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Patriots Daily Mock Draft, Part 1

April 15, 2010 By 5 Comments

by Patriots Daily Staff

Chris: Well, faithful PD readers, by this time you’ve evaluated a slew of mock drafts, so we figured it was our turn to put ourselves out there (with an appropriate New England bias, of course).

Let me begin by saying that the high level of talent in this year’s draft makes this mock a lot of fun. Pass rushers, receivers and running backs abound. I’d like to add that, if I really were in charge of the Patriots’ picks, I’d trade at least two toward 2011 because 13 of last year’s rookies remain on the roster.

Instead of bothering with specific numbers I just stuck to rounds. I figure there will be plenty of hopping around over the three-day draft, anyway. Enjoy, and if you have a different opinion of who the Pats should draft, feel free to engage in some lively debate in the comments section below.

FIRST ROUND

Jerry Hughes of TCU

Chris Warner: Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU. Some talk about taking Brandon Graham here – and that might happen – but I like Hughes better as an all-around athlete. Lined up as a defensive end at TCU, but showed the ability to play on his feet. He can rush the passer or cover tight ends, giving the Patriots versatility at that spot. You’ll notice that I am NOT trading down from 22. Because that would be cruel to New England fans. (Pats front office, please take note.)

Greg Doyle: You have to like Hughes’ production and despite everything, he is still only 21 years old. So you are getting a young player, with upside and big college production. I do have a couple of concerns with him. First, I watched him closely vs. Boise State in his bowl game and thought he had a mediocre game at best. He also took a couple really dumb penalties including an after the whistle personal foul reminiscent of David Thomas versus the Colts in 2008. He also had some good moments of pressure against a hard to rush Boise team. Second, his great production came against mid-level college teams, not the elite. I just think it’s a bit of a gamble pick in the first round. He hasn’t played linebacker at all either. I see high boom or bust potential in him. I’d feel better about taking him in the second round.

My pick would be Jared Odrick. I see limited downside to him. Just a very productive, possibly slightly undersized but not significantly, hard working player who was productive against great competition. He’d slide into that 3-4 end spot and allow Mike Wright to be sort of a super sub at every spot on the line. I think worst case Odrick is a close to a decade solid starter. Best case is he’s a Pro Bowler. I don’t see a lot of risk in this pick, which is the main reason I’m favoring it now. As an alternative, Ryan Matthews at running back really intrigues me but it’s not as big a need for the Patriots right now as the defense is. If they could trade Maroney for a third, I might consider that direction.

Scott Benson: This year’s draft meme is clearly the defensive front seven, as it should be – unless the Pats get a lot better there in a hurry, they’ll continue to slide farther and farther away from another championship. Unfortunately, it’s not the only area in which they’ll need to quickly improve. Offensively, the Patriots have essentially reduced themselves to playing 3 (Brady, Moss and Welker) against 11 every week. So offensive skill players are also needed, and in a hurry, as they will likely be without Welker when they open the season. The good news (and isn’t some good news needed?) is they have 4 of the first 53 picks in what is regarded as a solid, even deep, draft. So to me, New England braintrust, the top priorities are these: 1) No avoidance. Give me players, not future picks. If you decide to trade back from 22 (and that may turn out to be in your best interest) it’s for picks you’ll make THIS YEAR. 2) No prototypes. I don’t give a shit what kind of ‘length’ you like. Shawn Crable has ‘length’, and he SUCKS. 3) No projects. Give me grown ups who have demonstrated productivity and consistency for a long period of time. Don’t give me Jason-Pierre Three Names and this ‘freak’ bullshit. Honestly.

Oh, I was supposed to pick a player there? Okay, I’ll take Graham. During Senior Bowl week, he looked like an eighth grader playing with sixth graders.

SECOND ROUND

Chris: Cam Thomas, DL, North Carolina. I just love the whole 6-foot-4, 330-pound thing he’s got going for him. He’s tough to move and fast in a straight line (5.14 in the 40), making him an ideal backup nose and a strong candidate to anchor one side of the line at defensive end.

