2014 NFL Mock Draft: Ra'Shede Hageman picked by New England Patriots

Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

6'6", 310 lbs

"Big Risk, Big Reward"

Hageman is an enigma. He may be the riskiest player in the top 50 (top 100, even). I made this pick knowing that many of you will disagree with me, so feel free to let loose with how this is the worst pick you've ever seen and I should be perma-banned from BGN. But first, let me attempt to justify how I came to this conclusion.

PROs

Hageman has all the tools you look for in a DT: MASSIVE size, impressive athleticism, great strength, above average measurables, including great explosiveness (see broad jump, vertical jump, and bench press performance for a long-armed fellow). Hageman can shed blocks, has excellent power when he gets himself positioned correctly, and makes good use of his length by keeping his hands up to knock down passes at the line.

CONs:

Hageman was never able to put it all together and dominate for Minnesota. He occasionally appears to take some plays off. Sometimes allows his pads to get too high, will let himself get turned and sealed off by blockers. There are a number of other issues similar to these, but all criticisms tend to center around the fact that he just rarely "plays to his size" and needs coaching to develop.

So, if Hageman is still considered a potential top 30-50 prospect, where is the most likely place he could succeed? He needs some serious coaching, some strong discipline to keep his motor running, and a place where he will not drastically alter the team's success if he takes half a season (or more) to begin coming in to his own. The Patriots are the first team that comes to mind when you describe this ideal situation.

Where does Hageman fit in?: the Patriots have a major need on their defensive line. Not only are both of their starting DTs (Tommy Kelly and Vince Wilfork) over 32 years old, but they are also not producing the way they used to. Additionally, Hageman has the VERSATILITY (as we know, the ONLY attribute that truly matters) to play all along the defensive line for the Pats. NT, DT, even at DE occasionally. He has the potential to take over anyone's job from day 1 or to be a solid rotational player until he develops further.

TL;DR: This guy is huge (in both measurables and potential). If there is anywhere he'll succeed, it's with Belicheat in Foxboro.

2014 BGN Mock Draft Order

1 Houston Texans (Imp) - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville - [Explanation]
2 St. Louis Rams (starship 007) - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson - [Explanation]
3 Jacksonville Jaguars (sports00fan00) - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, SC - [Explanation]
4 Cleveland Browns (InHinkieWeTrust) - Johnny Manziel, QB, TAMU - [Explanation]
5 Oakland Raiders (SleepingDuck) - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo - [Explanation]
6 Atlanta Falcons (jimmyrustler) - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn - [Explanation]
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AnthroEagle) - Blake Bortles, QB, UCF - [Explanation]
8 Minnesota Vikings (pot) - Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA - [Explanation]
9 Buffalo Bills (wow4444) - Jake Matthews, OT, TAMU - [Explanation]
10 Detroit Lions (kamjam) - Mike Evans, WR, TAMU - [Explanation]
11 Tennessee Titans (NowWhat?) - Justin Gilbert, CB, OK State - [Explanation]
12 New York Giants (Anthony DiBona) - Eric Ebron, TE, UNC - [Explanation]
13 St. Louis Rams (ILL Eagle) - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama - [Explanation]
14 Chicago Bears (JerkyBoy) - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville - [Explanation]
15 Pittsburgh Steelers (KJ Brophy) - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan - [Explanation]
16 Dallas Cowboys (Patrick Wall) - C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama - [Explanation]
17 Baltimore Ravens (rohan915) - Zack Martin, OT, ND - [Explanation]
18 New York Jets (del.champion) - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State - [Explanation]
19 Miami Dolphins (HD) - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh - [Explanation]
20 Arizona Cardinals (NCeagle) - Kony Ealy, DE, Mizzou - [Explanation]
21 Green Bay Packers (ablesser88) - Jimmie Ward, S, NIU - [Explanation]
22 Philadelphia Eagles (jhn) - Marqise Lee, WR, USC - [Explanation]
23 Kansas City Chiefs (PeaceVT) - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU - [Explanation]
24 Cincinnati Bengals (deg0ey) - Bradley Roby, CB, OSU - [Explanation]
25 San Diego Chargers (StoneColeKiller58) - Kyle Fuller, CB, VT - [Explanation]
26 Cleveland Browns (P_Roach17) - Darqueze Dennard, CB, MSU - [Explanation]
27 New Orleans Saints (bebin) - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, FSU - [Explanation]
28 Carolina Panthers (MikeKafka) - Jason Verrett, CB, TCU - [Explanation]
29 New England Patriots (Amateur_Hour) - R. Hageman, DT, Minn - [Explanation]
30 San Francisco 49ers (AndyMcNabb) -
31 Denver Broncos (dceagles) -
32 Seattle Seahawks (eagles0132) -