New England Patriots 2010 NFL Draft Pick Shopping List Includes Jerry Hughes, Damian Williams and Tony Pike

Boston, MA – The New England Patriots will enter the 2010 NFL Draft with many gaping holes to fill.  The 2009 New England Patriots ended the season revealing a desperate need to rebuild the defensive corp as well as provide a legitimate complimentary wideout for Tom Brady.

The Patriots will have plenty of opportunities to restock the shelves as they have a total of 12 picks in this years draft, with four in the first 53 selections.  The Patriots hold picks # 22, 44, 47, 53, 119, 190, 205, 229, 231, 247, 248 and 250.

Conventional wisdom holds that the New England Patriots need the following in order of importance:

Linebacker, Defensive End, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Cornerback.

We believe the Patriots will focus on providing Tom Brady a proven weapon to compliment the Randy Moss, Wes Welker combo on the outside.  After the Patriots secure a weapon for the offense we believe the best value at the #44 pick will be a proven pass rusher, something the Patriots desperately need after trading away star defensive end Richard Seymour during the 2009 season.  Then a tight end…period.  Followed by a Defensive End who could step right into the New England 3-4 Defensive Front.  We have a surprise # 5 pick for the Patriots.

We project the following draft picks for the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL Draft:

22. Jerry Hughes, Outside linebacker, TCU

44.  Damian Williams, Wide Receiver, USC

47. Tyson Alualu, Defensive End, California

53.  Dorin Dickerson, Tight End, Pittsburgh    

119.  Tony Pike, Quarterback, Cincinnatti

Surprisingly, the Patriots may be considering drafting a quarterback as insurance for a dinged up 10 year veteran star quarterback Tom Brady.  Having a well stocked backup quarterback position may not be viewed as a luxury as Tom Brady ages, it may be a necessity.  Tony Pike is a quarterback that some say has that “something” quality about him.  Obviously the New England Patriots may be looking for somebody to fill the shoes of Tom Brady in the not to distant future.

There you have it, our top five picks for the projected 2010 NFL mock draft for the New England Patriots.

Many 2010 NFL mock drafts have the St. Louis Rams picking Sam Bradford at Quarterback.  The Detroit Lions are expected to pick Gerald McCoy with the # 2 pick in the draft.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to draft another Defensive Lineman in Ndamukong Suh.  The Washington Redskins Redskins will be looking for help on the offensive line and will most likely draft Russell Okung to get that help.  Rounding out the top five picks in the draft will most likely be offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga going to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The most likely 2010 NFL Mock Draft includes the following players:

Sam Bradford, QB

Gerald McCoy, DL

Ndamukong Suh, DL

Russel Okung, OT

Bryan Bulaga, OT

Eric Berry, S

Dez Bryant, WR

Trent Williams, OT

Jimmy Clausen, QB

Dan Williams, DT