A Look at Players Whom Patriots Have Met With at Combine

A few days into the combine, I thought now would be a good time to take a quick look at some of the players the Patriots have taken a look at during the combine.  Note that this list is not final, there are many players that have been interviewed by the team not on this list.   My goal here is to highlight a few players the Patriots have looked at, and to give you my initial thoughts on them.

• Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan: Widely regarded as the top punter on the board, Mesko is widely regarded as the top punter in the draft, and can put good velocity on his kicks.  He is also a good pressure kicker, with the ability to angle kicks and pin opponents within the 20.  However, sometimes the spin on the ball is not what you would like to see, and he can struggle with his hang time.  The Patriots could draft Mesko in the sixth or seventh round, and he could come in right away and bring better production than Chris Hanson did.
• Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame: Golden Tate is a high character guy who played under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.  While he doesn’t have elite speed, he can build up speed and make catches downfield.  He is an excellent route runner, constantly finding ways to get open.  Also, he is not afraid to go over the middle for the tough catch, or make a block downfield on occasion.  After the catch, he has excellent strength and agility to pick up very yards; works like a halfback.  He is a football player, period.  But if the Patriots want him, they will likely have to take him when they pick at 22.
• Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinatti: While he needs to work on his route running and hands (can short arm some throws when he hears footsteps), Mardy Gilyard brings excellent athleticism to the table.  He finds ways to separate from defenders in the short area of the field, and once he makes the catch, he is extremely dangerous.  With some good coaching, he could be a great pick for the Patriots in the late second round, or third round if the Pats acquire a pick there.
• Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson: At 6-4, 250 pounds, Ricky Sapp will probably be playing with his hand off the ground at the pro level.  Sapp has good initial quickness off the edge, and excellent speed to get to the quarterback.  While he doesn’t have the strength to set the edge consistently on the edge at this point, he has many of the intangibles the Patriots look for in their edge linebackers, including size, speed, intelligence, and instincts.  The Patriots could pick Sapp up in the first round, or possibly early in the second round.
• Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech: Jonathan Dwyer is a big bruising back who played in the option offense at Georgia Tech.  He has great strength, and excels running downhill, but doesn’t have breakaway speed, and isn’t the most elusive back.  Dwyer’s stock has fallen a bit, so he could be around at 44 when the Patriots pick for the first time in the second round.
• Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss: McCluster is explosive.  While he is undersized for a running back, he is very fast, but even more quick (fastest 20 yard shuttle of all running backs).  He is a playmaker, period.  At the pro level, he could play as a slot receiver, return specialist, as well as a running back.  He also was a leader among running backs at the combine with 20 reps.  McCluster could be the type of playmaker the Patriots need, and if he’s around in the middle of the second round, he would be a solid choice.
• Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan: Graham, at about 6-1 and a half, is undersized when it comes to outside linebackers in the Patriots’ 3-4.  That doesn’t mean he can’t play the position, because he certainly can.  While he didn’t really get to perform in drills in the combine after injuring his hamstring during the 40, Brandon Graham is extremely explosive and athletic coming off the edge.  He is creative when it comes to getting to the quarterback, and he has shown the ability to shut down the run as well.  He would be a jack-of-all-trades at outside linebacker for New England, and I expect the Patriots to take a long look at him if he’s around at 22.
• Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama: Rolando McClain would be the perfect fit in New England.  Strong, athletic, has experience in the 3-4, incredibly smart, great instincts, a natural leader, and a playmaker.  The only problem is that McClain almost certainly won’t be around when the Patriots pick at 22.  The Pats would have to move up to get him.  However, he is one player I certainly wouldn’t mind the Patriots moving up to get.