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New England Patriots' 2016 draft class: Analysis, grades, best picks, highlights

With the 2016 NFL draft now complete, every fan wants to review his or her team's draft. Where were the reaches? Was there enough value? Any potential busts?

ESPN Insider's NFL draft experts are here to provide a full recaps of every team.

For all 32 NFL teams, click here.

New England Patriots

Scouts Inc. on 2016 class

2 (60) Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama | Highlights

What he brings: The biggest knock on Jones is his 5-foot-10, 197-pound frame. He doesn't match up well with bigger and physical receivers. On the other hand, he's tough for his size, has outstanding instincts and above-average, short-area cover skills. Jones is also an above-average run-stopper who fights to get off blocks and is an above-average tackler despite his lack of ideal size. He should compete for a punt return job considering he led the FBS with four punt returns for touchdowns last season. -- Steve Muench

How he fits: New England needed an upgrade in the slot at the nickelback and Jones fits the mold. In addition, he is advanced in terms of technique and scheme coming from Alabama, which will help ease his transition in the Patriots' complex coverage scheme. -- Kevin Weidl


3 (78) Joe Thuney, OG, NC State | Highlights

What he brings: A three-year starter, Thuney played every position along the offensive line while at NC State. His 2015 tape is a little up and down, but he was playing out of position at left tackle. He's a much better fit on the inside, where he has the quick feet to develop into an effective zone blocker and stay in front of his assignment in pass protection. He projects as a versatile reserve early in his career, but he has the potential to develop into a starter down the road. -- Steve Muench

How he fits: Thuney has experience lining up at all five positions on the offensive line and should provide immediate depth as a versatile reserve lineman for the Patriots, who have been hit by the injury in recent years. -- Kevin Weidl


3 (91) Jacoby Brissett, QB, NC State | Highlights

What he brings: Brissett, who transferred from Florida to NC State, started the past two seasons for the Wolfpack and completed 60 percent of his passes as a senior. There's a lot to like about his frame and pocket mobility. He also has more than enough arm strength to succeed at the NFL level. However, there's room for improvement when it comes to ball placement as he misses within the strike and forces receivers to adjust too much. He has the potential to develop into a valuable backup and effective spot starter. -- Steve Muench

How he fits: The courts have reinstated the league's four-game suspension of Tom Brady, and Jimmy Garoppolo is the only other quarterback on the roster, so quarterback is a need for New England. Though some felt that the Patriots would address this need by signing a veteran, Brissett is an intriguing developmental prospect who has a knack for extending plays. -- Steve Muench


3 (96) Vincent Valentine, DT, Nebraska | Highlights

What he brings: Valentine is a strong and physical run-stopper. He has two-gapping ability, but his ideal fit is a 3-4 nose tackle, where he has the anchor and quickness combination to create disruption against the run. Valentine does not provide much as a pass-rusher, but he occasionally shows the ability to push the pocket with speed-to-power skills. He comes with some minor durability issues but has the potential to add depth for a team looking for help against the run. -- Kevin Weidl

How he fits: New England has 2015 first-round pick Malcolm Brown and Alan Branch, plus it signed Terrance Knighton and Markus Kuhn, but the Patriots were expected to address defensive tackle. They released Dominique Easley and Chris Jones this offseason, and lost Akiem Hicks and Silver Siliga to free agency. They frequently kick defensive ends inside to rush the passer, so it makes sense to add a big-bodied run stuffer like Valentine at defensive tackle. -- Steve Muench


4 (112) Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia | Highlights

What he brings: Mitchell is a polished route runner with the ability to work outside the hashes and in the slot. He is not an imposing receiver from a physical standpoint, but he has a nice feel as a route runner in terms of setting up defenders to create separation. He has the speed to stretch the field vertically. Mitchell comes with one of the more reliable sets of hands in this class. He has some minor durability issues, but he could develop into a versatile No. 3 receiver if he's able to stay healthy. -- Kevin Weidl

How he fits: Mitchell is an interesting fit with New England because of his versatility to line up inside and outside. He is a polished route runner and has reliable hands. He should fit well within New England's complex system, which relies on getting the ball out with rhythm and timing. -- Kevin Weidl


6 (208) Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB, Eastern Illinois

What he brings: An undersized small school linebacker with short arms, Grugier-Hall projects as a safety at the next level. He tested exceptionally well at his pro day, and he has the athletic ability to make the transition though he'll likely make his biggest contributions on special teams early in his career. -- Steve Muench


6 (214) Elandon Roberts, ILB, Houston

What he brings: Roberts came on strong as a senior and caught some scouts' eyes late in the year. He is an undersized linebacker with average athleticism but has a nose for the football and is active on special teams. -- Steve Muench


6 (221) Ted Karras, OG, Illinois | Highlights

What he brings: A four-year starter and team captain, Karras doesn't have great length or athletic ability and he's had some problems staying healthy. However, he's a tough overachiever who finds a way to get the job done both as a pass-blocker and a run-blocker.


7 (225) Devin Lucien, WR, Arizona State | Highlights

What he brings: A UCLA transfer, Lucien lacks suddenness but has a good feel for routes and brings quality ball skills.


Mel Kiper's Draft Grade: C+

Kiper: This draft was obviously limited by the sanctions imposed on the Patriots because of Deflategate. They did get some good players, but the grade suffers just because they didn't have the opportunity to add as much talent. The good news? They've done a typically exceptional job with the roster, and I think the needs were pretty limited. Cyrus Jones could be a good one; he's undersized but could work in the slot and he'll take the ball away from you. He's also a really good return man. Joe Thuney helps because the guy can line up anywhere on the line. That's depth for a contender. Jacoby Brissett is a good developmental QB for Bill Belichick & Co., with physical tools that far surpass the performance. The loss of Dominique Easley paves the way for Vincent Valentine to crack the rotation, and he brings run-stuffing skills. Malcolm Mitchell was hampered by an injured knee, but he's an impressive talent, and I'm sure it's not lost on Belichick that Mitchell could play corner in a pinch -- he played both ways at Georgia. The Patriots didn't do much that'll be talked about, but they got some help in need positions.


Todd McShay's favorite pick

Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama (No. 60 pick)

The Patriots needed an upgrade at nickel cornerback, and in Jones they found an instinctive, smart player who is used to playing in complex coverage schemes under Nick Saban at Alabama. Jones doesn't have prototypical measurables (he stands just 5-foot-10), but he has great toughness and brings added value with his return ability (four punt returns for TDs in 2015, tops in the FBS). New England also got an impact player in WR Malcolm Mitchell, who comes with some durability concerns but has the ability to line up inside and outside in the Patriots' scheme.