Grading a New England Patriots NFL draft class before the beginning of the regular season is often a confounding assignment.
The 2013 version was no different.
Bill Belichick executed a substantial reach, took some lesser-known prospects and ultimately passed on a marquee player. Nearly half of the selections emerged from Rutgers to boot (three out of seven to be exact).
One this is for certain, however: Belichick is a master at acquiring additional draft picks and finding talent where other talent evaluators simply cannot. It surely makes preseason roster analysis all the more difficult.
But having an understanding of the relatively few needs for this AFC Super Bowl contender will help us evaluate New England’s prospect class.
We’ll now provide a breakdown of each pick and a final overall grade for the Patriots 2013 draft.
Round 2 (No. 52 Overall): Jamie Collins, Outside Linebacker, Southern Miss
Round 2 (No. 59 Overall): Aaron Dobson, Wide Receiver, Marshall
This could represent a classic case of good pick-bad pick in a given round.
Jamie Collins was a tremendously productive linebacker at Southern Miss. His 21 sacks, 45 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, three interceptions and three defensive touchdowns amount to some rather impressive career numbers.
That said, Collins doesn’t exactly fulfill a need.
The Patriots are strong at outside backer and defensive end with Donta Hightower, Jerod Mayo, Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones. All provide a solid pass rush and backfield presence.
Collins is a decent value pick and will provide good depth. Unfortunately, the Patriots would have been better served targeting much-needed backups for the offensive line. Tackle Terron Armstead and guard Larry Warford were available.
Aaron Dobson, though, potentially fills a huge need for New England.
On the one hand, Dobson’s statistics over his respective four-year collegiate career aren’t as eye opening as Collins’. He accumulated 2,398 yards, 24 TDs and 14.5 yards per catch.
But the former Marshall product possesses an NFL skill set. His 6’3’’, 210-pound frame, leaping ability, quick release, effectiveness at tracking the ball at its highest point and overall football intelligence makes him an ideal deep threat.
Tom Brady hasn’t had such a downfield target since Randy Moss.
Dobson will make a great complement to slot receiver Danny Amendola and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. He’ll open up things underneath for those dynamic pass-catchers.
If given the chance to absorb the Patriots complex offensive system, Dobson will make some big-time contributions in 2013.
Round 3 (No. 83 Overall): Logan Ryan, Cornerback, Rutgers
Round 3 (No. 91 Overall): Duron Harmon, Safety, Rutgers
This set of picks is where some of the confusion originates. Oh, and let the Rutgers draft-a-thon begin.
Logan Ryan, for his part, does not conform to the former, as he represents one of the best Patriots’ selections.
The former two-year starter excelled during his sophomore and junior campaigns. He posted seven interceptions and 39 pass breakups, showcasing great ball skills. He also had a knack for wrapping up ball carriers in run support with 171 tackles, 10.5 for loss and two forced fumbles over that span.
Logan’s tackling prowess, quality cover skills and instincts will ultimately push him towards the No. 4 cornerback slot for New England. He’ll bring great value in sub packages and on special teams.
Now enter Duron Harmon, fellow Rutgers defensive back.
On the surface, Harmon’s six interceptions, 14 pass breakups and three defensive touchdowns during the same two-year period appear as some legitimate contributions. They would certainly lend themselves to an all-around safety product.
But even if further undervalued talent exists, there just isn’t any way that Belichick can take Harmon at No. 91 overall.
Harmon would have been available in the seventh round, if not as an undrafted free agent. Such more accomplished safeties as Phillip Thomas, Bacarri Rambo and Shamarko Thomas were all still on the board.
The Patriots were certainly burned by Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Championship game last year. Harmon, unfortunately, doesn’t seem poised to prevent that from happening once again.
Round 4 (No. 102 Overall): Josh Boyce, Wide Receiver, TCU
Josh Boyce is a solid pick by Belichick and Co.
The former TCU wideout fills a need and brings appropriate value in the fourth round. Built with a compact but strong frame at 5’11’’, 206 pounds, Boyce is a tough player who doesn’t show trepidation when catching balls in traffic.
The hard-nosed after-the-catch receiver enjoyed a well-rounded collegiate career. He averaged 19 yards per reception as a freshman, racked up 998 yards as a sophomore and produced 66 catches and eight touchdowns from scrimmage in 2012.
Boyce offers another intermediate target for Brady. His notable 4.38-40 speed alludes to his potential as an outside deep threat as well.
Boyce must overcome his reputation for questionable hands if he is to succeed in the NFL.
Round 7 (No. 226 Overall): Michael Buchanan, Defensive End, Illinois
Round 7 (No. 235 Overall): Steve Beauharnais, Inside Linebacker, Rutgers
The Patriots concluded their 2013 draft by making a positive value-based selection in the seventh round.
Michael Buchanan didn’t qualify as such, but the defensive end definitely flashed some skills while playing at Illinois. He notched 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss during his junior year. He then added to his pass-rush production as a senior with six pass breakups while dropping in coverage.
The high-motor Buchanan is undoubtedly a long shot to make the team, though. New England might have targeted a developmental offensive lineman instead of a long-term DE/OLB prospect.
Lastly, Steve Beauharnais is a mid-round linebacker taken all the way down in the seventh. He earned above-average marks in tackling, shedding blockers and displaying consistent assignment discipline.
Beauharnais’ high football IQ and noteworthy character could very well earn him a spot on the Patriots’ roster. He’ll certainly fit in well in the locker room.
Overall Grade: C
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