Brandon Deaderick has been a solid addition for the Patriots. (Photo: Patriots.com)
NEPD Staff Writer: Dan Hope
With just two installments in NEPD’s 2010 draft re-grades, we skip ahead to seventh-round pick (No. 247 overall) Brandon Deaderick, their final draft selection in that draft class who spent a significant stint of time on their roster during the regular season.
One of the Patriots’ biggest needs going into the 2013 NFL draft is for a pass-rushing defensive tackle who can line up next to Vince Wilfork inside, and part of the reason for that is that Brandon Deaderick has not established as a quality long-term starting option inside. But considering the Patriots drafted Deaderick with a compensatory seventh-round selection, they should be very happy with what they’ve gotten out of him.
While Deaderick is not able to generate much pressure as an interior penetrator, he is a strong interior lineman who is a solid run-stopping defensive tackle. Upon his insertion into the starting lineup in the 2012, he was at least a definite upgrade over Kyle Love.
Starting as a defensive end in the Patriots’ 3-4 defense in 2010, and becoming a defensive tackle with their conversion to a 4-3 base defense, Deaderick has remained a steady part of the Patriots’ rotation in all three of his NFL seasons. He has played in 34 regular-season games over three seasons, and has 14 combined starts.
Whether the Patriots will keep Deaderick after his contract runs out after next season is uncertain, but he would be worth keeping as a rotational player. He is a good player against the run, can kick outside to defensive end in a pinch and provides solid, reliable depth.
What Deaderick is not is a starting-caliber, three-down defensive tackle. That said, the Patriots would have truly gotten a steal if Deaderick turned into that. Considering the small investment they put into Deaderick, the return value has been far greater.
Deaderick has been more productive than some of the defensive linemen selected ahead of him, and would likely grade out as a fourth-round pick in a 2010 re-draft.
Grade: A-