2010 NFL Draft in review: New England Patriots

Watching the New England Patriots conduct their draft is like watching a great artist paint a masterpiece. The Patriots spend the entire year trying to get as many draft picks as they can, and then they maneuver themselves around to get the players they want. On draft day 2010 they traded down in the first round twice, picked up two extra picks, and drafted CB Devin McCourty with the 27th overall pick. With all of the dealing the ended up using three picks in the second round and drafted TE Rob Gronkowski with teh 42nd overall pick, DE Jermaine Cunningham with the 53rd overall pick, and LB Brandon Spikes with the 62nd overall pick.

Now many will say that the Patriots filled their needs, but failed to land an impact player at any position. However in my mind that is how the Patriots always conduct their draft. They sort of have a system or framework of what their team can and cannot do, and they go out and find guys who fit within that framework. For the most part they have done a very nice job of one avoiding big time rookie contracts, and finding players in the later round that help them win.

With that being said here is a look at the initial grades for teh 2010 Patriots draft class:

• Round One – B+, McCourty gives them a good cover man and excellent special teams player • Round Two (42)- A, the Patriots needed a play maker at TE and Gronkowski was the most complete player at that position •Round Two (53)- B, a very good, but unheralded player, he will play OLB as a Willie McGinest clone •Round Two (62)- A, Spikes draft stock was hurt a bit by his 40 time, but he is an excellent football player •Talent- A-, they got very good players at TE, and ILB •Need- A, used 12 picks to insure all of there needs were met, including a big legged punter in the fifth round