Pats don't hold back on Mayo

Obviously the Patriots felt they could not get true value for the near $18 million they would've had to pay out to the #7 pick in the draft, so they traded down. Had RB Darren McFadden still been available there was a chance for the Pats to trade down for the Cowboys two late first round picks, but considering so many teams were looking to trade down this year, it was great that they were able to make a deal at all.

In exchange for the 7th pick and a 5th rounder, the Patriots got the New Orleans Saints 10th pick and their 3rd round pick. With the 10th pick the Pats selected Linebacker Jerod Mayo from Tennessee. Mayo ran a 4.54 in the 40 and is smart enough to play multiple Linebacker positions including ILB which is a pressing need for the Pats. With the Patriot's release of OLB Roosevelt Colvin and the questions surrounding ILB Junior Seau even returning next year, the Pats can now put Mayo inside and keep Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas outside where they excel.

Here is USA Today's ranking of Patriot choices in the 2008 NFL Draft and where the Patriots took them in parentheses:

• LB Jerod Mayo: 35th (10th pick)
• CB Terrence Wheatley: 216th (62nd pick)
• LB Shawn Crable: 77th (78th pick)
• QB Kevin O’Connell: 156th (94th)
• CB Jonathan Wilhite: 314th (129th)
• DB Matthew Slater: Not ranked (153rd)
• LB Bo Rudd: 491st (197th)

Verdict: I do think Jerod Mayo was a solid pick but there are rumors that the Pats thought USC LB Keith Rivers would still be there at #10 which would make Mayo their second choice. At 5'9" both Terrence Wheatly and Jonathan Wilhite are undersized CB's who may have a tough time against big WR's in the AFC. Shawn Crable, Matthew Slater, and Bo Rudd are solid 'football players" with high motors. All are destined for the Special Teams unit but one of the three may get groomed to play Safety. QB Kevin O'Connell was a true value pick for the Pats. However, with the emergence of back-up QB Matt Gutierrez last year, the pick may have been wasted.

Grade = C In the end, the Patriots may have over reached a bit with their picks. Unlike the last two Drafts, the Pats did select more for need but similar to the last two unfruitful years, they drafted many players ahead of their perceived ranking. Then again, Logan Mankins was a huge reach at #32 in the 2005 Draft and he turned out to be an NFL All-Pro.