FanPost

The Totally Awesome Mock Draft - Edition the March-est

With the chaos of the past few days winding down, I figured it was time to begin working on the March edition of the Totally Awesome Mock Draft 2014. Since the last T.A.M.D, Free Agency has given us a better idea of what the Patriots still need to upgrade going into the season. Various other events including the Combine have also created a more accurate picture of who will end up where, so lets jump right in:

1st Round, Pick 29: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

Though I initially wasn't a fan of taking a DT in the first round, the loss of Wilfork has made this position clearly the greatest need. Adding beef along the interior of the defensive line will improve the entire defense. Jones will no longer be facing double teams on every play, improving the pass rush. The pass rush will in turn improve an already elite backfield, which will then give the front more time to get to the QB. All levels will feed off the other, and create a package that is truly elite. DT has been a position of need since 2010, and it's high time we fix it.

Hageman is the ideal raw, high-upside DT. As a solid tackler, he can both stop the run and disrupt plays in the backfield. At 6'6, 318 pounds, he is one of the largest DTs in the top rounds of the draft. Unlike size, his flaws are something that can be improved. Belichick will know how to get the best out of him, and his status as a captain shows his maturity and ability to lead a defense.

2nd Round, Top-50: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington

This was my original second round choice, and ASJ continues to be the guy I'm going to go with. The pick itself will likely come as a result of a Mallet trade. When you consider both that the Patriots already turned down multiple offers of second-round picks and that most QB needy teams will be drafting at the top, I expect this to be a high pick. Though there are concerns about the foot injury he suffered and a "failed interview," these things will merely help to seal the deal and ensure he falls into the lap of New England.

At six feet six inches tall, his size is similar to that of Gronk. With him, Gronk and Dobson on the team, Brady would have three targets over six feet tall on the field at almost all times. The three of them have the potential to be a trio of elite players, similar to what Denver was last year but with greater toughness and flexibility when it comes to run blocking. Add in Amendola, the speed of Boyce and strong depth players such as Thompkins, and it's entirely possible the offense Brady retires with will be the best of his career.

2nd Round, Pick 62: Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina

Going into the draft, the Patriots had three main needs: TE, DT and C/G. At this point, the first two have been taken care of. Because there are plenty of strong C/G options in the middle of the draft, the team is now in a position to take virtually whoever they want. The importance of the DE position in the pass-happy league of today combined with our own lack of depth at said position makes it an ideal target.

Martin is the type of player that could go much higher if a team feels he's there guy. If he falls to us, however, the Patriots will be getting a starting, 1st-round caliber player that at the very least should be able to take some pressure off of Jones and Nink. On passing downs, Martin has the size and strength to move inside. Like Hageman, Martin also has great potential to be a elite if he could improve on his consistency and technique.

3rd Round, Pick 93: Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas

Swanson is the perfect example of how things have changed since February, in our case for the better. The man I originally had the Patriots taking in the first round is now projected to be around in the 3rd, allowing us to fill a top need with a mid-round pick.

Swanson has everything you would look for in an interior linemen. He can pull for the run game, block defenders out of the play, and explodes off the line. He is known for his leadership on and off the field, and intelligence as it relates to the game itself. Taking him will fill the final major need the team has, switching the focus of the draft from filling holes to adding depth.

4th round: Adrian Hubbard, LB, Alabama

With Dane Fletcher headed south, the Patriots are left with several strong LBs but little in the way of capable depth behind them. Adrian Hubbard will fix this. Hubbard is a complete LB, capable of rushing the passer, stopping the run and dropping into coverage.

6th round: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson

Boyd is another player I took last time that has since seen his stock drop. At six foot one inch, he may be a bit shorter then the ideal QB but has no lack of toughness. His biggest knock is that he was surrounded by elite targets throughout his career, though this will likely be the case again if he plays in NE. Because of the Mallet trade, the Patriots will be in need of a backup QB and potential future starter. Boyd fills both these rolls.

6th round: Austin Franklin, WR, New Mexico State

The WR class this year is very deep. With TJ Moe being released, the Patriots should take advantage of this depth by picking a low-risk, high-potential guy like Franklin late.

7th round: Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon

If it wasn't for the off-the-field issues and character concerns, Lyerla would easily be one of the top TEs in the draft. Problems from drug use to controversial quotes to quitting on his team contribute to the fall of Lyerla, but, like Franklin, the risk at this point is low and the potential high. If Lyerla can behave himself, the Patriots will have solidified the TE position for the better part of the next decade. If not, they can cut ties and lose nothing more then a 7th round pick.

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So there it is. The March edition of the Totally Awesome Mock Draft. After killing it in free agency, getting players such as Hageman and ASJ to fill the remaining holes on the team will leave us strong and deep at literally every position. Late round guys such as Hubbard, Lyerla and Franklin are taken in hopes of finding diamonds in the rough, with little in the way of risk or cost.

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