The NFL Draft is a month away and Patriots fans are growing more and more eager to see what the team will do with the third overall pick. Pro Days are happening daily and visits to New England are being set up. Through it all, we try to piece together possible outcomes and that’s where we are right now. Take a look at Couture’s Patriots Mock Draft 3.0.
3rd Pick: UNC QB Drake Maye
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels go 1-2, the Patriots land UNC QB Drake Maye. In my opinion, it’s a major win as he’s my QB2 in the draft. He’s a young, developing QB with plenty of room to grow. More importantly, he has all the physical attributes you can hope for in a potential franchise QB. Anytime you draft a QB early, it will come with risk. In the end, you have to take your shot if you believe in the upside of the player. That’s the job of Eliot Wolf and the rest of the Patriots front office to decide. After that, it’s the coach’s job to help get the player to said upside.
Drake Maye has the mobility, arm, and size that teams covet in a franchise QB. There isn’t a play or throw that he can’t make. He has plenty of development needed and it may be best for him to sit and learn early into his career but the talent is there to be a franchise QB. The Patriots are playing the long game. It’s not about having an immediate impact and signing Jacoby Brissett shows that approach. Take the player, trust the talent, and your staff to develop him into the player he has shown he can be.
Drake Maye:
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) March 27, 2024
-Big Arm
-Accurate at 3 Levels
-Mobile
-Can Play In or Out of Structure
-Killer Instinct
-QB Coach has Worked With Him Before, Knows if He's Coachable
-Turns 22 in August
Don't overthink this. Viking.pic.twitter.com/noQh5vnBly
TRADE! Patriots send #34 to the Panthers for #39 and #142
39th Pick: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots attack the tackle position here after sliding back to #39 overall. Kingsley Suamataia is a dream project for new OL coach Scott Peters. The two-year starting tackle played both ends of the offensive line over the last two seasons. In 2022, he was dominant at right tackle where he didn’t allow a sack over 361 pass blocking snaps. In 2023, he shifted to left tackle and while his statistical numbers dropped a little bit (2 sacks over 381 pass-blocking snaps), Suamataia was still very impressive.
As a whole, he’s still a bit of a raw player but if you believe in your team’s offensive line coaching staff, you should view Suamataia very highly. He moves well, has solid size, strong hands, good footwork, and oozes the potential to be a legitimate tackle in the NFL.
Trade! Patriots send #68, #193 and a 2025 5th round pick to the Lions for #61 and #205
61st Pick: Washington WR Jalen McMillan
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots jump multiple wide receiver-needy teams to make sure they land wideout Jalen McMillan. Let’s not forget that the Patriots new WR coach just spent last season working with McMillan at the University of Washington. The Patriots will have direct knowledge of the player on and off the field.
As for the player, McMillan is one of the safer mid-round wide receivers though that shouldn’t make you question his upside. Working alongside a potential top 10 pick and another possible day two selection, McMillan was still able to showcase his abilities. He brings good speed and quickness, along with a great understanding of the position. That’s why I view him as a safe pick. The wideouts who can understand the position and how to get open often find themselves having good NFL careers.
Some may see him as a slot receiver but he is more than that. Standing at 6’1, McMillan has the size and extensive route tree that allows him to be a threat all over the field.
3. Certified Chain Mover ⛓️
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) March 25, 2024
Whether through natural separation or YAC, Jalen gets the job done.
📌 In 2022, he had more (54) first downs than:
– Rome Odunze
– Malik Nabers
– Ladd McConkey
– Troy Franklin
– Keon Coleman
Only behind MHJ & Malachi Corley. He just makes plays. pic.twitter.com/myXvqBWkV7
Another trade! The Patriots swap picks with the Ravens. Sending #103, #142, and #231 for #113, #130, and #218
113th Pick: UNI DL Khristian Boyd
After sliding back ten picks, the Patriots jump on a rising defensive player. The fifth-year senior would join New England with extensive college experience and the necessary size and power to be a potential day-one impact player. Khristian Boyd weighed in at a whopping 329 pounds and put up 38 reps on his pro day. It was there that he worked out and met with Patriots defensive line coach, Jerry Montgomery.
