The Patriots drafted Jonathan Wilhite way too high based on his 4.49 speed.  He is only 5′9″, 183 pounds and he has problems with big receivers and running backs as he’s not a sure tackler.  He projects to nothing more than a nickel or dime back because he also has brick hands.  Wilhite played in 37 games (22 starts) at Auburn and he made 101 tackles, broke up 15 passes, had 3 interceptions, forced 1 fumble and recovered 1 fumble.  A lot of better corners were on the board when the Patriots made this pick.  It’s one thing to draft for need….but you have to take the best player available when your pick comes up and Wilhite definately was not that.

The Patriots wanted to start grooming a young QB just in case something happens to Tom Brady and that’s why they selected Kevin O’Connell in the 3rd round.  He’s a big guy at 6′5″, 225 pounds and he can flat out zing the football into tight spaces.  He also is fast as he runs a 4.65 40.  O’Connell’s only real weak point in that he gets injured a lot.  He played in 39 games (33 starts) at San Diego State and he completed 664 of 1,151 passes (57.7%) for 7,689 yards with 46 TD passes and 34 interceptions.  This was an outstanding pick by the Patriots as O’Connell will likely pass up both Matt Cassel and Matt Gutierrez on the depth chart quickly.

Shawn Crable will likely play outside linebacker for the Patriots and he’s a heatseeker.  He is 6′5″, 241 pounds and he runs a 4.65 40 which is very fast for a player his size.  The Patriots wanted to get younger at linebacker and Crable and Mayo is a good start.  Crable played in 47 games (21 starts) for Michigan and he made 148 tackles, had 43 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, forced 4 fumbles and recovered 2 fumbles.  Crable will likely be a backup linebacker and special teams player but he appears to be a future impact player at outside linebacker for the Patriots.  This was a good pick for them.