New England Patriots: Revisiting and Grading the Draft: 2010

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Ted Larsen (62) against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

6th Round  #205 overall: center Ted Larsen

New England’s regular sixth round draft pick at #190 overall went with the 44th overall pick to move up two spots and grab Rob Gronkowski. That alone made it the second-best sixth round pick in New England history. The 205th overall pick was compensatory and not tradable. New England went to the ACC and picked interior offensive lineman Ted Larsen and grabbed a highly productive player.

Unfortunately, Larsen’s production took place outside of New England. With Dan Koppen, Sebastian Vollmer, Matt Light, Dan Connolly, Stephen Neal, Ryan Wendell and Logan Mankins already in place on the offensive line there was little room for Larsen and New England tried to sneak him through waivers–without success.

Larsen was claimed by Tampa Bay where he started 31 games over the next four years before he left in free agency to go to Arizona on a two year deal. Larsen started all 16 games at left guard for Arizona this year and is expected to start next year. The numbers game in New England cost them one of the better late round draft picks of 2010.

SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED:

New England made the right pick here. Part of the issue with the roster numbers was that they were so successful in the undrafted free agency pool. New England ended up with undrafted free agents making the roster and contributing over the next few years. They found linebacker Dane Fletcher, safety Sergio Brown, defensive tackle Kyle Love, and safety Ross Ventrone.

GRADE: D

Larsen was a great draft pick, but it was too bad the Patriots could not shuffle him through waivers to the practice squad. Or better yet, New England could have cut third round pick Taylor Price going into the regular season and kept Larsen.

Next: Round Seven