A look at the 2010 rookie class

That McCourty pick sure looks a lot better with Leigh Bodden gone now, right?

Here are my thoughts on this year's solid rookie class.

Devin McCourty, CB - He has looked very stellar for a rookie. He shows a great ability in press coverage and made a beautiful play against the Falcons anticipating a rout. He looked more like a rookie against the Rams, but these growing pains are all part of the maturation process. McCourty has also been solid as a special teamer, breaking off a couple of long returns against the Saints and serving as a great gunner when we punt the ball away. His athleticism is noticeable.

This year, I expect McCourty to be our starting cornerback with Darius Butler. His skillset is much more conducive to matching up with more physical receivers, and I think he has a lot of potential as a member of our young, talented secondary. Given Leigh Bodden's rotator cuff injury, he's certainly going to have to grow up quickly. I think he has the ability to do so, but he's not going to be perfect. Still, the secondary is more talented this year than it was last year, and I think the quartet of Butler, McCourty, Chung and Meriweather is going to develop invaluable chemistry now that will sustain them for years to come.

Rob Gronkowski, TE - I have nothing but love for Gronk. He started camp off a little bit slowly, but since then he has improved exponentially with each preseason game. Against the Saints he looked a little lost blocking and was not able to show his athleticism as a receiver. In the Falcons game, he showed some explosiveness with a TD reception down the seam and looked better blocking. However, the Rams game was his best thus far, and he looked absolutely unstoppable, dragging James Laurinaitis on the ground for one of his touchdowns and showing athleticism and speed on the other. He has looked phenomenal, and truly seems to be the Mark Bavaro clone that Coach Belichick has sought for so long.

Rolewise, I expect Gronkowski to start in two TE sets along with Alge Crumpler and get a lot of playing time from the get-go. He's a fantasy sleeper in the red zone and makes the Patriots exponentially more dangerous on the offensive side of the ball. I cannot say enough how good he has been.

Jermaine Cunningham, OLB - The jury is still out on Mr. Cunningham because he has yet to play a preseason game. By all accounts he has looked athletic in practices, but a nagging injury has prevented him from seeing the field against legitimate competition. Here's hoping that he gets some action against the Giants; I have heard that he looks like Clay Matthews in terms of rushing the passer and his ability to loop around into the middle of the defense is pretty solid.

I still hold out hope that Cunningham can make an impact this season. I think he will end up being the third or fourth pass rusher for the Patriots and will rotate with Burgess and Murrell (and maybe Rob Ninkovich.) Once he is geared up, I think he could be elite; just a hunch.

Brandon Spikes, ILB - He has proven me wrong thus far, and I could not be happier. Spikes will be starting along with Jerod Mayo on Opening Day against the Bengals, and has been the most impressive linebacker on the team this preseason. He does it all; he can rush the passer, stop the run, and cover. He has played at both inside and outside linebacker, and he has yet to have a bad game. The 40 time thing was overblown; Spikes was a steal in the late second round.

Spikes, as I said, will be starting opposite Jerod Mayo. He is a great complement to the former Tennessee Volunteer and the two should be a dynamic duo in the middle of the Patriots' defense for years to come. I am excited to see how Spikes does this season, and I think he could be a prime candidate for Rookie of the Year.

Taylor Price, WR - Price has definitely looked like a rookie in camp. He has great athleticism and good hands, but still seems lost when he gets time on the field. Given, he has had Zac Robinson, who is horrible, throwing him balls, but he has looked like the fifth best WR on the team behind Moss, Welker, Tate and Edelman. Price will make the team due to his draft status and overall value, but I do not expect him to get a lot of action this season. He will be brought along slowly and, in a couple of years, I think he will make a splash.

Aaron Hernandez, TE - If Gronk is our Mark Bavaro, Hernandez is our Dallas Clark. I have never seen a tight end look so smooth running down the field. Hernandez was absolutely sensational against the Atlanta Falcons, when he juked defensive backs out of their cleats and showed sensational hands and ball skills. He will be a factor this season as a safety valve for Tom, and, once again, he is an example of how talent can inexplicably slip through the cracks. Hernandez will see a lot of time as a slot WR/TE/H-B, and will get his opportunities in single coverage against LBs and safeties. He is so smooth, I do not think he can be covered. Another great pick.

Zoltan Mesko, P - The Space Emperor of Space has been pretty good for a rookie thus far. He still needs some consistency on his punts, but he has looked pretty good overall. His leg is huge and he has shown an ability to create backspin and have kicks stop on a dime at the goal line, both of which are very positive signs. Mesko will start from Day 1 and end up being a very stellar punter. Eventually, I think he has the talent to be a top punter in the game.

Ted Larsen, OL - Larsen is really athletic, but super raw. At one point, he actually outran Brandon Tate down the sideline for his long touchdown, no small feat. He is going to need seasoning, but Dante Scarnecchia is the best OL coach in the NFL in terms of developing talent, so I think he'll be OK. Nothing more than a backup this year though.

Thomas Welch, OT - He has looked overmatched, to say the least, in preseason, though it hasn't helped that his QB has shown no pocket presence whatsoever. He is really athletic though, another Dante Scarnecchia special.

Kade Weston, DT - Weston is on injured reserve. He could still eventually contribute, but not this year.

Brandon Deaderick, DE - Deaderick has a very good shot of making the roster. He's been the fourth DE with Ty Warren out, and he has looked good in the rotation. A nice pick in the seventh round.

Zac Robinson, QB - Ew. Just ew. Definitely a long term project.