Tomorrow is the big day!
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The draft is almost here!!! Finally, in the midst of all this chaos and uncertainty, we have some semblance of normalcy and can discuss football. In Musket Fire’s never ending quest to keep you informed, we are going to bring you two more prospects who have a legit chance of becoming New England Patriots. Many of the mock drafts have the Pats taking DE Cameron Jordan from Cal or Brooks Reed OLB/DE out of Arizona. Just who are these guys?
Lets start with Cameron Jordan. This dude is a 6-4, 287 pound beast. Once again, Jordan could be gone before the Pats pick at 17, but if he is there, this guy could be selected to fill the void that has been left from trading Richard Seymour. He has the size to play end in the 3-4 defense, a must for New England. At Cal, he was able to prove his ability to play the position, as they run the 3-4 defense. This means that they don’t have to guess how well he will do in that system, he has done it!
Jordan is not the classic speed rusher coming off the corner. This guy plays with brute strength and a non-stop motor that gets him to the QB. Effort is not a question with this guy, as is often the case with defensive lineman. He has shown the ability to defend the run well, an often overlooked skill for defensive ends. But that ability, and willingness to do the dirty work, is very necessary in the scheme that the Patriots employ.
Some scouts think that Jordan could play some at OLB, but I just don’t see it. I don’t think he has enough speed to rush the passer off the edge or to stay with a back or tight end in pass coverage. This guy belongs in the trenches!
Not only that, but Jordan has the bloodlines that indicate he should have a pretty good pro career, as his dad was TE Steve Jordan, who played for the Minnesota Vikings. If Jordan is still on the board at 17, the Pats are going to have to think long and hard about calling his name.
But, as we all know, the draft is longer than just the first round. And the Pats are well-stocked in the second and third rounds as well. With Bill Belichick, it is always possible that they may add some picks in these rounds with the always popular trade-down. One of the players that the Pats will want to consider in the early second round is a guy you may not have heard much of. Brooks Reed is not a household name, yet. He may become one if Bill Belichick gets his hands on him.
This guy has great size at 6-3, 263 pounds. He has the speed to come off the edge at linebacker, with a 4.65 forty, but could very easily bulk up, add 10 lbs, and play on the line. He is strong as an ox, doing an impressive 30 reps at the combine. His versatility is an asset that the Pats covet in their players, especially on defense.
Reed is another guy who is all about playing like a man possessed. Effort and heart are not question marks with him either. He has the experience to play on the line, being a three-year starter at Arizona. He got better and better each year, finishing the 2010 season with a career-high 47 tackles, with 6.5 sacks. He could add some speed and pass rush from the linebacking corp, a trademark of a Bill Belichick-led defense. He would be a steal!
Will the Pats look to beef up there defense? Will they try to reinforce their front seven? Can they add a much-needed pass-rusher? Is there a player who has captured Belichick’s heart so that he will trade up? Will we see the Pats trade down? More than once? We will not have to wait much longer as tomorrow we will finally start to get some of those answers.