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With the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror we take the New England Patriots "Off The Clock" with pick-by-pick analysis, the Bible's take and our grade.
 (2-34) Patrick Chung, SS (Oregon): Many analysts along press row inside Radio City believe that Chung is the best safety in the draft—he was our highest rated strong safety. If anyone else made this pick it would have likely received a different reaction and would have been called a reach. You do see what the Pats like in this Oregon product. Chung was a team captain and productive collegian with good size and speed. He’s instinctive, plays the run well and surprised with his ability to play some man-to-man during Senior Bowl week. (Pick From Kansas City)
(2-40) Ron Brace, DT (Boston College): The only “impact” nose tackle in the ’09 draft other than his former teammate B.J. Raji, Brace will be sure to provide legitimate depth to the interior defensive line. The Patriots will benefit from providing Vince Wilfork with a breather. The local product is a pure space eater who will occupy multiple blockers. New England will get the most out of this mammoth lineman. (Pick From Oakland)
(2-41) Darius Butler, CB (Connecticut): Back at it again, the Patriots seem to find a way to find talent that slides in the draft each and every year. With the selections of Brace and Butler, New England captured two players that were considered possible first round talents in round two. Butler has the size, speed and cover skills to end up being one of the better, if not the best, cornerbacks in this draft. The former Husky brings youth and athleticism to the secondary and made Ellis Hobbs expendable. His return skills are also a plus. (Pick From Green Bay)
(2-58) Sebastian Vollmer, OT (Houston): The giant tackle makes good use of his long arms to manhandle opponents. He does need to improve his technique by staying lower and is a developmental pick. For most teams this would be too much of reach, but New England has the luxury of letting him develop rather than forcing him to play early. This is what you can do when you have few pressing needs and abundance of picks. Today’s value is low, but Vollmer is a potential left tackle.
 (3-83) Brandon Tate, WR (North Carolina): The Pats strike again! There is a lot to love with this kid. If he had no off the field issues or injury concerns he would have been a second rounder—at least. Tate can catch the ball, make things happen after the catch, and is also a potential weapon as a return guy. There could not have been a better place for the former Tar Heel to fall to. As long as he is healthy, expect Tate to flourish in New England. (Pick From New York-AFC via Green Bay)
(3-97) Ty McKenzie, OLB (South Florida): Very good value at the end of the third round. He’s a versatile talent who could really flourish in New England’s defense. The former USF Bull isn't the prototypical OLB in a three-four, but they may be looking at Mac as an inside guy—at over 240 pounds he has the necessary bulk. He also brings instincts and brains to the table. He's a physical player and a sound tackler—he will be a contributor from day one. (Compensatory Pick)
(4-123) Richard Ohrnberger, OG (Penn St.): The former Nittany Lion doesn’t possess very impressive measurables and looks to be a reach in the fourth round. New England is banking that his toughness, physical style, and sound technique will fit into their blocking system. They’re not about individual one-on-one battles, but the unit playing as one. Still, it’s a reach. (Pick From Baltimore)
(5-170) George Bussey, OT (Louisville): An instinct lineman who worked his way from walk-on to a First Team All-Big East performer as a senior. Bussey is also very durable and he provides versatility with the ability to play guard or tackle, although he lacks the pass blocking skills to be projected as left tackle. (Compensatory Pick)
(6-198) Jacob Ingram, LS (Hawaii): The quintessential luxury pick, but finding a valuable long snapper shouldn’t be underestimated. Ingram puts the ball on the hands of the holder and gets it there quickly. He will replace the departed Mike Leach, who followed Josh McDaniels to Denver. (Pick From Baltimore)
(6-207) Myron Pryor, DT (Kentucky): The defensive tackle out of the University of Kentucky is very quick getting after the quarterback. He is a rotation player who New England will move around depending on their formation. Nice pick up in terms of depth. (Compensatory Pick)
 (7-232) Julian Edelman, WR (Kent St.): New England nabs the former MAC quarterback who projects as a wide receiver at the next level. He is a project but has the athleticism of a skill player. Wouldn’t it be ironic of the Patriots threw a little Wildcat action right back at the Dolphins using a pick Miami originally owned? (Pick From Miami via Jacksonville)
(7-234) Darry Richard, DT (Georgia Tech): This former Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech is one of the brightest players in the 2009 NFL Draft, something that surely wasn’t lost on the Pats. Not much in terms of potential, but Richard is a high character player who puts in an honest days work.
Team Needs: OLB, CB, S, WR, RB
Needs Filled: Four of five.
The Bible’s Take: Does this team know how to play the game or what? They added a few future starters, some solid rotation players who will add depth, and took their chances on a few guys—but with the lack of too many pressing needs and no shortage of picks New England has earned that luxury. What they do differently than other teams is take boom-or-bust chances on players who could fit their system rather than athletic talents. They lean towards football players. Oh, and they swapped two third rounders in 2009 for second round picks in 2010—the beat goes on.
Grade: A-
Photo Credit: College Press Box (Boston College, North Carolina, Georgia Tech)
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