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MVN writers mock draft: 7. New England Patriots - LB Keith Rivers, USC

NFL

By Jamie Pacheco

With the seventh pick in the 2008 MVN NFL writers’ Mock Draft, the New England Patriots select Keith Rivers, linebacker from USC.

Unquestionably, the Patriots would love to move out of this spot, even if only a few spaces to pick up some extra picks and possibly still get Rivers. Vernon Gholston is our top choice, but with him off the board, Brent and I decided to grab the best pure linebacker in the draft. Cornerback was tossed around, as was taking Sedrick Ellis. However, the cornerback position is deep in this draft and I firmly believe that the Pats will try and move up in Round Two if Antoine Cason slips out of Round One. Ellis is a great talent but lacks the size to play DT or DE in the 3-4.

Keith Rivers possesses amazing athleticism and projects to play inside in the 3-4 next to Tedy Bruschi or Victor Hobson. He brings youth and speed to a linebacking unit that is lacking that in the middle. Bringing in Rivers allows Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel to remain outside where they excel at pass rushing and allows Belichick to rotate Bruschi and Hobson in and out to keep them fresh. Rivers has been brought in to Foxboro on a private workout, so there is a genuine interest. Whether it is at this spot or perhaps a few spots back, if Gholston is gone, Keith Rivers from USC will be the pick.

Jamie Pacheco is a columnist for MVN’s New England Patriots site, The Patriot Act.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 7:29 am and is filed under Keith Rivers, Mock Drafts 2008, 2008 NFL Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.