The initial wave of Free Agency is over and the big name guys have been signed. The Patriots missed out in this area which means any big guys they want will be in the draft.
1st) Arik Armstead DT from Oregon
Wilfork might not be back and the interior of the Pats DL could use a big guy. Armstead is massive at 6’7 292 and his body has the ability to add even more. He has a pretty huge tackling radius and does a pretty good job shedding blocks in the run game. Still developing as a pass rusher as he really struggled finishing on passing plays and getting to the QB. He is a big clog in the middle of the line who has limitless upside that needs to be harnessed. Plus they liked his brother and signed him from Canada, they should like the healthier brother.
2nd) Tyler Lockett WR from Kansas State
Patriots offense has Edelman and Lafell at WR but not much after that. Amendola looks to be cut and Aaron Dobson has fallen out of favor with the coaching stuff. Lockett is the kind of guy the Pats use in their offense. He’s 5’10 185 who is a quick, twitchy player who can take any short pass to the house. Randall Cobb is his closest comparison as like Cobb, Lockett has had success as a returner in college. Lockett could line up all over the field and give Brady another weapon that he can get the ball out to quickly. With the Pats needing WRs, he is a very good player to have.
3rd) Mitch Morse OL from Mizzou
Morse is a versatile lineman who has played Center, RT and OG in his career. He plays with good patience and is solid in pass protection and run blocking. He struggled against speed rushers which means moving inside is his most likely spot. With the Patriots needing depth in the interior, he is a good choice who could even start right away at RG.
4th) Ifo Ekpre-Olumu CB from Oregon
With Revis and Browner gone, Pats need CBs. Ifo was considered a 1st round pick before tearing his knee has caused him to plunge in the draft. He is a smaller CB but has forced a lot of turnovers in his career. He might not start right away but when he gets healthy, he will be a steal.
4th) Nick Marshall CB from Auburn
Pats double up at CB with Nick Marshall. Marshall originally played CB at Georgia before playing QB/CB in Community College and QB at Auburn. He has good size at 6’1 210 and made the smart choice of being a CB in the draft prospect. More of a press corner, he can get physical at the line but has to speed to keep up with faster WRs. There probably will be an early adjustment period for him, but if he adjusts, he could develop into a solid CB.
6th) Ellis McCarthy DT from UCLA
Big guy at 6’5 338, made the odd move of leaving UCLA early and didn’t have a great Combine. There are some concerns about work ethic but his size makes him intriguing and you can never have enough big interior Defensive Lineman.
7th) Bobby Hart OG from FSU
To make Stork happy, they use their 7th round pick on one of his teammates from FSU. Hart was kind of meh at FSU at RT, didn’t really mess up but wasn’t great. He is more suited to be a guard and would probably be a good practice squad candidate.
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