The Patriots surprised everyone yesterday by holding onto the top pick in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and then used it to grab Ras-I Dowling from Virginia. Dowling was one of the nation's top cornerbacks heading into 2010, but injuries marred his senior senior and caused his draft stock to drop. New England used their next 2 picks on running backs: Shane Vereen of Cal (#56) and Stevan Ridley of LSU (#75). Vereen has #1 back potential, while Ridley is a bruiser who will likely help on short yardage and special teams. At #76 the Pats grabbed QB Ryan Mallett of Arkansas, considered one of the top talents in the entire draft. Mallett possesses a great arm, and was thought to be in the mix to go very high in this draft, but rumors of off the field issues caused his draft stock to plummet. It seems the type of high risk/reward pick that the Pats could afford to make while trying to find somebody to groom an eventual successor for Tom Brady. Surprisingly the Pats continued to ignore improving their pass rush, so it will be interesting to see what Bill Belichick does to address that via trade or free agency once the lockout is lifted. Today the Pats are scheduled to have 4 more picks: #'s 138 & 159 in Round 5, #193 in Round 6 and #219 in Round 7.
Posts
7 comments:
A look at the picks:
Dowling - Has all the physical tools to be a very good corner. If the injuries from last season are behind him this could turn out to be a steal. Hopefully will work out better than recent 2nd round CB's Darius Butler and Tyrone Wheatley. Passed on Texas corner Aaron Williams, Arizona linebacker Brooks Reed and TCU quarterback Andy Dalton among others.
Vereen - Came out as a junior. Rushed for 1,167 yards and 13 TD last season. Chosen over Mikel Lashore of Illinois and Daniel Thomas of Kansas State.
Ridley - Projected to go no higher than Round 4, this was a bit of a reach/surprise. Seems Belichick has a role specifically targeted for him. This will be the epitome of a genius selection or a wasted pick.
Mallett - Too much talent to pass up at this point. I thought they were going to grab Greg McElroy of Alabama later in the draft, which may have been the choice had Mallett not fallen into their laps here. Still, the rumors of off field trouble and immaturity has comparison's being made to Ryan Leaf...though Leaf may have been worth the risk here (and not #2) as well.
It will be interesting to compare how Vereen does to Mark Ingram. They took Vereen with the 2nd rounder the acquired from the Saints for #28 (Ingram) and got a 1st round pick in 2012 as well. If Vereen is as productive, or close to it, as Ingram this trade will look like a real steal.
If the Pats were going to take a RB I wish they went with Nebraska's Roy Helu Jr.
He went with pick 105 well after both of the RBs the Pats took.
A different runner than Vereen but it seems like RB talent can come later (Woodhead, BJGE) if you are laying off of the elite guys (Ingram) anyway.
Helu will be making plays on Sunday next year for the 'Skins.
DK, I read somewhere that Ridley could go as high as 4th round. That sounds like the 3rd round is quite a reach, especially when you have other picks coming up.
I think Belichick is outsmarting himself again.
Seems like the Patriots biggest needs were on defense, especially DL and outside linebacker (particularlly a pass rush specialist).
Yet, 4 of the 5 players we drafted were on offense. Does this make sense?
I can't believe Mark Herzlich went undrafted!! He was dominant at BC before being struck with cancer and he will be a force again once he regains his strength. Boo the NFL!
Patriots better sign him to a free agent contract before they regret it.
Shocking that somebody dodn't take a chance on Herzlich, a guy projcted to be a mid first rounder not too long ago.
I know the cancer slowed him down last season, but the guy has heart and you know he is going to work his butt of to get better. Just having him on your roster would probably be a plus.
He tweeted yesterday
“Thanking everyone for their support tough times call for perseverance and a tough mind,” Herzlich wrote on Twitter. ”Today sucked for me but everyone needs to pray for all the people in Alabama. They need us more than ever right now.
“I have been told that I can’t play football before. We all know what happened with that. #neverquit.”
It will be interesting to compare how Vereen does to Mark Ingram. They took Vereen with the 2nd rounder the acquired from the Saints for #28 (Ingram) and got a 1st round pick in 2012 as well. If Vereen is as productive, or close to it, as Ingram this trade will look like a real steal. - I totally agree
Post a Comment