With the 27th Pick in the 2012 Dawgs By Nature Mock Draft, the New England Patriots Select...

With the 27th pick in the 2012 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the New England Patriots select...

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

This selection and write-up was made by Boston Browns:

Trying to predict a Belichick 1st round draft choice is like trying to predict how many "Masshole’s" will cut you off on the way to work in the morning - You know there’s going to be more than one, but you’re not entirely sure where they’ll be coming from. Due to this, my access to Boston’s local radio, media, and blogs matters-not as the Pats continue to be a mock-draft rubix cube. Often times, they "reach" and they have a high propensity to trade down into the 2nd round. What I do know is that Belichick and crew likes to do one of two things with their first round choice, assuming they keep the draft choice: 1. Pick defense – or 2. Add to their Offensive Line. This write-up predicts the latter.

The Patriots will be losing their edge-rushing core this offseason and are due to re-load. Andre Carter and Mark Anderson combined to produce 20 sacks and 4 forced fumbles last season, but the Patriot’s methodology of cold-shouldering productive vets versus resigning them is fully in play here. For a team that has been in the NFL-cellar in defensive passing yards (2nd worst in NFL this year), the Patriots need to get a better rush on the quarterback and help their crappy swiss cheese developing secondary. Enter Shea McClellin from Boise State. Shea is viewed as the second coming of Mike Vrabel in due to his versatility, high-character, and quarterback-attacking abilities. He played DE for Boise State, but has shown great ability to drop-back into coverage at the Senior Bowl and many teams hope he’s still there in the 2nd round. Mr. Belichick won’t let that happen.

This is exactly the type of pick I could see the Patriots making. It seems to fit in with their drafting of not getting someone too flashy, but rather someone who will fill the void left by previous veterans. New England is up again in a couple of picks, and I wonder if they'll go with another defensive end/pass rusher type.

The Green Bay Packers are on the clock next (pick received by ScottJC).