In his latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Mel Kiper projects that the New England Patriots will use both of their first round picks to address their defensive front seven.
Kiper picked the Patriots to use the 27th pick to choose Shea McClellin, an outside linebacker, from Boise State.
Here's what Kiper had to say about McClellin:
A player who has moved up boards during the draft process, he played with a hand on the ground at Boise State, but has enough athleticism and the smarts to transition to standing up on the edge in this type of a system. The Patriots have to work on the front seven in the draft, and McClellin is the type of heady player Bill Belichick can work with. (via ESPN)
The Patriots' other pick in the first round, 31st, would be used on Derek Wolfe, a defensive lineman from Cincinnati. Kiper feels that Wolfe is best suited in a 3-4 system.
Will fit best as a 3-4 DE, where he can use his size (6-5, 295) to become a disruptive pass-rusher. Not considered explosive in terms of foot speed, he plays with great leverage and can disrupt pockets by driving linemen back, demanding extra help. Another good fit for the Patriots as they add pieces up front.
As for the second round, Kiper sees the Patriots looking to address the secondary and offensive line. Kiper has the Pats taking speedy UCF cornerback Josh Robinson with the 48th pick. With the 62nd selection, Kiper has New England filling what he determines as a need on the offensive line with guard, Amini Silatolu from Midwestern State (Division II).
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