Yes, another NFL mock draft…
This time around for my 7-round Patriots draft, I used the NFL Mock Draft Database and when in doubt, WalterFootball for analysis/comps.
I continued to follow a simple set of basic rules for making my picks. Well, they're more guidelines than rules…
The draft is a crapshoot; the more picks you have, the better the chances your blind squirrel finds an acorn. More is definitely more.
You have to let the draft come to you; not because it's Zen but because you really don't have much control over what crazy thing the computer thinks other teams are going to do. You may want to draft one of the best cornerbacks in the draft but what are you going to do if eight other teams are thinking the same thing and they all draft ahead of you?
I will look first at the school/conference (h/t Malcolm Gladwell), with productivity as a tie-breaker for prospects from DII and DIII schools.
I rely on the local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads for intel on what they're thinking in the Patriots draft war room, and the fact that the men in the Patriots draft war room know way more about this than I do.
Trades
14 for Seattle's 20, 83, 151, and 2024 4th
20 for Pittsburgh's 32, 80, 120
32 for New Orleans' 40, 71, 115, 217
151 for San Francisco's 155, 173, 247, 253, 255
Picks
40 - Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Chasing the next Gronk is probably a fool's errand but if anyone is up to it, it just might be Washington, who is a very large, fast, athletic young man.
46 - Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Still no wide receiver? No cornerback? Just too hard to pass up on a stud linebacker from Belichick Buddy Kirk Ferentz's Iowa program.
71 - D.J. Turner, CB, Michigan
Yes, finally, a cornerback. Well, okay, a nickelback. (Yes, I'm ashamed of myself.)
76 - Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
Edge is a need for the Patriots and White is a big dude who reminds me a bit of Dietrich Wise.
80 - Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
83 - Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
107 - Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
One of these guys has got to stick, am I right?
115 - Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
Good size and covered SEC wide receivers while playing for Belichick Buddy Nick Saban.
117 - A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
Big kid who put up big numbers.
120 - Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Another prospect who played against SEC wide receivers like…
135 - Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
Have heard some Patriots noise around Mingo. Hey, he played and was productive against SEC cornerbacks. Yes, I am now trapped in a circular argument.
155 - Byron Young, DL, Alabama
Okay, this was a "good value/played at 'Bama" kind of pick.
173 - Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington
Good value and the Patriots need tackles but yeah, his name is Jaxson.
184 - Dylan Horton, Edge, TCU
Horton is a very large human who played at a big time school that made it to the playoffs last year.
187 - Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
Local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads say the Patriots are interested in Nacua. Feels like David Givens 2.0.
192 - Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
I think the Patriots are okay at safety, even with Devin McCourty's retirement, but, well, good value/big-time program.
210 - Curtis McClendon, OG/OT, Chattanooga
Listed as an interior lineman by the NFL Mock Draft Database, Cole Strange's former teammate split time at left and right tackle for Chattanooga. Strange's performance as a rookie gives some legitimacy to projecting McClendon as a guy who could step in at guard or tackle at the NFL level.
245 - Jose Ramirez, Edge, Eastern Michigan
Small school but incredible production. Athletic enough to contribute on special teams right away.
247 - Jake Moody, K, Michigan
Nick Folk Hero can't kick forever… Can he?
253 - Chris Rodriguez, RB, Kentucky
Taking a flier on the undersized Rodriguez's game-breaking potential.
255 - DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama
Alabama.
257 - Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State
Averaged 49 yards a punt. Yes please.
And that's that. Feel free to mock my mock draft in the comments.
Go Pats!
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