Greg: Thomas is definitely a player I like who really stood out at the Senior Bowl and the more you check him out you see what a good player he is, if not flashy. He isn’t going to be a big time pass rusher. But he is a guy who could play end or nose tackle that will be very stout against the run. I might go this direction if I did the Matthews thing in the first round, but with my pick being Odrick, I think I prefer Thaddeus Gibson who I see as a high upside guy with tons of talent, who came out after his junior year and has room to grow and has actually played the outside linebacker position. That is my pick at 44.

Scott: I got my linebacker earlier so now I’m looking to fill that vacant RDE spot, so my pick here is the Cal DL Tyson Alualu. Productivity, versatility, consistency, maturity.

Jared Veldheer

Chris: Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale. Like the rest of us, Matt Light isn’t getting any younger. Also like the rest of us, Nick Kaczur made some mistakes last year. Veldheer has a Vollmer-like reach (6-foot-8), quick feet for his size (4.51-second 20-yard shuttle), and the strength to hold down the edge (32 bench press reps). In fact, a comparison to Vollmer’s pro day shows quite a few similarities. A former high school hoopster, Veldheer could put in some time as a blocking tight end, too.

Greg: I like your reasoning on Veldheer, but with Light, Vollmer, Kaczur and LeVoir still on the roster I just see this as too early. Perhaps if they were to trade Matt Light, who is headed into his last year under contract, this might be the move. Instead, I projected Kam Chancellor here who is a big safety. While safety also isn’t a big need with Meriweather, Chung, Sanders and McGowan still around, I would overlook that by saying I don’t think they see Sanders and McGowan as long-term answers. And I think they feel they are lacking a big, physical safety presence since Rodney Harrison retired. Chancellor is a very big safety, around 230 lbs., but with excellent speed and playmaking ability. He was also a leader of Virginia Tech’s defense. Finding a big safety who can hit, run, cover and make plays on the ball isn’t easy. I think Chancellor fits the bill of being Rodney’s replacement they’re right now lacking.

Scott: At this point, I’ve got to diversify my ridiculously limited offensive attack, so the pick here is BYU TE Dennis Pitta, whose athleticism, short area quickness and feel for the passing game gives him the chance to be an immediate contributor. I’m guessing this will be considered by some to be a reach, but keep in mind those people would have you address your tight end need with a freaking basketball player.

Ben Tate

Chris: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn. Okay, okay, maybe this is early. But considering the Pats traded away their third- and fifth-round picks for Derrick Burgess’ garbage-time sacks (Who, me? Bitter?), this will be their last chance to pick up a big, fast back who has had success against the best defenses in college. Time to revamp the offensive backfield, starting with a steady presence who can hold up both physically and mentally for 16 games. Gaining over 1,300 yards vs. SEC defenses says a lot.

Greg: I like Tate a lot and I’m tempted to just agree with you. He is the best blocking running back in the draft and showed great running ability this season and in the Senior Bowl. He tested better than expected after the season as well before scouts. But I’m gonna stick with my defensive oriented first two days by projecting Alualu, the big defensive end from California. With two of the top 4 picks being 3-4 pure defensive ends, I think that would cure worries about that position and right now I have some. Ty Warren has slipped in recent years and battled quite a few injuries. Besides him, they only have the solid Wright established. Alualu, like Odrick, is a very hard working, tough, physical fighter of a player with good size and 3-4 end speed who’d really help solidify the position. I see both as Patriots-type players. Or at least the type of hard working players they were known for in their Super Bowl years.

