I am ecstatic that the Patriots were even able to find a single trading partner to get out of the 7th pick. To me that was the best thing we did on day one. I would have preferred to have gotten back a few more spots and picked up an extra 4th, but getting the extra 3rd is HUGE for us. I like the pick of Mayo at #10, but he would have looked better at something like #14--and I think he could have probably been had there. First round grade: B+

I absolutely love the pick of Wheatley in round 2. I know he wasn't that highly regarded by many, but I had him in many of my Pats mock drafts (though admittedly later) but I have got to believe that the Patriots realized that other teams were on to the fact of how under-valued he was. I see him as an Ellis Hobbs-like talent, and the replacement for Randall Gay. We still don't have a can't miss #1 shutdown corner, but we have solid, solid depth a CB now with the off-season signings. Second round grade: B+

I am psyched to see what round 3 brings us! I'd love to see a DE, an OL and a RB in this round coming up today.

Did anyone else notice what mild compensation we were able to get to move back 3 spots, though, as compared to what other teams got for moving back? Nobody wants the Patriots to steal the draft anymore like we have been doing, but I still am very pleased they were able to move at all.

How would you guys feel about QB Nick Hill in the 7th?

He'd be good to put on your practice squad and see if he can develop. Nice athlete and a good QB. Someone is going to take him for sure.

I LOVE THIS DRAFT!!!!

Shawn Crable is going to be a beast!

I was just saying last night in a discussion with my bro that Kevin O'Connell would be a great guy to get too!

Matthew Slater at #153...a non-name WR from UCLA...with TE Kellen Davis sitting there??

What were they thinking with that pick?? And they traded UP for him?!?!?

LOL...worst pick the Pats have made in the past 5 years, IMHO...

Just out of curiousity, why does everyone love Jared Mayo going tenth?

I don't remember anyone saying he is a top ten player or the best LB. I am impressed that the pats could once againtrade down and save a bunch of money.

But it seems to me that everyone, including the experts think that this is just an amazing pick! It's like because they are the pats and always draft studs, that no person said "wow, they could have got him ten picks later"

Just wondering.

Yea..we had Mayo ranked in the 20s, but the real beauty of the pick from a Patriots perspective is that we got a 3rd rounder that allowed us to trade a 3rd for a 2nd next year. Mayo could turn out to be #10 value...too soon to tell...but with the possibility of more sanctions coming as a result of videogate, it sure is a comfort to have two 2nds next year.

I continue to be very happy with the top half of the Patriots draft. O'Connell may never be the next Brady, because I don't think he'll ever be a pin point passer, but he is very athletic, BIG, and can run. The offense will have to be tweaked to take advantage of his skill set some day, but I really do like the pick. Clearly, he was the 5th-best QB in this draft.

I have already expounded on my love for Wheatley ad nauseum elsewhere, and even though I had him going to the Pats at #69 rather than at #62, who is going to quibble over that. He may not start this year, but he fills Randall Gay's 3rd-CB role, at a bare minimum, within 2-3 years at worst.

I love the Crable pick as well. He has room to grow--could wind up at 6'4", 260, and might still run 4.7s at that size. Could become the next Willie McGinest-type player for the Pats. 4-3 passing down package rush end at worst.

Then, the real disturbing trend for me is that the Pats have been making a mockery of the second half of their drafts in recent years. Passing on guys like Kellen Davis (for example) to trade UP for Matt Slater?? Just ridiculous. It seems they have decided that there is no way these late picks will make the team, they don't want to pay late picks vs. paying UDFAs, so they just blow the picks off. Now, that may be reacting a bit strongly. It's hard to question BB and Pioli's drafting decisions, but where is a guy like Jonathan Wilhite going to help this team? With 4 other CBs brought in ahead of him, how is he going to win a spot?

If one person on this planet can convince me we had to trade UP for a WR who had 0 catches last year, I will change my tune, but...come on...Sure, I know they are drafting him as a pure KR, but if he doesn't make the team, I will stand by my story that they are pissing away the 2nd half of their drafts now.

Bo Ruud was an OK pick at #197...

Overall grade C-...and if they hadn't picked up the 2nd next year, it would be a D....and that ain't know D+ even...

Best move on day two BY FAR was signing P Mike Dragosavich out of NDSU as a UDFA. Best punter available in the country!

Thanks for the explanation. I was glad to see someone be objective and not just love it becuase the Pats are good at what they do.

The extra second is great, i didnt realize that. Crable could be a pro bowler and looking back in three years might be the steal of the draft.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a Mayo hater, I was just hoping to see someone be anything other than a homer. You did just that.

ooo...I am also very happy with the UDFA signing of LB Gary Guyton. I like their two top UDFAs much better than their last couple dratf picks. Guyton is a guy who played like a 4th rounder this past year.

Ryan Wendell is a good UDFA the Pats signed. Belichick trusts Pat Hill judgement and I'm sure Hill gave him the endorsement. Wendell needs to hit an NFL weightroom and add another 10 lbs. of muscle. If he can do that he could be a practice squad guy who has potential.