All News & Analysis

PFF Draft Board: New England Patriots

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Hassan Ridgeway of Texas in action during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

PFF is putting together team-specific draft boards for all 32 teams, using our draft rankings and our evaluation of how each player fits in specific schemes.

Included are three ideal targets for each team with their first-, second- and third-round picks, along with the complete team-specific draft board including every player in PFF's draft rankings.

Here is the entry for the New England Patriots

Round 2 (60th, 61st overall)

Hassan Ridgeway DI Texas

Fifth-best pass rush productivity among interior DL in the draft. Solid production in the run game as well. Would pair with ex-Longhorn Malcolm Brown on the inside in obvious pass rushing situations and fill in the skill set lost with Dominique Easley’s recent release.

Maliek Collins DI Nebraska

Like Ridgeway, Collins projects as an interior penetrator at the next level. Can be overpowered in the run game, but with Alan Branch, Malcolm Brown and Terrence Knighton likely to rotate on snaps in base formations. The Patriots would only need Collins to penetrate in obvious pass-rushing situations.

Daniel Braverman WR Western Michigan

WR is not a position of pressing need for the Patriots, but Braverman is an intriguing prospect for the Patriots because his sharp route running skills fit well with Tom Brady’s skill set. With Danny Amendola not likely to receive upwards of $5 million dollars a year for much longer. Braverman could sit and learn the Patriots' complicated offensive scheme for a year and replace Amendola at the end of next year or provide depth behind Edelman/Amendola in case of an injury.

Kyle Murphy OT Stanford

Murphy ranked sixth-best in pass blocking efficiency for Power-5 OTs in 2014. Technically sound in pass protection and solid footwork in the run game. Was hurt by his move from RT to LT this season, but would project as a swing tackle to provide injury insurance that Marcus Cannon showed he cannot provide. If he performs well, Murphy could be the Patriots' RT of the future with Vollmer’s contract up at the end of next season.

Paul Perkins RB UCLA

Perkins has the best elusiveness ranking of all draft eligible RBs, and he was the highest purely rushing graded RB in the class. He can get the most out of poor blocking, but needs work in pass protection. Fits very well with the Patriots as an early-down runner who needs a bigger back complement to LaGarrette Blount, and can make early cuts and get yards when there’s not much there. With Dion Lewis and James White taking all of the pass snaps, this should not be an issue.

Kenneth Dixon RB Louisiana Tech

Dixon is a change of pace back who is good in space and the best pass-catching RB in the class. His player style comparison is Dion Lewis. RBs with these qualities tend to flourish in the Patriots system. He is listed at just under 220 pounds, and the Patriots would hope that he would be able to contribute in-between the tackles as well as on the outside.

Round 3 (91st, 96th overall)

Tyler Boyd WR Pitt

Adequate size at 6-2 to play both the outside and inside. He excelled in both positions throughout his career running a diverse route tree that is largely unseen at the college level. He's not a big-play threat however, averaging just 10 yards a catch. Boyd’s versatility and size fit well with both New England’s need and scheme. His one weakness (getting downfield) is not a strength of Brady’s, and would fit well to replace Brandon Lafell.

Alex Collins RB Arkansas 

Collins is a high-effort physical runner who fights for extra yards. He is more quick than fast, and can make cuts behind the line of scrimmage when blocking breaks down. Like Perkins, Collins fits well as an early-down complement to Blount who can make quicker cuts to compensate for poor run blocking, which the Patriots have struggled with in recent years.

Ronald Blair DI Appalachian State 

Blair projects as an edge player in base formations at the next level. He doesn’t have the bend around the edge that you would want for a pass-rushing edge player, but excelled as an interior rusher with a top-six pass rushing grade in both 2014 and 2015. He would help to fill the interior rushers void left by Easley’s release.

Shon Coleman OT Auburn 

Coleman is one of the most polished and powerful run blockers in the draft already, but is awkward in pass protection, and would really need lots of development in this area. Would be similar to the Cameron Flemming draft pick in 2014.

Will Redmond CB Mississippi State 

The Patriots are likely to draft a CB at some point in the mid-late rounds of this draft, with Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler returning as the top options. Only seventh-round pick Darryl Roberts and UDFA Justin Coleman return as viable backups. While both played respectfully while they were on the field the Patriots will likely be searching for more depth. Redmond allowed just 37 catches from 2014-2015 before tearing his ACL in Week 7 of this year.

Le’Reaven Clark OT Texas Tech

Freakish athletically but his pass protection fundamentals are non-existent, Clark is definitely a project and a player that the Patriots and Dante Scarnecchia would need to feel like they could develop.

[table id=1193 /]

All Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit