A 2014 NFL mock draft involving the New England Patriots almost has to include a trade. Contrary to their name, the Patriots—led by head coach Bill Belichick—rarely stand "pat" on draft day.
New England traded up twice in 2012's first round, while 2013 saw New England trade out of the draft's first day and stockpile picks.
Expect the Patriots to trade up in 2014. They have shown this year that they have the depth to withstand injuries to key players such as Vince Wilfork and Sebastian Vollmer. It is now time to add a couple talented players to put them over the top.
Over three months from the 2014 NFL draft, things are hardly set in stone, but here is one way that things might play out in New England's draft-day war room.
Note: Players were selected based on overall talent, scheme fit, positional need and projected availability.
It isn't difficult to see the 6'6" frame of Ra'Shede Hageman—who easily carries his 315 pounds—and immediately think of former New England Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour.
Like Seymour, Hageman can play defensive tackle and end. In a defensive scheme that values versatility, Hageman's ability to play 1-tech, 3-tech and 5-tech would be invaluable.
Unfortunately for New England, Hageman is expected by many to have already been selected by the time that the Patriots are on the clock. In this mock draft, they've sent their first-, third- and sixth-round picks in 2014, and a third-round selection in 2015, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for the 14th pick and a fifth-round in the 2014 draft.
With that sort of investment, the Patriots would be looking for an immediate contribution from Hageman. Plugging him in on the defensive line with Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Vince Wilfork gives him a nice head start.
The New England Patriots' lack of production from tight ends not named Rob Gronkowski in 2013 was tough to stomach for fans of the team after watching No. 87 and Aaron Hernandez shred NFL defenses over the last two years.
C.J. Fiedorowicz is no Aaron Hernandez—he is primarily an inline tight end—but he offers a 6'7" frame that is tough to defend inside the 20-yard line and the blocking skills of an offensive tackle.
With Fiedorowicz and a healthy Gronkowski on the field, New England's offense can seamlessly switch between power runs and spread formations without changing the personnel on the field.
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