Day 3 possibilities for the Patriots; an offensive player?
While Trayvon Martin Tavon Wilson seems to be the topic du jour, as an alternative here's a look ahead to some draft prospects for the New England Patriots on Day Three of the 2012 NFL Draft.
With only one 2012 draft pick remaining in their arsenal the Pats don't have much to work with. While it is possible they could couple a 2013 pick to try and move up, the chance of that seem remote - which means fans will likely sit and watch 67 names be called before the team gets an opportunity to draft one more player.
That means the top remaining prospects such as CB Brandin Boykin and DE Jared Crick will be long gone. Here's a position-by-position look at some of the top available players.
Center
Dan Koppen was re-signed but is near the end of his career. The Pats may look to groom a replacement for him and let Dan Connolly slide over as Brian Waters' replacement in 2013. Ben Jones (Georgia) and Philip Blake (Baylor) won't last this long, but the Pats might consider 6-4 315 lb Mike Brewster of Ohio State.
Guard
Five guards were drafted in the first two days but there are still about a dozen more guards available that were projected to be drafted. If the Pats plan on leaving Connolly at center in the future and perhaps see Marcus Cannon's future at tackle, then they may want to bring in a guard to start working with Dante Scarnecchia now. I'm guessing James Brown (Troy) and Brandon Washington (Miami) will be gone, but 6-5 317 lb Lucas Nix from Pitt could be an option here.
Tackle
If on the other hand the Pats plan on utilizing Cannon as Waters' future replacement at guard, they may want to think about their depth at tackle; are they confident in Sebastian Vollmer's back - and that they'll be able to re-sign him? Eleven tackles have been drafted thus far but there are over a dozen more that were projected to be drafted that are still available. Bobbie Massie (Ole Miss) won't last that long but maybe Utah's Tony Bergstrom (6-5, 313), South Dakota's Tom Compton (6-5, 314) or UAB's Matt McCants (6-6, 308) will be the choice.
Running Back
After drafting Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley last year I wouldn't expect the Pats to draft another back this year; more likely they might sign a veteran free agent like Tim Hightower, Ryan Grant or Joseph Addai. But if the Patriots want to draft a short yardage, goal-line running back they could select Robert Turbin of Utah State if he falls to the 5th round. Other possibilities include Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray, Mississippi State's Vick Ballard and Baylor's Terrance Ganaway.
Wide Receiver
This unit is already crowded with players looking for a roster spot but it could really use an injection of youth. With thirteen receivers already drafted the blue chippers are gone, but there were more than 30 wide receivers that were projected to be drafted by many draft experts. As an alternative to the smurfs that dominate the Pats' roster at this position, perhaps they could snag Wisconsin's Nick Toon (6-2, 215) or Iowa's Marvin McNutt (6-3, 216).
One position on defense to consider: safety. It was the position of greatest need for the Pats entering the off season and we have seen the Pats double dip on a position in the draft in each of the last two years. I don't think George Iloka will still be available when it comes to the Pats' selection, but how about Markelle Martin? If not Martin, why not Trenton Robinson, Aaron Henry or Christian Thompson?
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