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New England Patriots: Grading the 2010 Draft Class

By Luke O'Brien

Nov 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12), tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76), and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12), tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76), and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
Jan 31, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A general view of a New England Patriots football helmet sculpture display prior to Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

5          Zoltan Mesko   P          Michigan     Grade: B-

Mesko’s career was a strange one. As a 5th round draftee and a Punter one would think that he would be a mainstay in the league for the next 10-15 years. Mesko’s was a top-20 guy (in average punt yards) in his first two seasons but had a poor 2012 season. At that time, Ryan Allen was brought in to compete and with not much between them, Allen got the nod which apparently came down to money. Mesko would have cost $1.3m, Allen only $405,000. After New England he moved onto Pittsburgh where he fell out of favor with Mike Tomlin and then came in to cover the injured Kevin Huber for the Bengals. Since 2013 Mesko moved on quite quickly from the NFL and founded a company to improve NFL helmet safety.

6          Ted Larsen      C          NC State       Grade: F

Larsen is one of the few players that Belichick might have misjudged in his rookie season. Larsen was a versatile center that could play guard. A useful talent and one that the Patriots valued. Unfortunately for Larsen, they already had two players that were comfortable playing both in Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell. Put simply, there wasn’t really space for him on the roster. Since leaving New England he has played regularly with the Bucs, Cardinals and Bears.

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