"Who'd We Get?" A Guide to The 2013 Patriots Draft Class

After three hectic days of coverage, the 2013 NFL Draft is complete.  Fans finally have a break in the action to check out some of their team's new players without having to prepare for another day of picks to come flooding in.  With that in mind, and with a night to sleep on it, here's an in-depth look at the players the Patriots selected this weekend in hopes of finding a few young stars.

Round 2, Pick 20 (52 overall)- Jamie Collins, DE/OLB, Southern Mississippi

Height: 6'4"  Weight: 250 pounds  40 time: 4.59  10-yard-split: 1.58  Bench: 19

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In Collins, the Patriots add a versatile defender who specializes in attacking the Quarterback.  Collins had 10 sacks last year for Southern Miss, and was one of the few bright spots in their 0-12 season.  At 6'4" and 250 pounds, Collins could be used as a Defensive End in a 4-man front or as an Outside Linebacker in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense.  He is also a former Safety and figures to be solid is asked to drop into coverage.  His 41.5" vertical leap makes him a threat to knock down opposing passes at the line of scrimmage.  While many versatile players aren't locked in at one position, and are often referred to as "football players," Collins' versatility stems more from his raw numbers- He's a better athlete than he is a football player.

Optimist Says:  He's Mike Vrable, only far more athletic and far less polished.

Pessimist Says:  He's another Jermaine Cunningham, who was eerily picked 53rd overall in 2010 by the Patriots.  Too stiff, and lacks the technique to utilize his athletic gifts.

Round 2, Pick 27 (59)- Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall

Height: 6'3"  Weight: 210 pounds  40 time: 4.43  10-yard-split: N/A  Vertical: N/A

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Dobson is a big target with deceptive speed and sure hands.  On paper, he has all the physical tools to be the deep threat the Patriots have needed, and he's the favorite to earn he starting job opposite Danny Amendola at Wide Receiver.  He has good body control and makes catches in traffic.  With 24 career touchdowns for the Thundering Herd, he tied former Patriots receiver Troy Brown for fourth in school history. Despite inconsistency as a blocker, he has the size to develop that facet of his game.  He struggles at times to gain separation but can make up for it with his strength and size.  Impressed the Patriots with his football IQ and his ability to master different responsibilities within the same play.

Optimist Says:  This guy is a Sidney Rice clone, former second round picks with size and play-making ability when the ball is in the air.

Pessimist Says:  His small hands (8.5") will make him susceptible to drops.  He isn't quick enough or sharp enough in his routes to get open on shorter routes to move the chains.  He won't be anything more than a younger, less obnoxious version of the unproductive Chad Ochocinco the Patriots had 2 years ago.

Round 3, Pick 21 (83)- Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers

Height: 5'11"  Weight: 191 pounds  40 time: 4.53  10-yard-split: 1.55  Vertical: 32.5"

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Ryan gives the Patriots some much needed depth at Cornerback, and also brings some physicality and intensity to the secondary.  With decent size and average speed, Ryan doesn't stand out as an athlete, but his game film shows a strong corner that can play man or zone coverage, all while playing the run with the best in the 2013 class.  A protege of Patriots CB/FS Devin McCourty dating back to Ryan's freshman year at Rutgers, he is a smart player who will pick up on the schemes quickly and be able to contribute almost immediately on defense.  He is also a willing special teams player.

Optimist Says:  Finally the Patriots have a corner with the physicality to play man-to-man!  The special teams and run support are just bonuses, and Ryan will be an impact cover guy immediately.

Pessimist Says:  It's one thing to be physical in college, but it's another to go after a pro and try to bump them off their routes.  He isn't big enough to do that in the NFL, and he isn't fast enough to run with speedy receivers. 

Round 3, Pick 29 (91)- Duron Harmon, S, Rutgers

Height: 6'0"  Weight: 196 pounds  40 time: 4.55  10-yard-split: N/A  Vertical: N/A

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In Harmon, the Patriots are able to add a safety who has good size and is capable in run support.  His speed

 is nothing special, but he is more of a deep zone Safety and won't be asked to play man coverage.  He played 4 years of special teams at Rutgers and will bring that with him to the pro game.  Like Ryan, he has a good relationship with McCourty and will fit seamlessly into that unit.

Optimist Says: Sure, nobody else saw Harmon as a third round pick, but the Patriots have something here.  He'll be a special teams ace, provide depth at Safety, and in dime and quarter packages he will play zone next to familiar teammates McCourty and Ryan.

Pessimist Says:  This guy wasn't on anyone's radar as anything other than a seventh round pick or an undrafted free agent.  He can't cover anyone and it wasn't worth spending a top 100 selection on a special teamer.

Round 4, Pick 5 (102)- Josh Boyce, WR, TCU

Height: 5'11"  Weight: 206 pounds  40 time: 4.38  10-yard-split: 1.54  Vertical: 34"

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Boyce gives the Patriots their fastest receiver since Donte Stallworth in his 2007 prime.  His 4.38 at the combine (albeit with a broken toe) gives the Patriots reason to believe he'll be a field-stretcher on the outside, while his sturdy frame at 206 pounds gives him the versatility to work the underneath routes over the middle.  Strong hands and the ability to break tackles after the catch make him an exciting weapon.

Optimist Says:  Between Boyce and Dobson, we have two receivers that are tough to match up with.  With Brady at the helm, they could have an impact just like the 2011 Tight Ends (also picked in rounds 2 and 4), with Dobson the big, physical freak (Gronk) and Boyce the versatile matchup nightmare (Hernandez). 

Pessimist Says: Boyce can do a lot of things okay but nothing stands out.  The Patriots have never utilized speedy receivers and there's no reason to believe they'll start now.

Round 7, Pick 20 (226)- Michael Buchanan, DE/OLB, Illinois

Height: 6'6"  Weight: 255 pounds  40 time: 4.71  10-yard-split: 1.65  Bench: 22

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Buchanan was projected to be a fifth round pick in most scouting networks, so he presented great value in the seventh round.  Long, tall, and possessing a decent first step off the line, Buchanan registered 12 sacks over his final two seasons at Illinois.  Like Collins, he's probably a better athlete than he s a football player.  Hasn't shown the versatility or matched the production of Collins, but overall a similar player athletically.

Optimist Says: A solid pass rusher from a good conference?  Sign me up in the seventh round.

Pessimist Says:  There must be a reason he was available that late- he was a decent player on a bad defense.  At 247 pounds, he is undersized for a Defensive End and doesn't have the coverage ability of a Linebacker.  A long shot to make the team, at best.

Round 7, Pick 29 (235)- Steve Beauharnais, ILB, Rutgers

Height:: 6'1"  Weight: 240 pounds  40 time:  4.84  10-yard-split: 1.63  Bench: 19

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The third Rutgers defender selected by the team, the Patriots hope Beauharnais turns into the versatile, well-rounded Linebacker they need for depth purposes.  He's solid at defending the run, dropping into coverage, and wrapping up ball-carriers.  He is a very experienced and consistent payer, having started his final 40 games as a Scarlet Knight.

Optimist Says:  He'll never be a starter or anything, but this guy is a solid all around player who will have a good shot to make the team as a depth piece.

Pessimist Says:  He's too small to hold up against NFL linemen.  He doesn't do anything well enough to earn a role on the team, and as a result, he won't make the roster.