NBC Sports Boston

It's become tradition. As we approach the draft, as we sift through all the various mock permutations dotting the internet, we put one mock in the hands of the people. Fire up the mock-draft simulator. Log into Twitter. Post polls to give folks the opportunity to make picks on behalf of the Patriots. Trudge through all seven rounds. Spit out the results. It's fun. It's an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with a boatload of prospects. And it gives us some perspective on how the fanbase -- a few thousand or so, at least -- hopes the Patriots will attack the draft next week.