Which 7th round prospect dominated likely first-rounder Ezekiel Ansah? (USA Today Sports Images)
NEPD Editor: James Christensen
The Patriots have had incredible success with their 7th round selections over the last decade. Julian Edelman, Matt Cassel, Alfonzo Dennard, Brandon Deaderick, Tully Banta-Cain, David Givens and Patrick Pass have all contributed in tangible ways.
What hidden value is out there this year?
I’ll name a few prospects that I’d like the Patriots to take a look at, but this exercise is mainly for you. Show us all the hidden talent hiding out in your neck of the woods.
Sean Renfree (QB, Duke)
Renfree is a quarterback that can be developed and flipped for a higher pick in a couple of years. He has good pocket presence, makes decisive reads and has enough power and accuracy in his arm to be an NFL quarterback. Shoulder surgery is the main thing pushing him down into the seventh round.
Keenan Davis (WR, Iowa)
The Iowa Hawkeye offense was abysmal this year and Davis’ game suffered greatly. He has some good physical tools and would be an interesting stash for a team’s practice squad. Given a year or two of seasoning, I think he can be a solid #4 receiver in the NFL.
Nik Embernate (OG, San Diego State)
As we mentioned in December, Embernate had his way with one of the top prospects in this draft – BYU defensive Ezekiel Ansah. At 6’4″ and 305, he projects as a left guard for the Patriots – a developmental guy ready for Scarnecchia University.
Your turn: Who are the 7th round steals that the Patriots should be looking at this year?
Tags: 2013 NFL Draft, Keenan Davis, Nik Embernate, Sean Renfree, Sleepers
Mississippi State L/B Cameron Lawrence #10 2011-2012 Back to Back 120+Tackle seasons. 291 Tackles, 7 Sacks, 9 pass break ups, 5 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions. All-SEC football, ALL-SEC academics, Team Captain.
WR Zach Rogers from Tennessee.
Matt Evans LB New Hampshire
Nick Clancy LB Boston College
Any QB who has a big arm and can be stashed on practice squad.
Any starter at a big time college who has an injury history. The Pats can stick them on the pup list and see how they develop.
Kent State Dri Archer is incredible, faster than Tavon Austin! see him on youtube!
unfortunately next years draft, claiming him early for the Pats.
RB Miguel Maysonet
RB Sam McGuffie
S Ray Ray Armstrong
QB/WR/RB Marqueis Gray
S John Boyett
WR Mark Harrison
WR Courtney Gardner
OT Luke Marquardt
LB/FB Jordan Campbell
OT: Luque Marquardt (Azusa Pacific),
OG: Eric Herman (Ohio)
C: Matt Stankiewitch (Penn State)
TE: Lucas Reed (New Mexico) -is Brooks Reed’s brother-
RB: Spencer Ware (LSU), Montel Harris (Temple)
FB: Zach Boren (Ohio St), also can play as LB
WR: Charles Johnson (Grand Valley), Devonte Christopher (Utah), Courtney Gardner (Sierra), Corey Fuller (Virginia Tech), Marlon Brown (Georgia)
DT: Kapron Lewis-Moore (Notre Dame), Chris Jones (Bowling Green), Kaleb Ramsey (Boston College), Nicholas Williams (Samford), Stefan Charles (Regina from Canada)
DE: Armonty Bryant (East Central)
LB: Mike Taylor (Wisconsin), Cameron Lawrence (Mississippi St.)
CB: Adrian Bushell (Louisville), Marc Anthony (California), Brandon McGee (Miami), Kayvon Webster (South Florida)
S: Rontez Miles (California PA), Cody Davis (Texas Tech), John Boyett (Oregon), Dexter McCoil (Tulsa)
I like Lawrence watch him on tape he is always around the action
i like spencer ware and rontez miles
CB- Demetrius McCray, CB- Kenny (Chibuikem) Okoro, CB Vernon Kearney, RB Theo Riddick, RB Derrick Washington, WR Tobais Palmer and OT Luke Marquardt all are guys on my board 7th round or unsigned free agents.
I don’t know about “steals”, but there may be a few guys who could possibly make the roster or practice squad who could fall into the 7th (or later).
TE – Fauria, Mike Williams (‘Bama)
WR – Moe, Nwachukwu (either of whom might be converted to safety), Goard, Collins, Gardner, Bumphis
FB – Zach Line
RB – Mike James, Lattimore if he falls that far
OL – there’s probably a half-dozen guys who Scar could turn into a competent starter, but I couldn’t pick them out
DT – William Campbell, Joe Vellano
DE – Mike Catapano
DB – Earl Wolff there’s probably a few guys who could be excellent special-teamers and decent deep reserves, but none who stand out as potential starters
WR might be the only positional category likely to produce a 7th-round “steal” like Colston, though there could be an RB or TE who ends up way overachieving
I’m guessing that the “steals” from this draft for the Pats will come a couple-three years from now when they pick up a guy in free agency that another team drafted in the 4th or 5th and did nothing with (a la Ninkovich).
I like WR Moe, and DT Vellano alot!
Reid Fragel, OT, Ohio State though lately I have heard his name moving up into the 5th-6th round I am hopeful he can get to the Pats.
Hey Mike. I like these 3 but curious to know ur thoughts on 2 guys we have on roster already. WR’s Holmes n Aiken, the latter i feel is similar to Davis.?
Jake Knott from Iowa
Kapron Lewis-Moore. Coming off a torn ACL, but he’s got good size (6-4, 300) and can play multiple positions on the DL when he gets healthy.
Ray Ray Armstrong in the 7th
Ray Ray would be a great pick in the 7th if he is still there.