2012 Patriots Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 27

Projected Selection: Patriots trade pick to CAR who select Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Panthers trade up to get ahead of the Packers to select Gilmore, while the Patriots receive the 40^th overall pick and Carolina’s 2013 first-round pick.

Round 1, Pick 31

Projected Selection: Andre Branch, OLB/DE, Clemson

The Patriots add the All-ACC pass rusher from Clemson. He should be able to step right in and play a major role on the defense immediately.

Round 2, Pick 9, 40 Overall (From Projected trade with CAR)

Projected Selection: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

After trading out of the 27^th pick with Mark Barron already off the board, the Patriots have the 2^nd best safety in the draft fall right into their lap at pick 40.  Smith should have no trouble receiving immediately playing time alongside Patrick Chung and Steve Gregory.

Round 2, Pick 16, 48 Overall

Projected Selection: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Patriots get an extremely talented WR to groom behind their current collection of veterans at the position. Jeffery would likely have to wait until the 2013 season to emerge with players like Lloyd, Branch, and Ochocinco all ahead of him.

Round 2, Pick 31, 62 Overall

Projected Selection: Patriots trade pick to CLE who select Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

The Browns badly in need of receivers trade up for Quick, while the Patriots receive the Browns 2013 second-round pick, as well as picks 160 and 211

Round 3, Pick 31, 93 Overall

Projected Selection: Jeff Allen, T, Illinois

The Patriots add much needed depth at tackle with the selection of Allen, a four-year starter for the Illini.

Round 4, Pick 31, 126 Overall

Projected Selection: Marcus Forston, DT, Miami

The Patriots add Forston who would likely play defensive end if the Patriots employ their 3-4 defense again in 2012. He is a player who will likely fall farther than he should due to his knee injury last season.

Round 5, Pick 25, 160 Overall (From Projected trade with CLE)

Projected Selection: Quinton Richardson, S, Washington

The Patriots add a fast safety (ran a 4.3 forty) in Richardson, who if nothing else can push players like Sergio Brown and Ross Ventrone for a role on special teams.

Round 5- Traded in 2011 to CIN for WR Chad Ochocinco

Round 6- Traded in 2010 to PHI for LB Tracy White

Round 7, Pick 4, 211 Overall (From Projected trade with CLE)

Projected Selection: Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon

The Patriots take a chance on Thomas, who surprisingly left Oregon early. With Hoyer and Mallett not going anywhere, he will have to either carve out a role doing something other than quarterbacking, or hope to make the team via the practice squad.

Round 7- Traded in 2010 to KC for S Jarrad Page