Pigskin Again

Well, it's officially Draft Season!

But first, a tip of the proverbial championship cap to the Kansas City Chiefs. A lot will be said and written about the Chiefs, Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and yes, Taylor and Travis, and they rightly deserve all the flowers. You have to call it a Dynasty because that's what it is. 

But that was so last year.

We're on to the existential pigkin now and the Shakespearian question facing the New England Patriots: To QB or not QB?

Well, it is the most important position in the sport (if not all of sports) so I'm going to say, yeah; get a quarterback. I mean, you've got to hope you aren't picking at #3 again next year, right?

Anyway, it's early days and let's face it, these mock drafts are hardly worth the paper they're written on (do people still write on paper?). Having said that, here's my initial mock, using the NFL Draft Buzz Simulator.

Caveats: 

• I'll work on a volume draft at some point (which will necessitate trading down from #3) but for now, I'm sticking and picking.

• I'm going with the wisdom of the crowd in terms of team needs (QB, OT, TE, WR). Free agency will obviously (fingers crossed!) have an impact on that list for Draft Day.

• I prefer Power 5/Division I colleges but won't rule out athletic freaks from DII or even DII. As in, He ran a 4.3 what?!?!

Let's go!

Round 1 (3): Caleb Williams, QB, USC

How did the best QB in the draft fall to the Patriots at #3? Better check your algorithm, NFL Draft Buzz Simulator! I'm guessing the Patriots would be elated should this happen in real life. It won't but it is fun to think about.

Round 2 (34): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

The Patriots need offensive tackles. Duh.

Round 3 (68): Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

Wicked fast. 

Round 4 (103): Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan

Guard might not be a priority but Zinter is a big body and maybe Cole Strange should move to Center. David Andrews isn't getting any younger. Just sayin'.

Round 5 (139): Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State

Poor man's Rob Gronkowski. Wishful thinking? Okay, but isn't the draft all about dreaming big?

Round 6 (182): Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington

I have reached the point in the draft where I have no real idea what I'm doing besides checking boxes (Big? Check. Power 5? Check. Big Game experience? Check. Name sounds like an offensive lineman? Check.) Also, did I mention that the Patriots need offensive tackles.

Round 7 (224): Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall

Taking a flier on a potential 3rd down/pass catching RB. Who doesn't miss James White?

Round 7 (232): Jeremy Flax, OT, Kentucky

Two reasons: (1) The Pats need offensive tackles and (2) he played against SEC pass rushers.

Go Pats!