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Patriots: Putting the 2016 NFL Draft in perspective

By Connor Fulton

Apr 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New England Patriots players Malcom Butler (left) and Jamie Collins pose for a photo during the second half in a game between the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New England Patriots players Malcom Butler (left) and Jamie Collins pose for a photo during the second half in a game between the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Draft season is different for every team. Some franchises are viewing the 2016 NFL Draft as a team to rebuild from the ground-up (looking at you, Cleveland) and some squads are looking to fill-out depth and upgrade at a few specific positions. For the New England Patriots, the 2016 NFL Draft will focus planning ahead for what could be a brutal 2017 offseason.

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2016 free agency is quickly becoming a distant memory; now, the attention turns to the abundance of veteran contributors the Patriots have entering the unrestricted free agent market in 2017.

Disregarding newcomers who signed one-year deals this offseason, the Patriots will decisions to make regarding cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan; linebacker superstars Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower; defensive ends Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard; tackles Sebastian Vollmer and Marcus Cannon; special teams standouts Brandon Bolden and Matthew Slater.

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There’s no way the Patriots will be able to retain all of those guys. Even the most vital five out of that group, Collins, Hightower, Butler, Ryan and Sheard, likely won’t all be back in 2017. So the Patriots must have this in mind during the 2016 NFL Draft.

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The Patriots would be wise to use one of their second round selections on a top-tier cornerback, such as Xavien Howard or Cyrus Jones. Even if the Patriots were able to hang onto both Butler and Ryan, it wouldn’t hurt to have another promising corner in the mix. You just can’t have enough good cornerbacks.

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While the additions of Shea McClellin and Ramon Humber bolster linebacker depth behind Collins and Hightower in the short-term, the Patriots would be in the right if they used one of those second round picks on a linebacker. Scooby Wright III comes to mind.

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If the recent past is any indication, the Patriots will add another defensive lineman to the mix. Sure, Geneo Grissom and Trey Flowers are coming up through the ranks behind Ninkovich, Sheard and Chris Long, but Flowers is largely unproven and Grissom isn’t a completely known entity either. Carl Nassib wouldn’t be a bad option.

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In closing, the Patriots’ approach to the 2016 NFL Draft may very well be proactive in nature with 2017 free agency in mind. Addressing potential significant losses at the essential positions of cornerback, interior linebacker and outside pass rusher would be a sensible way for the Patriots to deliberate in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Next: Revisiting and grading Patriots’ 2015 NFL Draft picks

Of course, it’s fun to think about a new offensive weapon, too. For reading on those topics, be sure to check out six running back targets and six wide receiver targets for the Patriots.

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