The New England Patriots are unique in the way they approach their team building process in that they value tenured free agents who can fill holes and contribute right away over rookies who have proven nothing at the professional level.
This is not to mean that rookies can't or won't fill holes and contribute right away, but Patriots' head ball coach favors filling as many holes as he can with veterans so as not to have to approach the draft with immediate needs to lay on a kid just coming out of college, instead allowing himself time to ease said kid in gradually.
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| Vikings tackle Mike Harris could be effective swing tackle or more |
Therefore, our 2016 Big Board includes tenured free agents whom the Patriots could target to fill needs before the draft, allowing Belichick the enviable task of drafting the best athlete available rather than perhaps reaching for a rookie in order to fill that need.
Akiem Hicks, DT, Free Agent - New England
Patriots don't have many free agents hitting the market, but Hicks is an absolute must-sign
Mike Harris, OT/OG, Free Agent - Minnesota
Harris is under-valued by the Vikes, who offered him a 2 year, $3.5 million contract
Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Huge and fast back who enjoys running folks over. If available in 2nd round, Pats should jump
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Free Agent - Arizona
Vet "move" tight end who had five good seasons with Cincy before signing with Arizona
Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
Junior "move" tight end whom we rate the best in class
Matt Forte, RB, Free Agent - Chicago
Cagey vet nearing the end, great in both run and pass games
Joshua Perry, OLB, Ohio State
Undersized weak sider who compares himself with Steelers' Ryan Shazier
Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
Electric speed, great hands and terrific route runner. Our top WR in class
Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State
Long pass rusher with cover ability and maturity beyond years
Chris Ivory, RB, Free Agent - New York Jets
Violent runner, and Belichick loves guys who have given him problems in the past
Kentrell Brothers, ILB, Missouri
Elite vision and instincts, best play action-aware inside linebacker in class
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Elite acceleration and separation, 4.32 speed to take top off of defenses
Travis Benjamin, WR, Free Agent - Cleveland
Explosive slot receiver and kick returner, 4.36 speed but just one good season of production
Tyler Boyd, WR, Pitt
Good-sized, reliable possession receiver with vice-like hands
Scooby Wright, ILB, Arizona
A man possessed, non-stop motor and hits like a freight train
Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU
Lean prospect that needs a year or two, but could become elite left tackle
Germaine Ifedl, OT, Texas A&M
Massive swing tackle prospect that has versatility at right guard as well
Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Ball hawking risk-taking press corner with good instincts and coordination
Anquan Boldin, WR, Free Agent - San Francisco
A pro's pro in the twilight of career - needs no build up
Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
Violent running three-down back who would contribute right away
La'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
Best left tackle prospect in reach of Pats, could need a year
Su'a Cravens, OLB, USC
Playmaking weak-sider, excellent processing and playing speed
LaDarius Green, TE, Free Agent - San Diego
Underused "move" tight end that has fresh legs and good speed
Charone Peake, WR, Clemson
Latest in a long line of excellent Clemson pass catchers
Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
Projects to be another Chris Ivory, one-speed downhill runner
Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
Elusive burner who has played only one year at position - mid-round steal
Patrick Robinson, CB, Free Agent - San Diego
Former bust that found his stride on year deal with Chargers
Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa
Great leaper with solid hands - good sized possession receiver
Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
Elite "get off" from the line with speed to get over the top
Cedric Thornton, DT/DE, Free Agent - Philadelphia
Stout three-tech who can play some end - excellent run stuffer
Mark Barron, OLB, Free Agent - Los Angeles
Bust as a safety, found his position fit as a violent weakside linebacker
Morgan Burns, CB, Kansas State
Under the radar prospect - reminds many of Malcolm Butler
Dominique Alexander, OLB, Oklahoma
Former insider who got pushed around, is fast enough for the outside
Harlan Miller, CB, Southeast Louisiana
More quick than fast, but an athletic press corner that competes
Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland
Edge-setter with good burst in pass rush - a project
Chris Long, DE, Free Agent - Los Angeles
Elderly edge rusher seeking last big paycheck - situational pass rusher only
Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
Focused hands-catcher that needs route work
Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
Has issues with penalties, but one of the better corners at timing his look back and leaps
Brandon Boykin, CB, Free Agent - Pittsburgh
Looking for a more consistent role in someone's secondary, played well in a limited role in '15
Thomas Duarte, TE/WR, UCLA
Is he a "move" tight end or a big wide out? Either way, he's a versatile weapon
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
Not big on pass protection, but beastly between the tackles with good change of direction skill
Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
Pure pass catcher with exciting separation speed
C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
Speedy big back with untapped potential. Perhaps a bit of a project, but the tools are there
Leonte Caroo, WR, Rutgers
Excellent blocker though still trying to sharpen route running
Kenny Lawlor, WR, California
Thin, tall slot receiver - not a deep threat but a solid possession type
Tahir Whitehead, LB, Free Agent - Detroit
Run stuffer only, but an ascending talent
Zach Brown, LB, Free Agent - Tennessee
weaksider with speed to burn - good size and decent edge setter
Kamalel Correa, OLB, Boise State
College defensive end that could be an edge-setting outside backer in the pros - a project
Derrick Shelby, DE, Free Agent - Miami
Strong side, run plugging defensive end that was underutilized in Miami
Joe Barksdale, OT, Free Agent - San Diego
Young tackle with plenty of experience - could be a nice swing tackle
Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota
speedy but slight corner that fits best in a zone scheme or in the slot
Tyler Matakevich, ILB, Temple
weaksider with plus intelligence and excellent work ethic
Deondre' Hall, CB, Northern Iowa
A candidate for transition to safety, length and impressive wingspan are pluses
Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
Best press corner in the draft but character concerns limit his stock
Nick Vigil, OLB, Utah State
Project for a team that has patience - needs weight room work and may redshirt
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