SB Nation Boston - NFL Draft 2012: Patriots Draft Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Tavon Wilson, Jake Bequettehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-04-30T15:36:37-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27412612012-04-30T15:36:37-04:002012-04-30T15:36:37-04:002012 NFL Draft Biggest Steals And Reaches: Tavon Wilson A Reach For Patriots
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<p>If you were watching the 2012 NFL Draft on Friday night and found yourself asking a friend, "Who the heck is <span>Tavon Wilson</span>?" -- you weren't alone.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>' second-round draft choice out of Illinois was not invited to the NFL Combine and was not on many teams' draft boards. Before the Patriots chose the cornerback/safety with the 48th pick, he was projected to go undrafted by most analysts.</p>
<p>According to Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline, Wilson was one of the <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/04/28/steals.reaches.2012draft/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a5">2012 NFL Draft's biggest reaches</a>.</p>
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<p>Few teams, if any, considered Wilson draftable, never mind assigning him a second-round grade. Wilson is a nice prospect, yet does not stand out in any single area.</p>
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<p>Bill Belichick does not care for pre-draft projections and does not care that he will look quite stupid if Wilson provides little help during the upcoming season. He likes Wilson and that was enough for the Patriots.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out <a href="http://patspulpit.com/">Pats Pulpit</a> and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/30/2989442/2012-nfl-draft-biggest-steals-and-reaches-tavon-wilson-new-england-patriotsJay_King2012-04-30T11:49:12-04:002012-04-30T11:49:12-04:002013 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Linked To Jordan Poyer
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<p>The 2012 NFL Draft is old news folks. Hold onto your hats, because here comes the do-you-believe-it 2013 NFL Mock Draft done by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/30/2987560/2013-nfl-mock-draft-matt-barkley">SB Nation's very own Ryan Van Bibber</a>.</p>
<p>In this piece, Van Bibber has the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> selecting 29th overall and taking Jordan Poyer.</p>
<p>Poyer is a very talented cornerback out of Oregon State and makes sense on many levels.</p>
<p>New England has done quite a bit in this offseason to address multiple needs on the defensive side of the ball. However, one area that wasn't truly taken care of was corner. Don't forget, wide receiver Julian Edelman was taking snaps in the Super Bowl as a corner. That's the true definition of needing massive help.</p>
<p>Poyer can upgrade that area with his combination of speed and athleticism. The only saving grace for the Patriots this year is playing in a division with two teams that can't throw the football to save their lives in Miami and New York.</p>
<p>Heck, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a> have two starting quarterbacks and still can't complete a pass.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out <a href="http://patspulpit.com">Pats Pulpit</a> and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com">SB Nation Boston</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/30/2988692/nfl-mock-draft-2013-new-england-patriots-jordan-poyerMatt Verderame2012-04-30T10:14:26-04:002012-04-30T10:14:26-04:002012 NFL Draft Grades: The New England Patriots Get An 'A' From SB Nation
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<p>With all the experts handing out draft grades now that the 2012 NFL Draft has come to a close, our guys at SB Nation have jumped into the action.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Im85vdeYUk">Brad Wells on the SB Nation YouTube Channel</a> gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> a ' B ' for their efforts this year.</p>
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<p>2012 NFL Draft Grades and Analysis: AFC East Edition (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Im85vdeYUk">sbnation</a>)</p>
<p>New England had two first round picks and actually traded up twice with them to take Syracuse defensive end <span>Chandler Jones</span> and linebacker <span>Dont'a Hightower</span> from Alabama.</p>
<p>Wells is a big fan of <span>Alfonzo Dennard</span> who was taken in the seventh round. The Nebraska product was expected to be a second day pick before having an alleged dispute with a police officer shortly before the draft.</p>
<p>Wells also approves highly of the mindset going into the draft, which was clearly focused on improving the defense at all three levels.</p>
<p>Only the Patriots final selection was an offensive player, <span>Jeremy Ebert</span>, who will mostly see special team duties if he makes the team.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://patspulpit.com">Pats Pulpit </a>and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com">SB Nation Boston</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/30/2988397/nfl-draft-grades-2012-new-england-patriotsMatt Verderame2012-04-30T09:40:04-04:002012-04-30T09:40:04-04:002012 NFL Draft Grades: New England Gets Graded By Mel Kiper Jr.
