The Patriots Take Ryan Kerrigan
Bill Belichick won the 201 NFL Draft. Looking up and down the draft, no one got better contribution from so many rookies than the New England Patriots. It almost defies belief.
The Patriots have three needs the experts have identified for this year. One of the main areas of need is a new pass rusher.
Given the depth of talent in the pass rushing area, Belichick will address the pass rush first (assuming he does not trade down here). The Patriots could address the offensive line or the need for a deep receiving threat here, but with one more pick in the first round, they’ll go with the best pass rusher first.
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Ryan Kerrigan is projected as an elite pass rusher, and Belichick will jump all over him at this pick. The Patriots need an upgrade at rush, and Kerrigan is catching a lot of people’s attention. Belichick thrives on finding those guys other teams pass on, and Kerrigan will be a great addition to the Patriots defense.
Kerrigan is a versatile player who can fill multiple roles, which is exactly the kind of player Belichick looks for.
There are plenty of good offensive lineman available at the end of the round, and the Patriots have the first pick in the second round, acquired from the Carolina Panthers. So do not be surprised to see Belichick pass on an offensive lineman here because he can fill that need with his next pick or two.
| 1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus 3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson 4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green | 17. New England Patriots: Ryan Kerrigan 18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan 19. New York Giants: Mark Ingram 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn |
| 5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller 6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn 7. San Francisco 49ers: J.J. Watt 8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert | 21. Kansas City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers 22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castonzo 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi 24. New Orleans Saints: Nick Fairley |
| 9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith 10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones 11. Houston Texans: Da’Quan Bowers 12. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker | 25. Seattle Seahawks: Muhammad Wilkerson 26. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Heyward 27. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Houston 28. New England Patriots: Andy Dalton |
| 13. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara 14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget 15. Miami Dolphins: Nate Solder 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith | 29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod 30. New York Jets: Stephen Paea 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey 32. Green Bay Packers: Brooks Reed |
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