It’s that time of year, Patriots fans. The NFL off-season is well underway, and we’ve already seen a plethora of moves around the league. Sure, New England has been particularly quiet in the free agency phase of the 2022 off-season. But there’s plenty of room for excitement for the Foxboro fanatics who are dying to see some fresh faces at Patriot Place. The NFL Draft in particular is a surefire way to get some fresh talent on your roster. It almost guarantees it.
I did a mock draft last year and even got the first-round pick right with quarterback Mac Jones. It’s still a little early in the process for me to put a whole lot of stock into a mock draft, so maybe there’ll be another one just before the big. But here’s the first mock for what I think the Patriots could, or maybe should, do next month in Las Vegas at the NFL Draft.
Round 1, Pick 21: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Treylon Burks is very similar to the amazing AJ Brown of the Tennessee Titans, and with that, he finally lands the Patriots a true WR1. The 22-year-old pass catcher will probably fall further than he should due to his average testing numbers, but he’s consistently proved himself in the SEC. Burks has shown legitimate game speed, and separation skills all the while being 6’3 and weighing in at 225 pounds. The Patriots can right their wrongs from 2019 and select the dynamic weapon out of Arkansas, giving quarterback Mac Jones somebody to grow with in his second season.
Round 2, Pick 54: CB Kyler Gordon, Washington
Washington’s Kyler Gordon is an excellent cover corner that, like Burks, also had a weird combine. But on tape, he is athletic and will help remedy the Patriots’ CB depth chart almost immediately. Following the losses of Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson, the Patriots are desperate for help at that spot. He’ll immediately jump to the top of the depth chart. Playing opposite Jalen Mills with Jonathan Jones inside at the slot. If the Patriots go defensive back first round, look for Gordon’s teammate in Trent McDuffie if he falls to 21. A different kind of corner but the same amount of potential. Gordon has the ability to be the turnover machine that Jackson was in his time in New England. Which is exactly what you want out of your top-end draft choices.
Round 3, Pick 85: LB Darrian Beavers, Cincinnatti
Darrian Beavers is a throwback style LB with new school LB abilities. Once again helps remedy another weak spot on the Patriots roster with a whole bunch of veterans headed out the door. As well as starting a whole lot of young players who are a bit raw and need some polish. Beavers is 6’4 and weighs in at 255 pounds. Similar build to Dont’a Hightower, but obviously has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential as an athlete. He’s a strong tackler and is highly regarded for his football IQ. This screams like a Belichick pick to me and the Pats knock out their top three needs in the first three rounds.
Round 4, Pick 127: OG Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
I was originally going to take Dylan Parham out of Memphis here, but I actually think Jamaree Salyer fits the offense better and will be here where as Parham will probably go earlier in the draft. Salyer is a human brick wall of an OG, and it feels obligatory for the Patriots to take someone from Georgia at this point. Pairing up David Andrews with a fellow bulldog after trading Shaq Mason to Tampa Bay just a few short weeks ago. This move makes too much sense for New England. In both in a sense of typical Belichick moves, and how empty the interior of the offensive line is. Salyer if developed correctly will immediately fill a huge hole felt by Mason’s abscence.
Round 4, Pick 170: RB Hassan Haskins, Michigan
Hassan Haskins is a hard runner that was a part of a dominant duo with Blake Corum at Michigan. Haskins was particulaly impressive in Michigan’s hard-fought win over Ohio State last season. Rushing for 169 yards and a historic five touchdowns. With Damien Harris’ contract expiring at the end of this upcoming season, and the Patriots expressing interest in Leonard Fournette this offseason before he returned to Tampa, it looks like a RB pick might be an inevitability. Haskins fits the bill of the RBs the Patriots like. Taking into account Harris’s injury issues and his aforementioned contract, it never hurts to have good depth at that spot. With Rhamondre Stevenson and James White, Haskins joins a solid core and officially puts JJ Taylor on notice.
Round 6, Pick 200: DB Derrion Kendrick, Georgia
Derrion Kendrick is a player that was once a projected first-rounder, but has had a weird past few years. He’s had off-field issues, inconsistent tape at times, and tested poorly athletically. But when he’s on his game, he’s an excellent CB that plays like a round one talent, and shows plenty of his great athleticism on the field. You can never have enough depth at the cornerback position. Kendrick is a perfect talent to take a flier on, and hopefully he can conform to the “Patriot Way”.
Round 6, Pick 210: DT Noah Elliss, Idaho
Noah Elliss is a massive nose tackle that is also an underrated athlete for his size (6’4, 346 pounds). He’s going to need some refinement but has the upside to be a complete gamewrecker alongside Christian Barmore. He could be an ideal replacement to Lawrence Guy as he enters the twilight of his career. Elliss could be the next great run stuffer for the Patriots if all goes well. Which is all you’re aiming for this late in the process.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’d be really happy if the Patriots’ first two picks are in some fashion addressing reciever and defensive back. In my personal opinion, these are by far the two most important needs for the Patriots in 2022, and they did little to address them in free agency. They signed gadget player Ty Montgomery for a recieving threat, and brought back Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler as well as former Texan Terrance Mitchell at defensive back. Those are depth pieces at best. You don’t sign players like those and immediately see the improvements desperately needed in Foxboro.
We’re a little under a month away from the big weekend, and there’s plenty of work to do. These needs, picks, and players are by no means finalized. We’ve learned that at the NFL Draft nothing is ever guaranteed and we are always guaranteed some major suprises. Let’s hope the Patriots aim to be a tad more aggressive than they have been thus far this off-season. As they’re quickly falling behind their AFC competitors.
