Draft Comments

I think the Pats ran the table over the weekend, filling up the shopping cart with the groceries. Coach Belichick and his staff made the rest of the NFL look like amateurs with the way they wheeled and dealed their picks. Originally slated to pick #23 in the first round, the Pats traded first when the Ravens to drop to number 26 and then dealed with the Packers. In the end, they acquired another 2nd round pick (#41) and a pair in the 3rd round ( #73 & #83).

They filled one of their needs by selecting Patrick Chung, a safety from Oregon who is expected to fill the void created by Rodney Harrison. Using the 2nd round pick from the Packers, they acquired DT Ron Brace of Boston College who is expected to be backup to Vince Wilfolk.

Using their next 2nd rounder at #47, they snagged CB Darius Butler of UConn who many expected the Pats would draft in the first round! They completed the first day with OT Sebastian Vollmer of Houston. This pick puzzled many of the "experts" as they felt he would be available as an undrafted free-agent. Vollmer is interesting pick as the native of Germany never played football until he was 15. At 6'8" and 315 pounds, he projects to be a Stephen Neal type project.

Armed with a slew of 2nd day picks, Belichick and Company seem to take advantage of his competition. He traded one of their 3rd round picks (#79) to Jacksonville for their 2nd rounder in 2010 and one in the 7th round this year. They turned around and did business with the Titans and traded their 3rd round (#89) for the Titan's 2nd rounder in 2010. The Pats now have three 2nd round picks next year!

When they finally got to make a selection in the 3rd round , they chose WR Brandon Tate from UNC. Tate is an interesting pick as he suffered a serious knee injury last season and flunked a drug test during the NFL Scouting Combine. He could start the season on the PUP list, depending upon his recovery from the injury.

With their second pick in the 3rd round (#97) they selected OLB Tyrone McKenzie from South Florida. He is expected to be in the linebacker mix at the start of the season.

Many were surprised when the Pats dealt starting CB Ellis Hobbs to the Eagles for a pair of 5th round picks (# 137 & #141). Hobbs was expected to battle for his starting position this year, but the acquisition of free agents Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, as well as last years picks Terrence Whealtley and Johnathan Wilhite appear to seal the fate of Hobbs. All we have left is the memory of Plaxico Burress torching him for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLII.

The Pats took those picks from the Eagles and traded for the Ravens pick in the 4th round (#124) and acquired Rich Ohrnbeger, a guard from Penn State. He has played left and right side
of the line. The Pats had brought him in for a pre-draft visit and Coach Belichick must have been impressed with the former lacrosse player.

They also got the Ravens 6th round pick (#198) and drafted long snapper Jake Ingram from Hawaii. It's comforting to know the Mel Kiper considered him to be the best prospect at that speciality!

They used their own pick to select OL Geogre Bussey from Louisville in the 5th round (#170). Bussey played guard and tackle and was a first-team All East selection last season.

In the 6th round they went with DL Myron Pryor from Kentucky, a four year starter, who suffered from numerous injuries during his time there.

Darryl Richard a DL from Georgia Tech was selected in the 7th round. (#234). He completed his bachelor's degree in three years and received his master's degree last December. Smart guy!

Using a 7th round pick (#232) from the Ravens, they selected Julian Edelman, a QB from Kent State. He is projected as a WR in the NFL and could be part of a "Wildcat" package. Last year at Kent State, he started all 12 games and led the team in rushing with 1,370 yards, the 2nd most in team history and ran for 13 touchdowns. He also threw for 1,820 yards and 13 TD's. He has "practice squad" written all over him or perhaps he might get a mysterious injury to hide him on the IR.

To cap the day, the Pats signed former Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer as an undrafted free agent.

It will certainly be interesting to see how all of these picks turn out! Some will make the team and others will disappoint. Only time will tell.