2012 NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation Has Pats Thinking 'D'

by Greg Knopping on Jan 18, 2012 9:41 AM EST in New England Patriots NFL Draft

Although the Patriots are still very alive in the NFL playoffs with the AFC Championship this Sunday, it's never too early to take a peek at the upcoming draft. That being said, SB Nation has released their latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, and they have the Patriots thinking defense.

With the 27th pick, they have the Patriots taking Michael Brockers, the defensive lineman out of LSU:

After Saturday's game, I can imagine the Saints wish they still had this pick. Maybe the Patriots will swap it back to them so they can get some defensive help. If not, New England would be more than happy to have a five-technique guy like Brockers, who'll be racing up draft boards as April gets closer. Long and strong, he can stop the run and get to the passer. 4-3 teams will consider him as well based on his ability to play inside or out.

At pick 32, they have the Patriots taking Stephon Gilmore, the cornerback out of South Carolina:

The Patriots' defense is not where they would like it be, with needs in both the front and the back of the unit. The can't pass up Gilmore with this pick, which will probably be traded as well. If not, Gilmore could help a defense that allowed an average of 300 yards per game in 2011. Gilmore will be attractive here because he's a smart player who understands how the game works and his place in it.

Overall, I think this scenario would represent a solid duo of first round picks for the Patriots. Michael Brockers, at 6'6" and just over 300 pounds, fits the mold to play right defensive end for the Patriots in the 3-4 defense. He's the type of player that has some surprising quickness, but is also stout against the run and could even add a little more weight to his frame.

I'm also a fan of Stephon Gilmore. Although he's widely projected as a second round pick, this wouldn't be a huge reach here. At 6'1" and 190 lbs, Gilmore has good size. He doesn't have great speed, but is comfortable in the off-man coverage schemes that the Patriots love to run and also has a lot of experience in zone. He reminds me a bit of Leigh Bodden. With the Patriots needing to add some bodies to the secondary this offseason, Gilmore seems like a solid pick.

What are your thoughts on this scenario?

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Now, in this scenario, are we assuming that DMac is going to stay at safety?

That’s the only way I could see drafting another CB.

I'm not drunk, I'm......hydrated. On Twitter @jtanniehill

by wetfeet on Jan 18, 2012 9:51 AM EST reply actions

I think the Patriots need another CB regardless of McCourty

Aside from the interceptions, Kyle Arrington has been less than stellar this year and is going to be a free agent (albeit restricted).

Ras-I Dowling has upside, but is a huge injury risk.

Sterling Moore has shown promise, but there’s no telling if he can actually be a consistent player.

Either way, teams need more than three reliable cornerbacks on a roster. I think safety will be the bigger priority come draft day, but I think the team should look at a cornerback in the first two rounds.

by Greg Knopping on Jan 18, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

can someone tell us which pick the raiders gave us for the 2nd round?

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about a playoff victory?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 18, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

47 maybe? I know that there is a wide array of where that pick could land because of all the 8-8 teams

by Greg Knopping on Jan 18, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

49 or 50 I think.

Raiders beat the Jets/

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 18, 2012 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn't matter,

Pats aren’t dropping another 1st rounder on a CB and if they do it’s going to be because someone fell down the chart.(see; Kirkpatrick) They got 2nd round picks for someone like Gilmore or some of the safeties being eyed like Barron, Martin, and Iholowhatever.
Besides, if someone like Konz is still available, you know they’ll jump at the chance to draft the best Center of the draft. The best talent takes priority over need, and even if it didn’t, DT/DE is the top priority right now.
More importantly, Pats are going to try and trade their last pick away for someone’s 2013 1st rounder with hopes that it lands them a top-10 pick in next year’s draft.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 18, 2012 10:32 PM EST up reply actions

I'm hoping Alfonzo Dennard slips to our pick

Our perhaps every team will look the other way at Dre Kirkpatrick because of his arrest. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

by Justin_Bobo on Jan 18, 2012 10:12 AM EST reply actions

I'd rather have Peter Konz at 27 than a DB

Patriots need youth on the interior of the O-line since Tackle is virtually set for a while

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about a playoff victory?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 18, 2012 10:14 AM EST reply actions

We need someone solid at safety next to Chung

Someone like a Mark Barron would fit well and he has talent. I also think if they’re are going to draft on the defensive side of the ball, they need a speed rusher off the edge (kinda what andre carter was able to do this year). Brockers seems like the same style player as Wilfork, Love, Brace, Pryor, etc. and there are more than enough of those kind of players on this roster. If someone like a Dre Kirkpatrick were to fall into their lap then they would have to pull the trigger, or Courtney Upshaw I think would fit extremely well at the OLB spot

by jolink65 on Jan 18, 2012 10:45 AM EST reply actions

Kirpatrick and/or Upshaw would be awesome

But even with Kirkpatrick’s recent legal troubles, I don’t see him or Upshaw dropping all the way to 27.

Mark Barron would fill a need at safety, but I’m not sure how well he would compliment Chung. Barron is a good ball hawk, but isn’t exactly the guy you’d want to place in the slot like Chung can do sometimes. And having him would make Chung into more of a cover safety than an in-the-box safety, unless the Patriots think Barron can protect the back-end by himself. I’d love the Patriots to draft Barron, but those are my only reasons against it.

by Greg Knopping on Jan 18, 2012 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

He gambles,

gets greedy. That’s my big worry with him.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 18, 2012 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

I'd really like the Brockers pick.

He has the versatility to play both inside and out and can flex from the 4-3 DT to the 3-4 DE. He has great length and can hold his own against double teams.

