New England Patriots 2014 NFL Draft Grades

Posted By Chris Ransom

New England Patriots: Dominique Easley, DT/3-4 DE, Florida

New England Patriots Day 1 Draft Grade: (C-) I have mixed feelings about this pick. First, Bill Belichick covets defensive lineman with versatility. Second he has ties to Florida. Easley was a 6-foot-2 and 285-pound defensive tackle coming out of high school. He played defensive tackle during his first season before shifting to 3-4 defensive end. The guy played through injuries and managed to sack quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Injuries in 2013, make him injury prone. New England has an aging Vince Wilfork and an overpaid Tommy Kelly at defensive tackle.

I understand why the Patriots took Easley. You cannot question this organizations notorious reputation for building through the draft which is why I gave them a C- first-round draft grade rather than an F grade. There is a book about Belichick’s art of drafting called War Room by Michael Holley. There is even a website dedicated to what the Patriots do in the NFL Draft called NE Patriots Draft James Christensen, Mike Loyko, Oliver Thomas, and Doug Kyed do an excellent job running their site by producing premium Patriots content for Patriots’ fans. Check that site out.

My biggest issue with this pick is that there were better options available. Rashede Hagemen out of Minnesota can play defensive tackle in the 4-3, defensive end in the 3-4, or nose tackle in the 3-4.

Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Jace Amaro has the size of Heath Miller and the route running of Wes Welker. Amaro had 106 receptions, 1,352 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns with the Red Raiders in 2013. New England passed on him and he got drafted by our AFC East rival, the New York Jets. What disgusts me most about the Jets’ is that Amaro is the backup tight end on the depth chart at this time. Does the Jets’ offense deserve a guy like Amaro? Another tight end New England passed on was the highly touted Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Jenkins had some character issues, and it’s understandable why New England refuses to draft a tight end that lacks character after the Aaron Hernandez episode.

Finally there were two other a couple of other key players One New England could have selected Colorado State center Weston Richburg. Richburg played well in during the 2014 Senior Bowl Week. He also thrived at the 2014 NFL Combine leading up to a stellar Pro Day. New England had a pretty significant need at center, and was looking for an upgrade over current center Ryan Wendell, who struggled as a pass blocker in 2013, despite starting all 16 contests. Heck taking an offensive playmaker to groom the future like Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater, Washington RB Bishop Sankey, or Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews would have been a better choice. Taking one of those rookies and developing them into a Pro Bowl caliber player would have been a real reward for this prestigious sport organization.

Like I said earlier, you cannot question how this organization drafts. As a Patriots’ fan, and sports journalist, I feel like there were much better options at numerous positions in this years NFL Draft.

New England Patriots 2014 Day 2 Picks

Team	Round	Overall Pick	Player	Position	College
	Round 2	62nd Overall Pick	Jimmy Garoppolo	QB

New England Patriots Day 2 Draft Grade: (A) I love the Jimmy Garoppolo pick. I watched this guys tape. What impressed me most was his consistency and work ethic leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft. Unlike Tony Romo, this guy took action by going to Northwestern’s Pro Day to show NFL teams his dedication for the game. The fact that the Patriots have him listed as a third-string quarterback could motivate him to beat 2011 third-round pick Ryan Mallett for the backup job. There have been trade rumors about dealing Mallett in the past. Garoppolo has to defeat the former Arkansas Razorback, Mallet in an epic backup quarterback position battle during the Patriots’ 2014 training camp. New England may as well play Brady only 1 series and let Mallett play the rest of the first half while Garoppolo plays the second half to determine who would make the better successor to Brady. Heck New England can give Mallett and Garoppolo each one pre-season start to give these guys a better feel for what it means to start on Sunday once Brady retires.

New England Patriots Day 3 Draft Picks Slideshow

New England Patriots Day 3 Draft Grade: (B) Since my favorite team is the Patriots, I will go on a long rant about where each player ranks on the depth chart, and how good each prospect was coming out of college.

