The Patriots couldn’t pass up Bo Ruud in the 6th round as he was a playmaker at Nebraska.  He’s 6′2″, 234 pounds and he runs a 4.85 40.  Ruud played in 46 games (33 starts) at Nebraska and he made 216 tackles, had 4.5 sacks, 25 tackles for a loss, forced 6 fumbles, recovered 2 fumbles, broke up 13 passes and he intercepted 5 passes that he returned for 208 yards (3 TDs).  Ruud will likely be a special teams player and backup linebacker as a rookie but he has potential for much more in the future.

Not many experts thought that Slater would get drafted as he was a backup defensive back the last couple of years at UCLA.  But the reason the Patriots took him is because he’s a special teams ace.  Last year he averaged 29.0 yards per kickoff return and three of the returns went for TDs.  He is 5′11″, 195 pounds and he runs a 4.4 40.  This was a good move for the Patriots this late in the draft as Slater could make a impact as the kickoff returner this season if he can beat out Ellis Hobbs for the job.

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.