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New England Patriots: Early April 7-Round 2018 mock draft

By Dan Schmelzer

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Brett Rypien #4 and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos walk onto the field through smoke as the team is introduced before playing the Oregon Ducks in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Brett Rypien #4 and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos walk onto the field through smoke as the team is introduced before playing the Oregon Ducks in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Dorace Armstrong
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images /

The New England Patriots had a ton of issues in their defensive front seven last season, but none of them stuck out as bad as their lack of a pass rush on the outside. Trey Flowers took a step forward and has the makings of becoming a strong long-term option on the edge, but the unit as a whole lacks legitimate athleticism and pass rush upside going forward.

With their late second-round selection, the Pats find some serious upside on the edge by taking Kansas’ Dorance Armstrong Jr.

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Armstrong is a quick and athletic defensive lineman who shows ridiculous burst off of the snap. He fires off the line of scrimmage with anger, consistently getting an immediate advantage on the player trying to block him. Armstrong then showcases impressive speed on the outside and bend around the edge. He is a fantastic speed rusher who has tremendous upside on the edge at the next level.

Armstrong’s sack numbers were way down last season, but a closer look showed that Kansas was not allowing him to make as big of an impact as he was capable. He was consistently held back last season, taking on gap responsibility as opposed to being asked to penetrate and make plays in the backfield.

His production last season was not good for his overall numbers, but it did prove that Armstrong is more than an out of control edge rusher. He showed good power at the point of attack last season and set the edge well against the run.

Armstrong was primarily a down defensive end in college, but he did show the ability to stand up and rush from the edge. This gives him a bit of versatility which could specifically entice the Patriots.

When it comes down to it, Dorace Armstrong is a talented edge rusher who understands gap responsibility and has a lot of natural playmaking ability on the outside. He would help fill an immediate need for the New England Patriots while also bringing some big-time long-term upside.

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