Potential Patriots Draft Prospects to Watch at This Weekends NFL Combine

Though predicting what Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli will do with the 7th overall pick is harder that predicting Britney Spears' next meltdown there are a number of prospects that Mock Drafts consistently have the Patriots taking. Based on www.199overall.com below are the guys that at least three mock drafts have the Patriots selecting. Their stockwill rise and fall after this weekend so I will plan on checking back in on all of them to report how they did and if the Pats are more or less likely to take them based on their combine performance.

Aqib Talib      Cornerback       Kansas

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/aqib-talib?id=1302

Talib has the size you want from an NFL corner but he doesn't tackle and isn't physical enough. If he runs a good 40 this weekend his stock could shoot up the charts.

Chris Long      Defensive End/Outside Linebacker       Virginia

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/chris-long?id=276

A lot of Mock Drafts have him going first overall so it's doubtful the Pats will even have a shot at him. Should he slip to them it would be a no-brainer. Pat Kirwan on NFL.com wonders if he's maxed out, he already knows all the pass-rush moves from his father Howie Long and he's not sure how much more meat he can put on his frame.

Dan Connor      Inside Linebacker       Penn State

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/dan-connor?id=212

Connor is probably a reach at 7th overall. More likely the Pats could trade down and still be able to pick him up at the bottom of the first. He compares favorably to Paul Pozlusny. A Penn State MLB, enough said.

Keith Rivers      Outside Linebacker     USC

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/keith-rivers?id=302

Rivers interests me since he comes from a pro-style defense and has recently been shooting up a lot of draft boards. This guy could be a sleeper pick for the Pats.

Leodis McKelvin     Cornerback    Troy

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/leodis-mckelvin?id=1298

McKelvin's still very raw and doesn't have ideal size but plays physical and is also an ace punt-returner. Had a great Senior Bowl, his stock has been rising since then.

Mike Jenkins      Cornerback      S. Florida

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/mike-jenkins?id=1583

Jenkins is a popular mock draft pick for the Pats. He's got the physical attributes and excels in press coverage - this could be a negative because the Pats play mostly zone. He's a playmaker but his tackling skills are questionable. 

Ryan Clady      Offensive Tackle     Boise St.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/ryan-clady?id=746

Up until the Super Bowl no one would've had the Pats trying to replace Pro Bowl Tackle Matt Light. We do know the Pats will do whatever they think will improve the team, that includes taking a tackle this high (which is cost effective). A move like this is one the Pats are known for, just like when they drafted Logan Mankins out of nowhere in the first round of 2005.

Vernon Gholston      Outside Linebacker      Ohio State

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/vernon-gholston?id=756

Another popular pick in the mock drafts, Gholston looks like an absolute specimen. He has experience playing in space and is a terror getting after the quarterback. Some think he's still a little raw but it's safe to say Pats fans would love to get him... if Belichick deemed him worthy of selection.