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 (22), Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate (44) and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (47), Rang details why he believes Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski would be the choice at 53:
“The first thing is that this position is an area of concern for the Patriots. They have Alge Crumpler on board, but those who have watched him play the last couple of years know he is not the Alge Crumpler of old. So tight end is a concern and I expect a tight end to be among their first four picks. At least one. With Gronkowsi specifically, this is a player who has the size and strength to contribute as a blocker, and certainly has the athletic ability, quickness with his feet, and secure hands to be a very productive receiver. He is one of the very few all-around tight end prospects in this draft and the only reason he’d slip to this point would be concerns over his back. It obviously would depend on what specific knowledge NFL teams have of the injury, and his ability to remain on the football field. If he was given a passing grade by the Patriots, at this point of the draft, that is too much value to allow him to slip any further.”