Collins, Dobson, Ryan, and Harmon

Who needs 1st round picks? All of us that stayed up past 11 on Thursday were upset that we would need to wait another day. That patience was rewarded handsomely in rounds 2-3 though. In fact, BB did everything that I wanted him to.

Earlier in the week, I opined that if a trade is executed with the #29 pick, I would prefer to get picks for this draft and not future picks. Apparently, the team felt the same way as they picked up 4 picks from Minnesota. Likewise, I said that I would be happy to get, "a serviceable outside WR and a couple defensive players that contribute on a rotational basis."

Edge rusher and coverage LB all in one

That seems like what we've got here. Jaime Collins is supposedly an incredibly versatile player that projects to rotate into the already-crowed LB-corps with top-flight athleticism. He was a top performer among LBs in 5 combine events: 4.64s 40 yard dash, 41.5in vertical, 139in broad jump, 7.1s 3-cone drill, and an 11.55s 60-yard shuttle. 

He does need to work on his strength if he will be expected to play as a DE, but as of right now, he looks like the perfect candidate to play Nickel LB and/or contribute as a 3rd down edge rusher. In college, he actually started out at the Safety position before being moved to the front-7. Needless to say, I am excited to find a guy with this kind of hybrid-talent. That is especially true because he fills a need on our 53-man roster.

Dobson has a history of circus catches

A few picks later, Belichick snagged Aaron Dobson, WR from Marshall. He's a small school guy that hasn't faced elite competition or showed elite production, but he has the prototypical build for an outside WR at 6'3" and 210lbs. Likewise, this guy's highlight reel will blow you away. He's a raw prospect, but his upside is well worth a 2nd rounder. From where I am sitting, every WR has a learning curve to deal with, I am just glad we got one that fits the description of "big WR." Likewise, his in-the-air ball skills are supposedly second to none, so that has to help the adjustment process, that he can just go-up-and-get-it.

Next, we've got a few DBs from Rutgers that will immediately contribute on special teams. Logan Ryan's analysis looks a lot like a young Devin McCourty (a former teammate). He is praised for his size, physicality, and tackling ability. Also, he was a top performer in the agility drills: 3-cone, 20 and 60 yard shuttles. However, he gets knocked for his less-than-elite speed and his raw technique. Nobody wants to hear this, but apparently he has trouble with "not turning his head." 

To me, this seems like a pick to bolster special teams and add CB depth for the long term. He may very well be an eventual starter, but as of now his great value is that he comes from a system that BB likes. Bill likes the system so much that he took a flyer on another DB from Rutgers a few picks later: Duron Harmon.

Greg Schiano coached Ryan and Harmon for 3 years
before moving to the TB Bucs

This pick was like Tavon Wilson all over again. The draft gurus didn't expect him picked until the 7th round. New England just views the draft board differently I suppose. Harmon did manage to win 1st-team All-Big East honors twice at Rutgers, but he didn't get an invite to the combine. Apparently, Mike Mayock had him as a riser though, even saying that he was impressed by the kid's highlights. 

Overall, this is a pick that supports the 53 man roster more than it takes into consideration the speculation that he may have been there later in the draft. The problem with that line of thinking is that The Patriots had already filled their team needs with a coverage LB, a big WR, and a serviceable CB. This pick bolsters the depth chart with a developmental prospect that can contribute on special teams immediately. Finding guys that will relish an opportunity like is not hard, but it is nice to get the pick of the litter from a program that BB trusts.

All in all, the one thing that we haven't done that I expected is to double-dip at WR. However, bringing 2 rookies to camp might not be the best situation. Perhaps the best route is to give Dobson as many reps as possible. Although this is kind of like putting all of our eggs in one basket, it could also be best for Dobson's transition. Either way, I wouldn't be opposed to hedging that bet with a 7th rounder. 

Well, day 3 is about to start soon, and I am not sure what Bill is going to do. We've already addressed the major team needs, I think we'll probably just take the best available in the 4th round, and take some risky picks in the 7th. I expect at least one pick to be a DT, but other than that, I don't know.