Musket Fire
FanSided

5 positions Patriots will address in remainder of 2016 NFL Draft

By Connor Fulton

Aug 30, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
2016 NFL Draft Charles Tapper
Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Charles Tapper (91) reacts against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Defensive end/pass rusher

The selection of Vincent Valentine at the back end of the third round was by far the most questionable of the Patriots’ four Day 2 picks. Primarily a run stopper and not much else, Valentine probably could have been taken in the fourth round. The Patriots should have drafted a more active defensive lineman, in particular a pass rusher, at that juncture. They will address that need on Day 3, surely.

5 DEs Pats should consider in 2016 NFL Draft

Guys like Charles Tapper, Shawn Oakman and D.J. Pettway are decent Day 3 targets at defensive end. The Patriots are fine with a rotation of Jabaal Sheard, Rob Ninkovich and Chris Long assuming most of the pass rushing responsibility from defensive end, but a little healthy competition between Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers and a rookie wouldn’t hurt depth prospects.

It’s always a good idea to draft a promising defensive end each year anyway. You just can’t have enough players who can get to the quarterback.

Next: 2. Linebacker - Scooby Wright III?

Home/Patriots Draft