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Pats not shy about drafting tight ends
Top Headlines FOXBORO - Urban myths or not, there are at least two very prominent preconceived notions about the New England Patriots' approach to a draft. Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli never pick linebackers, and they always pick tight ends. There's some truth in both, particularly where tight ends are concerned. Since Belichick took over the Patriots in 2000, he has selected nine tight ends with very little success among them. From the colossal failure of Dave Stachelski (fifth round out of Boise State) in 2000, the Patriots have said hello and goodbye in short order to Jabari Holloway (fourth round out of Notre Dame) and Arther Love (sixth round out of South Carolina State) in 2001, Spencer Nead (seventh round out of Brigham Young) in 2003 and Andy Stokes (seventh round out of William Penn) in 2005. Even their successes have been questionable. The Patriots' top pick in 2002, Daniel Graham of Colorado, competed at barely above a consistently competent level, excelling at blocking but disappointing as a receiver, before signing for a contract of inflated value with the Denver Broncos as a free agent this offseason. Benjamin Watson of Georgia, their second first-round pick in 2004, is an enigmatic starter who has yet to fulfill the promise of his physical gifts. Last year's third-rounder, David Thomas of Texas, displayed some promise late in the year, and fourth-rounder Garrett Mills of Tulsa, chosen more as a fullback, was injured and didn't contribute. So will the Patriots find themselves going to the well again for a tight end when the 72nd annual NFL Draft begins at noon Saturday? They've already picked up a new tight end via free agency, journeyman Kyle Brady, who brings proven blocking skills and plenty of mileage to the team. The scouting services disagree on the relative strength of the draft class, but it's not very likely that the Patriots will be spending big dollars for another tight end with Watson, Thomas and Brady already in place. It's almost a certainty, though, that there will be at least one tight end among the Patriots' 10 selections if they keep all of them. Thomas is unproven and Brady is old (35), and no one knows what free-agent pickup Matt Kranchick can do. The blue-chipper of the collegiate bunch is Miami's Greg Olsen (6-5¾, 254; 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a junior and transfer from Notre Dame, who has amazing physical gifts, is a polished receiver who can gain ground after the catch, and a willing, improving blocker. He's projected to go at the end of the first round or early in the second, which might be at least a minor temptation for the Patriots at Nos. 24 and 28, or if they trade into the top of the second round. Arizona State's Zach Miller (6-4½, 256; 4.86) set the NCAA career record for tight end catches with 144 over three years, and has great offensive skills but lesser blocking talents. He'll go in the second round, and that could be it for the position group before the second day. Iowa's Scott Chandler (6-7, 270; 4.87) is an unpolished prospect with more talent than he has understanding of the position. Delaware's Ben Patrick (6-3, 252; 4.76) lacks the size to be more than just an average player at the position, and Minnesota's Matt Spaeth (6-7, 270; 4.83) is a big target, but lacks vertical speed and doesn't seal off his blocks. All of them are fourth- to fifth-round projections. Rutgers' Clark Harris (6-5½, 261; 4.83) might be a fifth-round steal, possessing polished receiving skills and the frame to carry more weight and improve upon already solid blocking abilities. Beyond him, players such as Georgia's Martrez Milner, Oregon State's Joe Newton, Whitworth's Michael Allan and Western Oregon's Kevin Boss are draft-worthy as third-stringers or practice-squad projects. New England is contributing one possible seventh-rounder to the mix in Connecticut's Dan Murray (6-4½, 249; 4.85). THURSDAY: Running backs.
Post Your Comments Mark Farinella wrote on Apr 25, 2007 4:45 PM: " Don, upon further review, I may have been just a little harsh in my wording of Daniel Graham's value. But after discussion of this very topic with other writers, I'm still convinced that Graham's blocking skills, good as they were, weren't enough to make up for his lesser production as a receiver, and thus, his value never reached the level of his original drafting. Thanks for writing. " Don wrote on Apr 25, 2007 2:16 PM: " "Daniel Graham of Colorado, competed at barely above a consistently competent level" - WOW! Were we watching the same player the last few seasons? I suspect Graham was allowed to walk because David Thomas produced above and beyond expectations. That and he was signed for a whole lot less money. Plus, Ben Watson is their primary TE and will command big money when his contract comes up for renegotiation. " or
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