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<p>Now that all the smoke has cleared from the 2012 NFL Draft, grades are being handed out by all the experts.</p>
<p>One of the best known and well respected is <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_/id/7823750/mel-kiper-gives-grades-every-nfl-team-draft">Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN</a>, who gives the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> a solid ' B-' for the efforts.</p>
<p>New England drew rave reviews for snagging who many feel could be the best defensive player in the draft, <span>Chandler Jones</span>. Coupled with <span>Dont'a Hightower</span> of Alabama and that's quite a first round.</p>
<p>Kiper felt the grade was brought down by the Patriots second round pick, Tavon Wilson. The Illinois star was a reach according to the draft guru. </p>
<p>Overall, New England did a nice job filling some serious needs on defense and adding some potentially quality depth. Bill Belichick actually traded up twice in the inaugural round, something he usually does the opposite of.</p>
<p>The more important grade will be the one given out at the end of the season, when time has passed and we all find out who the busts and sleepers were.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://patspulpit.com">Pats Pulpit </a>and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com">SB Nation Boston</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/30/2988302/nfl-draft-grades-2012-new-england-patriotsMatt Verderame2012-04-29T21:00:21-04:002012-04-29T21:00:21-04:002012 NFL Draft Grades: Patriots Earn B-Minus From Sports Illustrated
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<p>It's the day after the 2012 NFL Draft, so naturally the internet has been inundated with draft grades. The general consensus on the New England Patriots is less glowing than in past seasons. The Pats have rightfully earned a reputation as one of the best franchises on draft day, but a couple picks this year have some experts scratching their heads. In that sense, Sports Illustrated toted the company line, <a href="http://nfl.si.com/2012/04/29/2012-nfl-draft-grades/" target="_blank">giving New England a B-minus for their seven picks</a>.</p>
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<p>This must be what it's like on the floor of the Stock Exchange. New England started with four picks (two first, two seconds), traded up twice in the first, then traded down enough to add four picks after Round 2. The results? A mixed bag, with DE <span>Chandler Jones</span> (21) and LB Dont'a Hightower (25) possible moments of brilliance, and S <span>Tavon Wilson</span> (48) potentially a total flub. </p>
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<p>This year's draft may ultimately be judged by how well it fixes the Pats' major problems in the secondary. Along with Wilson, New England drafted Ohio State safety <span>Nate Ebner</span> in the 6th round and Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard in the 7th.</p>
<p><i>For all your <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> news and analysis, head to </i><a href="http://www.patspulpit.com"><i>Pats Pulpit</i></a><i>. For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/26/2977220/nfl-draft-2012-schedule-time-order-new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-luke-kuechly">this StoryStream</a>. For a complete list of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/28/2985087/2012-nfl-draft-results-picks">2012 NFL Draft results</a>, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit <a href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com">Mocking The Draft</a>. </i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/29/2987469/nfl-draft-2012-grades-new-england-patriotsLouis Bien2012-04-29T13:24:15-04:002012-04-29T13:24:15-04:00Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Grades: New England Receives 'B' From SB Nation's Joel Thorman
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<p>The 2012 NFL Draft is complete and New England head coach Bill Belichick might prove once again that he is draft-master. He traded up twice in the first round to grab Syracuse defensive end <span>Chandler Jones</span> and Alabama linebacker <span>Dont'a Hightower</span>. And in the seventh round, he plucked cornerback <span>Alfonzo Dennard</span>, a player who should have gone in Round 3 had it not been for punching a cop in the face. All that allows SB Nation's Joel Thorman to give the Patriots a 'B' grade in his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/29/2986067/nfl-draft-grades-afc-bengals-steelers-colts">2012 NFL Draft grades</a>.</p>
<p>Thorman does fault the Patriots a little bit as a result of the <span>Tavon Wilson</span> pick in the second round, but that doesn't prevent the team from being tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> for the best grade in the AFC East. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> lag behind with a 'B-.'</p>
<p>Has Belichick done enough to fix the Patriots' problems and get them back to the Super Bowl?</p>
<p><i>For all your <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> news and analysis, head to </i><a href="http://www.patspulpit.com"><i>Pats Pulpit</i></a><i>. For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/26/2977220/nfl-draft-2012-schedule-time-order-new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-luke-kuechly">this StoryStream</a>. For a complete list of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/28/2985087/2012-nfl-draft-results-picks">2012 NFL Draft results</a>, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit <a href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com">Mocking The Draft</a>. </i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/29/2986568/new-england-patriots-nfl-draft-2012-gradesRuss Oates2012-04-28T21:41:59-04:002012-04-28T21:41:59-04:002012 NFL Draft: New England Patriots Sign 4 UDFAs
