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Evaluating roster chances of every Patriots draft pick

By Connor Fulton

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) runs the ball on a punt return for a touchdown as Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Collin Caflisch (57) defends during the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) runs the ball on a punt return for a touchdown as Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Collin Caflisch (57) defends during the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots draft Vincent Valentine
Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (98) celebrates as the clock runs down against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers won 39-38. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3, Pick 34 (No. 96 overall) – Vincent Valentine

The lowdown: Possessing “rare playing strength”, Valentine is perhaps the most difficult of the Patriots’ 2016 selections to predict. Valentine had an excellent combine workout, carrying his 329 pounds 40 yards in 5.19 seconds. The problem with Valentine his is inconsistency; he can go from terrorizing interior offensive lines to slowing down and being a liability at times.

Where he could fit: The departures of Akiem Hicks and Dominique Easley over the offseason beg for a draft pick on the interior of the defensive line. Valentine could fit nicely in a depth role behind Malcom Brown, Alan Branch and Terrance Knighton.

See which undrafted free agents the Patriots invited to training camp

Who he will be competing against: Veteran Patriots defensive tackle Joe Vellano and offseason pickup Markus Kuhn stand in the way of Valentine and a roster spot. Vellano is a known quantity in New England, and not in a good way; Valentine should be able to oust him. The battle between Valentine and Kuhn will be a matchup to watch in training camp.

Roster chances: 8.75/10. Valentine’s upside outweighs the doubts surrounding his consistency, and frankly, Vellano and Kuhn aren’t the steepest of competition for the rookie. One thing’s for sure; between Brown, Branch, Knighton and Valentine, the Patriots should have one of the beefiest interior defensive lines in football.

Next: No. 112 overall - Malcolm Mitchell

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