The drafting of CB Darius Butler and WR/KR Brandon Tate allowed the Patriots to trade cornerback Ellis Hobbs to the Eagles for a pair of 5th round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft.  Hobbs played in all 16 games for the Patriots last season and he made 47 tackles, defensed 11 passes, had 1.5 sacks and he picked off three passes.  Hobbs also returned 45 kickoffs for 1,281 yards (28.5 avg) with 1 TD return.  Hobbs played 4 seasons with the Patriots appearing in 63 games in which he made 198 tackles, defensed 41 passes, had 2.5 sacks, forced 1 fumble and he intercepted 9 passes.  He also returned 105 kickoffs for 2,913 yards (27.7 avg) with 3 TD returns.  Hobbs was a good all-around player for the Patriots so they better hope that Butler and Tate are ready to step up as rookies.

The Patriots drafted Ohrnberger for depth reasons but he could develop into a starter down the road for them.  At 6’2″, 297 Ohrnberger would probably be better off playing on the interior of the line for the Patriots unless he adds some bulk.  He is a better run blocker than a pass blocker so the Patriots’ coaching staff will have some work to do with him.  Still, this could wind up being a good pick for the Patriots down the road.

The Patriots snagged a versatile linebacker in Tyrone McKenzie who is a tackling machine.  He is 6’1″, 244 pounds and runs a 4.75 40 which means he can likely handle either outside or inside linebacker.  McKenzie played in 49 games (36 starts) in four seasons for South Florida, Iowa State and Michigan State in which he made 369 tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, had 4.5 sacks, broke up 13 passes and had 4 interceptions.  McKenzie should help out immediately on special teams and as a backup linebacker, but, he could start in the near future for the Patriots.

The Patriots were quick to pounce when Brandon Tate slipped to the third round because of a failed drug test.  Tate is 6’1″, 195 pounds and he runs a 4.45 40 which is the kind of breakaway speed the Patriots love.  Tate played in 41 games (18 starts) in 4 seasons with the North Carolina Tar Heels and he caught 46 passes for 927 yards (20.2 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  Tate has great hands and aggressively attacks the football in the air on offense.  Tate is a very electric return man and that’s what will get him onto the football field first.  He returned 109 kickoffs for 2,688 yards (24.7 avg) with 3 TD returns and he also returned 79 punts for 835 yards (10.6 avg) with 3 TD returns.  This was a great pick for the Patriots who got a player with big time upside here.

The Patriots might have reached a little bit here for Vollmer.  Vollmer is 6’7″ and he weighs 312 pounds so he has some room to add more bulk to his frame.  Vollmer didn’t start playing football until he was 14 years old so he still has a lot to learn.  He started out as a 250-pound TE at Houston.  Look for Vollmer to possibly play some TE in goal line situations but he could develop into a starter for the Patriots down the road.

The Patriots like Darius Butler’s measureables as he is 5’10″, 178 and he runs a 4.44 40.  But, he seems to be a better WR than a CB.  Still, the Patriots will use Butler on defense and hope that they can coach him up some.  Butler is also as soft as a roll of Charmin against the run and that’s something that will have to change if he’s going to have a role with the Patriots.  Butler played in 45 games (43 starts) in his 4 years at U Conn and he made 180 tackles, broke up 26 passes, had 10 interceptions (213 yards) and he forced 3 fumbles.

The Patriots were glad to see DT Ron Brace fall to them in the 2nd round.  He should be able to spell Vince Wilfork this season on the inside of the Patriots’ defense.  Brace is a huge guy at 6’3″, 329 pounds which allows him to take on the double team freeing the linebackers to make plays.  Brace played in 47 games (39 starts) in 4 seasons with Boston College and he made 85 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, had 5.5 sacks, forced a fumble and he recovered a fumble.  Look for Brace to be a part time player as a rookie but a impact defender down the road for the Patriots.

The Patriots wanted to find a safety who brings some pop against the running game and they found one in Patrick Chung.  Chung is 5’11″, 207 pounds of pure aggression.  He doesn’t have great speed but he will likely be protected inside for the Patriots.  Chung played 4 years at Oregon in which he appeared in 51 games (all starts) and he made 384 tackles, broke up 17 passes, had 9 interceptions (107 yards), forced 3 fumbles and he recovered 2 fumbles.  This was a solid pick for the Patriots as Chung should really help out in the secondary possibly starting as a rookie.