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<p><a href="http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2012-nfl-undrafted-free-agents">NEPatriotsdraft</a> reports the following undrafted free agents have signed with the New England Patriots:</p>
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<span style="line-height: 9px;"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6263/jeremiah-warren" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeremiah Warren</a> - </span><span style="line-height: 9px;">6'4" 340lbs - </span><span style="line-height: 9px;">An offensive lineman out of South Florida, Warren has an average step off the ball, has good strength and heavy hands, and brings experience at left tackle and guard. He has a natural athleticism and good coordination for someone his size. </span>
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<span style="line-height: 9px;"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6747/markus-zusevics" class="sbn-auto-link">Markus Zusevics</a> - </span><span style="line-height: 9px;">6'5" 300lbs. - </span><span style="line-height: 9px;">An offensive tackle out of Iowa, Zusevics has a good burst off the line, and moves with decent quickness & lateral agility, but lacks overall athleticism. </span>
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<span style="line-height: 9px;"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36679/marcus-forston" class="sbn-auto-link">Marcus Forston</a> - </span><span style="line-height: 9px;">6'3" 300lbs - Perhaps the UDFA signing with the post potential, this defensive tackle from the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/miami-hurricanes" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Hurricanes</a> was hampered by injury and only played 3 games in the 2011 season. He has impressive agility and defends well against the run, but will only have a chance if he manages to stay healthy.</span>
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<span style="line-height: 9px;"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131922/brad-herman" class="sbn-auto-link">Brad Herman</a> - </span><span style="line-height: 9px;">6'4" 252lbs - The second <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/iowa-hawkeyes" class="sbn-auto-link">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> player signed by the Patriots, this tight end lacks strength and has minimal experience as a featured player in an offense. He has decent speed, though, and plays with urgency.</span>
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><span></span></span></p>
<p>As usual with the post-draft flurry of activity, not all of these signings turn out exactly as they seem. Stay tuned to this story stream as more details become clear.</p>
<p><i>For all your New England Patriots news and analysis, head to </i><a href="http://www.patspulpit.com"><i>Pats Pulpit</i></a><i>. For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/26/2977220/nfl-draft-2012-schedule-time-order-new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-luke-kuechly">this storystream</a>. For a complete list of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/28/2985087/2012-nfl-draft-results-picks">2012 NFL Draft results as they happen</a>, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit <a href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com">Mocking The Draft</a>. </i></p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/28/2985469/nfl-draft-2012-patriots-undrafted-free-agents-udfa-warren-zusevics-forston-hermanPete Holby2012-04-28T18:57:56-04:002012-04-28T18:57:56-04:002012 NFL Draft Results, Round 7: Jeremy Ebert Picked By New England Patriots, No. 235 Overall
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<p>With the 28th pick in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have selected wide receiver, Jeremy Ebert, from Northwestern.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/28041" target="_blank">ESPN Scouts Inc.</a>, ranked Ebert as the 143rd best receiver prospect. Ebert was not invited to the NFL combine, but put up nice numbers at his pro day. He recorded a 4.38 40 yard dash, a 4.15 20 yard shuttle, a 33 inch vertical and 16 reps at 225 on the bench. </span></p>
<p>Here's what <a href="http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=82526&draftyear=2012&genpos=WR" target="_blank">NFLDraftScout.com</a> has to say about him:</p>
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<p>He is a reliable possession receiver with soft hands and very good focus to make challenging catches. Ebert tracks the ball well and shows savvy and toughness on the field that shows up on tape. He is still widely viewed as a late round player or priority free agent, but he is moving up draft boards for most teams.</p>
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<p><i><span style="line-height: 9px;">All your <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> needs can be found at </span><a href="http://www.patspulpit.com/">Pats Pulpit</a><span style="line-height: 9px;">. For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit </span><a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/26/2977220/nfl-draft-2012-schedule-time-order-new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-luke-kuechly">SB Nation Boston</a><span style="line-height: 9px;">. For a complete list of </span><a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/27/2981739/nfl-draft-results-round-2-live-coverage-analysis">2012 NFL Draft results</a><span style="line-height: 9px;"> as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit </span><a href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com/">Mocking The Draft</a><span style="line-height: 9px;">. </span></i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/4/28/2985031/2012-nfl-draft-results-round-7-jeremy-ebert-new-england-patriotsJordan Sams