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5 Late-Round Sleepers the New England Patriots Should Target In 2015 NFL Draft

5 Late-Round Sleepers the New England Patriots Should Target In 2015 NFL Draft

Tre McBride
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have a very good track record of finding starting caliber players late into NFL drafts, especially at the skill positions. With not a ton of immediate needs, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots trade out of their first-round pick in an attempt to get more late-round picks to grab a bunch of players. Here’s a look at five late-round sleepers the Patriots could snag in the draft.

5. LB Bryce Hager

Bryce Hager
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

5. LB Bryce Hager

Bryce Hager
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Hager is quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the draft. He impressed many scouts at the Combine with his athleticism and ability to cover the field, and he could instantly fit into a defense that’s looking for a rangy linebacker to make plays in space and cover. With Jerod Mayo’s future up in the air, it makes sense for the Pats to take a chance on a guy who can move in a speedy manner.

4. DE Obum Gwacham

Obum Gwacham
Susan Ragan-USA TODAY Sports

4. DE Obum Gwacham

Obum Gwacham
Susan Ragan-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots need to find a backup pass-rusher behind Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich, and late in the draft, Obum Gwacham could be a player they take a chance on. He’s only been playing defense for a year after he transitioned from wide receiver in 2014, but that just screams that he’s a freak athlete. He’s 6-foot-5, 246 pounds and ran a 4.72 in the 40. He has all the raw athleticism and just needs to work on his strength.

3. RB Dee Hart

Dee Hart
Getty Images

3. RB Dee Hart

Dee Hart
Getty Images

Hart is a small back, standing at a tiny 5-foot-7, but he plays a lot bigger and stronger than that. He is a determined runner who finishes runs with aggression and attitude. He’s also very comfortable coming out of the backfield and can get separation on his routes which the Patriots love to see, especially with Shane Vereen possibly leaving in free agency.

2. TE Rory Anderson

Rory Anderson
Getty Images

2. TE Rory Anderson

Rory Anderson
Getty Images

Pairing Anderson with the likes of Rob Gronkowski just wouldn’t be fair for the rest of the NFL. Anderson has all the athletic tools teams are now looking for in a tight end, and his scouting report reads like a fan-written love letter. This guy can do it all. His question marks come with his size and the fact that he has some injury history. If he falls into the late-rounds, the Patriots would be silly not to pick him up.

1. WR Tre McBride

Tre McBride
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. WR Tre McBride

Tre McBride
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

McBride has the size and hands of an outside threat, but he lacks elite speed. For the Patriots, however, that’s fine. A receiver who has elite hands and size works much better in the Patriots' system since he can come in, run clean routes, catch balls and immediately gain Brady’s trust. Plus scouts compare him to Brandon LaFell, and we all know that worked out swimmingly for the Patriots.

Peter Rogers is a featured NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @petahrahgas or add him to your network on Google

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