Patriots Draft 3 Linemen, Running Back, Cornerback, Wide Receiver

Patriots Draft 3 Linemen, Running Back, Cornerback, Wide Receiver

The New England Patriots have added 4 linemen, a running back, a cornerback, and a wide receiver on Day 3 of the 2014 NFL Draft.

The Patriots selected Florida State center Bryan Stork with the 5th selection in the fourth round (105th overall pick) of the 2014 NFL Draft Saturday.  The team then selected Wisconsin running back James White with the 130th overall pick, Stanford offensive tackle Cameron Fleming with the 140th overall pick, Florida offensive guard with the 179th overall pick, Concordia-St. Paul defensive end Zach Moore with the 198th pick, Georgia Tech cornerback Jemea Thomas with the 206th overall pick, and Michigan wide receiver Jeremy Gallon with the 244th overall pick.

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Stork was a 1st Team All-ACC selection each of the past 2 seasons with the Seminoles. He helped Florida State win the 2014 National Championship.

The Rimington Award winner as the top center in college football last year, Stork is the 3rd center off the board in the 2014 NFL Draft. He is billed as a good leader and a fiery, competitive player. He’s a bit of an effort player that works hard to compensate for average athleticism.

"I just want to come in and compete for a job and go to work," Stork said.

The 105th pick was acquired yesterday from the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The Patriots traded their third round pick (#93 overall) to the Jaguars for the 105th and 179th overall picks. The Jaguars used the 93rd pick on Miami guard Brandon Linder.

 

White is a 5'9" 204-pound running back with good vision, pass protection skills, and decent speed.  He isn't a power back by any means but he was highly successful in the Big 10 over the past 4 years.  White ran for 4,015 yards and 45 touchdowns over the course of his productive career in Madison.

White lists former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook as his favorite player, and White's pass catching ability and impressive ball security is reminiscent of Westbrook.

"It's very important for a running back," White said of ball security.  "Ball security is job security."

 

Fleming is 6’5” tall and 323 pounds. He has good length with 34 inch arms. He’s an extremely intelligent player and a forceful run blocker, but his pass protection footwork is a question mark at the next level.

Stanford head coach David Shaw spoke highly of Fleming on the NFL Network.

“He is quick, he’s explosive, and he’s athletic,” said Shaw. “The bottom line is he doesn’t get beat.”

 

The 6'3" 323 pound Halapio is a powerful run blocker with a mauler's mentality.  He plays with a mean streak and is a nice addition to the depth chart on the interior of the O-Line.

 

The 6'5" 269 pound Moore has had academic issues in the past, failing to qualify for Division 1.  On the field, sacking the Quarterback was never an issue, as he had 33 sacks in his time at Concordia. 

Moore is a tall, long player with solid athleticism.  His playing awareness is not the best and he is much further along as a pass rusher than as a run defender interms of technical development.

 

Thomas is a decent athlete and plays physically to compensate for being undersized.  The 5'9" 192 pound defensive back was named ACC defensice back of the week twice last season.

Gallon fits the Patriots' mold for slot receivers that have good quickness and reliable hands.  The 5'8" 185 pound Gallon had 89 receptions for 1,373 yards and 9 touchdowns last season as a senior.  He's a bit undersized but is a good route runner and will compete for a roster spot.