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2015 NFL Draft: New England Patriots’ Pre-Combine Seven-Round Mock

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By @ConnorFultonRS

2015 NFL Draft: New England Patriots' Pre-Combine Seven-round Mock

Devin Funchess Michigan
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have paraded through the streets of Boston; now it’s time to get back to work. Things move quickly in the NFL, especially in the offseason, so it’s never too early to start thinking about the draft. If you want a better idea of what the Patriots’ 2015 draft will look like, you have come to the right place.

Round 1, Pick 32: DE Nate Orchard

Nate Orchard Utah
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 32: DE Nate Orchard

Nate Orchard Utah
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Oftentimes, the best player available when the Super Bowl champion is on the clock in the first round is a pass rusher. If Orchard is still on the board at No. 32, expect the Pats to take a flyer on him; the former high school wide receiver used his speed and athletic ability to register 17.5 sacks in his breakout senior season. If nothing else, Orchard would be a great depth player behind Chandler Jones.

Round 2, Pick 64: WR/TE Devin Funchess

Devin Funchess Michigan
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 64: WR/TE Devin Funchess

Devin Funchess Michigan
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-foot-5, Funchess is a mammoth. Most scouts don’t think he’ll be desired as a wide receiver in the NFL, so the Pats could take a flyer on Funchess as a potential second fiddler to Rob Gronkowski. Imagine those two giants ripping open pass defenses up the seam.

Round 3, Compensatory Pick: G Tre’ Jackson

Tre' Jackson Florida State
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Compensatory Pick: G Tre’ Jackson

Tre' Jackson Florida State
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots’ guard position could undergo some change before May’s draft, as the Pats have several more pertinent free agents to re-sign than Dan Connolly. Nabbing Jackson, a dominant run blocker, would help to solidify a ground game that lost its steam as Super Bowl XLIX progressed, nearly costing the Pats in the end. After Bryan Stork’s outstanding rookie season, the Pats ought to draw from the Florida State pipeline once again.

Round 3, Pick 96: FS Adrian Amos

Adrian Amos Penn State
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 96: FS Adrian Amos

Adrian Amos Penn State
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Tavon Wilson is a solid depth player, but in the event that Devin McCourty departs in free agency or gets injured, the Pats will be exposed at the free safety position. But free safety isn’t the only thing Amos can do; he’s also an excellent corner. Amos’ versatility may be too tempting for Bill Belichick to pass up if the Penn State product is available at the end of the third round.

Round 4, Pick 98: RB T. J. Yeldon

T.J. Yeldon Alabama
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4, Pick 98: RB T. J. Yeldon

T.J. Yeldon Alabama
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Yeldon may be one of the better-known non-quarterbacks in this draft, but if recent draft history tells us anything, it’s that top running backs can stay on the board for awhile. With Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen both free agents this offseason, the Pats’ backfield could have room for another pair of feet. LeGarrette Blount and Yeldon wouldn’t be a bad one-two punch if worse came to worst.

Round 4, Pick 128: CB Ladarius Gunter

Ladarius Gunter Miami
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4, Pick 128: CB Ladarius Gunter

Ladarius Gunter Miami
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Gunter has a few things going for him. One, he’s a big corner -- not quite at Brandon Browner’s level, but 6-foot-2 is taller than most defensive backs. Two, he made a great play on the ball in the Senior Bowl that definitely drew the attention of some NFL coaches. The Patriots will have to decide if they want to stick with the undersized Logan Ryan, who was exposed badly by Chris Matthews in the Super Bowl.

Round 6, Pick 130: OT Rob Havenstein

Rob Havenstein Wisconsin
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6, Pick 130: OT Rob Havenstein

Rob Havenstein Wisconsin
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-foot-8, 333 pounds, Havenstein is an intimidating presence. He played a central role in the success of Wisconsin’s ground attack this season, snowplowing for Melvin Gordon. Establishing and sustaining the run will be an integral part of the Patriots’ offense in 2015; if Havenstein is available at this point, it will be an easy decision for the Pats.

Round 7, Pick 194: OLB Derrick Malone

Derrick Malone Oregon
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 194: OLB Derrick Malone

Derrick Malone Oregon
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Although slightly undersized for an outside linebacker, Malone is worthy of your attention because of his character. After losing the national championship game, Malone herded up some younger Oregon players -- who hadn’t shaken hands with Ohio State -- back onto the field to do so. That’s the kind of player that the Patriots would draft in the seventh round.

Round 7, Compensatory Pick: WR Jaxon Shipley

Jaxon Shipley Texas
Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Compensatory Pick: WR Jaxon Shipley

Jaxon Shipley Texas
Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

You might remember Jordan Shipley, an NFL receiver who played three seasons with the Bengals and Jaguars. Well, his little brother Jaxon is a near carbon copy because of a similar skill set that is more Honda than Porsche. However, Hondas are very dependable cars, just like Shipley is a receiver you can count on. He's a poor man’s Wes Welker that's worth a flyer in the seventh round.

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