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Utah DE/LB Paul Kruger |
connerman with the pick...
Well, it's time for the Patriots to address their linebacking core with their third pick in this year's draft. After grabbing a couple steals at this point with defensive end Robert Ayers and striking gold with the top running back in the draft, Chris Wells, in the first round, the Pats now resort to picking a solid player in a predictable spot with Utah DE/OLB Paul Kruger.
Kruger's raw ability is incredibly impressive with a frame that measures 6'5", 265 lbs and great speed to match. His technique drops him on some draft boards yet he was incredibly athletic and versatile in his career at Utah, with 7.5 sacks this year and ability to drop into coverage. That ability to rush the passer and drop back gives the Patriots defensive staff someone they can plan around and gives them another layer to attack with.
More than anything, Kruger is a high character player who's an older rookie, having spent a couple years in Kansas City on his Mormon mission. Some mocks have him going in the second or third round, but the Patriots need to address age in their linebacking corps with Tully Banta-Cain, Teddy Bruschi and Adalius Thomas all getting older. Sure Jared Mayo was a monster last season and Shawn Crable is in the mix as well, but Kruger along with Ayers gives the Patriots two playmakers on the defensive side to slowly bring in and infuse youth.
Previous pick: S Louis Delmas
Read more: Scouting Report (Mocking the Draft)
On the clock: Denver Broncos (Keyser Sose)
Click over for the schedule and current draft results.
| Pick | Round 2 | Selection | Date | Approval Rating |
| 1(33) | Detroit Lions - UCrawford | CB Darius Butler | Weds., April 8th | 48% |
| 2(34) | New England Patriots (From Kansas City) - connerman | DE Robert Ayers | Weds., April 8th | 67% |
| 3(35) | St. Louis Rams - Lanier63 | DT Evander Hood | Thursday, April 9th | 55% |
| 4(36) | Cleveland Browns - HIV2Elway | DE Connor Barwin | Thursday, April 9th | 68% |
| 5(37) | Seattle Seahawks - mikvogel | OT William Beatty | Friday, April 10th | 67% |
| 6(38) | Cincinnati Bengals - mistamic | C Max Unger | Friday, April 10th | 68% |
| 7(39) | Jacksonville Jaguars - DThomasReigns | G Duke Robinson | Monday, April 13th | 72% |
| 8(40) | Oakland Raiders - mushin | T Phil Loadholt | Monday, April 13th | 68% |
| 9(41) | Green Bay Packers - JasonM | DT Ron Brace | Tuesday, April 14th | 62% |
| 10(42) | Buffalo Bills - ArrowDread | DE Michael Johnson | Tuesday, April 14th | 60% |
| 11(43) | San Francisco 49ers - Harry Feltersnatch | DE/LB Larry English | Weds. April 15th | 67% |
| 12(44) | Miami Dolphins (From Washington) - shraggyj | WR Kenny Britt | Weds. April 15th | 69% |
| 13(45) | New York Giants (From New Orleans) - ChiefsFan90s | LB Clint Sintim | Thursday, April 16th | |
| 14(46) | Houston Texans - ChiefsDude | FS Louis Delmas | Thursday, April 16th | |
| 15(47) | New England Patriots (From San Diego) - connerman | DE/OLB Paul Kruger |
Friday, April 17th | |
| 16(48) | Denver Broncos (From Texans) - Keyser Sose | Friday, April 17th | ||
| 17(49) | Chicago Bears - Holmeslice | Monday, April 20th | ||
| 18(50) | Cleveland Browns (From Tampa Bay) - HIV2Elway | Monday, April 20th | ||
| 19(51) | Dallas Cowboys - chiefsfan1384 |
Monday, April 20th | ||
| 20(52) | New York Jets - ??? | Tuesday, April 21st | ||
| 21(53) | Philadelphia Eagles - Chiefsfan717 | Tuesday, April 21st | ||
| 22(54) | Minnesota Vikings - kcsno56 | Tuesday, April 21st | ||
| 23(55) | Atlanta Falcons - RedNose | Weds. April 22nd | ||
| 24(56) | Miami Dolphins - shraggyj | Weds. April 22nd | ||
| 25(57) | Baltimore Ravens - Ben S | Weds. April 22nd | ||
| 26(58) | New England Patriots - connerman | Thursday, April 23rd | ||
| 27(59) | Carolina Panthers - 808NaNz808 | Thursday, April 23rd | ||
| 28(60) | New York Giants - ChiefsFan90s | Thursday, April 23rd | ||
| 29(61) | Indianapolis Colts - craig in calgary | Friday, April 24th | ||
| 30(62) | Tennessee Titans - Lvl.99 | Friday, April 24th | ||
| 31(63) | Arizona Cardinals - THE_TRUTH | Friday, April 24th | ||
| 32(64) | Pittsburgh Steelers - McWhirt33 | Friday, April 24th |