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Inside the New England Patriots Draft Room: Who Will Join the Super Bowl Champions

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (99) celebrates on the field with Patriots defensive lineman Alan Branch (97) and Patriots defensive lineman Malcom Brown (90) against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Tackles

The Patriots have selected a defensive tackle on day one or two of the draft in each of the past three seasons. Dominique Easley didn’t work out, but Malcom Brown and Vincent Valentine have played well for New England and are locks to be on the 2017 squad. Add in Alan Branch, one of New England’s most reliable defenders last season, and the Patriots are as strong at defensive tackle as they’ve been since Vince Wilfork called Gillette Stadium home.

Highly-valued skills:

height, weight, arm length, vertical (158 graded)

1. Nick James (Mississippi State) – 66.6%

2. Chris Wormley (Michigan) – 60%

3. C.J. Robbins (Northwestern) – 53.3%

3. Casey Sayles (Ohio) – 53.3%

5. Patrick Ricard (Maine) – 46.6%

5. Grover Stewart (Albany State) – 46.6%

7. Francis Kallon (Georgia State) – 40%

8. Malik McDowell (Michigan State) – 33.3%

9. Winston Craig (Richmond) – 26.6%

9. Izaah Lunsford (Bowling Green) – 26.6%

11. Jonathan Allen (Alabama) – 20%

11. D.J. Jones (Ole Miss) – 20%

11. Carlos Watkins (Clemson) – 20%

14. Rickey Hatley (Missouri) – 13.3%

14. Joe Keels (Buffalo) – 13.3%

14. Corey Thomas (Northern Illinois) – 13.3%

14. Eddie Vinson (Emporia State) – 13.3%

18. Eli Ankou (UCLA) – 6.6%

18. Larry Ogunjobi (Charlotte) – 6.6%

18. Pasoni Tasini (Utah) – 6.6%

18. Vincent Taylor (Oklahoma State) – 6.6%

18. Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama) – 6.6%

18. Charles Walker (Oklahoma) – 6.6%

Fell below the minimum threshold in one category, but still finished with a positive score:

1. Jordan Watkins (Stanford) – 40%

2. Josh Banks (Wake Forest) – 33.3%

3. Tueni Lupeamanu (Idaho) – 20%

3. Elijah Qualls (Washington) – 20%

5. A.J. Wolf (Duke) – 13.3%

6. Aaron Curry (TCU) – 6.6%

6. Shaq Findlater (Southern Illinois) – 6.6%

With the quality of depth the Patriots have at the position, in addition to 30 prospects meeting the size and athleticism standards, there’s no reason for New England to use a high draft pick at defensive tackle. Using a draft pick at this position at all would be surprising. Similar to Woodrow Hamilton last year, the Patriots may look to bring in a camp body with a chance to make the practice squad once the draft is over.

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