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NFL Draft: Revisiting and Grading the New England Patriots 2015 NFL Draft Picks

By Hal Bent

May 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) and president Jonathan Kraft (right) pose with first-round draft choice defensive lineman Malcom Brown at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) and president Jonathan Kraft (right) pose with first-round draft choice defensive lineman Malcom Brown at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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2nd Round (64th Overall) – Jordan Richards (DB, Stanford)

Grade: B-

One Liner: Better than expected; but not as good as everyone in New England hoped for.

New England Patriots NFL Draft
Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan Richards continued an intriguing stretch of second and third round draft picks by Bill Belichick. In 2013 it was Rutgers safety Duron Harmon taken in third round at #91 overall. In 2012 it was second round draft pick Tavon Wilson out of Illinois at #48 overall. Now Richards is the safety taken so much earlier than expected by the NFL Draft analysts.

Richards proved to be a highly intelligent player with average speed and size. However, he contributed on special teams and played over 20% of the defensive snaps primarily in the sub packages. Richards proved to be solid in run support and playing underneath in the zone defense sets. He did struggle in man coverage and his role in the regular defense is unknown with Patrick Chung signed through 2018.

Next: 3rd Round (97th Overall, Compensatory) – Geneo Grissom

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