NFL Draft Preview Show: How Much Maneuvering Can We Expect From Patriots?
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots don't have a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and they don't have any picks in the fourth or fifth round either.
But the absence of those mid-round picks could change in a hurry, as Bob Socci discussed with The Providence Journal's Mark Daniels in the Sunday's edition of The NFL Draft Preview Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
The Patriots have 11 overall picks in the upcoming draft, with four in the sixth round, which could help them maneuver their way back in the middle of the draft.
"With that cluster of sixth round picks, I really think the Pats will maneuver a lot. Even in the second round, if they like a guy that has fallen, you could take a sixth round pick and pair it with that 60th pick and move up a few spots. Things like that, I wouldn't be surprised," said Daniels. "But I really don't expect the fourth and fifth round to go by without the Pats making one selection. They have so much draft capital in that sixth round, I expect them to be wheeling and dealing.
"It's second nature now for Bill Belichick to have a draft trade, whether it be trading down or trading up. They're in a great spot with four picks in the Top 100 ... you have a lot of room to maneuver," he added.
This year's draft is said to be deep in terms of defensive tackle and running back, which is perfect for the Patriots.
"The depth at this draft and at those positions, it plays into the Patriots hands in terms of what their needs are," said Daniels. "I would say defensive tackle, running back, cornerback, wide receiver and offensive tackle, and I think out of those five positions you'll have a good amount of picks left at the end of the second and into the third. There is a good amount of depth and that's a good thing for the Patriots, a team that unfortunately doesn't have a pick in the first round."
Listen to the full segment with Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal:
Socci also welcomed Greg Bedard of Sports Illustrated and The MMQB to Sunday's show to discuss the growing gap between the college game and the pro game, and how it's made drafting so difficult for teams. Bedard also touched on the drafting strategies of the New England Patriots when it comes to offensive players.
With such a complex offensive system, what traits do Patriots look for in a college player? Bedard says it goes far beyond the famous Wonderlic test that players take ahead of the draft, and especially with receivers, the Patriots must find players with high football IQs.
"They always start with, does the guy love football? That's what they start with any position and what is most important to them. As far as wide receivers, they have to find smart guys. There is so much going on as far as pre- and post-snap; you have to be able to process that or you won't see the field, and certainly, Tom Brady isn't going to throw you the ball," said Bedard. "They have been mostly misses on that, but it's difficult with the projections from the college game now. Most of these guys run bubble screens, goes and maybe a slant in the college game. That's like Day 1 install for the Patriots in OTAs. So it's extremely hard for them to project these guys for the next level. What they're trying to do is get these guys into the system, maybe the practice squad, and they just have to develop them."
Listen to the full segment with Greg Bedard:
Socci was also joined by CBS Sports' NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, who discussed how he differentiates reliable information from the misinformation that teams release leading up to the draft. He also discussed the blockbuster trades pulled off by the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles to acquire the first and second overall picks, respectively, and which quarterback each team would like best at their draft spots.
Listen to the full segment with Jason La Canfora:
The season isn't over for The NFL Draft Preview Show -- Tune in at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 1 for a full recap of the Patriots' 2016 NFL Draft with Bob Socci on 98.5 The Sports Hub!
