Bill O’Brien is no longer Penn State’s head coach. But the former Patriots coordinator has left behind prospects that could fit New England’s interests, like No. 91 DaQuan Jones. (USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Editor: Oliver Thomas

It’s March, and that means things are starting to take shape across the football landscape.

The NFL Scouting Combine closed along with February. The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag passed Monday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. The door to unrestricted free agency opens March 11. And college pro days are starting up as spring draws near.

Boxes are being checked, but the 2014 NFL draft is still over two months away.

In other words, there are a lot of moving pieces in play. Much will hinge on the next couple of weeks. And like all 31 other organizations, the same is true for head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Veteran safety Steve Gregory has been released, trade discussions have been floated around, and there is variability when it comes to New England’s salary cap.

Who will be re-signed, who will restructure, who will depart – it’s hard to say at this moment.  Yet if the war room was set and the Radio City Music Hall festivities were tomorrow, how might it all unfold for the Patriots?

Here is a pre-free agency seven-round mock draft scenario, with trades and compensatory picks included. (more…)

A long, physical and fluid cornerback prospect, Utah’s Keith McGill should garner New England’s interest leading up to draft day. (USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Editor: Oliver Thomas

The NFL draft is a fluid process.

Between now and May, the NFL Scouting Combine, college pro days, interviews, private workouts and unrestricted free agency will alter the landscape. Within that landscape, a prospect’s perceived value will swing, as will the perceived needs and interests of their suitors.

Now there are no absolutes in the midst of February, March or April. There are no guarantees that a player will be a top-15 selection. There are no guarantees that an organization will address the draft board by roster priority, either.

All we can do is form an educated projection as to how the picture will be painted.

Projecting, however, is especially difficult when it comes to the New England Patriots war room.

Head coach Bill Belichick, director of player personnel Nick Caserio, and the rest of the Patriots front office have their own interpretation of value. At its very essence, though, it is about waging the worth of a player in contrast with where that player could be selected. It’s about reading the previous picks and gauging what type of player will be available when.

And that is what we’ll attempt to accomplish in this Patriots seven-round mock draft exercise. (more…)