Who Will The Patriots Draft?

Over the weekend, I posted a look at potential positions and players the Patriots would target in this weekend's NFL Draft.

Today, I'm giving you the names of the players that Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio will choose to help the team in its effort to win another Super Bowl in 2015.

Note that in my final mock draft, I predicted the Patriots would trade down.  For this post, the focus is on the players the team will choose, regardless of where they are selected.

Ready to meet the new members of the Patriots?  Here we go.

Eric Rowe, Cornerback/Safety, Utah
6-1, 205-pounds, 4.37 40-yard-dash

Rowe offers the Patriots the positional versatility they usually covet as well as a big corner with speed that they need as they rebuild a secondary that lost Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner.

Ali Marpet, Guard, Hobart
6-4, 307-pounds

Marpet faced weak competition playing at Division 3 Hobart but the Patriots have an outstanding reputation for developing offensive lineman regardless of where they played, or did not play, their college football. Marpet will have the ability to compete for a starting position as a rookie.

Alex Carter, Cornerback, Stanford
6-0, 196-pounds, 4.50 40-yard dash

Carter has a reputation for being a physical cornerback who thrives in zone coverage.  With the Patriots likely shifting to more zone coverage with the losses of Revis and Browner, adding a player like Carter makes sense.

Tyeler Davison, DT, Fresno State
6-2, 316-pounds

The departure of Vince Wilfork has created a massive hole on the Patriots defensive line.  Davison would not be expected to replace Wilfork but instead be a part of a rotation of big bodies in the interior of the team's defense.

Kristjan Sokoli, DE, Buffalo
6-5, 290-pounds

Belichick always makes a pick that makes people scratch their heads and Sokoli will be that guy this year. Projected by NFL.com to go undrafted, Sokoli will end up a Patriot based on his size, athleticism (4.84 40-yard dash and 31 reps of 225-pounds on the bench press at the combine), and positional versatility on the defensive line.  Sokoli played out of position at nose tackle at Buffalo and could project to be a solid two-way lineman in the NFL.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland
6-0, 195-pounds, 4.46 40-yard dash

The Patriots will be looking to add receiver depth and Diggs has a lot of play making ability but was often underutilized at Maryland.