Analyzing the New England Patriots 2015 NFL Mock Draft Picks
By Hal Bent
Lance Zierlein – NFL.com Mock Draft 3.0
Nov 22, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman (6) carries the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 42-27. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
PICK NO.32 – New England Patriots
TEVIN COLEMAN, RB – INDIANA
Bill Belichick drafted Laurence Maroney in Round 1 in 2006, thinking Maroney could be a home-run hitter. Don’t be shocked to see him take another shot here.
My analysis: The running back position is simply too undervalued in the modern NFL for the Patriots to use a valuable first round draft pick on one. One has to think that Bill Belichick learned his lesson from the Laurence Maroney mistake in 2006. Something tells me that running back is a late second round or one of the third round picks if they go there in 2015.
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Doug Farrar – SI.com 2015 NFL Mock Draft
Nov 22, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (80) during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
#32 overall: JORDAN PHILLIPS, DT€‹
RS Junior, Oklahoma
Bill Belichick lost Vince Wilfork, who he called the best defensive lineman he’s ever coached, to the Texans, and rookie Dominique Easley wasn’t able to escape his collegiate injury history in the NFL. So, assistance is needed, and I really like Phillips as a fit in a defense that requires gap versatility. He’s not fully-formed as a player yet, but Belichick has proven over time that he’ll take raw guys on either side of the line and work them in eventually, and Phillips already has the incredible power and surprising speed to make a serious dent in that rotation.
My analysis: Again, a run stuffer in the first round seems counterproductive with Siliga, Easley, and Branch on the roster. Add in Chris Jones–who Belichick loves–and undersized Joe Vellano and there is plenty of size upfront. Again, like the running back position, the big run-stuffer is undervalued in the modern NFL. Bill Belichick is not wasting a high value pick on a low-value position.
Next: Here Are The Fifth Group Of Mock Drafts