Draft Analysis: New England Patriots
Posted: Thursday June 11, 1998 05:20 PM
New England Patriots
Robert
Edwards 1st round, 18th overall
Running back,
Georgia
Comments: As of right now, he is the starter. He
has a lot of big-play capabilities, and is a threat to go the distance any
time he touches the ball. Can he stay healthy though? Tebucky
Jones 1st round, 22nd overall
Safety, Syracuse
Comments: Will likely contribute in nickel and dime
packages as a rookie. He only played 1 year in the secondary at Syracuse,
so is still a little bit raw. Big-play guy who should excel in this
defense. Tony
Simmons 2nd round, 52nd overall
Receiver, Wisconsin
Comments: Big receiver with 4.3 speed. Didn't have a
productive senior season. Has to become more physical. Patriots hop he can
step up and become a big-play guy when Terry Glenn goes down with
one of his injuries in 1998. Rod
Rutledge 2nd round, 54th overall
Tight end, Alabama
Comments: Has good size and is a better blocker than
receiver at this time. Will be No. 3 tight end behind Ben Coates and Lovett Purnell who are
better receivers than blockers. Will be used in two-tight-end sets on run
downs. Chris
Floyd 3rd round, 81st overall
Running back,
Michigan
Comments: Wasn't really featured in the Wolverine
offense, but can carry the ball from the halfback spot. He's an excellent
lead blocker and will clear the way for their young running backs
corps. Greg
Spires 3rd round, 83rd overall
Defensive end,
Florida State
Comments: Undersized end who really flashes,
but lack of height really makes him a risk. He may even convert to an
outside linebacker although he’s always been an upfield guy ... probably
fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker but will step in as a backup
situational pass rusher for Pats ... they like his production and think he
can be a good role player. Leonta
Rheams 4th round, 115th overall
Defensive tackle,
Houston
Comments: Somewhat unknown player that wasn’t real
high on many draft boards. He has good overall athletic ability and
movement, but he’s not very big and physical at the point of attack ...
will need to improve 1-gap pass-rush skills or will get eaten up as a 2-gap
guy, with his lack of size ... Patriot coaches liked this guy, but he may
be somewhat of a long shot unless he flashes as a pass rusher. Ron
Merkerson 5th round, 145th overall
Linebacker,
Colorado
Comments: Great physical specimen that could be a
gem if he plays up to his potential ... can play inside or outside but has
missed a lot of time with injuries ... has skills to dominate and will get
first look as backup middle linebacker to Ted Johnson ... must stay
healthy and improve consistency. Harold
Shaw 6th round, 176th overall
Running back,
Southern Mississippi
Comments: Mixed reviews on this guy
-- some people loved him and others did not know anything about him ...
tough hard-nosed guy who will battle for every yard, but he’s mostly a
straight liner with marginal moves and elusiveness ... he may actually fit
more in a fullback-type role and could contribute on special teams ... has
shot to stick because of toughness. Jason
Anderson 7th round, 211th overall
Center, BYU
Comments: Massive guy who has some versatility ... can play
tackle, guard and center and even has some experience as a long snapper ...
not a finished product by any means and not a dominating player, but
versatility, size, and long snapping gives him a chance to fit in
somewhere.
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