New England Patriots: Securing future, Super Bowl return with 2018 NFL Draft
Who are the players that fit the Patriot way
The front seven for the Pats is the most important element of their defense. They beefed up their interior and run defense by adding Danny Shelton to pair with Malcolm Brow,n but they still lack the guys on the outside that could generate pressure. As mentioned before, part of the reason they were able to reach the Super Bowl yet again was because they were able to manufacture pressure with their front seven.
Over the years the Patriots have lost guys that could move around from defensive end to outside linebacker in Chandler Jones (ARI), Jamie Collins (CLE), Jabaal Sheard (IND) and Rob Nincokich, who retired this offseason. On their roster, they have Trey Flowers, a third-year pro who has performed admirably with 6.5 sacks last season, but he doesn’t have the explosiveness needed to be a double-digit sack guy. They also brought in former Atlanta Falcon Adrian Clayborn who had 9.5 sacks last season, six of which came in Week 10 against the Cowboys. Still, the Pats will look to the draft who can bring some form of versatility.
The first name that comes to mind is Georgia linebacker Roquon Smith who drew a smile from Bill Belichick at the Bulldogs Pro Day. Another option is Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry, who has been overlooked throughout the draft process by the mainstream media. Most mock drafts have Landry going near the bottom of the first round or early in the second. However, there’s a chance that a team like the Patriots could snag him.
Another strong possibility who ideally fits their system is Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. The 6-4, 256-pound inside backer is built like an old-school thumper, a downhill backer who engulfs linemen in route to swallowing running backs, but he’s much more. Vander Esch is the high IQ player who can play the run, blitz, and has the athleticism to drop into coverage on third downs making him an X-factor, especially for the Pats
If none of those linebackers are the picks, for one reason or another the another, Smith’s Georgia teammate in Lorenzo Carter is a valuable option at 31 or 43. Carter is a utility guy, a tall lean player who comes off the edge with pure speed and athleticism. There are some concerns about his power ,but the Georgia product is a lot like former Patriot Jamie Collins coming out in that regard, though he is much taller. The 6-6, 250-pounder was asked to a lot of different things for the Bulldogs, which makes him an ideal fit for the Patriots defense. Dorance Armstrong out of Kansas sits as another option.
The good thing about this draft is that the Pats can get a player who can play upfront right away within the first three rounds.