PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee

Round 1, Pick 10

The Patriots traded down from the number seven spot to select Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo.  While many questioned the pick, I was enthralled with it from the get-go.

At 6-1, 242 lbs, Mayo has a very thick, well-built frame (look at some of the photos from when he was introduced to the Patriots).  Excluding size, the first thing that stands out to me about Mayo is his smarts.  Mayo is just a knowledgable player.  He works extra hard in the film room, and he reads and reacts to plays very well, all important traits for a 3-4 inside linebacker.  When defending the run, Mayo isn’t the best bull-tackler, but is a very good open-field tackler.  He can read plays well, and has great acceleration to get to the ball carrier.  He is also very good in pass protection.  Mayo posseses fluid hips, speed, and acceleration.  His insane speed allows him to stick with any tight end and most receivers.

Although Mayo has a lot of strengths, there are some parts of his game that he needs to polish in order to excel at the next level.  These concerns include bull-rushing, taking double teams, and shedding blockers, the latter of the two have to do with his hand usage.  If Mayo can perfect his hand usage (an area where he has improved), then he will be able to rush up the middle better, take and shed hits, as well as double teams. 

Overall, Jerod Mayo seems like a great fit for the Patriots.  I would expect him to come in and compete with Junior Seau / Victor Hobson for a starting job on the inside immediately.  Regardless of that outcome, Mayo will certainly get playing time on third downs.  Some people argue that Mayo was a reach at 10.  In fact, a lot of people argue that point.  However, I believe that if Mayo returned for his senior year, he would have become a top five pick.  And whether or not Mayo comes in and starts immediately, Mayo will be a starter in this system as well as an eventual Pro Bowler for years to come. 

Earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Patriots’ rookie defensive lineman Casey Tyler.  It’s my first player interview (in fact, I think I’m one of the first blogs to get one), and I thought I’d share it with everyone.

Congrats!  You’re in the NFL.  What were your initial thoughts when the Patriots gave you that call?

The Patriots certainly didn’t pick up any big name guys in rounds 4-7, but they picked up some guys who can contribute on special teams and sometimes in offensive/defensive situations.

In round four, they picked up Jonathan Wilhite.  He’s a 5′ 9 1/2″ inch cornerback from Colorado.  He’s very fast, instinctive, has fluid hips, can play in zone, has good footwork, is a decent tackler for a cornerback, and is versatile in that he can play the slot or the outside.  Still, he is very undersized and doesn’t have ball skills, plus he has had some injuries.  Still, he could eventually have a role as a nickel guy (especially if Wheatley is able to step up into a starting position).

The Patriots traded up in round 5, hoping to get Nebraska cornerback Zackary Bowman.  That didn’t work out too well, as Bowman got selected one pick prior.  With Bowman off the board, the Patriots went with Matt Slater.  He is the jack of all trades, as he plays safety, corner, and receiver (for which he was drafted).  But he was really drafted for special teams.  He had three return scores last year, but is also great in return coverage.

In the sixth round, the Patriots selected inside linebacker Bo Ruud.  Ruud played multiple positions at Nebraska, but projects well as a 3-4 inside linebacker with the Patriots.  He was a guy that I liked a lot, I’ve had him go in some of my mock drafts.  I think he could turn out to be a good rotational guy for the Patriots at linebacker.  He’s got good instincts, strength, and size, so I think he might be a good late-round find.

According to ESPN.com’s Michael Smith, the Patriots have inquired about Virginia defensive end / outside linebacker Chris Long.

The trade would likely be the seventh pick, and the 63rd or 69th. 

If the Patriots could pull off this trade, I say due it.

The Patriots continue to stockpile pre-draft visits.  On Wednesday, the Patriots hosted Outside Linebacker Vernon Gholston.   Gholston played defensive end in college, but would make the shift to outside linebacker if drafted by a 3-4 team like the Patriots.

The Patriots also scheduled pre-draft visits with Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee and Oklahoma inside linebacker Curtis Lofton.  Lofton is a guy I really like.  If we got a pick in the 30-45 range, I think that the Patriots should take a strong look at him.  He’s played outside and middle linebacker for Oklahoma, but would presumably be a good fit at inside linebacker for the Patriots.

Also, Jerod Mayo is scheduled for a pre-draft visit to the Patriots, according to his agent.  Mayo has been flying up the boards as of late, and is looking like he will land in the mid to late first round.  Mayo would project as an inside linebacker for the Patriots.

Rotoworld reports:

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports that the Patriots will host CBs Leodis McKelvin, Antoine Cason, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, and Aquib Talib this week.

Keith Rivers and Glenn Dorsey are also visiting Foxborough as the Pats’ visits have a decididly defensive feel. Still we wouldn’t rule out the Patriots beefing up their lines. Sedrick Ellis and Branden Albert are two popular possibilties.