Rob Rang of NFLDraftscout.com has put together a two-round mock draft, and he's spent some time with us to share insight on his four selections for the Patriots.
The Patriots have picks 22, 44, 47 and 53. After having the Patriots select Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick in the first round, Rang has the club picking Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate with the No. 44 selection.
“The fact that Tate is a little shorter than scouts would like, and the value of the wide receiver position being less than other positions, I think there is a possibility that Tate slips into the second round. If he does, I think the Patriots would be doing cartwheels down the aisle to get him. He’s a perfect fit in terms of quickness and playmaking ability. We know that there isn’t a player in the league that can walk in and be Wes Welker. At the same time, Tate has an element of quickness to go along with sure hands and the experience of playing in a pro style offense. If you’re comparing him to Welker, he also has better straight-line speed. I think he could add more of the big-play element to the Patriots at the slot position, and would also have the ability to play outside.”