reportedly a blue chip special teamer (eight career blocked punts, 2nd best all-time NCAA) who will contribute right away. The downside is that he is of average size, speed and strength, which profilers fear may hurt him in the pros. Others point out he needs work in diagnosing plays, and his tackling may be a little sloppy and inconsistent, but all agree he’s eminently coachable in both areas. There have been no reports linking the Patriots and Griffin, though his toughness, versatilty as a safety, and special teams upside have to make him a candidate for one of those first round picks.

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Year: Junior Height: 5’09 Weight: 185 40 Time: 4.32 College Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07)

Round: 1st Rank: 26 Median Draft Position: 25.5 (10 drafts) Lo: 20 Hi: 63 Most Frequent Mock Selection: 27 (New Orleans – 3 mocks)

OUR SUMMARY (as of 4/15/07)

Early entry Houston has moved up the boards on the strength of a great combine and a strong junior season, when he consistently performed well against top receivers. But the profiles sound the ominous ‘Mamula’ siren, suggesting late riser Houston could be another workout guy that won’t put it together on the field. Reports are that he registered exceptional speed and strength numbers in Indy, and displayed athleticism and aggressiveness as a pass defender in 27 starts for Arkansas. But the profiles all say he’s a reluctant run supporter, even content to watch his teammates wrap up a play. Despite his coverage skills, he’s not seen as a playmaker, and his aggressiveness (which is limited to coverage, apparently) led to a rash of pass interference penalties in 06. Despite his blazing 40 time, strength, and rep for playing his best against the best, the opinion is split. The mocks reflect that, placing him anywhere between top 20 and mid-second round. The BSMW Board is pegging Houston for the late 20’s. The Patriots have been looking at him closely; they worked him out privately and then scheduled him for a pre-draft visit to Foxboro.

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John Murphy rates Houston as the draft’s best corner
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Year: Junior Height: 6’01 Weight: 203 40 Time: 4.39 College Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07)

Round: 1st/2nd Rank: 50 Median Draft Position: 38.0 (7 drafts) Lo: 26 Hi: 51 Most Frequent Mock Selection: 51 (Giants – 2 mocks)

OUR SUMMARY (as of 4/15/07)

One mock has selected McCauley as the Pats’ 28th pick, but most of the others saw him as a mid second-rounder, somewhat behind the first group of corners off the board. The BSMW Board says McCauley should land somewhere in the 30-40’s. The profiles say McCauley is the most naturally gifted corner in the draft. Prototypical size, blazing speed, and solid footwork and fundamentals. However, McCauley has not always delivered on that promise. He’s coming off what is called a disappointing 2006, where he struggled to maintain consistency from game to game. He’s considered a man-to-man defender more than a zone guy, and as always, there’s concern if he can adapt to the different responsibilities. Once again, a player with a Patriot connection; Fresno State’s Pat Hill is a trusted Belichick peer who steered both Logan Mankins and James Sanders to the Pats. Mike Reiss reported in February that the Pats spent time with McCauley at the Combine. Pro Football Weekly says McCauley could be an elite starting corner if surrounded by the right coaching staff and teammates. Since this is not considered a great crop of db’s, the Pats may have him rated right alongside Hall, Revis, Houston and Ross, which would put him in play for one of the first round picks.

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John Murphy rates McCauley as the draft’s fifth best corner
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Year: Junior Height: 5’11 Weight: 198 40 Time: 4.48 College Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07)

Round: 1st Rank: 18 Median Draft Position: 17.0 (9 drafts) Lo: 10 Hi: 28 Most Frequent Mock Selection: 17 (Jacksonville – 3 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 4/15/07)

The profiles on this consensus All-American say Nelson is an athletic centerfielder and playmaker who also has an aggressive, physical side. He had a great 2006, finishing as a finalist for both the defensive player and defensive back of the year award. He played only two seasons for the Gators because he had to go the JUCO route due to academics. Hasn’t been a good student, and there’s question as to whether he can pick up a complicated defense. On the field, the profiles seem to agree that he’s too much of a collider and not enough of a tackler. Two mocks picked Nelson for the Pats (at #28) but most feel he’ll go somewhere in the mid-to-late teens, perhaps to the Jaguars at 17. Bill Belichick personally worked Nelson out in March. A strong connection to Urban Meyer’s program led Belichick to select two Gators in 2006. The scuttlebutt is that some teams view Nelson as better suited to play corner on the next level; might that be where the Patriots are looking too?

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Year: Junior Height: 5’11 Weight: 204
40 Time: 4.54 Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07) – Round: 1st Rank: 17 Median Draft Position: 16.5 (10 drafts) Lo: 13 Hi: 25 Most Frequent Mock Selection: 13 (St. Louis, 4 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 4/15/07)

In the profiles below, early entry Revis comes off as a promising player, with good size, strength, athleticism and aggressiveness. He also earns high marks as a punt returner. The sense I get, though, is that he’s not the most disciplined player, and may be behind other corners in terms of on-field maturity and development. Off the field, sounds like a top kid, but even his biggest boosters acknowledge that unless he gains better command of his assignments, he may never reach his full potential. The mocks clearly see him as a top 20 pick. The Pats recently scheduled a Foxboro visit for the junior entry, and with corner being a possible target early in the draft, Revis could very well be in play for New England.

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Year: Senior Height: 6’00 Weight: 193 40 Time: 4.44 Stats: NCAA

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07) Round: 1st Rank: 28 Median Draft Position: 27.0 (9 drafts) Lo: 22 Hi: 37 Most Frequent: 24 (Patriots – 4 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 4/1/07)

Though he did not become a starter at corner until his senior year, Ross won the Thorpe Award as the top DB in college football. He comes from a program that has been kicking loose some highly regarded defensive backs in recent years. It seems as though he has the athleticism and playmaking ability (he is also an outstanding return man, it is said) to be a top pick, but there is a concern about his relative lack of experience. There have not been reports of pre-draft contact between Ross and the Pats, though 3 mocks see him as a likely New England selection with one of their first round picks.

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Year: Sophomore Height: 6’3 Weight: 205 40 Time: 4.50 Stats.

BSMW GAME DAY BOARD (as of 4/15/07) Round: 2nd Rank: 47 Median Draft Position: 44.5 (4 drafts) Lo: 30 Hi: 70 Most Frequent: 30 (San Diego, 2 mocks)

BSMW SUMMARY (as of 4/7/07)

Let me get this straight. A redshirt sophomore wide receiver and his greatest attributes are ‘potential’ and ‘measureables’. Oh, great. Do the Patriots need ANOTHER one of these guys? I say no. They may feel otherwise, considering they scheduled Rice for a Foxboro visit before the draft. He started off as a potential first rounder but has now fallen into the middle of the second round, according to the mocks. It is my most sincere wish that the Pats dalliance with Rice is simply a clever ruse to fool I-don’t-care-who.

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