OLB Clay Matthews. DE Larry English. CB Alphonso Smith. Just a few of the names projected as players the New England Patriots would draft with the 23rd overall pick. Instead the Pats traded out of the first round, stockpiled more picks, and used all four second round picks.
Probably the biggest surprise regarding New England’s draft class is that all 12 players made the final roster. Even DT Darryl Richard wasn’t visited by the turk.
It may take one to three years to find out if the whole draft class pans out or which ones get left on the side of the road. But how do the Pats rookies stack up against their peers?
The players have to get playing time in order to make these comparisons fair. It’s really a losing battle as it boils down to five against about 250 rookies. But New England’s newbies compare well overall:
Cornerback – Malcom Jenkins and Vonta Davis were selected in the first round, but Darius Butler has more interceptions than either one. In defense of Davis, he was thrust into a starting role in Miami as injuries plagued the Dolphins secondary. He’s part of a young unit ranked 21st in pass defense. Davis does have a pick-six, though. As do New York Giants’ Bruce Johnson and Indianapolis’ Jacob Lacey. Advantage: Even
Safety – Pat Chung was the Patriots’ first pick in ’09. He’s earning more playing time and doing well with those opportunities, with one interception and a sack. But he is way behind Buffalo’s Jarius Byrd with seven interceptions. Chicago’s Al Afalava matches Chung in sacks and nearly doubles Pat’s 17 tackles with 31. Advantage: Rookies
Defensive Tackle – Even though Ron Brace was drafted higher, it is Myron Pryor getting PT. Because he plays in a 3-4 and is part of a rotation of five regulars, Pryor doesn’t pad his stats. But it is worth noting Myron has more tackles than first rounders B.J. Raji, Tyson Jackson, Jerry Peria, and Evander Hood. Advantage: Pryor
Offensive Tackle – Experts said the selection of Sebastian Vollmer was a developmental pick, a reach in the second round. Well he’s started two games thus far and he more than held his own. Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher all have more starts than Vollmer, but only Monroe is listed as a starter at left tackle. Advantage: Rookies
Wide Receiver – If Julian Edelman didn’t suffer a forearm injury against Tennessee in week six, he’d probably be higher than fifth in receptions. He’s one behind Philadelphia’s Jeremy Macklin by one and losing ground to Minnesota’s Percy Harvin. Two second day picks, Indianapolis’ Austin Collie and Chicago’s Johnny Knox, are playing big roles for their teams. Edelman is way behind as a returner to Harvin (two kickoff returns for TD), Knox (one) and Tampa Bay’s Sammie Stroughter (one). Advantage: Rookies
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
Keywords: Al Afalava, Alphonso Smith, Autin Collie, B.J. Raji, Bruce Johnson, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Clay Matthews, Darius Butler, Darryl Richard, Eugene Monroe, Evander Hood, Indianapolis Colts, Jacob Lacey, Jarius Byrd, Jason Smith, Jeremy Macklin, Jerry Peria, Johnny Knox, Julian Edelman, Larry English, Malcom Jenkins, Michael Oher, Minnesota Vikings, Myron Pryor, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pat Chung, Percy Harvin, Philadelphia Eagles, Ron Brace, Sammie Stroughter, Sebastian Vollmer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tyson Jackson, Vonta Davis
