Analysis: McCourty was not a ballhawk in higher education, but he has the fast ft, velocity and prolonged arms for being a fantastic cover corner inside the NFL. He enhanced every single season at Rutgers. McCourty also excels on special groups. The Patriots felt the necessity to add a third corner largely as a consequence of they have been disappointed with Terrence Wheatley (2nd spherical, 2008 NFL Draft) and Jonathan Wilhite (4th round, 2008 NFL Draft). Nevertheless, McCourty might not are already the most effective range. New England missed Richard Seymour final season. Additionally they misplaced Jarvis Green this off-season by way of free of charge agency to Denver. Jared Odrick is a very promising 3-4 defensive conclusion who also can play the 4-3 defensive tackle placement. The Patriots want to mix-up their defensive fronts and Odrick would happen to be a very good suit. The Pats' biggest place of want on defense might have been a pass rushing outdoors linebacker. Jerry Hughes is often a tiny more compact than what New England prefers at outside linebacker, but he features a large amount of move rush likely. Devin McCourty may help the Pats' secondary, but we concern no matter whether the staff would happen to be far better off strengthening their front 7. 2nd Round (#42) TE Rob Gronkowski, Arizona Important Player(s) Handed On: OLB Sergio Kindle Examination: The Pats lost Ben Watson to free company in March. Being a result, the tight end placement grew to become an instantaneous area of need to have. Gronkowski can be a proficient restricted stop who can block and be a factor inside the passing game. He was a respectable 1st spherical talent who slipped while in the draft due to a again injuries that essential surgical procedure. New England gambled a tad that Gronkowski's back again isn't likely to be an issue. It absolutely was a gamble really worth taking plus the team's medical professionals had been naturally comfy together with the well being of your previous Arizona star's back again. Sergio Kindle would have upgraded the team's outside linebacker position. Nonetheless, his off the industry difficulties and ability to study a sophisticated defense in all probability soured the team's sentiment that he was an excellent in shape in New England. 2nd Round (#53) DE Jermaine Cunningham, Florida Critical Player(s) Handed On: DE Carlos Dunlap Analysis: There isn't a query that New England needs to dial-up the pass rush (only 31 sacks in 2009) to return for the Super Bowl. Cunningham can be an undersized defensive conclude to the NFL that New England will transform to exterior linebacker. We imagined the 2nd spherical was substantial to grab Cunningham. He plays tough and was effective (not dominant) at Florida. The previous Gator doesn't have a specific burst off the edge, but has the size the Patriots want within their outside linebackers. Carlos Dunlap has much more athletic capacity than Cunningham, but his get the job done ethic and intensity depart a lot to get sought after. It is actually hard to consider Dunlap producing into the tough functioning, rough and instinctive linebacker that Bill Belichick craves for his procedure. Cunningham is a superior fit for that Patriots than Dunlap, but he isn't going to look like the 2nd coming of Willie McGinist. 2nd Spherical (#62) LB Brandon Spikes, Florida Critical Player(s) Passed On: LB Pat Angerer Evaluation: We enjoy this pick because of the Pats. The former Gator may not be considered a good athlete, but he's a fantastic football player. Spikes can be a robust, wise, productive and just plain nasty linebacker. He'll in shape in particularly nicely at inside linebacker for New England. He reports the sport well and his planning mixed together with his instincts really should allow him being a component on 3rd down despite a slow Forty time. Spikes is additionally a tremendous leader and he will provide an mindset and toughness on the New England defense that's been lacking. Pat Angerer doesn't have the dimension that the Patriots demand of their within linebackers. 3rd Round (#90) WR Taylor Value, Ohio Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Mardy Gilyard Evaluation: Selling price has an extraordinary blend of dimension and pace, but he was not an explosive wideout in university. Price also was not effective as a kick returner. He lacks quickness and elusiveness. His speed is primarily the straight-ahead kind. Mardy Gilyard provides a little frame, but he has quickness and was a perilous kick returner at Cincinnati. Cost was a bit of a attain within the 3rd spherical in our opinion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
