The 2012 NFL Draft order has been decided for the teams that will miss the postseason. The Patriots are in the playoffs, so their exact spot is not official yet, but that doesn't mean we can start speculating about the direction in which the Pats will go in the first round of the draft.
The SB Nation mothership published its first 2012 NFL Mock Draft on Monday, and the Patriots pick up a couple of pieces at the end of the first round. Take a look:
30. New England Patriots (from New Orleans), Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
You can almost guarantee that this pick, and probably the next one, will be traded before the shooting stops on the first night of the draft. For the sake of mocking, let's put Worthy here because he gives the Pats a much needed shot of youth along their defensive line.
31. New England Patriots, Brandon Jenkins, OLB, Florida State
Andre Carter is currently the Patriots' best pass rusher. He's 32 and stuck on the injured reserve list. They need to add another player who can get the quarterback. Jenkins puts his head down and plays football, a trait Bill Belichick loves.
Keep up with our 2012 NFL Draft StoryStream for the latest news and rumors on the New England Patriots and the NFL Draft.