With the NFL draft roughly two months away, the Patriots — who have four picks in the first 53 — likely will be targeting defense, according to several draft experts.
Football Outsiders [1] writer Mike Tanier, who says this draft is “full of 3-4 defensive end types” New England traditionally covets, told WEEI.com that Michigan’s Brandon Graham would be a good fit for the Patriots at No. 22. Graham, a defensive end, earned MVP honors for the North team at the Senior Bowl when he recorded three tackles for loss, including two sacks, as well as a forced fumble.
Described by ESPN draft expert Todd McShay as “a Bill Belichick type of guy,” the 6-foot-1, 263-pound Graham had 20 sacks over the last two seasons for the Wolverines.
“That's a guy with 10 sacks at Michigan last year and 260-some pounds,” Tanier said. “He’s about the sixth to 10th-best defensive lineman available this year — that’s how deep the draft is. And he’s a natural end in the Patriots scheme.”
For more thoughts on what the Patriots might do on draft day, click here [2]. And for more Patriots updates, check out our football blog, It Is What It Is [3].
Links:
[1] http://footballoutsiders.com/
[2] http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/football/patriots/christopher-price/2010/02/15/experts-good-draft-pats-get-defensive
[3] http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/