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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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Devin McCourty Patriots draft
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) smiles during the 2017 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Safeties

While Jason McCourty is a possible addition to the cornerback group, his twin brother Devin is atop the depth chart at free safety. That’s not going to change anytime soon and the Patriots have solid depth behind him. Duron Harmon, Nate Ebner and Brandon King all have experience at free safety, and King is the only one who sits on the roster bubble.

Highly-valued skills:

40-yard dash, vertical, broad jump, three cone, short shuttle (88 graded)

1. Kai Nacua (BYU) – 87.5%

1. Jason Thompson (Utah) – 87.5%

3. Chuck Clark (Virginia Tech) – 56.2%

4. Dylan Haines (Texas) – 37.5%

5. Marcus Williams (Utah) – 31.2%

6. Justin Evans (Texas A&M) – 25%

7. Delano Hill (Michigan) – 18.7%

7. Rayshawn Jenkins (Miami, FL) – 18.7%

9. Casey DeAndrade (New Hampshire) – 12.5%

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

1. Jacques Bryant (Florida A&M) – 31.2%

2. Johnathan Ford (Auburn) – 25%

3. Justin Ferguson (Western Michigan) – 6.2%

3. Richie Sampson (Coastal Carolina) – 6.2%

Malik Hooker (Ohio State) scored positively from a size standpoint, but did not workout due to injury.

Considering the free safeties currently on the roster and the rookies on this list, don’t expect the Patriots to use anything other than a late-round pick on this position. Kai Nacua and Jason Thompson are by far the best fits at the position, and both are fringe draft picks. If New England really likes one of the two, they can wait until round seven to make the selection.

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