As for the second pick, I’d go with Melvin Ingram from S. Car. Same school, different player. Versatile enough to play 3-4 OLB and 4-3 DE, he’s a stouter, maybe not as quick Aldon Smith- which is perfect for the Patriots bend-don’t-break defense. He’s fast enough to get pressure and strong enough to hold the point. He also plays special teams.

My only concern with spending a first round pick on another DB is- who does he replace? The six questions they ask with draft picks:

What is their role? Depends on whether the Patriots move McCourty or not. If McCourty goes to safety, then Gilmore makes sense as a replacement. If McCourty stays at corner, then Gilmore’s role is to be a back-up corner behind McCourty, Arrington, and possibly Dowling.

Will it change from year 1 to year 2? All three of those corners will still be under contract. That won’t change.

How many downs can he play? He can be a four down player.

Which current player will he beat out? Again, if McCourty slides to safety, it makes sense to draft Gilmore. If not, then the question is if Gilmore can beat out Arrington, Dowling, or McCourty. Dowling beat out Arrington to start the season, but you have to think that Arrington has the edge after a solid season. Does Gilmore beat out Arrington? Possibly.

What’s his ST value? He was a punt returner and can probably play ST.

Does he have positional versatility? Can he also play safety?

I think Gilmore could be a solid pick, but that depends on where the Patriots play McCourty. If the Patriots have their sights set on a safety, then I don’t see the Gilmore pick. If the Patriots want to move McCourty, than Gilmore is a fantastic selection.

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by Richard Hill on Jan 18, 2012 10:56 AM EST reply actions

I still view McCourty as a CB long term, but I think his presence at CB wouldn't scare the Patriots away from Gilmore at the end of the first round

Don’t forget that last year, when the Patriots selected Dowling at #33 (this is #32), they already seemingly had a logjam at CB. McCourty, Butler, Wilhite, Arrington, and Bodden were all players who were under team control for at least another two years (minus Wilhite) and yet the team still brought in a sixth cornerback (and at the time, it seemed unlikely he could get above #4 or #5 on the depth chart to start the season since he wasn’t seen as a SCB).

The Patriots have three cornerbacks who would seemingly start the season above Gilmore: Dowling, Arrington, and McCourty. Arrington is only signed through 2012, Dowling is an injury risk. You need a lot of good cornerbacks in this league, and Bill Belichick hasn’t shied away from drafting a lot of them in the past.

I’m not sure if the first round is the place to take a CB, and I’m not sure if Gilmore is that guy, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see a CB taken in the first two rounds.

by Greg Knopping on Jan 18, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

No love for Sterling Moore?

He had 2 PDs vs. Denver and decent coverage.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 18, 2012 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, against Denver. And an awful Bills team.

Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!

by Vic85 on Jan 18, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions

We need a freakin' safety, period

I don’t dislike the idea of adding a CB for depth, but S is difinitely the top of priority.
Not only we don’t have legitimate startar next to Chung, we don’t even have enough depth.
I am sick of seeing Ihedigbo getting torched and Sergio getting flagged for PI.

Of course, if they are moving DMC to a safety then it is a completely different story…

Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?

by cruelangelT on Jan 18, 2012 11:45 AM EST reply actions

Can we get this mock draft a shit off here?

Honestly we are in the AFC championship who cares about this right now?

by Crizzle12 on Jan 18, 2012 12:15 PM EST reply actions

thats what i was thinking

i get superstitious around this time every year, I’m worried thinking about the off-season when the pats are 2 games from a championship will jinx our chances

by BostonJake on Jan 18, 2012 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

I know this will never happen but...

Trade up to 17 and take Quinton Coples. He’s a top 5 pick, but will fall into the late teens

by ishan.majumdar on Jan 18, 2012 12:36 PM EST reply actions

I'd be mildly surprised if the Pats don't trade at least one of the picks - either to trade back

Or into next year.
I also think we get another OL

by CelticPride on Jan 18, 2012 4:15 PM EST reply actions

Next year.

Belichick wants to have a chance for a top-10 pick.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 18, 2012 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

How do you know that exactly?

Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!

by Vic85 on Jan 18, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

He views picks in terms of value.

Why not trade the(hopefully) 32nd pick from this year into next year with the hope the team ends up melting down? How else do the Pats get a high draft pick like that to find a blue chip player?

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 18, 2012 11:51 PM EST up reply actions

By...

“with the hope the team ends up melting down”, I meant the team involved in a trade with the Pats.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 18, 2012 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

I see what your last sentence is getting at, but just because a player is viewed as

a “top 10 talent” doesn’t necessarily mean he will be. We know that first hand in NE. I am not so certain the talent of a top 10 pass rusher for instance is all that different compared to a bottom 1st top 2nd rd. player.

Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!

by Vic85 on Jan 18, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions

I'd love to go:

1st round: ILB/OLB like Donte Hightower/Whitney Mercilus/A. Branch and a DE/DT like Jared Crick or Brandon Thompson
2nd round: CB like Boykin/Judie/ and a WR like Kendall Wright/Nick Toon/Dwight Jones/Fuller
3rd round: C such as Jones/Brewster/Molk/Vlachos
4th round: Safety such as Antonio Allen/Henry of Wisconsin or Smith of ND.
I may have C a bit low, however if WR’s like written above are still on the board, i think it’s much too tempting to pass up that level of talent. If a guy like McNutt is still there in rounds 3 or 4, then i would possibly take the chance of holding off from selecting a WR in the 2nd round.

Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!

by Vic85 on Jan 18, 2012 11:30 PM EST reply actions