Pigskins at Mock 1

It's that special time of the year when even Cleveland Browns fans believe that hitting on a draft pick or two could propel them into the playoffs. Every team's fans feel this way. Well, except for Jets fans, of course.

Okay, so the NFL draft is a crap shoot; past the first round, you're just guessing. If you want to call the "advanced analytics" or "projections based on historical comps" that's cool, but looking at the success rate by round you might wonder why there's a 7th round at all. Having said that…

Here we go with a 7-round mock draft for the New England Patriots.

Assumptions

• The obvious priorities: O-Line, Edge/Pass Rush, and Wide Receiver are the obvious priorities, and probably in that order. Tight End, Linebacker, and Safety could also use some juice.

• The A.J. Brown trade is not happening. (I'd be happy with Chris Brazzell III out of Tennessee.) George Pickens isn't coming to Foxborough, either. Just stop it. 

• While the Patriots aren't so talented they can simply draft "best athlete available" over need, but, the draft sometimes makes you an offer you simply can't refuse.

• I never trade up (yes, despite the odds cited above relative to success in the latter rounds of the draft); I will trade down if I'm only giving up a few spots and picking up additional picks in 2026. 

• I'm using the Pro Football Network's Mock Draft simulator, with the consensus players list.

So, how did it go?

I'm not going to include draft cards for all of the picks in this first mock, but a few notes…

• Mac Iheanachor is a large and athletic OT (9.87 RAS), and we must protect Drake Maye at all costs!

• Malachi Lawrence was the best EDGE available. Yeah,I hope the Pats reach for Zion Young at #31, too.

• Bryce Lance is tall, fast, athletic (an insane 9.98 RAS) and played in cold weather. Yeah, Chris Brazzell III was long gone by this point.

• I simply gave into the hype from the local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads for Oscar Delp. Is "The Wisdom of Crowds" actually an oxymoron?

• I was elated to hear D'Zhaun Stribling was one of the Patriots 30 visits; tall and very fast (4.36 40).

• Aside from having a name from a Dickens' novel, Ephesians Prycock is an absolute freak athlete (6' 4", 4.45 40, 9.90 RAS).

• Nadame Tucker is a bit of a small school reach but he was highly productive and played in cold weather. From this point on I was basically taking the best available EDGE or Offensive Lineman, having purposely added some picks via trades, with two exceptions…

• Lander Barton looks like an intriguing option at Linebacker. An absolute projection. Good size. LB who is athletic enough to moonlight as a TE. Hm. Who else fits that description?

• Vinny Anthony II has a name that sounds like it's being yelled from an open second story apartment building in Northy, and he played in wintry weather. Big slot with special teams/kick return potential at #245? Why not?

How did I do? Nobody knows at this point so yeah, I actually don't care what anybody thinks about it. Okay, that's pretty much everything, all the time. 

Mockity Mock #2 coming soon to an internet link near you!

Go Pats!