Andre Roberts

Scott: Daniel Jeremiah of the outstanding Move the Sticks blog has been telling us for weeks that one of the most polished and pro-ready receivers in the draft is the Citadel’s Andre Roberts, so he’s my pick with #53. Like Pitta, he’s got the speed and quickness to go with the well-honed route tree, and the kind of character and maturity that has evidently been in short supply of late in Foxborough. Enough with leading these young players around by the nose. On the field, Roberts  can also step into the punt returner role that Welker will almost assuredly vacate.

Chris: Scott, as you’ll see tomorrow, you’re not alone on the Roberts pick, though Greg and I would consider a second-rounder a bit high to pay for him.

No third rounders, dear readers, so we’ll see you in Part 2 with rounds four through seven…

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Q&A With Hillsdale OT Jared Veldheer

March 4, 2010 By 1 Comment

by Chris Warner, Patriots Daily Staff

If it’s true that a small school player trying to reach the NFL has to make a big impression, Jared Veldheer’s off to a great start. The 6-foot-8, 312-pound tackle from Hillsdale College in Michigan stood out at the NFL combine, ranking in the top tier for offensive linemen in six events, including a 5.09-second 40-yard dash.

Veldheer took some time away from workouts and classes to talk with PD about his combine experience and future in the NFL.

Let’s start out with the question I’m sure you’re getting tired of: Why Hillsdale?

Well, I was getting recruited by some of the larger, Division I schools, where I went to some of their camps during the summer. You know, I came out of a Wing-T system in high school where I had no idea how to pass (protect), and, you know, the kick-slide was foreign. So I was just trying to rely on my basketball skills, and I fell down the teams’ radar from there. Come the winter, no one was really calling any more, and that’s when the D-II’s starting heating up. My brother graduated from Hillsdale College, played basketball here. And it’s a great school, great education, and great fit for me.

And what other schools were you looking at?

There was Purdue, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Western Michigan. Those were all some of the schools that were recruiting me early, that really lost interest there.

And why do you think they lost interest? Just because of the offense that you ran in high school?

Yeah, that, and I was nowhere near as strong and as athletic as I am now.

Were you 6-8 in high school?

I was probably almost 6-7. I grew about two inches in college.

About how much did you weigh back then?

Two fifty-five.

So, going from someone interested in football and basketball, being 6-8, was basketball ever an option, or did you start focusing on football pretty early?

Well, I loved playing basketball all throughout elementary school, middle school and high school, but as soon as college hit, you know, that really kind of died down, and football really took the forefront there. And, you know, it’s just been a growing love ever since I got to Hillsdale.

Your athleticism has really been publicized, especially after the combine. Were you pleased with your performance at the combine?

Yeah, I was. I would have liked to run a little faster in the 40; I feel like I could get that time down and I think I might do it again at my pro day, but as far as the other times there, I felt like I did well. You know, I stumbled – slipped a little on the second turn on the 20-yard shuttle and still had the best time for linemen, so…

Have you always had quick feet, or is that something that you’ve developed over the last few years?

It’s something that I’ve always been working on. I’ve always had pretty good feet for being a big guy, but, you know, I’ve just kept training, kept working hard, and that’s something that keeps on developing.

What do you think you need to work on now, before an NFL camp?

Well, I want to keep getting stronger, keep getting faster. I want to work some stuff with hand-eye coordination, keep getting that better so I can work at better hand punch, hand replacement, once I get into the camp. Just keep working hard, that’s the main thing.

And where did you play on the line at Hillsdale?

I played all four years at left tackle.

Has anyone spoken to you about any particular position change?

You know, there are some guys that are thinking right, some that haven’t decided anything. So it hasn’t been a huge deal. It hasn’t been like I’ve met with every team and they’re all, like, “You’re a right tackle, that’s what you are.” It hasn’t been like that. But I definitely feel, looking at combine training, we were working on our skill stuff, I was working reps on both left and right side.

Do you feel more comfortable on either side, or is it about equal?

It’s – I mean, obviously after playing five years on the left side, it feels a little more natural, but the right definitely doesn’t feel too foreign.

