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Patriots workout QB and another DE/OLB for the mock draft

If the Patriots are anything in regards to the draft this offseason it is the workouts of defensive pass rushers. The recent workout of San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson seems to be the one offensive exception so far.

It makes a fan wonder if that means Tom Brady’s current back-ups Matt Cassel or Matt Gutierrez should be nervous? Although playing a career high (tie) of playing time with 6 games in 2007, Cassel had better moments on the field then his first chance to play versus the Dolphins on October 21st with an interception returned for a touchdown by Miami defensive end Jason Taylor. Tom Brady returned to complete the game. Cassel finished the year with a 32.7 QB rating. Cassel’s contract is up at the end of 2008.

Gutierrez also played versus Miami and threw once for a 15 yard gain. Gutierrez played 5 games in 2007 with most of the opportunities coming at the end of games to kneel the ball down. With only one throw all season Gutierrez had a 118.8 QB rating.

Looking again to the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots held a private workout with Auburn University defensive end/outside linebacker Quentin Groves on March 13. Groves is not a Top 10 pick, but may be a good option if the Patriots are able to trade away the 7th pick and move down the boards.

Groves is most likely the eighth or ninth defensive candidate worked out by the Patriots so far. It is hard to keep track, but the other probable defensive candidates I know at this point are from USC with linebackers Keith Rivers and Thomas Williams, defensive ends Lawrence Jackson and Sedrick Ellis and cornerback Terrell Thomas.

Belichick was at the University of Florida defensive end/outside linebacker Derrick Harvey and also made a visit to the University of South Florida to meet with cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams.

The Patriots also met with Purdue linebacker Stanford Keglar and Ohio State defensive end/outside linebacker Vernon Gholston.

If I were to make a bet for the draft, the first pick for the Patriots would have to be for a pass rusher and most needed as an outside linebacker. I think Gholston or Ellis may still be there by the 7th pick. If Belichick really likes Gholston, look for the Pats to move up and take the Falcons spot (thanks Dimitroff!). Otherwise they may take Ellis with the 7th pick.

When the Pats try to move down they may have the option to take Rivers, Harvey, Keglar or Groves depending on the how far they move down the draft board.

It would be a great possibility to land a DE/OLB like Harvey, Keglar or Groves and the cornerback Jenkins in the first round..

That is not my mock draft pick yet… but all things being equal - it probably should be.

IN BILL WE TRUST!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 12:41 am and is filed under NFL Mock Draft, Patriots Mock Draft, Linebacker, Cornerback, Scott Pioli, Boston Sports, Matt Gutierrez, Matt Cassel, New England, Dean Pees, Josh McDaniels, Patriots Organization, Patriots Roster, Patriots Draft, New England Patriots, Defensive Line, Robert Kraft, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Mock Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.