Patriot fans were probably shocked when they traded their first third-round pick, 69th overall selection, to the San Diego Chargers, especially with LB Dan Connor and S Reggie Smith still available. The Patriots get a 2009 second-round pick and the Chargers' 2008 fifth-round pick (160th overall).
With the 78th overall selection, the Patriots selected DE/OLB Shawn Crable, in the third round. The Patriots like to have options at linebacker, and Crable gives them more flexibility.
Crable has excellent size and a big frame with long arms...Very athletic...Fantastic timed speed...Nice quickness and agility...Strong and powerful...Terrific pass rusher and blitzer...Makes a lot of plays behind the line...Offers some versatility...He does an adequate job in coverage...Still improving and has upside...Had a big senior year. Nfldraftcountdown.com
With the 94th overall selection, the Patriots selected QB Kevin O'Connell, in the third round. This move surprised many Patriot fans. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had traveled to San Diego to work out O'Connell privately, so this pick should not be that much of a surprise.
O’Connell has excellent size and a big frame...Terrific athleticism...Great timed speed...Arm is strong enough to make all the throws..Nice touch and timing..Is mobile enough to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet...Can throw on the run...Hard worker...Very competitive...Team leader...A lot of experience...Has a ton of upside. -- Nfldraftcountdown.com
With the 129th overall selection in the draft, the Patriots selected Auburn CB Jonathan Wilhite, at the end of the fourth round. At 5-foot-9 1/2 and 185 pounds, Wilhite is considered undersized for the position, although his movements are said to be fluid and he excels in zone coverage, which is often what the Patriots play.
Wilhite has good athleticism...Great speed and quickness...Excellent feet...He has fluid hips to turn and run in coverage...Pretty tough and physical..Has good body control...Very aggressive with a terrific motor...Has a lot of experience against elite competition. --Nfldraftcountdown.com
Another surprise for the New England Patriot Fans…the Patriots have traded up in the fifth round, to the 153rd overall selection and draft UCLA S/WR Matt Slater. The Patriots sent their 2008 fifth round pick (160) and 2008 seventh-round pick (238) to Tampa Bay for the Buccaneers' fifth-round pick (153). Slater might seem like a reach, but then again, Slater indicated the teams he visited with were the Steelers, Buccaneers, Texans, Giants, Jets, Bears and Jaguars, so he was on the radar. Slater made his mark in college on special teams, but also has experience at Safety and Wide receiver.
"I've finally found my niche," Slater said in the piece. "In my mind, special teams is about relentless effort. I thought about all the hard times I've been through here, and said, 'Now I have a chance, let me make the most of it. These last few years, I felt like I've had an opportunity to leave my mark on the program, and that's in the form of being a great special teams player. But I'll take it how I can get it." -- Press Enterprise
With the 197th overall selection of the draft, the Patriots selected Nebraska LB Bo Ruud, in the sixth round.
LB Bo Ruud has been a starting linebacker the past two years at Nebraska. He finished an outstanding Nebraska career during the 2007 season, his third consecutive year as a starter. Ruud developed a knack for being around the football throughout his career and by the end of 2007 he joined his older brother, Barrett, and father, Tom, among the top 30 tacklers in Nebraska school history. – huskers.com
New England Patriots Complete Draft:
ILB Jerod Mayo
CB Terrence Wheatley
OLB Shawn Crable
QB Kevin O’Connell
CB Jonathan Wilhite
WR Matt Slater
OLB Bo Ruud
In addition, the Patriots acquired the San Diego Chargers 2009 second round draft pick
Like most New England Drafts, it might not be flashy, but it addresses the current needs of the team. I still wish the Patriots had targeted some of the players that were on my draft board (players like QB Josh Johnson, TE Kellen Davis, OLB Bruce Davis, and RB Mike Hart).
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