The New England Patriots still have room for improvement following a strong 2017 free agency period, they can add some key depth through the 2017 NFL Draft.
Dwayne Allen, Kony Ealy, Brandon Cooks and Stephon Gilmore are all New England Patriots in 2017.
The team re-signed Dont’a Hightower and is still looking to bring back Malcolm Butler.
Even with all of this offseason success, the New England Patriots still have room for improvement. They’ll look to add defensive depth in the 2017 NFL Draft, but they will also have the chance to add players who can contribute to the offense in the future.
As it stands now, the Patriots do not have a first or second round selection. Their first pick will come in the third round, 72nd overall. Still, the team has seven total picks so they can add some depth.
New England and Bill Belichick may also look to make more draft day trades. If there is a player that Bill wants, he will find his way back into the first or second round. Jimmy Garoppolo is likely still on the table if the Cleveland Browns decide to send a load of picks to Foxboro.
Right now, we will focus on the picks the Patriots do have with our latest mock draft.
Round 3, 72nd Pick: TE Jake Butt, Michigan
The New England Patriots have a new tight end duo with Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen. The Patriots acquired Allen from the Indianapolis Colts this offseason after the departure of Martellus Bennett.
New England will look to the future with their first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft adding Michigan tight end Jake Butt. While he’s no Gronk, one AFC Scout believes Butt will be a solid pro, and that’s good enough when paired up with the Polish Touchdown Machine.
"“He’s going to be a good pro. Everyone wants Kelce, Olsen or Gronk but those are elite players. Butt is dependable and will make first downs. They all get better as blockers once they get up here.”"
Butt has plenty of room for improvement in the blocking game, but he’d be able to work on that while sitting third on the depth chart.
Previous Mock Draft: RB Wayne Gallman, Clemson
Round 3, 96th Pick: LB Alex Anzalone, Florida
Even with Dont’a Hightower re-signing New England may look to the linebacker spot. There are plenty of options at the position but Bill Belichick trusts his connections at Florida. He was present for Alex Anzalone and the other Gators’ Pro Day.
Anzalone had an injury riddled career (shoulder, broken arm) with Florida but when healthy he is a three or four-down linebacker. He is athletic enough to drop back in coverage or to rush the quarterback.
When he plays, Anzalone is fantastic. He started the Gators’ first eight games in 2016 and racked 53 tackles with 3 sacks.
Alex Anzalone would have a chance to learn the NFL game from any linebacker position will contributing as a reserve player. He has the skills to play on the inside or outside, so Bill Belichick, Matt Patricia and the rest of the staff could play around with Anzalone’s role on the team. He can also contribute immediately on special teams.
Previous Mock Draft: EDGE Ryan Anderson, Alabama
Round 4. 131st Pick: RB Brian Hill, Wyoming
The Patriots believe they’ve found a diamond in the rough with Rex Burkhead, but they still need their big back. Wyoming’s Brian Hill could be the perfect player for New England.
At 6’1″, 219lbs Hill has the size the Patriots look for in a running back. He knows how to hold onto the ball, which we all know is crucial when playing for Bill Belichick. Hill fumbled just six times with Wyoming on 817 career carries.
Hill has also proven that he can be a tremendous pass catcher. As a freshman, he became just the fifth player in FBS history to record 200 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game.
As a junior this past season, Hill had 349 carries for 1,860 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Mountain West is not the strongest NCAA conference, so Hill will need to adapt to the NFL game. He will have the chance to do so sitting behind Burkhead, James White and Dion Lewis.
Previous Mock Draft: WR Damore’ea Stringfellow, Ole Miss
Round 5, 163rd Pick: CB Shaquill Griffin, Central Florida
In Round 5, I have the New England Patriots flip-flopping their picks from my last mock draft. I believe New England will look to add a corner in UCF’s Shaquill Griffin as Alabama’s DE/DT Dalvin Tomlinson should still be available 20 picks later.
Griffin is quick, with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine and he is extremely aggressive in both his run and pass coverage. He’d have the chance to battle in training camp for the third cornerback role with Cyrus Jones and Eric Rowe.
Some believe Griffin could be off the board in the Fourth Round, but let’s hope he falls.
Previous Mock Draft: DE/DT Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
Round 5, 183rd Pick: DE/DT Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
At 6’3″, 310lbs Dalvin Tomlinson is an enormous defensive lineman who has overcome ACL tears on both legs and the death of both parents.
At Alabama, coach Nick Saban used Tomlinson as a defensive tackle and on the edge. As a senior, he had 62 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, and three sacks.
Dalvin Tomlinson has room to grow and can improve his game while learning from Lawrence Guy, Kony Ealy, Trey Flowers and Alan Branch.
Previous Mock Draft: CB Shaquill Griffin, Central Florida
Round 6, 200th Pick: DE Joe Mathis, Washington
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The Patriots could add back to back defensive lineman in Washington Huskies product Joe Mathis.
Mathis spent time as a defensive end and as a linebacker at Washington. He’s a tweener. He injured his foot last season and has since had surgery, but when he was playing he was one of the best pass rushers in college football.
Mathis played six games in 2016, and he tallied five sacks along the way.
The Patriots, like many teams, can always use a new pass rusher and Mathis is where they should look for one.
Previous Mock Draft: SS Weston Steelhammer, Air Force
Round 7, 239th Pick: WR Jerome Lane, Akron
I’m sticking with a longshot wideout for the Patriots in the Seventh Round, Akron’s Jerome Lane.
He’s a project and a potential practice squad player. At 6’3″ he adds size that New England lacks on the outside. Lane had 1,018 yards and six touchdowns on 62 receptions last season with Akron.
With a 220lbs frame, Lane could also be used as a tight end. He is versatile in the roles he can fill, and those are the types of players Belichick loves.
Previous Mock Draft: WR Jerome Lane, Akron
With the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots can add depth that is crucial to a Super Bowl run, as injuries play a role in all seasons. Even those that end up on the practice squad contribute in some way.
Next: Where Patriots Can Still Improve
The Patriots have plenty of options in the draft, but as of now, this is where they should go. You listening, Bill?