Gang Green Nation Community Mock Draft Pick #22

The evil Patriots are on the board in our mock. The dishonor of playing Bill Belichick goes to GGN member colinyoung.

With the twenty-second pick in the Gang Green Nation Community Mock Draft, colinyoung picks for the New England Patriots...

Sean Weatherspoon

A lot of people will contend that the Pats should pick a more traditional pass rushing OLB with their 1st round pick. I on the other hand feel that the complex schemes and coverage plays the Pats run, limit the chances a natural pass rusher will have at cutting loose and getting after the QB. This fact is PARTLY proven with Adalius Thomas' lack of production last year. 
    
Sean Weatherspoon did himself alot of favors at the Senior Bowl by taking over the defense as a vocal leader and big-time play maker. His combine numbers were huge with a great bench press and vertica jump. His ability to play well in coverage will help tremendously in Bill B's wonkey, over complicated coverage packages. He's a great over-all talent that has a touch of a mean streak in him that I would hate to face twice a year as a jet fan. His ability to be a vocal leader will be very welcome on a defense the has been proven leaderless and at times incapable. The Pats would do very well to pick him up if he fell this far.

 

My thoughts:

In some ways, Weatherspoon seems like a good fit for the Pats. They certainly need to get younger at the linebacker position. Weatherspoon is also a versatile guy. He's good in coverage, fundamentally sounds, intelligent, and a high character guy. While not a natural pass rusher, he's shown success as a blitzer and could see action both inside and outside in the 3-4 like Mike Vrabel.

The one thing that really concerns me is the one weakness I hear about Weatherspoon's game is his ability to get off blocks and work in traffic. That's essential in New England's defense. If the Pats make this pick, it could be an indication they intend to show more 4-3.  In addition, Jared Odrick has to be tempting here after Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green have departed in the past year. How about Golden Tate? A refined route runner with good hands and the ability to run after the catch is nothing to sneeze at, especially with Wes Welker's status unclear.

I think this pick could work out, but I feel like Odrick was the safer bet, and I think they'd have to consider Tate also.

What do you think? Are you upset with our bitter rivals grabbing the Missouri linebacker? Sound off.