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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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Patrick Chung Patriots draft
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) reacts after a safety against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Strong Safeties

How the Patriots approached the strong safety position this offseason was going to say a lot about how the team felt about Patrick Chung. He’s been extremely reliable in his second stint with the club, but he has a potential out in his contract after the 2017 season.

With Jordan Richards not showing any sign of improvement in his second season, the Patriots need to add depth behind Chung. Since New England didn’t address the position in free agency, finding someone who can develop into a starter fairly quickly may be required.

Highly-valued skills:

40-yard dash, vertical, broad jump, three cone (131 graded)

1. Quinicy Mauger (Georgia) – 60%

2. Josh Jones (North Carolina State) – 53.3%

2. Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut) – 53.3%

4. Montae Nicholson (Michigan State) – 40%

5. Branden Lesten (Western Kentucky) – 33.3%

5. Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) – 33.3%

7. Justin Evans (Texas A&M) – 26.6%

7. Jerome Lane (Akron) – 26.6%

7. Orion Stewart (Baylor) – 26.6%

10. Donald Payne (Stetson) – 18.7%

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

1. Jamal Adams (LSU) – 6.2%

1. Jadar Johnson (Clemson) – 6.2%

Eddie Jackson (Alabama) scored positively from a size standpoint, but did not participate in workouts as a result of a broken leg suffered during the 2016 season.

Josh Jones, Obi Melifonwu, Jabrill Peppers, Justin Evans and Jamal Adams have virtually no chance of being on the board at number 72. This could be another position the Patriots try to move up and acquire one of the top talents, although a pass rusher would be the most likely choice if that were to happen.

If the team stays put, Jadar Johnson and Eddie Jackson are the most likely targets. Both possess the measurables the Patriots look for in a strong safety. Johnson missed the minimum threshold in the vertical jump by one inch, while Jackson couldn’t workout due to injury.

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