2012 New England Patriots Seven Round Mock Draft
1. First Round, 27th overall: Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State
This might be too perfect a fit to actually happen. I’ve been mocking McClellin to the Pats for a couple of weeks now, and I still maintain that it’s a great fit. The Patriots need some help at the OLB position and McClellin is a versatile kid who can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. His late rise reminds me a lot of the one Brooks Reed had last year, though I think McClellin might actually hear his name called in round one.
**TRADE** Patriots trade 31st overall pick to Cleveland Browns for 37th pick, future 2nd round pick, and 4th round pick (100th overall)
The Browns give up a few picks to move back into the first round one more time and get Brandon Weeden, the QB from Oklahoma State.
2. Second Round, 37th overall (from Browns): Trumaine Johnson, DB, Montana
Johnson is another guy with versatility who is really flying up draft boards because he can play multiple positions. He has upside as both a cornerback and a safety, and the Patriots could use help at both positions, especially safety. If they can convert him early on, he is a name to watch out for.
3. Second Round, 48th overall: Derek Wolfe, DL, Cincinnati
Big, productive kid with a good head on his shoulders. I think the Patriots will love what he brings to the table in terms of his versatility along the line. Mel Kiper Jr. Thinks that Wolfe could be a first round pick, so maybe the Patriots feel like he’d be a steal at this point of the draft.
4. Second Round, 62nd overall: Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall
The Patriots again get a guy who can rush the quarterback, and a guy who fits their hybrid defensive scheme. Curry is a pretty underrated player, and was really consistently good for the Thundering Herd. This would be a solid late-2nd round selection for them.
5. Third Round, 93rd overall: Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska
Patriots continue to upgrade their defensive line with Jared Crick, who was considered a lock first round prospect before he got injured this past season. He would be a fantastic value for them at this point, and a guy who could either play inside or outside for them.
6. Fourth Round, 100th overall (proj. trade w/CLE): George Iloka, S, Boise State
Iloka has a ton of potential as a former WR who transitioned to safety for the Broncos, but also played some cornerback. That’s definitely going to push him up the Patriots’ board and could make for him being a starter early in his career despite the fact that he’s slightly raw at this point.
7. Fourth Round, 126th overall: Tank Carder, LB, TCU
This would be a value and depth pick for the Patriots in the fourth round. Carder was productive for the Horned Frogs for a number of years and seems like the type of guy who fits the style of what the Patriots like to do. Down the road, he could be a gem, or maybe he just develops into a solid special teams player.