Patriots Rookie Evaluations

Darius Butler has proven to be second-round worthy.

In the lull of the bye week, we at Inside Boston Sports wanted to switch it up and present you with a evaluation of how the Patriots' rookies have performed thus far.

2nd Round (34 overall): Safety Patrick Chung (Oregon)

• The Patriots' top pick, Patrick Chung saw his most extensive action of the season last week on the defense with 36 snaps. He remains primarily the team's fourth safety behind Meriweather, McGowan, and Sanders (fighting a shoulder injury), and Dean Pees' has had the luxury of easing Chung into his complex defensive system. The former Oregon Duck has been a valuable special teams asset with 7 special teams tackles, tied for third on the team. Chung is not only versatile but he flys to the ball and has shown great instincts. The future is bright for Chung and he could eventually become a very nice compliment to Brandon Meriweather.

2nd Round (40 overall): Defensive Tackle Ron Brace (Boston College)

• Ron Brace, the 330 lb home town boy from Worcester, MA hasn't quite found a role on this team so far. He's been a healthy scratch since week 3, and is buried on the d-line depth chart. Unfortunately Brace has been a early disappointment compared to others in this draft class. Nonetheless this big man from BC will learn a lot from the vets this year and we know he'll come around.

2nd Round (41 overall): Cornerback Darius Butler (Connecticut)

• The super athletic 5'10" Butler is beginning to look like one of the better picks in this years draft. He started his first game right before the bye week against the Bucs, and has 2 INTs with 4 passes deflected. The UCONN standout is incredibly quick out of his breaks and could potentially give the Patriots a cornerback that can run with top flight WR's on the outside. Butler appears to be improving each week and is starting to earn the trust of the coaching staff.

2nd Round (58 overall): Offensive Tackle Sebastian Vollmer (Houston)

• The 6'7" mauler was a surprising pick to everyone in the second-round. In fact, the German born Vollmer was not even invited to the NFL combine. It appears that Bill Belichick and the Patriots have found another diamond in the rough. Since LT Matt Light went down in week 5, Sebastian has stepped in and not missed a beat. Tom Brady's blind side has been safe, and Vollmer has also played the run well. While Matt Light remains an integral part of the team, Vollmer is clearly the future at LT. Vollmer is long and athletic in his pass blocking, but he also has the ability to be a mauler in the run game.

3rd Round (83 overall): Wide Receiver/Returner Brandon Tate (North Carolina)

• The explosive Tar Heel saw his first action of the season last week. He was activated from the team's Physically Unable to Perform list after the Pats eased him back from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered last October while at UNC. Now healthy, Tate gives the Patriots an interesting dynamic in the return game (he set the NCAA record for combined kick return yardage). The Patriots also ran a reverse to Tate last week against the Bucs, and he is definitely a player to keep an eye on in the second half of the season.

3rd Round (97 overall): Linebacker Tyrone McKenzie (South Florida)

• Unfortunately McKenzie torn his ACL on the first day of rookie mini camp. A real tough break for McKenzie who Belichick praised in his post draft press conference. Belichick specifically mentioned Tyrone's ability to learn different defensive systems (he played in three different programs due to family reasons). The Pats gave him a contract and then put him on IR to stash him for next year.

4th Round (123 overall): Offensive Guard Rich Ohrnberger (Penn State)

• Ohrnberger has not been active all season. Rich's development is worth watching though with the Patriots lack of depth at guard. He could be an important player down the stretch if any injuries strike. Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal are both free agents after the season and it will be interesting to see what we have in Ohrnberger.
  

5th Round (170 overall): Offensive Guard George Bussey (Louisville)

• Bussey, a decorated college lineman, was put on season-ending injured reserve on September 5th with a knee injury that required surgery. Like Ohrnberger, we may see Bussey get some reps next year with both guards' contracts expiring.

6th Round (198 overall): Long Snapper Jake Ingram (Hawaii)

• The Patriots let consistent veteran Lonnie Paxton walk via free agency in the offseason. Jake Ingram appears to be the successor after beating out some veteran competition during training camp. He grew up in New Mexico and played his collegiate ball at Hawaii. It's worth keeping an eye on how he fairs in the cold New England weather.

6th Round (207 overall): Defensive Tackle Myron Pryor (Kentucky)

• Pryor has been one of the surprises of this years class. Pryor, who was All-SEC Second Team as a senior has established himself as the backup to Vince Wilfork. Pryor's nice preseason gave him the leg up over Ron Brace on the depth chart. Vince is a free agent after the season, and if the Pats can't come to an agreement with the big man Pryor may find himself in a prominent role next season.

7th Round (232 overall): Wide Receiver Julian Edelman (Kent State)

• The college QB has made an amazing transition to wide receiver and returner, which is a testament to his athleticism. Edelman recently went down with an arm injury (there is speculation it is broken, but the Patriots have never confirmed), but he has not been put on IR. Edelman provides good depth behind Wes Welker and offers the Pats another young, explosive, athletic player.

7th Round (234 overall): Defensive Tackle Darryl Richard (Georgia Tech)

• The third d-lineman taken for the Pats never really stood a chance of making the team. However, Richard did clear waivers upon being cut, and is currently on the team's eight-man practice squad.

Undrafted Free Agent: Quarterback Brian Hoyer (Michigan State)

• Brian Hoyer won a huge uphill battle to get a roster spot as Tom Brady's backup. Not only did he have below average numbers in his final year with the Spartans, but many believed he was brought in simply as a camp arm. Little did we know that he would beat out Kevin O'Connell and Matt Guitierrez for the backup job behind Brady. In the recent blowouts he has had an opportunity to get some real action, which will prove to be beneficial in the long run.

This loaded rookie class has gotten off to a good start thus far. With a tough stretch of games coming after the bye week, and championship aspirations, the Patriots hope these young players can continue to contribute the rest of the way.