One, two, three… for more pigskin mockery!
I was starting to feel like this was a draft where you just had to live with missing out on at least one position of need and then, well, the simulator just broke my way.
Here we go with my "almost perfect" 7-round mock draft for the New England Patriots.
Assumptions (with carry over from Mock #1 and #2)
The alleged needs: 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.
I'm using the Pro Football Network's Mock Draft simulator, with the consensus players list.
NOTE: The simulator I'm using doesn't assume O-Line is a need for the Patriots but we all know the First Rule of Patriots Club is that Drake Maye must be protected at all costs!
The A.J. Brown trade is not happening. Or it is. Or it already has. Whatever.
While the Patriots aren't so talented they can simply draft "best athlete available" over need, the draft sometimes makes you an offer you simply can't refuse.
I will trade down for more picks as circumstances dictate.
Relative Athletic Score (RAS) will be a deciding factor for me.
So, how did it go?
I did trade out of the first round, but it was pretty much stick and pick after that, as the simulator's offers were less enticing after that. So 12 picks…
A few notes on the picks…
Happy with the T.J. Parker pick, but ideally would've added another Edge (Mason Reiger).
Gennings Dunker is giving me a low-key Logan Mankins 2.0 vibe.
Bryce Lance has become one of my mock draft binkies; tall, fast, athletic, and he caught passes in cold weather.
Austin Barber taken as apprentice to Morgan Moses.
VJ Payne is a RAS monster with good size for a safety. He can help in "Big Nickel" packages and special teams while he learns behind Kevin Byard.
Yeah, I've fallen in love with Ephesians Prysock; tall and fast. Feeling some nostalgia for Otis Smith, maybe? Yeah. Good times.
Dallen Bentley has got the size and athleticism to thrive in a Josh McDaniels offense.
With the extra pick in hand, I could afford to take a QB. Cole Payton is a RAS monster who completed 70% of his pass attempts playing in the badlands.
Jack Kelly is an athletic, sideline to sideline linebacker in the Robert Spillane mold. Missed on Jake Golday and Kaleb Elams-Orr (prioritized Edge and WR over LB) but Kelly is much more than a consolation prize.
I couldn't pass on Roman Hemby after reading that he had over 100 receptions in his college career with just 3 drops. And he has classic "big game" experience having played for the national champions.
I'd be delighted with Jeff Caldwell at #202 in real life. Tall, athletic, and fast. Yes, I have a type when it comes to wide receivers.
Rene Konga is a rather large human and a freak athlete. Hard to say no with a 7th round pick. I've heard the rumblings about replacing Bryce Baringer but I just couldn't go with a punter here.
Was this mock "almost perfect?" Well, it checked all the "needs" boxes but as noted in the breakdown above, still a few regrets. Such is life. And mock drafts.
More to come soon to an internet link near you!
Go Pats!
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