First, off I loved the Bryan Stork pick. He won the Rimington trophy for best center in 2013 after helping Florida State win the 2014 BCS Championship over Auburn. Stork, the 6-foot-4 and 300-pound center is an amazing run blocker that can open up the backfield for any rusher. Florida State gave up 27 sacks in 2013. Stork allowed the fewest sacks on the offensive line with 3 sacks despite losing the Jacobs Outland Trophy to FSU teammate Cameron Erving, a 2015 first-round left tackle prospect that allowed 4 sacks. Stork also had the highest GPA among the starters with a 3.89 on the Seminoles’ offensive line. Stork is capable of zone blocking as well because he took reps as an offensive tackle during Florida State spring drills. Right now Stork is listed as a backup behind Ryan Wendell. However, he signed his rookie deal and will have a chance to take Wendell’s job the moment he gets injured making Mr. Wendell expendable. Did I forget to mention that Stork kept Aaron Donald in check when Florida State traveled to Heinz Field to play the Pittsburgh Panthers in week 1?

Wisconsin has a reputation for taking running backs and turning them into NFL prospects. New England likes to have plays with two running backs on the field at times to run the ball or to have a rusher line up as a pass-catcher when Brady calls a screen pass, or a play that requires Brady to excel in the short passing game. James White split carries with 2013 second-round pick Montee Ball and 2015 first-round prospect Melvin Gordon. This was another solid pick.

Cameron Fleming played right tackle at Stanford. He has the skill-set to pass block, run block, and zone block. In 2011, he was on an a Stanford offensive line featuring Jonathan Martin at left tackle, David Yankey at left guard, Sam Schwartzstein at center, and David DeCastro at right guard while he served as bookend right tackle to Martin. Quarterback Andrew Luck and running back Stepfan Taylor abused defenses with this offensive line. Even after Luck’s departure, he was part of a Stanford offensive line that allowed 11 sacks in 2012 and 14 sacks in 2013. This guy opened up lanes for Taylor in 2012, and Tyler Gaffney in 2013. Fleming is a pure right tackle, but the Patriots’ have him listed as a third-string left tackle. New England has Sebastian Vulmer and Marcus Cannon a a starter and a backup at the right tackle position. It will be up to Fleming to work hard in training camp and earn the right to back up Nate Soldier as a left tackle in New England.

Jon Halapio played right guard at Florida. He has the versatility to play left guard or right guard. Halapio is considered a backup guard. New England has him as a backup behind Logan Mankins on the depth chart at this point.

Concordia right end Zach Moore has a chance to be the underdog story at the Patriots’ 2014 NFL Training Camp. Moore is currently a third-string right end behind aging veteran and former Saint Will Smith on the depth chart. If Moore stands out in training camp, he may end up making the roster as a backup behind Chandler Jones.

Georgia Tech defensive back Jemea Thomas may have the versatility Belichick covets. New England has too many studs on the secondary. Darrell Revis and Brandon Browner will start at cornerback once Browner’s 4 game suspension is over. You have Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung complimenting each other at safety. Not to mention that veteran corner Alfonzo Dennard will play the nickel role after having experience covering #2 receivers. Finally you got Logan Ryan as a dime corner. Ryan also has the flexibility to move to strong safety or free safety. Tavon Wilson and Nate Ebner are both ranked ahead of Thomas on the depth chart. There is a good chance Thomas gets cut in training camp.

Jeremy Gallon led the Michigan Wolverines in receiving yards each of the past two seasons. The 5-foot-9 and 185-pound wide receiver is extremely undersized and is competing against 7 other receivers for a roster spot. Tom Brady would love to connect with a former Wolverine through the air. Odds are Gallon gets cut during the pre-season due to intense competition at the wide receiver position.

Overall New England had a solid day 3 draft. That is why the Patriots’ received a B grade for day 3 of the 2014 NFL Draft.