First Round: Will Sutton, Defensive Tackle, Arizona State
Vince Wilfork isn't getting any younger and has missed the vast majority of this season due to injury. The 32-year-old defensive tackle is also set to earn $11.6 million next season. Needless to say, the Patriots are not going to pay him that amount of money. Even if Wilfork agrees to a restructured contract, the Patriots have to look to the future.
Sutton has the ability to be explosive off the line and make an impact in the offensive backfield as an interior pass rusher. At 6'1" and 288, Sutton won't necessarily replace Wilfork as New England's nose tackle, but he fits its new hybrid defensive front. He can play inside when the Patriots go to a base 4-3 and has the ability to shoot outside when they go to the less conventional 3-4. He will need to gain about 12 pounds and add some bulk to what is a somewhat underwhelming frame. This seems to indicate that Sutton's best opportunity to make a major impact early on will be as a rotational player for the Patriots.
Second Round: Odell Beckham, Wide Receiver, Louisiana State
To say that New England hasn't drafted well at the wide receiver position would be an understatement. The likes of Chad Jackson, Brandon Tate and Taylor Price have bombed out over the past eight years or so. New England now needs to make a strong push in the draft to pick up a starter-caliber pass catcher. It has two injury-prone receivers in Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola on the roster, in addition to three youngsters in the form of Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce and Aaron Dobson. Those three rookies have done a solid job this season, combining for 71 receptions and over 1,000 yards. That's a nice start.
Beckham brings spectacular play-making ability with him to the NFL.
Despite standing at under six-feet tall, the LSU standout already possesses above-average route-running ability and does a solid job dropping down in his routes to provide the quarterback with a nice window on intermediate passes.
While he lacks elite size/speed, Beckham shows solid balance and maintains an advantage over defensive backs at the point of contact due to a rare ability to change direction prior to the ball arriving.
This also makes him the perfect complement to the 6'3" Dobson, especially as a great underneath option for Brady. The perfect complementary receiver in this offense.
Third Round: Anthony Steen, Guard, Alabama
Dan Connolly has been downright atrocious this season. According to Pro Football Focus, the veteran guard boasts a -12.1 overall grade, which ranks him 60th out of a total of 74 qualified guards. The likes of Josh Kline and Chris Barker don't really offer starter-caliber upside after Connolly on the depth chart.
At 6'3" and 309, Steen has the athleticism to fit New England's blocking scheme and can pull to the outside with the best of them. He does a solid job getting to the second level when run blocking, which is also important in the Patriots scheme. One of the most eye-opening strengths of Steen's game is his above-average ability in pass protection. He rarely gets thrown off the point of contact due to stellar technique and maintains his positioning against larger defensive linemen. This is solid value at a position of need.
Fourth Round: Kareem Martin, Defensive End, North Carolina
At 6'5" and 263, Martin has a lanky build and could fit in as either a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker. Despite not possessing above-average speed, Martin's best attribute is as a pass-rush specialist. He will struggle against the run and get eaten alive by larger offensive linemen, which is a concern. In order for Martin to be anything more than a situational player in the NFL, he will have to add 20-25 pounds to that frame. With that said, Martin would offer the Patriots depth and upside from the defensive end position behind the likes of Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones.
Sixth Round: Jonathan Brown, Linebacker, Illinois
Most scouts indicate that Brown's best fit is as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.
In my opinion, his best fit is as a weak-side linebacker, kind of in the mold of a Demario Davis, who I was extremely high on coming out of Arkansas State two years ago.
Brown may struggle shedding blocks, but has a good eye for the football and usually keeps himself in the play.
He could back up at multiple linebacker spots in the New England and would be a standout special teams player early on.
Sixth Round: Joe Don Duncan, Tight End, Dixie State
A team that had Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combine for over 2,200 yards and 24 touchdowns just two seasons ago now finds itself in a rather compromising position at tight end. Hernanedez, as you already know, is locked up and awaiting trial on murder charges. Meanwhile, Gronk just went down with a torn ACL last week, which was just the latest in a long line of injuries for the All-Pro tight end.
New England is now forced to rely on the likes of Michael Hoomanawanui and Matthew Mulligan to make an impact down the stretch this season. That's simply not going to cut it. Duncan, at 6'4" and 270 pounds, is a monster of a man and would provide Brady with a solid red zone target. Where he lacks in speed, the small-school prospect more than makes up for it with solid route-running skills and tremendous physicality.
Seventh Round: Beau Allen, Defensive Tackle, Wisconsin
More of a depth pick than anything else, Allen doesn't stand out as a potential starter in the NFL. Instead, he's going to be a rotational player, at best. As you already know, teams like the Patriots are normally drafting for said depth on the third day, and this is no different.