Coming from a smaller school, was there anything at the combine – any of the meetings, any experiences that you had – that (was) intimidating at all?

Oh, no. You know, everything went really well. I thought the interviews went well. Just like you said, you probably have to explain a few times, go through a few times about, “Why Hillsdale?” But it’s a really easy answer to explain. You know, you have to think through things, and I’m good at drawing up X’s and O’s. I’m not a guy that walks into a situation like that and gets intimidated. Everyone at the combine was looking for a spot to play in the NFL. No one was a college football player anymore, so Division I, Division II, it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter to me, being in that room. We were guys just wanting to get to that next level.

About how many teams do you think you met with?

Oh, I met with pretty much every team. I can’t think of any team that I did not meet with.

Do you remember your meeting with the Patriots? I’ve got to ask.

I do. I do.

And how did that go?

It went well. It went well. Their long-term success, that’s very – very nice. It was a good meeting.

You don’t have to get into specifics if you don’t want to, but what were the types of things that you guys talked about?

You know, it was kind of X’s and O’s stuff, some basic interview stuff. But then we started busting out the paper a little bit and (drawing up) some plays. A common theme of the weekend was, “What’s your favorite run or your favorite pass play?” And you diagram that up, and then you get some hypothetical looks from the defense, and you would have to say how you adjust to them, what your calls would be, do you make the calls? That kind of stuff.

Now, was that similar to most of your meetings?

Yeah, that was definitely a common trend among all the meetings.

Do you think you have a lot to learn, coming from a smaller school, or do you think your offense was varied enough to (prepare you for) the pros?

Yeah, I’m sure I’ve got a lot to learn still, but there was really a lot of stuff going on in our offense. It had a ton of variety to it. You know, Hillsdale’s a great academic school, so all the guys on our team were very smart guys, so we were able to have a pretty deep playbook.

If you were scouting against you, what do you think you would look for as, let’s say, a pass-rushing end?

So if I were a D-end, what would I be looking to do versus myself?

Yeah.

Well, definitely not trying to just use speed, because I can pick that up pretty easily. I’d try to work that up-the-field angle… just because that’s tough for any lineman to pick up. You know, the more double and triple moves you have, the more you’ve got to make the lineman honest. So as long as you’re coming in with a bunch of moves, that’s going to be to your advantage.

Along those lines, has anyone seen your height as a disadvantage?

Oh, no. No one’s said that. The only thing that they keep telling you is that you can’t bend at the waist, you’ve got to bend at the knee.

At what point in college did you start looking around and thinking to yourself that you had a good shot to play professionally?

Probably after my sophomore year.

Anything in particular happen then? Was it just your personal, physical development, or you think your overall development as a player?

You know, it was physical development, but it was also on-the-field development. And with that, I started getting some preseason All-American accolades my junior year. Like I said, (with) all the physical development, times were getting better, all the weight room numbers were improving, as well as my weight was going up. But I was still maintaining if not getting faster in all my times. So, I definitely have to say that was the time that I realized that it was definitely an option, that it was definitely doable.

Now, in terms of working out, what do you plan on doing until the draft?

I plan on being back at Hillsdale. I have a workout program that the trainer sent me from D1 Sports in Nashville, where I was working out before the combine. So I’ll be working out here, and I have to finish my thesis for my biology major.

And will you graduate this spring?

Yes.

Well, as the new recruiter for Hillsdale, what would you say to anybody thinking about attending and playing football there?

Absolutely a great school. Great guys on the team. I don’t think you can go anywhere else and have as great a team camaraderie as you have at Hillsdale, and the coaching staff is absolutely great. They all know their stuff, they know how to treat players. They’re very smart. They have you well-prepared for the games, and they get the absolute best out of every player.

That sounds pretty good. I’m going!

(Laughs.)

Jared, I really appreciate your time today. Thanks a lot.

No problem.

Email Chris Warner at [email protected]

Filed Under: The Draft Tagged With: