In the Running for Unga?

After the dust settled and all the trades were counted, the Patriots came away from the draft with a dozen selections. But not one of them was a running back. They could have a chance to select one July 15^th.

Harvey Unga might be the prize of next week’s supplemental draft. The 6-foot 237-pound power back is leaving BYU because Mormon living is cramping his and his wife’s style.

His numbers are very good. In three years as a starter, Unga averaged 1,151 yards, five yards per carry, and 12 touchdowns. He’s projected to go as high as the second round.

New England is reportedly interested in Unga, which is understandable. Laurence Maroney is in the final year of his contract and is yet to play to his potential. But more of a concern is the durability of Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor.

In three years with the Patriots, Morris missed 17 of 48 games. Taylor was out for 10 games in his first season with the Pats last year. The lack of durability for a pair of between the tackle runners age 34 (Taylor) and 33 (Morris) doesn’t bode well for the upcoming season.

If the coaching staff showed any faith in BenJarvus Green-Ellis, speculation for Unga would be greatly reduced, if not tamped down completely. But the combined factors create the need for reliable depth behind Maroney, Morris, and Taylor.

If the interest in Unga is true, then the Patriots will have to win the game of chicken against the rest of the league during the supplemental draft. Teams have a chance to make a selection or pass until the next round. Knowing head coach Bill Belichick, he will want Unga’s talents at a good value for the selection. But a selection in the supplemental draft costs a team a selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Second round draft picks are very valuable in the NFL. It’s a high price to potentially pay for Unga. Belichick really likes second round draft picks, as past trades put New England in position to select seven players in the second round in the past two years. But the Pats might be willing to take a chance on Unga because they have two second round picks in next year’s draft.

New England exchanged a third round pick (89 overall) for Carolina’s second round pick next year. If the Panthers, coming off of a 8-8 season and in search of their next franchise quarterback, stumble as they break in a new signal-caller next year, that second round pick could turn into a high selection in ’11. Adversely, if the Pats continue their playoff streak, their second round pick could fall into the bottom third. That selection could be worth Unga.