Analysis of the 2012 New England Patriots NFL Draft

First round (# 21) OF Chandler Jones, Syracuse

First round (# 25) ILB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

Second round (# 48) FS Tavon Wilson, Illinois

Third round (# 90) OF Jake Bequette, Arkansas

6th Round (# 197) S Nate Ebner, Ohio State

Seventh Round (# 224) CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

Round 7 (# 235) WR Jeremy Ebert, Northwest

Notable picks analysis:

Chandler Jones: New England broke with its normal draft strategy in recent years and shifted up, not down. The Pats traded first-round picks with Cincinnati and surrendered their third-round pick to advance to the 21st overall pick. New England is a solid seven ahead of winning another title. The team needs a great pass rusher and they envision Chandler Jones as a Willie McGinest type player. Jones has a long, big body and can be a defensive end and outside linebacker for New England. His engine, build and ability to play the race probably gave him an advantage over Whitney Mercilus and Nick Perry. Jones entered the 2012 NFL draft after a junior season marked by injuries. He lacks a special bang as a pass rusher, but he uses his hands well and is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound athletic man with very long arms. Bill Belichick must think he could be another Jason Pierre-Paul and his best football might as well be in front of him. The Patriots were aggressive and targeted the player they think has a big advantage.

Dont’a Hightower: Many didn’t think the Patriots would keep their two first-round picks. Not only did New England keep them, but they also went back up to target a specific player. New England sent its fourth-round pick and the 31st pick overall to Denver for the 25th pick in the first round. Dont’a Hightower was an excellent choice for New England. He was one of the smartest players in Nick Saban’s excellent 3-4 defense at Alabama. Hightower is a powerful and versatile player that Bill Belichick will make the most of. Belichick is also a master at covering up a player’s weaknesses. Hightower is likely not asked very often to cover the tight back and ends. The former Crimson Tide star can play linebacker positions (inside and outside) and even defensive end for New England at times. Hightower adds size and power to Pat’s forward seven.

Tavon Wilson: Many criticized Wilson’s selection as being too far-reaching. It certainly went unnoticed by virtually all draft analysts. Wilson did not have an excellent production in Illinois and was not even invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. However, he only played free safety for one season (senior) after starting at cornerback the previous two seasons. The former captain tackles well and New England liked his versatility (cornerback, safety and special teams collaborator). The Patriots needed security help and had a conviction about this young man. It will be interesting to see if Bill Belichick is right about Wilson. You don’t select a player in the second round just to be a backup and play special teams. Wilson needs to become a solid starter for this selection to make sense. Bill Belichick and his Hall of Fame resume get the benefit of the doubt in this case.

Jake Bequette: This could have been one of the best-value picks in this year’s draft. Bequette has an engine that just won’t stop and he proved he can chase the quarterback against stiff competition from the SEC in Arkansas. Bill Belichick will use him as a defensive end / outside linebacker in a pass-carrying role. Bequette is the kind of intense defensive player that Belichick will find a role for him to produce on the field. New England wisely finds another defensive player to improve its seven forwards.

Alfonzo Dennard: The former Nebraska cornerback saw his draft stocks plummet after being accused of assaulting a police officer in a bar fight a week before the draft. Dennard’s draft stocks were already beginning to weaken due to concerns about his average speed, his ability to move his hips and a shaky Senior Bowl week. Yet Dennard was a tough, physical, and productive cornerback in a major soccer program. His problem with the law seemed out of place to him. The Pats added a strong, physical cornerback prospect in the seventh round. There is little risk in this selection and a solid advantage. You couldn’t ask for more with a seventh-round pick.

2012 NFL Draft Rating: A-

Bottom line: New England has a championship-quality offense, but the defense is still a work in progress. The Patriots’ draft strategy was primarily to strengthen their front seven. Their picks give the reigning AFC champions an infusion of talent to be stronger against the race and better chase the quarterback. This draft will be special if Tavon Wilson is the real deal in safety and Alfonzo Dennard contributes. Overall, New England did an excellent job of aggressively targeting specific defensive players that fit their scheme.