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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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Stephon Gilmore Patriots Draft
Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) against the New England Patriots at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerbacks

The Patriots sent shock waves throughout the league with the signing of former division rival Stephon Gilmore on day one of free agency. The five-year, $65 million deal was a clear message that the secondary was going to be improved with or without Malcolm Butler. Losing Butler in a potential trade, after losing Logan Ryan in free agency, would create a large void on defense.

A deep draft at the position plays in New England’s favor and gives the team leverage. So does the potential acquisition of the player Ryan is replacing in Tennessee, Jason McCourty. The Patriots already have Jason’s twin brother Devin on the roster.

Highly-valued skills:

hand size, 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical, broad jump, three cone (208 graded)

1. Kevin King (Washington) – 58.8%

1. Ahkello Witherspoon (Colorado) – 58.8%

3. Shaquill Griffin (Central Florida) – 52.9%

4. Jeremy Clark (Michigan) – 41.1%

4. Marshon Lattimore (Ohio State) – 41.1%

6. Gareon Conley (Ohio State) – 35.2%

6. Patrick Levels (Baylor) – 35.2%

6. Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut) – 35.2%

6. Fabian Moreau (UCLA) – 35.2%

10. Marlon Humphrey (Alabama) – 29.4%

11. Brandon Wilson (Houston) – 17.6%

12. Xavier Coleman (Portland State) – 11.7%

12. Brendan Langley (Lamar) – 11.7%

12. Marcus Sayles (West Georgia) – 11.7%

12. Jack Tocho (North Carolina State) – 11.7%

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

1. Chidobe Awuzie (Colorado) – 29.4%

2. Cyril Noland-Lewis (Louisiana Tech) – 17.6%

3. Darion Flowers (Sam Houston State) – 11.7%

As mentioned above, this cornerback class is loaded with future NFL starters. Even without a first or second-round pick, the Patriots can find a starting cornerback in this year’s draft. How soon the Patriots draft a corner will depend on how quickly they come off the board, but expect the Patriots to use one, possibly two of their seven picks on this group.

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