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NFL Draft Rumors: 5 players Patriots should take with Arizona pick

By John Buhler

Nov 27, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) runs the ball on an end around against the Miami Hurricanes during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Miami won 29-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) runs the ball on an end around against the Miami Hurricanes during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Miami won 29-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

If New England is looking at a possible replacement for Jones at pass rusher, the Patriots’ best option late in the second round is probably Michigan State Spartans standout defensive end Shilique Calhoun.

Calhoun starred on Mark Dantonio’s 2015 Spartans’ defense who won the Big 10 and played in the second annual College Football Playoff. Though Michigan State was annihilated by the eventual National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas, Calhoun appeared to be the front seven player most NFL ready on Michigan State.

Belichick is brilliant at finding good college players in the front seven and turning them into stars at the professional level (Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, etc.). Calhoun was more than a good Big 10 defensive end, he was a star in East Lansing.

With defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s great scheme in the front seven, the Patriots could potentially have a player on the front seven of say Richard Seymour’s caliber. Surely, Calhoun will play more on the edge than Seymour did, but if New England wants to essentially reload at pass rusher after trading Jones to Arizona, it would be hard for the Patriots to pass twice on Calhoun late in the second round.

Next: 4. Tyler Boyd

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