As I mentioned, Boyd has premiere power combined with good handwork that allows him to be a menace inside. He has experience at both the A-gap and B-gap and would fit well next to Christian Barmore for years to come.
130th Pick: Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots follow a trend here by selecting another well-rounded player with a quality floor. Ben Sinnott is just that and he can do it all as a TE. His size is rather average but he’s a phenomenal athlete who runs good routes, has soft hands, and can help in numerous ways. I wouldn’t call him an elite blocker but he’s certainly a willing blocker that isn’t a liability by any measure in that aspect of the game. Sinnott is that day three tight end who ends up emerging into a hidden gem at the position. He’d be a really solid pick that can develop as a rookie under two veteran tight ends.
‘24 NFL Draft Prospect 👀 #KansasState TE Ben Sinnott
— Jared Tokarz (@JaredNFLDraft) March 21, 2024
6’4 250lbs 4.68 forty 40 vert
🔹Athletic versatile chess piece. TE or the backfield
🔹RAS (athletic profile) ranked 29 of 1116 TEs since ‘84
🔹 Best 3 cone amongst TEs @ combine
👇Hands/Blocking
pic.twitter.com/w1oF3pTDlT
137th Pick: Missouri OT Javon Foster
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots take another shot on the offensive line as they select the long-term Missouri left tackle Javon Foster. While he won’t blow you away with his measurements or combine numbers, if you watch him play, you come away impressed. He has consistently produced at a high level against elite college competition.
Foster features solid length and athleticism, moves well laterally, and has enough strength to hold his own against bigger defenders. He’s an ideal day-three pick that would offer a legitimate upside for the Patriots.
180th Pick: Auburn S Jaylin Simpson
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots snag long-time starting DB Jaylin Simpson as they look to bolster their secondary. The versatile defender has experience at cornerback but most recently has worked as a free safety.
He’s a bit undersized weight-wise but has the height and length to work well against the bigger receivers. He reads the quarterback well and is quick to cut off throws both underneath and on the deep ball. Simpson is yet another quality day-three target who is well-rounded and offers multiple avenues to finding a role in the NFL.
One more trade! The Patriots send #205 and #218 to the Saints for #190 and #239
190th Pick: UTSA WR Joshua Cephus
Embed from Getty ImagesLet’s be realistic. At this point in the draft, it’s a dart throw on these prospects. Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop teams from finding gems. Just last year, the Patriots landed Demario Douglas late during day three of the draft. Welcome, Joshua Cephus. There isn’t a ton that will overly impress you about Cephus on paper. He’s not super fast and lacks the weight and physicality to match his height.
On the bright side, he simply produced at UTSA. Over his final three college seasons, Cephus continuously produced including a final season that included 89 catches, 1,151 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He has good hands and while his route tree isn’t very diverse, he impressed with what he did show as a route runner. Cephus excels when you get him in space and put the ball in his hands. In the end, he’s a solid dart throw. Follow the tape and you see the potential to find himself at the next level. The Patriots were also with him at the Hula Bowl.
Jaylin Simpson is him. pic.twitter.com/F4E9FEWBls
— AUFAMILY (@AUFAMILY) September 30, 2023
239th Pick: Temple LB Jordan Magee
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots finish their 2024 Draft by selecting linebacker Jordan Magee. The four-year starter has steadily improved over his college career and has shown to be a well-rounded linebacker. While he’s undersized, Magee plays with an aggressive trait and provides quality athleticism. He has the floor of a solid special teamer with the upside to find a role in a defense like New England’s that excels in finding fits at the linebacker position. The Patriots were at his pro day and did some hands-on special teams work with him after his initial on-field workout.
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